I found a luggage cart at Saratoga Springs

[zackiedawg]

Interesting experience last week on my most recent trip - in dozens of stays over the years, I've never found self-serve luggage carts at Saratoga Springs - it was always Bell Services would bring luggage to you. When I parked at Building 1 of Congress Park on arrival, there was no luggage cart anywhere public, and I hauled 5 pieces of luggage up to the 3rd floor myself on 2 very heavily laden trips. I'm accustomed to that. But on my 3rd day out of 5, a luggage cart appeared directly in front of my room. I can only guess those checking in at the room next door had requested or used it - not sure where it came from - because my room was at the end of one of the wings, I think it was easily forgotten or overlooked, so it stayed there for the next two days. When it came time for me to check out and load up my car, I packed all my luggage, lumped it by the door, and prepared to make 2 trips down - but opening the door, I found the cart was still sitting there. Which made it wonderfully convenient bringing down my luggage and loading the car in a single trip. When I was done, I put the cart in the recessed area next to the stairs and across from the elevators - either someone else might find it there and use it, or staff would easily see it and return it to wherever it usually hides. I admit I wish it was a 'thing' to have some carts residing in that spot by the stairs for guests to use when unpacking the car - especially if you have luggage for two, a cooler, some bags of groceries, camera equipment, etc. Even when I go solo, I generally need to make 2 trips, and with more people, it can be 3 or 4.

I never really thought about the lack of luggage carts there before in all my stays - since I had never seen one, it wasn't missed. But having this one magically appear by my room and be there for checkout, it's now something i'd really like. Does anyone know if they're typically stored somewhere 'backstage' in the cleaning crew quarters of each building where you could request one on arrival to the building? Or was this a one-time fluke where someone got one off Bell Services and just left it in the hallway?

 

[Mle8308]

Most likely someone took it at check in, used it, and didn't return it or call Bell Services to come retrieve it. Bell Services probably had no idea it was there. I don't have issues with people borrowing a luggage rack, but when they don't return it or at least let Bell Services know, then I do have an issue. It can impact other guests. Bell Services doesn't want luggage racks left in buildings because it cuts down on how they make money. I'm surprised someone from housekeeping didn't call to let them know it was left there. Maybe they did and it was forgotten! But I will admit, it can be a nice surprise to find one close by so you don't have to call for assistance!

 

[zackiedawg]

I figured something like that too. My room was 3145, which is all the way down the end of one wing - housekeeping was definitely there at the room next door as well as mine during the 3 days the cart was there, but no one ever picked it up. I hoped and assumed by leaving it near the front entrance, it would be more obvious to someone on staff and they'd retrieve it.

I use Bell Services at all 'indoor' DVC places - Boardwalk, Wilderness Lodge, AK, BLT, etc - but at OKW and Saratoga I generally don't bother since I arrive by car and can just park close to my room. Though as I mentioned, it was certainly nice having it there on checkout.

 

[muppets3d]

I wish they would have one or two at every building at SSR. People would never put them back in the right place so it would be tough to rely on them though.

 

[tidefan]

They used to have them at SSR and the “recess” was for exactly that purpose. They took them out 10 or so (maybe a bit earlier) years ago due to a negotiation with Bell Services that customers wouldn’t have access to them.

It’s been a long time, but there were threads about it on here.

 

[The Jackal]

I believe that there should be 2 of them at every building. People use them and don’t bring them back. We have used them before at SSR several times.

 

[sethschroeder]

Don't stay at SSR but can't you ask bell service for one? I would think they have them locked up in every building somewhere?

I know in the normal resorts that are a single building I just ask to borrow one or sometimes just ask bell services to come by the room.

Normally when leaving though because we have a number of bags I like to go get one so we are not trying to rush putting bags for 6 people on the cart.

 

[keishashadow]

Wait, BWV Bell Services will let you “borrow” a luggage cart???

For some reason we tend to get the further-est standard studio @ BWV. Nice to walk to parked car & see Fantasmic FW but, it’s a real haul with luggage.

For another reason, are always quoted at least an a hour for our luggage once the room is ready, so we tend to grab it and go when there. Other resorts, never more than 20 min or less.

 

[muppets3d]

Wait, BWV Bell Services will let you “borrow” a luggage cart???

For some reason we tend to get the further-est standard studio @ BWV. Nice to walk to parked car & see Fantasmic FW but, it’s a real haul with luggage.

For another reason, are always quoted at least an a hour for our luggage once the room is ready, so we tend to grab it and go when there. Other resorts, never more than 20 min or less.

I have seen normal guests pushing luggage carts down the hallways at Riviera.

Honestly I usually just let them take care of it and tip them. We are all cogs in the wheel after all.

At SSR where I'm parked right in front of my villa (or close enough), I usually don't use bell services.

Haven't stayed at BWV yet.

Each to their own.

 

[Mouseforward]

Of all the money I spend at WDW , the $20 tip to grab my OL and bags and run them to my room is money well spent. Lots of DVC guests are older and the more we use bell services the more we are likely to keep them.

I also noted that BC seems to use a service elevator by the room i was staying in 540 to shuttle luggage... I imagine that saves lots of wall scrapes and dings on the main elevators.

For work I stay in lots of hotels with free floating luggage carts and they always seem to end up in the halls and not returned to the lobby. Kind of like shopping carts at the supermarket lots don't have the basic courtesy to return them.

 

[tidefan]

Of all the money I spend at WDW , the $20 tip to grab my OL and bags and run them to my room is money well spent. Lots of DVC guests are older and the more we use bell services the more we are likely to keep them.

I also noted that BC seems to use a service elevator by the room i was staying in 540 to shuttle luggage... I imagine that saves lots of wall scrapes and dings on the main elevators.

For work I stay in lots of hotels with free floating luggage carts and they always seem to end up in the halls and not returned to the lobby. Kind of like shopping carts at the supermarket lots don't have the basic courtesy to return them.

Why, if I'm driving to SSR, would I drive over to the Carriage House, drop off my luggage, then drive to my unit, and then call for my luggage?

I've never used Bell Services at SSR. The luggage carts at each building were so much more convenient (and, as an FYI, they have luggage carts for self-service at HHI and VB, just not WDW properties).

 

[Mouseforward]

Why, if I'm driving to SSR, would I drive over to the Carriage House, drop off my luggage, then drive to my unit, and then call for my luggage?

I've never used Bell Services at SSR. The luggage carts at each building were so much more convenient (and, as an FYI, they have luggage carts for self-service at HHI and VB, just not WDW properties).

I have never had a room at SSR ready before I got to the hotel, and the car drops me at the main building. I never rent cars at WDW

 

[tidefan]

I have never had a room at SSR ready before I got to the hotel, and the car drops me at the main building. I never rent cars at WDW

I was referring to those of us who drive to WDW. As stated by a previous poster, SSR and OKW are just not really set up for efficient Bell Services for those driving in, especially since when you get the room ready text, you just go straight to the room.

In fact, I usually now just throw in a collapsible dolly to bring stuff up to the room, but a luggage cart sure would make it easier at each building. Not saying there aren't situations for it, but rather saying that operations at these two resorts differ than most of the centralized resorts.

 

[Mouseforward]

I was referring to those of us who drive to WDW. As stated by a previous poster, SSR and OKW are just not really set up for efficient Bell Services for those driving in, especially since when you get the room ready text, you just go straight to the room.

In fact, I usually now just throw in a collapsible dolly to bring stuff up to the room, but a luggage cart sure would make it easier at each building. Not saying there aren't situations for it, but rather saying that operations at these two resorts differ than most of the centralized resorts.

Agree, I rarely stay at SSR And when I do It’s Congress Park or the spring since I don’t have a car.

I think that there were no bell surfaces available one time I remember in particular it was Labor Day week and about 105 as I logged my luggage myself without a cart. I think my brain was screaming at me. This would never happen at Riviera.

 

[Moonspinner]

They used to have them at SSR and the “recess” was for exactly that purpose. They took them out 10 or so (maybe a bit earlier) years ago due to a negotiation with Bell Services that customers wouldn’t have access to them.

It’s been a long time, but there were threads about it on here.

That’s crazy that they took them away. I didn’t know that. We have stayed at 2 Marriott time shares over the last year (we don’t own, just paid by night), and both had very convenient luggage carts for personal use. This sent dh on several rants about how as dvc members, there should be luggage carts set aside for personal use at every resort. He’s right. The idea that Disney is actually trying to force people to use bell services is outrageous.

 

[zackiedawg]

it would certainly be nice to have them available, but as with my situation, unfortunately there are many thoughtless people who don't bother returning stuff so I agree, they'd likely be scattered randomly in the halls. Maybe the solution would be to have to swipe a credit card to access a cart with the first 30 minutes no charge...then it begins charging for every 30 minutes the cart isn't returned. You have to return the cart to avoid the charge.
(as someone who worked at a supermarket as a teen, having to roam the parking lot looking for stray carts left all over the place rather than in the obvious cart return corrals placed throughout the parking lot, I hate when people are too lazy to return something to the designated area. I always bring my carts back to the corrals, and when I used that stray luggage cart, I returned it to what seemed like the obvious place for it - interesting to hear that they once did keep luggage carts there!).

 

[CarolynFH]

unfortunately there are many thoughtless people who don't bother returning stuff

Exactly. At other (non-Disney) hotels with self-service carts, DH has had to roam the halls looking, or we’ve had to portion out our luggage between us and do without one. It’s sad but very likely that guests at SSR didn’t return the carts to that alcove for others to use.

 

[Sandisw]

Don't stay at SSR but can't you ask bell service for one? I would think they have them locked up in every building somewhere?

I know in the normal resorts that are a single building I just ask to borrow one or sometimes just ask bell services to come by the room.

Normally when leaving though because we have a number of bags I like to go get one so we are not trying to rush putting bags for 6 people on the cart.

Yes…you can ask to borrow them.

 

[toesmom]

Don't stay at SSR but can't you ask bell service for one? I would think they have them locked up in every building somewhere?

I know in the normal resorts that are a single building I just ask to borrow one or sometimes just ask bell services to come by the room.

Normally when leaving though because we have a number of bags I like to go get one so we are not trying to rush putting bags for 6 people on the cart.

We stay at bwv and I think only bell services will use the luggage carts. Similarly at VGF and other resorts from what I recall.

 

[LadybugsMum]

We stay at bwv and I think only bell services will use the luggage carts. Similarly at VGF and other resorts from what I recall.

I've borrowed the carts from BS at BWV and VGF without an issue, but I do always promptly return it.