I LOVE OUR DVC, BUT THIS I HAVE TO POST :(lengthy)

[Minniesgal]

This is neither new nor unusual the resorts do not have enough parking for random guests without reservations to park. This is why Disney offers free transportation to all.

I am glad they are enforcing there is nothing worse than not finding a space at the resort you are staying at and a 2 hour pass is enough for dining.

 

[disneynutz]

My guess is that the valet contract gives the valets XX number of parking spaces whether they use them or not.

Bill

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I have definitely seen the parking equivalent of the desk tantrum occur.

aka: "But I am a DVC owner and you cannot do this to me because I own here!"
But if you don't have a reservation there, your ownership actually doesn't apply as such, as you own a proportionate share, represented in points, that are applied to specific days of reservation.

And Bill is right - the valet contracts give the valets a specific allotment of spaces. To change this requires a new contract. I do not know the periodicity of the valet contracts.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

My guess is that the valet contract gives the valets XX number of parking spaces whether they use them or not.

Bill

It's possible although it's amazing the things that aren't considered with contracts. And it's definite they allocated too much. I certainly hope they have to pay by space for as much as they were given.

 

[crisi]

I'd place money on the number of spots allocated to valet is contractual - so Disney can't just "adjust" the number of valet spots until contract negotiation time. And I'd place money that when they negotiate those contracts, they don't really think too much about how many spaces they are contracting out and the utilization of that space - its probably a "oh, up for renewal, change the date, and sign it" contract. (They should, but I'm betting that its done by the Hotels Legal Department (not DVC) and its basically rubber stamped except for the revenue parts).

 

[sgtdisney]

Perhaps Disney can build a parking structure near Boardwalk, similar to Disney Springs. As for the theming of it, just paint giant clown faces all over it. Matches the pool theme, and has a double benefit of keeping the day guests who are afraid of clowns away. Welcome to the IT parking structure. Enjoy your stay (if you can...)

 

[disneynutz]

Disney would improve the parking by building a parking structure if it made them money, it won't in the boardwalk area, it does at DS. In fact they don't improve the parking shortage, it keeps people from renting cars and keeps them at WDW spending money. It also increases the Minnie Van business.

Bill

 

[BillPA]

If they really wanted to help the parking at the resorts, they could reduce the charge for parking at the parks and have less spots for valet parking.

 

[DizBub]

If they really wanted to help the parking at the resorts, they could reduce the charge for parking at the parks and have less spots for valet parking.

This could be a start. At least cutting the valet parking lot in half and then adjust accordingly if they have conventions/meetings etc. The empty valet lots are a bit of a joke. From now until we decide not to renew our TIW membership we will use it to valet park when we need to.

Now watch....they will decide to drop that perk.

 

[Chuck S]

If they really wanted to help the parking at the resorts, they could reduce the charge for parking at the parks and have less spots for valet parking.

But locals would probably have an annual pass with free parking at the parks anyway. So then we have to assume that it is people who stay off site, are not local (unless they have only a few days pass) and are not onsite guests that are parking there to avoid the EPCOT parking lot fees. That leaves the people that are trying to severely budget by staying off site, with a multi day ticket, possibly purchased from a discounter or part of a package deal. Would reducing parking fees really help? Probably not much, unless they made them free.

 

[John-DVC]

Hope you feel better. 18 years and this being the first big issue is pretty good. Still though it would have been great for you to receive clearer communication from the staff.

 

[n2mm]

IMO, most of the parking problem would go away if they charged everyone except BWV/BWI guests or convention attendees an hourly parking fee. Restaurants could validate tickets for 2 - 3 hours. Rates after 4 PM should be high enough to deter those headed for EPCOT.

Omg, I’ve been saying this for years. This seems like an easy fix and could possibly put extra money in Disney’s pocket. I always thought a dedicated parking lot with a electronic gate to get in and out of would be nice too. I’m at Bwv most of the time and we don’t move our car rom Thursday to Sunday. We’ve had to circle both parking lots for an hour in the pas just so we can park to go to bed.

 

[Spartan86]

Forgive me if this has been pointed out already. Regarding TIW and valet, yes it is complimentary if you are there for dining. I would assume an ADR verification is done but I don’t know that to be the case as we rarely have a car.

• Complimentary Resort valet and theme park parking for dining purposes

 

[crisi]

But locals would probably have an annual pass with free parking at the parks anyway. So then we have to assume that it is people who stay off site, are not local (unless they have only a few days pass) and are not onsite guests that are parking there to avoid the EPCOT parking lot fees. That leaves the people that are trying to severely budget by staying off site, with a multi day ticket, possibly purchased from a discounter or part of a package deal. Would reducing parking fees really help? Probably not much, unless they made them free.

At this point in the Disney lifecycle, parking at the parks could be free. They have plenty of parking spaces - they close parking before the parks - and I suspect most people parking are doing it free anyway. I honestly don't think even free parking would help with Boardwalk though - the International Gateway entrance is just too darn convenient for "we will slip in for Illuminations (or dinner or drink around the world) and then be able to minimize traffic on the way out. I suspect it isn't all offsite guests looking for free parking - I suspect its a lot of onsite guests looking for the quickest way in and out for dinner/drinking and fireworks.

 

[BillPA]

Forgive me if this has been pointed out already. Regarding TIW and valet, yes it is complimentary if you are there for dining. I would assume an ADR verification is done but I don’t know that to be the case as we rarely have a car.

• Complimentary Resort valet and theme park parking for dining purposes

To get the free valet parking with TIW, you must show a receipt for dining and be less than 3 hours. Or you will be charged.

 

[LSchrow]

Omg, I’ve been saying this for years. This seems like an easy fix and could possibly put extra money in Disney’s pocket. I always thought a dedicated parking lot with a electronic gate to get in and out of would be nice too. I’m at Bwv most of the time and we don’t move our car rom Thursday to Sunday. We’ve had to circle both parking lots for an hour in the pas just so we can park to go to bed.

Us also - we rent a car, but don't use it on weekends as experience has taught us we might not get a spot upon return (especially during the F&WF - non-BWV/BWI guests & non-convention/event guests will come early to avoid the guard at the convention lot, and/or make a quick right after pretending to go to valet, or the worst, following closely behind a bus through the "Bus entrance ONLY" gates). It is a dream of ours to one day NOT see the long line of cars vacating the convention lot right after Illuminations
BTW, over the years, many different BW managers have spoken of gating the individual lot entrances (open with valid MB) - it is ridiculous that we have to park across the street when dining at Narcoose's & other GF restaurants (& walk quite a bit in heels ), yet non-BWI/BWV are able to park in the BWI/BWV resort/convention/event lots. We're still waiting........

 

[n2mm]

To get the free valet parking with TIW, you must show a receipt for dining and be less than 3 hours. Or you will be charged.

Very true. We have had to show a receipt when using our TiW discount for valet.

 

[michelleiada]

Personally, I am glad that they are limiting non-resort guests to park at deluxe resorts. There is just too much opportunity to abuse it and guests with reservations need to be the priority. I understand the original poster's frustration and disappointment but don't think it was worth the confrontation with the manager. There were other ways to still be able to visit the Boardwalk. Parking at Boardwalk has been an issue for a long time...not surprising to me at all.

 

[kittyab]

I think if you had phoned ahead you could had saved yourself some head ache.

Is there a reason why you didn't use the Disney buses? We don't own at BCV but we have been able to walk around the resort, but we walked from Epcot. (we had a reservation at Beaches & Cream and decided to check out the resort while we were there)

 

[gatorskin76]

Nm