Just Returned from the Poly: Lovely stay...but I have a concern

[RSoxFan]

I think several of these types of services have been out sourced and this may be why this type of behavior is now seen.....

We checked in at the Beach Club on 7/8. There were three or four valets standing around, but no one came over to us. Finally, our driver grabbed a luggage cart and started emptying the trunk. A manager noticed and told us he would find someone to help us. That's when I remembered they had been outsourced.

We checked out on 7/18. We called for a bellman about 45 minutes before the car was supposed to pick us up. Half an hour later, someone from the valet desk called us and said "Your car is here waiting for you. You're late!" I was shocked. I have never experienced that in 15 years of going to WDW. Or anywhere else for that matter. I explained that we would be there as soon as someone came for our bags. Fifteen minutes later I called back and asked where the bellman was. I was told "There are people ahead of you, you know." All in all, it took over an hour for someone to pick up our bags. I wasn't even upset about that though. It was the rudeness.

 

[chamonix]

When it comes to flying and bags, you always have a choice of how to handle them.

Don't want to tip the bellman to bring your bags to or from your room? Carry them yourself. (really, people do this every day)

Don't want to tip a skycap? Don't use them, take your bags to the airline company counter at the airport yourself and check them in there.

Skycap service is for those who are willing to tip a couple bucks to have someone else check them in and handle their bags for them. You can't think of it as paying someone to print a ticket and tag a bag, think of it as paying someone else to take your bags to the airport and checking you in so you don't have to stand in a check in line there. Unfortunately, using ME effectively forces you to use the services of the skycaps (I'm assuming here, since I have never taken ME, but you have to check your bags at the RAC if taking ME, right?)

So, think of it as the price you pay for taking ME and not having to handle your bags at the airport yourself. Remember: nothing's ever really free, LOL!

Now, I have to say as to the OP's situation:
YES, that comment was rude! But I bet they are getting stiffed all the time nowadays since people have just tipped the bellman for bringing their bags to the RAC. That's a sucky set-up, but they should put up a sign or just charge per bag or something, it was rude to say that to you. Disney needs to be more upfront with folks about this ME thing, and make sure they know they will be effectively charged for taking it when they are forced to check bags with skycaps at the RAC.

Lastly, I think you (OP) made a mistake when you tipped TWO bellman (and which is hardly the skycaps fault). When your bags are taken from your room to the front of the hotel, don't tip until the "transaction" was complete. That means: your checked luggage delivered to the RAC, and your carryon's delivered to the holding room. It sounds like folks will need to be sure they specifiy where they want their bags delivered, i.e. "these bags go to RAC, these go to the Bell Services Desk to be held for us". Then, and only then, tip that one person who does that for you. If he walks away before the transaction is complete, no tip. In the end, they pool tips anyway, so no need to tip each bell guy who touches your bags. Tip when the job is complete. Then, tip the skycap, just as you would at the airport. I know it just seems weird to tip two people just because it comes so close together! But really, at the airport, they aren't doing anything more than they are at RAC--you walk up to the skycap desk at the airport and they do the exact same thing as RAC, wouldn't you tip them?

For folks who don't want to tip the skycaps, don't use them. Unfortunately at Disney that sounds like it means not using ME. I guess this is one more reason I like my rental car! Saves me money in skycap tips, LOL! Actually, I have never really understood why people use the skycaps at airports either. It's really the same amount of money to tip a skycap or rent a cart (well, actually depending on how many bags you have, cheaper for a cart), so often we do whichever one looks like it will result in a shorter wait. Although, personally, as someone who has had the airline lose my luggage (permanently!) I like to see my bags go all the way into the system myself, no sense adding levels where things could go wrong!

edited to add, I hope this post doesn't sound harsh, that's not my intention at all, just wanted to point out you always have a choice of using skycaps/bell services--unless taking ME--and pointing out that Disney isn't being totally upfront with people about the "true cost" of taking ME. Sorry in advance if anyone is offended!

 

[SnowWhite33]

The people who man the airline check-in counters are not Disney employees. They are the same as the sky cabs who do curb side check-in at airports. At most US airports today, these people have a "required" tip for their services. Otherwise you can go into the airport and checkin at the airline counter. The same option would apply here also.
It is not wise to "stiff" the person who determines what flight your luggage will be on and where its final destination will be.

I've not read all pages, but wanted to comment on this. Last year I used this service at the Poly and truly did not realize I was suppose to tip again, sure enough one of my bags ended up 3 states away, it was returned to me the next day, but I had to drive 40 miles back to the airport for it . Now I know why

 

[TxTiggergal]

When it comes to flying and bags, you always have a choice of how to handle them.

Don't want to tip the bellman to bring your bags to or from your room? Carry them yourself. (really, people do this every day)

Don't want to tip a skycap? Don't use them, take your bags to the airline company counter at the airport yourself and check them in there.

Skycap service is for those who are willing to tip a couple bucks to have someone else check them in and handle their bags for them. You can't think of it as paying someone to print a ticket and tag a bag, think of it as paying someone else to take your bags to the airport and checking you in so you don't have to stand in a check in line there. Unfortunately, using ME effectively forces you to use the services of the skycaps (I'm assuming here, since I have never taken ME, but you have to check your bags at the RAC if taking ME, right?)

So, think of it as the price you pay for taking ME and not having to handle your bags at the airport yourself. Remember: nothing's ever really free, LOL!

Now, I have to say as to the OP's situation:
YES, that comment was rude! But I bet they are getting stiffed all the time nowadays since people have just tipped the bellman for bringing their bags to the RAC. That's a sucky set-up, but they should put up a sign or just charge per bag or something, it was rude to say that to you. Disney needs to be more upfront with folks about this ME thing, and make sure they know they will be effectively charged for taking it when they are forced to check bags with skycaps at the RAC.

Lastly, I think you (OP) made a mistake when you tipped TWO bellman (and which is hardly the skycaps fault). When your bags are taken from your room to the front of the hotel, don't tip until the "transaction" was complete. That means: your checked luggage delivered to the RAC, and your carryon's delivered to the holding room. It sounds like folks will need to be sure they specifiy where they want their bags delivered, i.e. "these bags go to RAC, these go to the Bell Services Desk to be held for us". Then, and only then, tip that one person who does that for you. If he walks away before the transaction is complete, no tip. In the end, they pool tips anyway, so no need to tip each bell guy who touches your bags. Tip when the job is complete. Then, tip the skycap, just as you would at the airport. I know it just seems weird to tip two people just because it comes so close together! But really, at the airport, they aren't doing anything more than they are at RAC--you walk up to the skycap desk at the airport and they do the exact same thing as RAC, wouldn't you tip them?

For folks who don't want to tip the skycaps, don't use them. Unfortunately at Disney that sounds like it means not using ME. I guess this is one more reason I like my rental car! Saves me money in skycap tips, LOL! Actually, I have never really understood why people use the skycaps at airports either. It's really the same amount of money to tip a skycap or rent a cart (well, actually depending on how many bags you have, cheaper for a cart), so often we do whichever one looks like it will result in a shorter wait. Although, personally, as someone who has had the airline lose my luggage (permanently!) I like to see my bags go all the way into the system myself, no sense adding levels where things could go wrong!

edited to add, I hope this post doesn't sound harsh, that's not my intention at all, just wanted to point out you always have a choice of using skycaps/bell services--unless taking ME--and pointing out that Disney isn't being totally upfront with people about the "true cost" of taking ME. Sorry in advance if anyone is offended!

I'm pretty sure a guest can use ME and take their bags with them on the bus. The bus driver stores them in the cargo hold and unloads them when they arrive at either the resort and/or airport. We've never brought our bags with us; we've just let ME handle it, but I have seen others doing it.

But even with a tip to the RAC, I enjoy the convenience of checking my bags at the resort.

 

[chamonix]

Oh, even with a rental car, I do too!

I'm glad to hear folks using ME have a choice to use RAC (and therefore to tip or not).

 

[bell.of.the.ball]

My Thoughts

I used ME in November. We called bell servive the night before for a luggage Pick up time so we would be on time. They guy drove us and our bags (gave us a CBR luggage tag too) to the lobby where he rolled them to the airport checkin desk. we tipped him. It was 8 peices of luggage for the 8 of us. He rolled behind the desk. The Rac person gave boarding passes and and another person moved them 2 feet to a cart. Did i tip, no. I think they are not the ones who make sure it gets put on the right plane. they are the front men. they pass it off to someone else who does that.
Now i put my flame suit on.... since when do we have to tip everyone.

 

[Tam1067]

My Thoughts

I used ME in November. We called bell servive the night before for a luggage Pick up time so we would be on time. They guy drove us and our bags (gave us a CBR luggage tag too) to the lobby where he rolled them to the airport checkin desk. we tipped him. It was 8 peices of luggage for the 8 of us. He rolled behind the desk. The Rac person gave boarding passes and and another person moved them 2 feet to a cart. Did i tip, no. I think they are not the ones who make sure it gets put on the right plane. they are the front men. they pass it off to someone else who does that.
Now i put my flame suit on.... since when do we have to tip everyone.

This is exactly my thinking (and DH's as well). What happens at the airport with skycaps is irrelevant, really, because there's a set charge per bag now for that service which makes it a clear cost. And I've never tipped a ticket person at the airport who prints up boarding passes and luggage tags in my life, nor do I think I should (I'm pretty sure they don't even accept tips, though I could be wrong).

Plus, an employee basically telling a guest point blank that he should tip is just rude and out of place regardless how appropriate a tip is in the first place. I also shouldn't have to worry about my bags being sabotaged if I choose not to tip someone who is earning a wage to do a job.

 

[Tess]

We checked in at the Beach Club on 7/8. There were three or four valets standing around, but no one came over to us. Finally, our driver grabbed a luggage cart and started emptying the trunk. A manager noticed and told us he would find someone to help us. That's when I remembered they had been outsourced.

We checked out on 7/18. We called for a bellman about 45 minutes before the car was supposed to pick us up. Half an hour later, someone from the valet desk called us and said "Your car is here waiting for you. You're late!" I was shocked. I have never experienced that in 15 years of going to WDW. Or anywhere else for that matter. I explained that we would be there as soon as someone came for our bags. Fifteen minutes later I called back and asked where the bellman was. I was told "There are people ahead of you, you know." All in all, it took over an hour for someone to pick up our bags. I wasn't even upset about that though. It was the rudeness.

We were promptly greeted at YC by a bellman who handled our luggage efficiently and was well tipped. We checked in (the only family doing so) and were told our bags would be sent immediately. We waited 1.5 hours for that luggage to come from bell services to us in the room. We had other issues (which I posted on another thread) with our keys, but when my husband called bell services to ask why our luggage had not yet been delivered, he was very rudely told "well, you just need to be patient, we will get to it". That is nonsense. There was no one checking in or out when we arrived. Our room was ready and those bags should have followed us to the room as was promised. There's nothing worse than arriving, being excited to hit a park, and having to wait 1.5 hours for issues to be resolved--luggage or otherwise.

We also used the TSA to do the airline check-in. There were a number of guests ahead of us, but all did move smoothly. We tipped the skycap who actually handled/tagged the luggage. We did not provide a separate tip for the person printing the boarding passes. In addition, we opted to skip bell services and simply carry our luggage to the front. We did check our carry-on with bell services and did tip for that service. Likewise, we tipped when we retrieved the carry-on from bell services.

 

[SeaSpray]

We were promptly greeted at YC by a bellman who handled our luggage efficiently and was well tipped. We checked in (the only family doing so) and were told our bags would be sent immediately. We waited 1.5 hours for that luggage to come from bell services to us in the room. We had other issues (which I posted on another thread) with our keys, but when my husband called bell services to ask why our luggage had not yet been delivered, he was very rudely told "well, you just need to be patient, we will get to it". That is nonsense. There was no one checking in or out when we arrived. Our room was ready and those bags should have followed us to the room as was promised. There's nothing worse than arriving, being excited to hit a park, and having to wait 1.5 hours for issues to be resolved--luggage or otherwise.

We also used the TSA to do the airline check-in. There were a number of guests ahead of us, but all did move smoothly. We tipped the skycap who actually handled/tagged the luggage. We did not provide a separate tip for the person printing the boarding passes. In addition, we opted to skip bell services and simply carry our luggage to the front. We did check our carry-on with bell services and did tip for that service. Likewise, we tipped when we retrieved the carry-on from bell services.

Tess, may I ask why you didn't have a concierge CM print your boarding passes for you? I know that in the past we've gone to the desk area in the Hawaii building and they accessed our flight info on Delta.com, and then printed out our boarding passes for us. I like to do this the day before, within that 24-hour window that the airlines give you. Is concierge no longer doing this for us?? Also, could concierge have taken your luggage for you to have it checked in, or must the actual guest do this (on the day of your flight, I mean)?? Thanks

 

[MommySiobhan]

I think it's shame anyone has to 'worry' about their luggage not making it safely because they may not tip/may forget to tip/or may not know to tip the appropriate people. Yikes!

 

[Tess]

Tess, may I ask why you didn't have a concierge CM print your boarding passes for you? I know that in the past we've gone to the desk area in the Hawaii building and they accessed our flight info on Delta.com, and then printed out our boarding passes for us. I like to do this the day before, within that 24-hour window that the airlines give you. Is concierge no longer doing this for us?? Also, could concierge have taken your luggage for you to have it checked in, or must the actual guest do this (on the day of your flight, I mean)?? Thanks

Concierge is not able to handle the airline check-in and baggage check. You must present yourself to the TSA desk along with ID, etc. We wanted to get our checked luggage handled first thing in the a.m. before heading out to EPCOT for the day. When they check the luggage, the TSA prints the boarding passes. If you want to handle your own luggage and/or store it with bell services, I would guess that concierge could still print the boarding passes--that is just a guess though.

We really wanted to try the resort airline check-in process to see how functional it was. For us, it was great. We had four carry-ons stored and that is all we had to worry about handling when our driver took us to MCO. The luggage was already tagged and we watched it being loaded from the boarding gate. We didn't have to handle it through the airport, etc. We really liked the service and will probably do it again provided we're on a participating carrier.

 

[SeaSpray]

Concierge is not able to handle the airline check-in and baggage check. You must present yourself to the TSA desk along with ID, etc. We wanted to get our checked luggage handled first thing in the a.m. before heading out to EPCOT for the day. When they check the luggage, the TSA prints the boarding passes. If you want to handle your own luggage and/or store it with bell services, I would guess that concierge could still print the boarding passes--that is just a guess though.

We really wanted to try the resort airline check-in process to see how functional it was. For us, it was great. We had four carry-ons stored and that is all we had to worry about handling when our driver took us to MCO. The luggage was already tagged and we watched it being loaded from the boarding gate. We didn't have to handle it through the airport, etc. We really liked the service and will probably do it again provided we're on a participating carrier.

I understand now, thanks!