Just the Facts about Recent Changes

[Sammie]

Ok, I made some calls to friends that work at Disney, and these friends are high enough up to know what they are talking about. If you need verification on that ChuckS, or Doc can vouch for my connections as can some others around here.

One. Food will be still be served at Leaping Libations. It might not always be hot dogs or nachos, but sandwiches, ice cream, etc wil be served. If anyone has been there recently and you have not been able to get a sandwich please let management know, as they are not aware that there have been any changes. Hot dogs might not always be offered. They are going to vary the menu, but food will be offered. In fact I was told why wouldn't they. Where else does a BW guest have to go, if they don't. That is foolish to think they would eliminate it. If hot dogs are not selling well, they will offer something else.

Two. Outsourcing valet. Only valet, will be affected. Hotel bellmen will not be affected. The CM that takes your luggage for you to your room will still work for Disney and you will probably recognize some of them from valet. (for clarification purposes, this info was given to me pertaining to the BW. If any other Disney resort is going to do something different I have not been told about it.)

The outsource will be in the parking lots only, they will not even be going into the hotel. They will assist with luggage removal from your car and park the cars if you want it. DVC valet will still be free. After the luggage is put on a cart, a Disney CM will assist you in taking it to your room. This was a global decision. It is a trend that most all hotels and resorts are going to. All Disney employees affected have been offered jobs still at Disney, just not in valet.

I hope this will make some of you feel better about Disney and DVC. I know they are not perfect, but I guess it bothers me when I know these people personally and I know how much they care. Nothing is more important to them then guest service. Now certainly if you get higher up and get out of the resorts, bottom line is going to be important to the CEOs etc of Disney. But on the front line at WDW, they still care and have a very hard job balancing between keeping their boss happy and the guest happy.

 

[keishashadow]

Sounds good to me We were more than pleased w/the service we enjoyed @ the BW, unfortunately cannot say the same as for the DVC across the lake.

Guess that's one of the true percs of membership...if you've dissatisfied @ one resort, even if it's not your home, you have the option of staying elsewhere.

Thanks Sammie for getting to the bottom of this before it spiraled out of control.

Next assignment, got a date for the groundbreaking of CRV yet?

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm glad the people at BWV will still be able to get food at the pool if they want it.

Just have to mention my wish that the new valet people work for a company that gives them some benefits like health care.

Bobbi

 

[kidsister]

Thanks for the good info, Sammie!

I wonder if the new valets will 'dress' in attire appropriate to the resort theming. I kind of liked seeing those different costumes! Glad to hear the old valets won't be out of a job.....I think that ME hurt their tips and moving to bell services will probably increase those tips with less effort (no more walking in the rain!)

 

[disney junky]

Thank you sammie for that information

 

[DVC Grammy]

Thank you, Sammie, for going to the trouble of getting and posting the correct info!

 

[dumbo71]

Sammie,

Thanks for the information. The BWV thing didn't make sense to me at all to begin with. Why eliminate food service there? There is nothing else available. If any pool area needs it it is there.

Thanks for the facts and saving me some headaches posting in these threads.

 

[Sammie]

Your welcome and if you want a hot dog, I believe you give your order to BPMorely at the BW grill.

 

[lisareniff]

Thanks Sammie.

Looking forward to our first trip to BWV and grabing a sandwich at the pool.

 

[DVCconvert]

Sammie said:

Ok, I made some calls to friends that work at Disney, and these friends are high enough up to know what they are talking about. If you need verification on that ChuckS, or Doc can vouch for my connections as can some others around here.

Oh -- that's all ok...some un-named "sources" have said "something" that other non verifiable individual's may be willing to support!



Please scan your WDW ID and post it!

J/K..mostly....but consider the flip side of the post

 

[Sammie]

Sammie said:


Oh -- that's all ok...some un-named "sources" have said "something" that other non verifiable individual's may be willing to support!



Please scan your WDW ID and post it!

J/K..mostly....but consider the flip side of the post

You are welcome to call the BW to verify the information, just be sure to ask for the General Manager's office.

 

[BCV23]

Thanks for the info, Sammie. It does make sense.

 

[3DisneyKids]

Thanks, Sammie!

 

[sjdisneywedding]

They are going to vary the menu, but food will be offered. In fact I was told why wouldn't they. Where else does a BW guest have to go, if they don't. That is foolish to think they would eliminate it. If hot dogs are not selling well, they will offer something else.

.

thanks for the info, this is good to know if this will be the case. I think your statement above is exactly why everyone was upset in the other post. It didnt make any sense.

 

[sjdisneywedding]

Two. Outsourcing valet. Only valet, will be affected. Bellman will not be affected. The CM that takes your luggage for you to your room will still work for Disney and you will probably recognize some of them from valet.

The outsource will be in the parking lots only, they will not even be going into the hotel. They will assist with luggage removal from your car and park the cars if you want it. DVC valet will still be free. After the luggage is put on a cart, a Disney CM will assist you in taking it to your room. This was a global decision. It is a trend that most all hotels and resorts are going to. All Disney employees affected have been offered jobs still at Disney, just not in valet.

I still dont understand the reasoning behind this. A valet is not exactly a specialized employee so the idea they can handle valet services better doesnt apply

and I cant imagine they are paid so much more by Disney now than what an outsourced employee would make

 

[JodyTG]

I still dont understand the reasoning behind this. A valet is not exactly a specialized employee and I cant imagine they are paid so much more by Disney now than what an outsourced employee would make

Benefits. And not just any benefits but UNIONIZED benefits. That's the killer part.

 

[sjdisneywedding]

Benefits. And not just any benefits but UNIONIZED benefits. That's the killer part.

I thought someone posted earlier that most of these guys are part timers without benefits anyway

 

[dizfanz]

Sammie, that makes sense to me. My wife and I are both in the restaurant biz and we both offer valet service to our guests. My company outsources valet, while my wife's is in-house. The liability that must be carried if you have valet in-house is ridiculous and that is why many company's outsource. That way the valet company carries the liability and its expense.

 

[sjdisneywedding]

Sammie, that makes sense to me. My wife and I are both in the restaurant biz and we both offer valet service to our guests. My company outsources valet, while my wife's is in-house. The liability that must be carried if you have valet in-house is ridiculous and that is why many company's outsource. That way the valet company carries the liability and its expense.

hmm there has to be more to it than that. If the outsourced company is working on Disney property, Disney will still ultimatley be partially legally responsible for any problems.

 

[Sammie]

I did not get the specifics and not sure they would share them anyway. The union was menitoned. And as Jody said union benefits can run into serious money. Plus I think what we many times forget is these decisions are made globally. The situation at Disney Orlando might not be as bad as the situation at CA, or the foreign parks.

I was told that if Disney had not outsourced they were going to have to raise the valet rates considerably. Not sure that would have gone over well. I know at Ritz-Carlton it's $14 to park overnight and $8 if you are just there to dine. Other cities we have visited it is $20 to park overnight.