Need help on parking with TiW

[BLTWildcat]

Hi everybody, my wife and our 12-week old DD are 4 days from a 10-night trip. Reaching a point of overwhelming excitement!! We have 5 nights at Jambo and 5 at BLT, our DVC home. We also have a lot of ADRs scheduled at various resorts. I understand that with our Tables in Wonderland card, valet parking is free if you're dining at a resort. But is this with a time limit? If so, is it enforced somehow? What if we slip into a park after eating, for example at a place like BWV or CTR? Or what if we skip valet and park in resort's public lot? Any TiW folks out there have any parking stories or advice?

 

[bumbershoot]

It is for dining purposes. You will need to show your dining receipt with the TIW discount on it, in order to not be charged for valet. I imagine they will have problems with it if you ate 3+ hours ago and are only now getting your car, so just don't do it.

 

[Chuck S]

You must present your dining receipt to the valet. That dining receipt will be timestamped. As far as I know there is a timelimit for the free valet based on that timestamp. You are not allowed to park at a resort in the regular parking for theme park access. Most have a time limit of 3 hours unless you are a guest at that resort.

 

[erionm]

From the TiW Website (TablesInWonderland.com):

• Resort valet services are complimentary to members, for the sole purpose of dining. This privilege will only be extended to one vehicle per membership card. Present your membership card with a valid dining receipt at the Valet Stand upon retrieving your vehicle.
• Theme Park parking is complimentary to members, for the sole purpose of dining. Before 5:00pm, please pay for parking at the Toll Plaza. Visit Guest Relations on your way out of the Theme Park, and if it has been less than 3 hours, show your membership card and dining receipt for reimbursement for parking. After 5:00 p.m., members can show their membership card at the toll plaza to enter the parking lot. Theme park admission is required for dining in all Theme Park restaurant locations. On Block-Out dates, there will be a charge for parking and valet services.

 

[LisaS]

In order to get the valet parking charge waived with TIW you have to show your dining receipt when you pick up the car. I don't have a receipt handy but I expect it has a time stamp on it as well as a date so they will know what time you left the restaurant. Since the parking is free only while dining, they will be within their rights to charge you. Since valet is outsourced, I wouldn't expect any pixie dust if you left the car for several hours and then tried to get them to waive the fee.

If you opt to park in the hotel lot instead I've read here on the boards that you are allowed 3 hours. I think it's mainly the honor system but some resorts do tow. Cars left in a hotel lot while guests dine and then head into a park can deprive guests of that hotel from being able to park. Just ask anyone who has stayed at BWV (where parking can be really tight) how many spaces suddenly open up in that lot after Illuminations is over.

 

[fmer55]

It is for dining purposes. You will need to show your dining receipt with the TIW discount on it, in order to not be charged for valet. I imagine they will have problems with it if you ate 3+ hours ago and are only now getting your car, so just don't do it.

Agreed.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Hi everybody, my wife and our 12-week old DD are 4 days from a 10-night trip. Reaching a point of overwhelming excitement!! We have 5 nights at Jambo and 5 at BLT, our DVC home. We also have a lot of ADRs scheduled at various resorts. I understand that with our Tables in Wonderland card, valet parking is free if you're dining at a resort. But is this with a time limit? If so, is it enforced somehow? What if we slip into a park after eating, for example at a place like BWV or CTR? Or what if we skip valet and park in resort's public lot? Any TiW folks out there have any parking stories or advice?

The resorts don't really have public lots. Just lots for the guests of the resort. And like others have already stated, the time limit is three hours. You will have to tell them when you arrive that you are dining at a TS restaurant and using TIW. When you are ready to leave, they will ask to see your receipt. If you are longer than three hours, you will be charged for parking and will also have to tip (like you need to tip even if you parking is free with TIW).

 

[bobbiwoz]

I've often eaten at Cali Grill early, and gone back for the fireworks. I never gave time limit a thought & never had to pay a charge. I usually take the WL FW, CT boat while waiting for the fireworks.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

I've never had a problem with TIW valet parking, personally. I only use it as intended, though. I did notice on our most recent trip that some locations were very diligent in checking things.

Usually, I'll just pull up with the car and tell the valet I'm doing a Tables In Wonderland valet parking. Usually, they'll just give you the ticket and that's it. At AKL when we went to Boma, though, the valet asked me to show him my TIW card and my photo ID before he'd take the car. When I picked it up, the cast member at the valet desk took a full minute checking things on my receipt before sending for my car.

Again, this didn't happen to me, but I have seen it reported here on the DIS. Be sure to check your room charges on the day after using a TIW valet. The parking pass on your dashboard has a valet code on it that links to your room. It's possible to be charged for valet parking without having to give them cash or sign anything.

 

[vicki_c]

Yes, I have been doubled charged for valet parking in the past - where I paid in cash, but then found it was also charged to my room @ the Poly (not related to the TiW card at all).

 

[Deb & Bill]

I've never had a problem with TIW valet parking, personally. I only use it as intended, though. I did notice on our most recent trip that some locations were very diligent in checking things.

Usually, I'll just pull up with the car and tell the valet I'm doing a Tables In Wonderland valet parking. Usually, they'll just give you the ticket and that's it. At AKL when we went to Boma, though, the valet asked me to show him my TIW card and my photo ID before he'd take the car. When I picked it up, the cast member at the valet desk took a full minute checking things on my receipt before sending for my car.

Again, this didn't happen to me, but I have seen it reported here on the DIS. Be sure to check your room charges on the day after using a TIW valet. The parking pass on your dashboard has a valet code on it that links to your room. It's possible to be charged for valet parking without having to give them cash or sign anything.

That is the exact experience we had at GF.