New charge for Bell Service Delivery

[snappy]

Well I assume this will apply to Owner's Lockers as well. They probably are doing this to compensate for the large amount of people who have a lot of extras to keep track of and bring up to the room. I'm guilty of that as well. I really have no choice but to pay the fee and I'm not that bothered by it. I'd much rather do that (and now no longer feel bad for the extra work carried out) than try to deal with it myself.

Had not thought of my owners locker. Oh well.

 

[Nancyg56]

I can't quote @saskdw @carolina_yankee for some reason (sorry about that), but basically everyone is telling me the same thing.

I get why people are ordering some supplies. I don't do it, but whatever.

You can keep comparing to what you've done for years for as long as you want, but read the boards, facebook, whatever. See what people are having delivered at this point. We aren't talking bagels and some water. They are having food, for the week, delivered and stored at Bell Services until they arrive to have delivered to room.

I'm willing to bet it's the sheer amount of people doing this now that is driving the $6 fee. Disney's resources are now being used to store/deliver the growing amount of people ordering their groceries before they even arrive at the hotel. Non- DVC rooms.

Bell Services was never meant to be your grocery storage and delivery service.

In the end, it's still your choice to get delivery. And in the end, you will think fee is a money grab and I will think differently.

No big deal.

I know! I do not order groceries as a rule, however the one time I did it was a small Oder for breakfast items etc. WHen I see the orders that some folks are placing, it is no wonder that WDW is charging to store and deliver them. YIkes! The space alone is boggling.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Because GG is the ones providing the service. They are filling the order and delivering it. Most would expect a delivery fee. I'm not sure what others are doing, but when we check in at CSR (our resort of choice) the bellman brings us, our luggage, and our groceries to the room on a cart all at the same time. There isn't an extra trip for the groceries. He gets tipped accordingly. There no reason why there needs to be an extra fee because there is a couple bags of groceries.

It appears there is no service fee for having groceries (or other specified/unspecified items) delivered to Bell Services. At the same time, it appears there is no service charge for having groceries the guest drops off with their luggage, delivered to the room. The service charge comes into play only when delivered groceries are then delivered to the room. Free solution: don't have Bell Services deliver delivered items.

Wait, what about the “industry standard” rationale?

Nowhere does Disney cite "industry standard" in this new fee, unlike the parking fee which Universal resorts, Swan/Dolphin, Shares of Green, Hilton... all charge for parking aka industry standard.

 

[TammyLynn33]

I don’t like to pay more . I’m on a strict budget this trip ( every trip actually) but at the cost of the entire trip I kinda shrug my shoulders at $6.
Yes I totally feel Disney is nickel and diming to the full extent possible but as a business the amount of money they lose when ppl order groceries, I can’t imagine what we save alone by having breakfast foods snacks etc delivered .. its more than $6.. I’m ok with the $6 in the grand scheme of things it’s a drop in the bucket

 

[vacationer1954]

The WDW NT article on this seems to suggest there’s a 6 dollar charge for all grocery deliveries even those picked up at the front desk?

That's what Disney's wording says. It isn't how it was paraphrased by Dizzy Dolphin, but it is what Disney stated.

I’m sorry but for 650 a night for the cheapest room and lowest bargain pricing in the 500’s if they are feeling generous for the holiday season Disney can stop adding fees up the wahzoo to everything. Next there’s going to be a fee for looking at the ginger bread house

There is nothing about a higher room rate that requires that more, or everything, be included in it. I remember staying at the Balsams Grand Resort Hotel in the mid-1980s. A very expensive resort at the time, with a rich history going back over a hundred years, they refused to put ice machines out for guests, preferring to charge to have ice brought up by room service staff (who you also had to tip).

Meanwhile, we stayed at a very affordable Baymont Inn recently that offered for its very low rate free high-speed wireless internet; a coffee maker, microwave oven and refrigerator in the room; etc. If anything, having amenities included in the room rate is a feature of the lowest cost accommodations, not the higher cost accommodations.

Again, I have a lot of issues with the way pricing is going lately for a lot of stuff at Disney, just not this.

And people have had issues with the way pricing has gone at Disney for many many years. It is very stressful to have such a strong desire for such fantastic experiences but to be faced with costs that are perhaps beyond what we can personally justify paying.

 

[maxiesmom]

I know! I do not order groceries as a rule, however the one time I did it was a small Oder for breakfast items etc. WHen I see the orders that some folks are placing, it is no wonder that WDW is charging to store and deliver them. YIkes! The space alone is boggling.

I just looked at Garden Grocer (who I have used many times) and I am finding the prices to be so high, I don't know who would place a large order. $4.29 for half a gallon of milk? $10.00 for a case of water? Ish.

 

[quandrea]

I just looked at Garden Grocer (who I have used many times) and I am finding the prices to be so high, I don't know who would place a large order. $4.29 for half a gallon of milk? $10.00 for a case of water? Ish.

Yes. Their pricing has climbed so much in the ten years we’ve been using them. I’ve reached my breaking point with them. This $6 charge was what I needed to push me to a one day car rental. I’m in Canada and Instacart doesn’t like my Canadian billing address, or I’d use them.

I’m still calling to complain about the $6 fee, but December’s trip will have me hitting the local Publix.

 

[Nancyg56]

I just looked at Garden Grocer (who I have used many times) and I am finding the prices to be so high, I don't know who would place a large order. $4.29 for half a gallon of milk? $10.00 for a case of water? Ish.

My DD compared prices and ended up with a Walmart order. If we had to pay the prices you just quoted we would have bought our water etc in the resort market. We really did not need much, but with a full kitchen it was nice to have odds and ends added to the fridge.

 

[Deb & Bill]

So buy one less cupcake. They run about $6 with tax. To me, that's highway robbery.

 

[quandrea]

My DD compared prices and ended up with a Walmart order. If we had to pay the prices you just quoted we would have bought our water etc in the resort market. We really did not need much, but with a full kitchen it was nice to have odds and ends added to the fridge.

Garden Grocer is actually significantly more than the resort stores on most items now.

So buy one less cupcake. They run about $6 with tax. To me, that's highway robbery.

I’m not sure to whom you were writing, but I don’t buy any cupcakes myself. Just one more example of overpriced items. Besides, dd is allergic. I do all my own baking in our villa with groceries I’ve purchased.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

I think the $6 is fair given how popular online grocery orders are these days. We stock a grand villa with groceries for 8-10 people. We will pay the $6 delivery fee, plus a nice tip for the bell person as we normally would.

My only concern is that DVC dues we pay annually cover bell services operating expenses. I’m not well versed enough in the DVC contracts to know if this is double dipping or not. I’m also not sure where the package handling fee/DVC dues discussion landed a few years ago because we don’t send packages to the resort, but I’m guessing the outcome may be similar.

Other than my concern about DVC dues and potential double dipping, I do think the $6 is fair.

 

[Nancyg56]

I’m not sure to whom you were writing, but I don’t buy any cupcakes myself. Just one more example of overpriced items. Besides, dd is allergic. I do all my own baking in our villa with groceries I’ve purchased.

I think the point was that if one really wants to place a grocery order it is easy to make a minor change throughout the trip that covers the delivery charge. A cupcake, a Starbucks, whatever. One can make it a wash if need be. IMO, It all depends on what hill you want to die on in terms of WDW vacations. A $6 delivery charge? Resort parking fees? Paid for FP? Vacation budgets are finite, so how we all choose to remain in our budget is personal. Less souvenir spending, fewer TS meals, or finally biting the bullet and staying offsite? All personal decisions, and every one of them makes a difference to Disney. Perhaps not today, but eventually I believe so.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

You don't tip Wal-Mart grocery pick up. Delivery to your house is different.

Do I need to tip the store associate or driver who helps with my order?
Store associates do not accept tips, but a "thank you" is always appreciated! Delivery drivers may accept tips for good service, but it is not required.

And while I fully recognize and adhere that you tip at xyz, picking up my order from Wal-Mart grocery pick up is not one I would personally think to tip on.

Nice of you to think of it though

I concur with this and I drive for Walmart grocery delivery as a mom-gig while my little on is in preschool. I will add that it isn't worth it if I don't get a tip. We get paid a flat fee for a delivery and are independent contractors. The fee is ok, but we only take 1 per hour...thats where the problem comes in. If I could do 2 per hour, I'd do it all day long. The Walmart pick-up employees, however are actually employed by Walmart and make an hourly wage.

 

[fla4fun]

Friends. Do yall whine when gas goes up and then threaten to not drive? 6 bucks is nothing. That's 2/3 of a decent beer on site. Carry on my wayward son (in the style of Kansas)

Yes, when gas prices go up, I complain and cut out all non essential driving (and I drive a hybrid to boot). Nothing wrong with having a budget and sticking to it.

I don’t really have a dog in the fight because I don’t order groceries that have to be delivered. But I don’t like the path Disney has been taking by nickel and dimeing for things that were once included in the resort room rate, or taking away regular park hours for multiple upcharge events. I have taken measures to avoid the parking fee by having a friend drop me off (cheaper to give her money for gas when she goes right through Disney to get to work anyway) and if I had to pick up groceries myself to avoid the delivery fee I would. I have a luggage cart rated for 300 pounds, so I am good to go. I don’t stay at hotels with resort fees, another money grab. There’s nothing wrong with sticking with your principles. If it means that one day I will have to choose my principles over a Disney vacation, their loss. If other people feel differently, that’s ok too.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

I have a small folding cart too. Fits in my backpack. I drag my beer, water and groceries from bell services.

 

[carolina_yankee]

Well I assume this will apply to Owner's Lockers as well. They probably are doing this to compensate for the large amount of people who have a lot of extras to keep track of and bring up to the room. I'm guilty of that as well. I really have no choice but to pay the fee and I'm not that bothered by it. I'd much rather do that (and now no longer feel bad for the extra work carried out) than try to deal with it myself.

Had not thought of my owners locker. Oh well.

Owner’s Locker has said on their Facebook page that, as of now, the charge does not appear to apply to them. They say Disney is pretty good about letting them know of changes that will affect their customers.

I suspect that since OL is a recognized vendor, like the five recognized ECV vendors, they are waived. Any ECV company can deliver, but only five can leave items with bell services. Other vendors have to meet guests directly.

Which leads to the next question - will Disney partner with an outside service for grocery delivery, thus waiving the fee but giving a vendor or two preferential treatment in exchange for a cut/fee for access to the ability to leave items with BS? I would have no difficulty with that.

Dirk

 

[Madame]

Yes. Their pricing has climbed so much in the ten years we’ve been using them. I’ve reached my breaking point with them. This $6 charge was what I needed to push me to a one day car rental. I’m in Canada and Instacart doesn’t like my Canadian billing address, or I’d use them.

I’m still calling to complain about the $6 fee, but December’s trip will have me hitting the local Publix.

Take the letters out of your postal code and add two zeros at the end, like the gas pump trick. We ordered from Instacart last month no issues.

 

[Roxyfire]

Owner’s Locker has said on their Facebook page that, as of now, the charge does not appear to apply to them. They say Disney is pretty good about letting them know of changes that will affect their customers.

I suspect that since OL is a recognized vendor, like the five recognized ECV vendors, they are waived. Any ECV company can deliver, but only five can leave items with bell services. Other vendors have to meet guests directly.

Which leads to the next question - will Disney partner with an outside service for grocery delivery, thus waiving the fee but giving a vendor or two preferential treatment in exchange for a cut/fee for access to the ability to leave items with BS? I would have no difficulty with that.

Dirk

That's good to know. I had looked at their facebook page the other day and there was no announcement about it yet.

 

[quandrea]

Take the letters out of your postal code and add two zeros at the end, like the gas pump trick. We ordered from Instacart last month no issues.

Thank you. Never thought to do that.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I suspect that since OL is a recognized vendor, like the five recognized ECV vendors, they are waived. Any ECV company can deliver, but only five can leave items with bell services. Other vendors have to meet guests directly.

Four now. Care Medical closer last summer.