NO MORE free valet parking for DVC members.

[TiggerAllie]

We checked into VWL Friday night (ok Sat AM due to plane delays), and I totally would have used the valet if it was complimentary because it was so late and I was tired. Oh well.

They need to update their information, because the "Portable Perks" flyer they give you when you check in, still says "Effective Aug 4 2009, complimentary parking at" AKL, BC, BW, BLT, WL. That's going to confuse some guests that don't read the board (or the web) for DVC info.

 

[granmanh603]

I have mixed feelings about this. On one hand I am glad that they are monitoring the parking lots making sure resorts guests have a place to park, but on the other hand I think a dining reservation at the Boardwalk should allow you to have a place to park.

where at Boardwalk can you make reservations for lunch?

 

[granmanh603]

Staying here at BWV now...early yesterday morning (around 10:30) there was a long line trying to get in to BWV at gate and a stream of cars going to the self park across the street(and I mean alot ). When we came back at around 1:30 still long line at guard gate but we used room key to get thru gate but still had to show it and parking pass to park inside parking lot but at least could park....but at 5 that lot was filled too. I don't know what they did with people who were checking in or coming back after that. Oh no guard there then either.
Our room is near valet parking and there has been little business for them, except maybe yesterday. I think I did see bell people yesterday.

 

[Dean]

You are correct. We have found this to be true at all Valet locations. Valet expects a tip and Bell Services expects a tip. Also your luggage may sit on the cart for awhile due to Bell Services being busy or short handed. Last year they lost all of our food and luggage between the Valet and Bell Services. A couple of hours later they found the cart in a storage room.

Bill

The standard for tipping for luggage is at the final destination of the bags (room on arrival, car on departure). All of the CM and valet's know this. But if they act like they're supposed to get a tip, they often do, sometimes it's deserved, others it is not. I wonder if the tips and # of trips for bell services will go down due to this change, I'm guessing it will maybe 10-20% but will be the first to admit that's a sheer guess based on essentially no data.

 

[Dean]

I guess Disney wants everyone to sit on the bus like a herd of cattle. I hate the buses and refuse to be at the mercy of them.

Disney is starting the "New Disney Experience", drive up to the front on the resort and throw your money out the window and just use your imagination on how good it might have been.

This is not a paradigm shift of how guest vacation or how Disney expects them to vacation or travel. With very few exceptions, everyone who had a car now will still have one and those that didn't, won't. Those that drive to the parks (like us) will still do so and those that used the bus will cont that method. At the worst they have increased a given members costs $12 a day rather than passing that cost on to the membership at large to subsidize those that cont to valet park. This is a small subset of the membership and an even smaller % of the overall guests.

There is one small consolation for those that are so upset. IF you pay for valet, you now don't have to worry about where you can valet park and where you can't.

 

[dvcdenise]

When I arrive at Boardwalk can I dirve up to the door and unload my luggage and then go self park. Same for leaving, have a person stay with luggage at circle and then go get the car and drive up and load the luggage. I will not pay for valet then tip. So I will self park, simple as that. I will miss it dearly.
When I stay at OKW I miss the elevators. Dont think our complaining will change it. I do believe the parking at Boardwalk will be addressed by Disney and better parking will be provided.

 

[Chuck S]

When I arrive at Boardwalk can I dirve up to the door and unload my luggage and then go self park. Same for leaving, have a person stay with luggage at circle and then go get the car and drive up and load the luggage. I will not pay for valet then tip. So I will self park, simple as that. I will miss it dearly.
When I stay at OKW I miss the elevators. Dont think our complaining will change it. I do believe the parking at Boardwalk will be addressed by Disney and better parking will be provided.

Yes, you can unload at the door, likely with the help of a valet or bellman, whom you should remember with a gratuity as you would anyone that handles your luggage, similar to a skycap at the airport. I would imagine the valets will be unloading the cars, then turning it over to bell services, then Bell Services will deliver to your room, or store your luggage as needed.

 

[Dean]

One can certainly get help from the bell services but it is not required, never has been.

 

[Sammie]

Yes, you can unload at the door, likely with the help of a valet or bellman, whom you should remember with a gratuity as you would anyone that handles your luggage, similar to a skycap at the airport. I would imagine the valets will be unloading the cars, then turning it over to bell services, then Bell Services will deliver to your room, or store your luggage as needed.

Yes that is what will happen and you simply tell them you wish to self park but need luggage assistance. When your room is ready you can call for luggage.

 

[photobob]

where at Boardwalk can you make reservations for lunch?

Big River Brewery accepts reservations for lunch, I don't know about the place that replaced Spoodles, they may not serve lunch. ESPN is also open for lunch but doesn't take reservations, speaking of which does the fact that they don't take reservations preclude you from being able to park and eat there?

So if what I am reading is correct about BWV only allowing resort guests to park in the self park, what do you do if you are staying elsewhere and want to dine at one of the restaurants?

 

[Sammie]

Big River Brewery accepts reservations for lunch, I don't know about the place that replaced Spoodles, they may not serve lunch. ESPN is also open for lunch but doesn't take reservations, speaking of which does the fact that they don't take reservations preclude you from being able to park and eat there?

So if what I am reading is correct about BWV only allowing resort guests to park in the self park, what do you do if you are staying elsewhere and want to dine at one of the restaurants?

My understanding this new policy is a result of the loss of valet for DVC and to ensure BW resort guests do have a place to park. I imagine it will only be enforced during peak times such as Food and Wine. The over flow lot behind the Hess gas station is available for day guests but if it is full you will be turned away. The other options are to valet, taxi or take a Disney bus or park at the Studios and take the boat or walk over.

 

[Dean]

My understanding this new policy is a result of the loss of valet for DVC and to ensure BW resort guests do have a place to park. I imagine it will only be enforced during peak times such as Food and Wine. The over flow lot behind the Hess gas station is available for day guests but if it is full you will be turned away. The other options are to valet, taxi or take a Disney bus or park at the Studios and take the boat or walk over.

It's very likely they'll reduce the size of the valet lot at some point. If it's not a contractual issue, likely fairly soon, if it's in the contract they provide X spaces, expect that item to change with the next contract.

 

[TLSnell1981]

OMG at bwv now. This valet fiasco is unreal. You can't get to the front door. Bellman said this is one of dvc's brighter ideas. It is a massive mess. Cars left unattended everywhere!!

 

[Sammie]

It's very likely they'll reduce the size of the valet lot at some point. If it's not a contractual issue, likely fairly soon, if it's in the contract they provide X spaces, expect that item to change with the next contract.

I would think so, can't imagine with this change it won't drop off some at the DVC resorts that did offer valet. If it is contractual then it won't happen until this time next year.

 

[Sammie]

OMG at bwv now. This valet fiasco is unreal. You can't get to the front door. Bellman said this is one of dvc's brighter ideas. It is a massive mess. Cars left unattended everywhere!!

While I hated to lose this perk, there is no reason for people to be idiots over it. You pull up, you let them get your luggage then you move your car. After you self park, then you go in to check in.

I will say that during peak times at the BW even with valet provided it can get very congested.

I might be against something but I certainly won't act a yerk over it.

 

[DebbieB]

OMG at bwv now. This valet fiasco is unreal. You can't get to the front door. Bellman said this is one of dvc's brighter ideas. It is a massive mess. Cars left unattended everywhere!!

Are cars being left unattended because there are no parking spaces?

 

[Dean]

Are cars being left unattended because there are no parking spaces?

Likely people that would have otherwise valet parked and trying to get their luggage taken care of and this added to the normal traffic who are using the valet and those that routinely were dropping off/picking up anyway. Some likely letting the cars sit there while they check in and this is inappropriate. The staff will need to tell people they can't leave the cars unattended and then to ensure that people move the cars if it's more than just load/unload. They'll also likely have to do away with the call first to get the car and only get cars when people are present when they have used valet. I'm sure it's not related to the availability of parking in any way but the loss of free valet.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I wonder if all of this will de-value the BWV points through resale.

BCV was already selling at a premium over BWV because of SAB and the fewer number of villas. How will horrible parking problems effect this all?

and yes, I know DVC will have to do something about the situation at the Boardwalk. I'm guessing they will majorly decrease the size of the valet lot or even do away with the service all together.



The resort managers should have AT LEAST been given a head's up so that they could plan for the parking problems!

 

[Brian Noble]

This is not a paradigm shift of how guest vacation or how Disney expects them to vacation or travel. With very few exceptions, everyone who had a car now will still have one and those that didn't, won't. Those that drive to the parks (like us) will still do so and those that used the bus will cont that method. At the worst they have increased a given members costs $12 a day rather than passing that cost on to the membership at large to subsidize those that cont to valet park.

I'd imagine that if anything changes, a few Members who rented cars when valet was included won't bother now that it is not.

 

[Chuck S]

Likely people that would have otherwise valet parked and trying to get their luggage taken care of and this added to the normal traffic who are using the valet and those that routinely were dropping off/picking up anyway. Some likely letting the cars sit there while they check in and this is inappropriate. The staff will need to tell people they can't leave the cars unattended and then to ensure that people move the cars if it's more than just load/unload. They'll also likely have to do away with the call first to get the car and only get cars when people are present when they have used valet. I'm sure it's not related to the availability of parking in any way but the loss of free valet.

Probably, but that should kind have been expected. While valet has never been available at OKW, after the resort first opened it was common to leave your car in the circle, go check-in, then move your car. They stopped allowing that, and painted the curbing red when it became an obvious problem. Now you can drop your luggage and go park if you wish. The valet and bell services people could ask the people at bwv to move their cars, like they do at OKW, no real need for security to be involved. No other resort, that I know of, allows you to simply leave your car in the drop off circles.