NO MORE free valet parking for DVC members.

[tammymacb]

Exactly. Some DVC members seem to be of the mindset that they are "renting" rooms from MS. They are not. They are timeshare owners. The timeshare industry is far different from the standard hotel room industry.

Comparing CRO to DVC is like apples to oranges. Two different entities, and rules are not the same. If anyone cannot deal with the timeshare aspect, then selling their points (as some have already listed theirs over this valet change) is definitely the right way for them to go.

We all have choices and we can own the timeshare by choice, sell, or never buy in. Me, I am staying right where I am!

We are renting a room. We've paid X amount for the right to use points to trade for the room of our choice. We pay for those rooms with said points.

We also pay all extras on top of the actual room by paying annual dues.

If you think we're doing anything more than entering a long term rental agreement, I'd love to hear how.

 

[jekjones1558]

And while we're at it, let's not provide high chairs or pack-n-plays. Let's have those using them pay for renting them. Maybe the same should go for coffee makers, toasters--no use for ALL members to pay for these things when not everyone uses them. I wonder if there could be a coin machine added to the whirlpool tubs?

 

[toocherie]

Free valet parking, on the other hand, is certainly not the norm for a timeshare, and since it is contracted out, we ar enot privy to what type of subsidy Mars may be wanting from DVC to coninue the service...it may have been completely unreasonable compared to the number of guests that use it.

Yes, but most timeshares I have stayed at have more than adequate self-parking--clearly not the norm at DVC resorts (other than SSR and OKW). For example, I suspect that BWV was built with the concept that valet parking would be utilized so there didn't have to be as big a parking area for self-parkers.

 

[tammymacb]

And while we're at it, let's not provide high chairs or pack-n-plays. Let's have those using them pay for renting them. Maybe the same should go for coffee makers, toasters--no use for ALL members to pay for these things when not everyone uses them. I wonder if there could be a coin machine added to the whirlpool tubs?

You know, when I ask a question, even a rethorical one, all I'm looking for is the occasional common sense answer.

When you buy DVC, there is a list of room items that come with the room. The toaster is on it, and I believe the pack and play is also. Even though I may not use the toaster, I have no problem with it being there because it's on the contract and "believe it or not" I'm not a total moron.

So, when I question a'la cart perks VS toasters in the room, there is a difference. At least, I know that.

 

[Sammie]

Hopefully if any member experiences problems finding a spot to self park now, they will let MS know. I definitely think that is a very reasonsable concern and I do feel that since security was turning people away at the BW last week, they are trying.

 

[jekjones1558]

You know, when I ask a question, even a rethorical one, all I'm looking for is the occasional common sense answer.

When you buy DVC, there is a list of room items that come with the room. The toaster is on it, and I believe the pack and play is also. Even though I may not use the toaster, I have no problem with it being there because it's on the contract and "believe it or not" I'm not a total moron.

So, when I question a'la cart perks VS toasters in the room, there is a difference. At least, I know that.

Sorry, I meant no disrespect. It is just that I think it is impossible to set up a system that every member thinks is 100% fair. At some point we have to be glad for the perks we use AND happy that others use the perks we may not need. We rarely use valet but I was always happy to know that it was available for free to anyone DVCer who wanted it. It is sad to see this gone.

 

[PrincessV]

You know quite frankly...this really effects people from the Southeast much more than people from other parts of the country.

I live in FL and have been pondering the repeal of free valet since it was announced, thinking hard about how much and it what ways it affects me and just why I'm so irritated by it. I think it comes down to feeling stuck; ME won't come to my door to get me an hour and half away (I've asked ), so driving is my only option until high-speed rail comes about. Still, I wouldn't have to use valet, except...

I actually prefer self parking, but Disney made self parking at the valet resort so impossibly incovenient and unpredictable that we have never self parked for a resort stay where there was valet.

Yep. I have a small child and often travel alone with him - parking across the street at BWV or in the far lots of VWL isn't a good option. I can't afford to pay valet charges every day; the only reason DVC makes sense for me is the fact that I live so close, transportation is $10 for a WDW trip.

So really, what this decision has done for me is restrict me to the resorts at which I can readily self-park, SSR and OKW, maybe AKV Kidani. Which is my issue, not Disney's - they don't care where I stay, right?

I suspect, when added to a lot of other "advantages" Floridians have lost over the years, I'm just a little bitter about this one. Rational? No. But honest.

 

[Brian Noble]

So really, what this decision has done for me is restrict me to the resorts at which I can readily self-park, SSR and OKW, maybe AKV Kidani.

Only if you really want to drive yourself to the parks. If you are willing to let Disney do the driving, it doesn't much matter. The bulk of the inconvenience isn't at arrival and departure---you can always drop your bags off with bell services at the port cochere when you arrive, and pick them up there when you depart.

 

[tammymacb]

And I meant no disrespect to you.

However, my point is still the same. If Disney is going to have ANY perks that are taken from members dues, at what point is it decided what's worth "all of us" paying for and what's not?

I own BWV points ( though I'm selling ) and drive every trip. I use valet EVERY trip. You may feel you shouldn't pay for it. You may own OKW, use ME every time, stay for two weeks and love having housekeeping come in and change your beds and vacuum for you. I feel like I shouldn't have to pay for that. Fair is fair.

This is why I think if you're going to take away some, take away all, and a la cart. It's the only fair way for all members.

 

[Brian Noble]

If Disney is going to have ANY perks that are taken from members dues, at what point is it decided what's worth "all of us" paying for and what's not?

Clearly, the entity doing the deciding is DVC. How they make the decisions is never clear. As per usual, they did not solicit input first, because that's not the way DVC---or, for that matter, The Walt Disney Company---does things.

 

[Chuck S]

We are renting a room. We've paid X amount for the right to use points to trade for the room of our choice. We pay for those rooms with said points.

We also pay all extras on top of the actual room by paying annual dues.

If you think we're doing anything more than entering a long term rental agreement, I'd love to hear how.

Yes, but DVC also reserves the right to implement a minimum number of nights per stay, it is in the contract...and if they see a lot of members doing split stays and increasing dues because of the additional housekeeping required during a single WDW stay...guess what the next rule is going to be?

 

[Frank in WI]

As an owner of BWV, the elimination of the valet parking benefit opens another issue, in my opinion. When we first bought at BWV, I tried to use self parking so that I could get to my car easily and didn't have to wait for the valet attendants. Each night when trying to park, I could not find a space due to the others visiting Boardwalk and potentially Epcot. The lots were full and I had to park across the street in the lot behind the gas station. My only choices were to walk a long way across a busy road, or use valet parking. Valet parking became the lesser of two evils. I, wrongly, assumed that Disney was using valet parking as a way to help the self parking issue.

I will gladly go back to self parking if Disney will limit the parking area in front of the Boardwalk to "Boardwalk Resort Guests Only". They should also make sure there is enough parking by reducing the spaces reserved for valet parking. It is my opinion that any Boardwalk resort guest that wishes to self park have space available.

The fee is not my issue. It's the lack of self parking at Boardwalk that needs to be handled properly.

Thanks for listening.

 

[Sammie]

As an owner of BWV, the elimination of the valet parking benefit opens another issue, in my opinion. When we first bought at BWV, I tried to use self parking so that I could get to my car easily and didn't have to wait for the valet attendants. Each night when trying to park, I could not find a space due to the others visiting Boardwalk and potentially Epcot. The lots were full and I had to park across the street in the lot behind the gas station. My only choices were to walked a long way across a busy road, or use valet parking. Valet parking became the lesser of two evils. I, wrongly, assumed that Disney was using valet parking as a way to help the self parking issue.

I will gladly go back to self parking if Disney will limit the parking area in front of the Boardwalk to "Boardwalk Resort Guests Only". They should also make sure there is enough parking by reducing the spaces reserved for valet parking. It is my opinion that any Boardwalk resort guest that wishes to self park have space available.

The fee is not my issue. It's the lack of self parking at Boardwalk that needs to be handled properly.

Thanks for listening.

Be sure to let Member Satisfaction know this, they are going to have to make sure this is not a problem for members at the DVC resorts closest to parks.

 

[crisi]

And I meant no disrespect to you.

However, my point is still the same. If Disney is going to have ANY perks that are taken from members dues, at what point is it decided what's worth "all of us" paying for and what's not?

I own BWV points ( though I'm selling ) and drive every trip. I use valet EVERY trip. You may feel you shouldn't pay for it. You may own OKW, use ME every time, stay for two weeks and love having housekeeping come in and change your beds and vacuum for you. I feel like I shouldn't have to pay for that. Fair is fair.

This is why I think if you're going to take away some, take away all, and a la cart. It's the only fair way for all members.

In the very early days, the oldtimers have said OKW owners got daily housekeeping. That changed fairly quickly. But Disney apparently has changed the housekeeping situation before and may again.

They really hold all the cards for anything not in the contract. And they are a business - they'll do what they think is in their best interest. When that is also in our best interest, its a sympathetic relationship - but when our interests aren't sympathetic....they'll resolve in their own favor.

 

[Chuck S]

In the very early days, the oldtimers have said OKW owners got daily housekeeping. That changed fairly quickly. But Disney apparently has changed the housekeeping situation before and may again.

They really hold all the cards for anything not in the contract. And they are a business - they'll do what they think is in their best interest. When that is also in our best interest, its a sympathetic relationship - but when our interests aren't sympathetic....they'll resolve in their own favor.

I never heard that, if true, they changed it VERY early in the program, as we had limited housekeeping mentioned in our 1992 POS. I do remember when park purchases were delivered directly to your rooms rather than having to pick them up at the store...that didn't last too long, and I'm sure it required more employee time, as well as caused possible problems, even at the cash resorts, with guests perhaps claiming that items were "missing" from their rooms (or packages) after the in-room delivery.

 

[granmanh603]

Hopefully if any member experiences problems finding a spot to self park now, they will let MS know. I definitely think that is a very reasonsable concern and I do feel that since security was turning people away at the BW last week, they are trying.

Well there was no one turning anyone away today at 2:30. and the lot was packed....there was a guard there on Sat. Now I am thinking it is only a short term, F&W fest thing not permanent thing on the weekend for a few hours...

 

[Tara]

My POINT is that nothing in the US is ever the price it says it is.
$12 + tips
So valet is NOT $12 per day. It is $12 PLUS tips every time you get the car moved.

Although YOU may assume this given you live in a tipping culture not ALL people do. So I think it worth mentioning the FACTS of the matter.
A couple dollars here or there may be nothing to you but $12 is $12 and $2 is $2 and it adds up. A couple of moves of the car and you are over $20.

But there is nothing different in the tips - DVC members still needed to tip for this service even when the service itself was free to them. As I said (and I was very careful to label my comments as my opinion), even at $12 for the service it is still an outstanding deal. The amount of tipping is irrelevant to me as that is the money I paid or any other member paid already.

 

[Sammie]

Well there was no one turning anyone away today at 2:30. and the lot was packed....there was a guard there on Sat. Now I am thinking it is only a short term, F&W fest thing not permanent thing on the weekend for a few hours...

Be sure to let MS know and I would also let the on duty manager at the Front Desk know also.

 

[Dean]

And therein lies the problem - this attitude towards members who have dedicated a large chunk of money are not considered as valuable as customers who over the course of their life MIGHT drop $10,000 at Disney.

Some may take the other side. That the attitude of the members expect special treatment and free things is part of hte problem.

This is why I think if you're going to take away some, take away all, and a la cart. It's the only fair way for all members.

The only fair way is it look at each component and make an informed decision as to what is appropriate to be included and what is appropriate pay to play based on the % of members using a given option, the ease or difficulty of doing pay to play, the economy of scale for that item and the like. No everything can be pay to play and not everything could be included, one has to draw a somewhat arbitrary line but based on appropriate data. As such valet parking clearly falls on the side that should be pay to play because it's relatively expensive, there's little if any economy of scale and it's easy to define to the appropriate subgroup. I would venture that the original agreement made the economy of scale work in favor of a cheap option and those savings have evaporated.

This change will have little or NO affect on the number of cars at the resorts in question, the only question is how they're parked and how many spaces valet needs or doesn't need.

 

[waltfan1957]

But does Disney care if they get one person who spends 120,000 at Disney or 50 who spend $2400?

but to get that 50 they are giving discount after discount.