NO MORE free valet parking for DVC members.

[Deb & Bill]

Is valet parking free with AP or TIW cards?

Only TIW card for dining at that specific restaurant.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

No one argues the poor communication but as some have noted, it's unreasonable to expect anything differently going forward given the past experience.

Unreasonable maybe, but sitting back and not voicing ones opinion is weak, it's like complaining about the political process but not working to change it and voting in the same incumbent each time, or talking about crime and turning your back if you see something happen. People need to stand up and complain, complement and all around voice their opinions, because if you don't nothing will ever change.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Is valet parking free with AP or TIW cards?

It's supposed to be with TIW if you are using it at an accompanying lot for your dining reservation.

 

[KAMLEM]

We have only recently joinged DVC and am a little disappointed in having no valet parking. I do have a question though. Some have mentioned how this is fair as all should not be charged for a benefit only some use. What about the bus service from the airport to the resorts? Is this free for DVC members?

If you are referring to Magical Express, that's for anyone staying in WDW, not just DVC members.

 

[Inkmahm]

We just got back from a trip to WDW 10/22 to 10/27. I paid particular attention to the valet service area at BCV and AKV.

At BCV, this was our first stay and I knew from the DIS boards that parking should be close to the villas. At check in, however, the CM insisted that I had to park way over at the convention center in the opposite direction of the villas. Since I'd never been there before, I changed plans and had bell services come take the luggage from our car and then did the valet parking. We didn't use the car again until day 3 so I had 2 nights of valet charges before I realized I was correct, that there is parking right next to the villas. I complained at check out about the poor training of the CM who told me I had to park at the convention center if I wasn't using valet service. I got an apology, that's it.

Compared to prior trips when we almost always used the valet service, the valet parking areas were dead. There were two guys at BCV standing around with nothing to do. When we went to AKV to Jiko for dinner on Monday night, there were 2 valet service guys and a woman at the valet desk having a rubber band fight to kill time! No one was using valet. When we came out from dinner, no one was still using valet and the 3 were still standing around talking.

My guess is that there have been heads cut from valet services as there are so few workers as well as so few cars. We walked past the valet lots at BCV and AKV and both were just about empty, too.

 

[Simba's Mom]

We just got back from a trip to WDW 10/22 to 10/27. I paid particular attention to the valet service area at BCV and AKV.

At BCV, this was our first stay and I knew from the DIS boards that parking should be close to the villas. At check in, however, the CM insisted that I had to park way over at the convention center in the opposite direction of the villas. Since I'd never been there before, I changed plans and had bell services come take the luggage from our car and then did the valet parking. We didn't use the car again until day 3 so I had 2 nights of valet charges before I realized I was correct, that there is parking right next to the villas. I complained at check out about the poor training of the CM who told me I had to park at the convention center if I wasn't using valet service. I got an apology, that's it.

Compared to prior trips when we almost always used the valet service, the valet parking areas were dead. There were two guys at BCV standing around with nothing to do. When we went to AKV to Jiko for dinner on Monday night, there were 2 valet service guys and a woman at the valet desk having a rubber band fight to kill time! No one was using valet. When we came out from dinner, no one was still using valet and the 3 were still standing around talking.

My guess is that there have been heads cut from valet services as there are so few workers as well as so few cars. We walked past the valet lots at BCV and AKV and both were just about empty, too.

It's interesting to me that you mentioned the valet parking areas being relatively "dead". You checked in the day I left and I felt the exact same way at BCV. A couple times I was sitting next to bell services for over 30 minutes and never saw one car valet parked during that whole time. It was never like that in the past. As far as the misinformation regarding where to park, that's terrible. Unfortunately, you can't help but wonder if the misinformation was given delibrately so the valet guy could get money.

 

[Luigi's Girl]

Unreasonable maybe, but sitting back and not voicing ones opinion is weak, it's like complaining about the political process but not working to change it and voting in the same incumbent each time, or talking about crime and turning your back if you see something happen. People need to stand up and complain, complement and all around voice their opinions, because if you don't nothing will ever change.

I voiced my opinion in an email that I sent this morning. I will post whether or not I get a response. I urge all who are dissatisfied to do the same.

dvcmembersatisfactionteam@disneyvacationclub.com

 

[Maxwell]

We always stay at the BWV. When we travel to the Wilderness Lodge we always used to Valet Park. Now that we can no longer do that free of charge will they let us self park there?

 

[DebbieB]

We always stay at the BWV. When we travel to the Wilderness Lodge we always used to Valet Park. Now that we can no longer do that free of charge will they let us self park there?

You shouldn't have a problem. I haven't had a problem parking at any WDW resort with a BWV parking permit and room key. Except for Poly, I got a 3 hour permit one time years ago.

 

[zalansky]

I sent an email a few weeks ago when the valet change was announced. I never got a reply via email - no call either. Unless you count the missed call I saw on the caller ID a few days later as a call back. I think we can send emails all we want. This is one decision they are going to stick with.

I've seen lots of people who don't care about the change who never used valet. Well, I propose that DVC eliminate the DVC annual pass discount because I don't use it - I get a better deal as a Florida resident. But that's a little selfish eh? I'd also like to see Magical Express eliminated, although I understand it doesn't come out of the dues, but again I don't use it. Point being, just because you might not use something doesn't mean its not important to another member.

 

[Luigi's Girl]

I sent an email a few weeks ago when the valet change was announced. I never got a reply via email - no call either. Unless you count the missed call I saw on the caller ID a few days later as a call back. I think we can send emails all we want. This is one decision they are going to stick with.

I've seen lots of people who don't care about the change who never used valet. Well, I propose that DVC eliminate the DVC annual pass discount because I don't use it - I get a better deal as a Florida resident. But that's a little selfish eh? I'd also like to see Magical Express eliminated, although I understand it doesn't come out of the dues, but again I don't use it. Point being, just because you might not use something doesn't mean its not important to another member.

I received a return email about 5 minutes after I sent mine. I'm sure it was a blanket email that they send when they first receive one from a member. Hopefully they will send another and respond to my complaint as they said they would. Here is what they sent me.


Thank you for contacting Disney Vacation Club.

Your comments are important to us and we appreciate your taking the time
to write. We will review the feedback you have provided and will
respond within 5 business days. Please note: Based on the nature of
your comments or questions, we may need to forward your message to other
Walt Disney Company affiliates or nonaffiliated third party service
providers.

Thank you again for your message.

Sincerely,

Member Satisfaction Team
Disney Vacation Club

 

[crisi]

I sent an email a few weeks ago when the valet change was announced. I never got a reply via email - no call either. Unless you count the missed call I saw on the caller ID a few days later as a call back. I think we can send emails all we want. This is one decision they are going to stick with.

I've seen lots of people who don't care about the change who never used valet. Well, I propose that DVC eliminate the DVC annual pass discount because I don't use it - I get a better deal as a Florida resident. But that's a little selfish eh? I'd also like to see Magical Express eliminated, although I understand it doesn't come out of the dues, but again I don't use it. Point being, just because you might not use something doesn't mean its not important to another member.

Fine with me. I haven't used much valet, but I don't use the AP discount much either. I used the UPH discount - which they did away with years ago. I do use Magical Express, but prior to ME we used to grab a towncar from the airport. Maybe, if they get rid of free ME, we'll start renting a car again and have easy access to the better food offsite - we'd self park the car, that was what we did before we were DVC members.

For me, what is important to me is that I get access to rooms via the contract terms. When that no longer works for me, I'll sell off.

 

[Chuck S]

I sent an email a few weeks ago when the valet change was announced. I never got a reply via email - no call either. Unless you count the missed call I saw on the caller ID a few days later as a call back. I think we can send emails all we want. This is one decision they are going to stick with.

I've seen lots of people who don't care about the change who never used valet. Well, I propose that DVC eliminate the DVC annual pass discount because I don't use it - I get a better deal as a Florida resident. But that's a little selfish eh? I'd also like to see Magical Express eliminated, although I understand it doesn't come out of the dues, but again I don't use it. Point being, just because you might not use something doesn't mean its not important to another member.

But here's a question....what benefit was it to Disney to give DVCers free valet, especially since valet services are contracted out?

With the AP discount and Magical Express, I could easily see that translating into more park days, and more $ being spent in the parks.

With the free valet, where was the benefit for Disney? Most perks, discounts and coupons, offered by any company have a benefit to the company as well as the consumer.

If the contractor feels it would be beneficial to them, can't they offer discounted valet, without it being subsidized by dues?

 

[Kathy C]

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.

I agree with you 100%. The parking area in front of the Boardwalk should be for Boardwalk resort guests only. It's not too hard to ask for ID when entering the resort for confirmation. And, I think people staying elsewhere on property but that have ADRs should have to park in the overflow lot.

 

[Doctor P]

But here's a question....what benefit was it to Disney to give DVCers free valet, especially since valet services are contracted out?

With the AP discount and Magical Express, I could easily see that translating into more park days, and more $ being spent in the parks.

With the free valet, where was the benefit for Disney? Most perks, discounts and coupons, offered by any company have a benefit to the company as well as the consumer.

If the contractor feels it would be beneficial to them, can't they offer discounted valet, without it being subsidized by dues?

For us, the benefit was spending more at the resorts. We often valet parked to go to resort restaurants that we would not have dined at if we didn't have free valet parking. At bare minimum, it helped Disney spread out the demand for their dining. In the best light, it added $ in terms of spending on dining.

Every $ I spend on valet now will go into the vendor's pocket. The subtraction will be from $ that would have gone into Disney's pocket. Somehow, I see that as a loss to Disney.

 

[Chuck S]

For us, the benefit was spending more at the resorts. We often valet parked to go to resort restaurants that we would not have dined at if we didn't have free valet parking. At bare minimum, it helped Disney spread out the demand for their dining. In the best light, it added $ in terms of spending on dining.

Every $ I spend on valet now will go into the vendor's pocket. The subtraction will be from $ that would have gone into Disney's pocket. Somehow, I see that as a loss to Disney.

But is it really a loss to Disney? If you stop dining in the restaurants to pay for valets, or if you did dine in the restaurants and Disney pays the valet for you...that money still goes from Disney to the valet and is a loss of profit.

 

[tjkraz]

I think one of the more interesting aspects of this discussion is the fact that it is likely to COST Disney money.

If the "free" valet parking perk were to have continued, member dues would have been used to pay some fee per guest or per vehicle parked. It seems reasonable to assume that the daily parking fees are split between the outsourced vendor and Disney. So they could easily have gouged our dues on the fees, kept the "perk" in place and increased their bottom line.

Elimination of the "free" perk means lower revenue for valet. It also means the self-park lots will fill up quicker and guests who otherwise want to dine or shop at resorts will be turned away when the parking lots are full (or restricted to resort guests.)

If there's any sniff test that this change does not pass (IMO), it's the suggestion that DVC wasn't acting in the best interest of members. I think Disney stood to make considerably more by having our dues charged millions per year in parking fees.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

For us, the benefit was spending more at the resorts. We often valet parked to go to resort restaurants that we would not have dined at if we didn't have free valet parking. At bare minimum, it helped Disney spread out the demand for their dining. In the best light, it added $ in terms of spending on dining.

Every $ I spend on valet now will go into the vendor's pocket. The subtraction will be from $ that would have gone into Disney's pocket. Somehow, I see that as a loss to Disney.

So, no free valet, you won't pay the $12 nor will you self park? I think most people have sticker shock right now about the whole thing and how it was abruptly done but the lack of free valet won't hinder most folks in continuing to do what they want to do or stay where they want to stay.

Personally I hate waiting for the valet to get my car so I always self park no matter where I'm staying or dining, even at BWV. If I have people who can't walk, I just drop them off 1st and then park.

 

[Pooh for Presid]

We checked into BCV Oct 20. I had not gotten an email or any other information until I went to leave the car with the valet. When I checked in I asked to speak to a manager, who I know had nothing to do with the DVC decision. I explained that I was at the annual meeting last year and nothing was discussed about this and that I was not infomed of the change. In addition I was upset that I had paid my annual fees last January and they were cutting off something in essence I had already paid for. He seemed suprised that I was not informed but promised to look into it.

I then called Member services and got a supervisor who I repeated all of my concerns to and this is the line I got. They were discontinuing the service in my best interest. (I love when other people do stuff in my best interest b/c they know more than I do and yet somehow it never seems to be in MY best interest). It was explained that with valet fees going up they had to stop the service or my annual dues next year would go way up. In addition they had done a study and found that a lot more members were utilizing DME so they were keeping it instead.

I asked the obvious question if more people use DME than valet how could costs be going way up for valet service? I never got an answer for this, however I did get the answer that annual dues do go to pay for the valet service. When I asked if I was going to get a refund for the portion of my annual dues paid last year for valet that was cut off before the end of the year, I never got an answer for that either.

A short time later the BCV manager called back with in essence the same corporate line.

My problems are that I was not informed on something that I had already paid for through the end of the year, they took something away in the middle of the year, and they did it in my best interest to save me money. I would like to know how much of annual dues goes to DME. I wonder how much we are subsidizing a service that Disney is providing to other guests to keep them on property vs something that really was just to my benefit. just my 2 cents worth.

 

[crisi]

My problems are that I was not informed on something that I had already paid for through the end of the year, they took something away in the middle of the year, and they did it in my best interest to save me money. I would like to know how much of annual dues goes to DME. I wonder how much we are subsidizing a service that Disney is providing to other guests to keep them on property vs something that really was just to my benefit. just my 2 cents worth.

We have been told that NONE of your dues were supporting valet parking (so you hadn't paid for it until the end of the year because you hadn't paid for it at all) and are told that NO dues are currently going towards DME.

Something OTHER than dues was/is paying for those services - unless DVC is outright lying to us on dues accounting - which WOULD be something that they'd get into legal trouble for, so I doubt it.