NO MORE free valet parking for DVC members.

[disneynutz]

It was likely being funded by DVC Marketing, or the contractor, or both, which, given the economy, decided to no longer fund it. Now the cost would need to be assumed by dues.

As I said, we can guess all we want. That is one of the big problems that I have with the DVC, no information, just change and politics.

Bill

 

[bookwormde]

And there is the problem with DVC, nothing is communicated in an informative, honest and timely manner.

I never use valet but it still is not right that changes are made this way

Bookwormde

 

[Dean]

$12 to valet park is not an outrageous sum. We have all probably paid more than that somewhere. The point is we bought memberships that included free valet parking. That perk is now gone. What's next? Should the free high speed internet perk be paid for by only the members who use it, too? How about DVC member discounts? Why should we all subsidize discounts on meals and souvenirs if we don't all partake? How about the trash & towel service? We can wash our own towels and empty our own trash. Why should I pay for a maid to do that for someone else? Free parking anywhere on Disney property? We can all take a bus for free. Those are perks we were all sold. This is how big business works. When the budget isn't being met, executive incentives don't get paid unless costs are reduced and operating income increases. The customers pay more and get less.

Don't get me wrong. We still love Disney and will continue to go. Unfortunately, the business side of this takes some of the shine off of the experience.

That's one area I would absolutely disagree with. Some bought WHEN valet parking was free, it was never part of the sales package and is not referenced in any of the sales materials. Something a timeshare salesperson mentioned during a sales discussion that is not included in the legal paperwork is of no meaning IMO.

As I've said previously, the fact that there are other services that all may pay for but not everyone uses has little to no bearing on this discussion unless those are things that are significantly costly, easy to police, is there a significant volume saving, easy to charge and that a significant minority use. The other criteria is what items should generally be provided by a resort. Valet parking clearly falls on the side of pay to play using these criteria in every area. It is as simple as whether one who uses it pay for it or do other members subsidize those that use it. Since all indications are that there was no charge before and now there would be full charge, that is a cut and dried decision in my book.

As for what next, perks will come and go and fees will go up. Some will be negative and some positive but overall most will likely be negative.

Just because the gouging for Valet is lower at WDW doesn't make it right. I wish that people would stop making excuses for Disney.

Bill

No excuses. I don't see anyway to say it's gouging, no one is required to use the service. I don't personally know the financial and other factors well enough to know what's a reasonable charge in their situation but even if it were twice as much as anywhere, it's still 100% optional for everyone with the possible exception of some who are handicapped and there are other ways to possibly account for those as well by altering the parking set up.

I have said it before several times on this thread and I will say it again. Those who didn't use this perk are not bothered by it being removed. We get it. I cannot wait until a perk that those members DO use is taken away. (DVC annual passs discount being on top of MY list of things to go) We'll see how much support these same people are giving to DVC then.

This is not about who is affected, it's about a rational decision based on the facts. To make an interpretation of such an issue based on how it affects you directly is intellectually dishonest, IMO.

We don't know why it went from "free" to $12 over night so everyone is just guessing. We also don't know how much profit is in the $12 fee or how their contract reads. We don't know what our dues paid towards Valet before and we don't know why they don't charge a DVC discounted fee.

Only partly true. We do know it went from no charge to $12 pp/pd. We do know that DVC management has stated DVC dues were not used to pay for the perk previously. We do not know if DVC gets a kickback, nor is it especially important in the discussion IMO.

how about the people that are covering the Tables in Wonderland valet still??

One would have to assume that this cost is being paid for either by TIW and/or by the restaurants affected in some way. Even if it were negotiated as free in the new contract, I wouldn't think it especially relevant to the DVC valet issue.

 

[Deb & Bill]

And there is the problem with DVC, nothing is communicated in an informative, honest and timely manner.

I never use valet but it still is not right that changes are made this way

Bookwormde

Exactly.

 

[Doctor P]

Though I have expressed my displeasure in the perk being taken away, the valet parking perk was added AFTER we became members. To the best of my recollection, this was not an available perk until several years after DVC started. My best guess is that it was after BCV was opened if my memory serves correctly.

 

[arielrocks]

One would have to assume that this cost is being paid for either by TIW and/or by the restaurants affected in some way. Even if it were negotiated as free in the new contract, I wouldn't think it especially relevant to the DVC valet issue.[/QUOTE]

I only see it as relevant because they took away the perk for DVC members, but kept it for TIW. I understand that using valet with TIW means that people are spending more money in Disney by eating at the restaurants.....but aren't members spending enough money with initial purchase and member fees every year?

I have not used the free valet - didn't get a chance too before it was taken away but I don't agree with the change and I was looking forward to using it.

I think the main bug bear is the WAY disney do things, just because they haave the power and the right to make changes, it doesn't mean they should when it upsets so many people!

this thread is sooooo long now I wonder what member services would think if they saw the reaction of its members (they probably woulfn't care right?)

 

[Chuck S]

this thread is sooooo long now I wonder what member services would think if they saw the reaction of its members (they probably woulfn't care right?)

I'm reasonably sure Disney monitors Disney related fansites, including the DIS. As far as "caring," that is irrelevent, there are other issues at work here besides emotions. The valet company needs compensation, they are an independent contractor. The question is...from where should that compensation come? The owners of BWV/BCV/AKV and BLT through increased dues? As OKW and SSR have never offered valet services, they really couldn't up the dues at those resorts to cover it, as dues are tied to the operation of the resort where you own.

Should another Disney entity compensate the contractor, even considering each Disney operating company has to justify their expenses and profitability?

Should the contractor simply do it "out of the goodness of his heart," and give away what is essentially his product?

I think the best answer, if the contractor sees a substantial drop in profitability would be to offer a discount to DVC members to encourage them to once again use valet services. If there is not substantial drop in profit (and I would assume some valets are let go to make up for the drop in needed services) there is no reason for the contractor to offer a discount.

 

[zalansky]

Disney most certainly monitors the DIS - I took a survey emailed to me by Disney recently and one of the questions was if I used internet and online related services to research vacations. The next question was which sites do I use? One of the options was the DIS - internet message board.

 

[DisneyWalker44]

If they told the truth and only offered you a room for your DVC purchase would you have many buyers?

I don't know about you, but Disney did tell the truth that perks weren't guaranteed and to not buy for them. I bought anyway.

I get frustrated because people accept negative change too easily.

With all due respect, I think your frustration is that people aren't agreeing with you as to how "negative" this change is.

They don't question or demand answers.

We questioned, we got answers.

The worst is when they feel compelled to defend the change and try to convince others to do the same.

I don't feel compelled to defend the change. I thought about it and came to the conclusion that it was reasonable.

I know you are upset with Disney. But don't get mad at posters who don't agree with you.

 

[DisneyWalker44]

Should the free high speed internet perk be paid for by only the members who use it, too?

For the record, when most of us bought, there was no free internet. That's a perk we've gained. Perks come and go. The notion (which people might get from reading the DIS) that we just lose, lose, lose perks is wrong.

 

[Dean]

Should the free high speed internet perk be paid for by only the members who use it, too?

Terry, using the criteria I explained above this would be a perk that MIGHT be reasonable to do pay to play because many won't use it and it is one you can charge the individual fairly easily. The differences likely are that there is an economy of scale, a higher percent of users and that it is increasingly part of the expectations of a resort. I think you'll see it move to wireless in the next 3-5 years as well. DVC does charge some for internet (exchangers, cash guests, even members not staying on points) and it's those that are likely paying the bulk of these charges, not DVC members themselves. So it likely is the closest example that makes sense to compare but it is dramatically different than valet in many key area. I'd guess than less than 10% used free valet routinely and likely less than 20% used it more than once or twice. I suppose one could post a poll for that but given the bias where those interested are dramatically more likely to vote when they are invested, it'd overstate the numbers likely by about double or more.

 

[DebbieB]

Though I have expressed my displeasure in the perk being taken away, the valet parking perk was added AFTER we became members. To the best of my recollection, this was not an available perk until several years after DVC started. My best guess is that it was after BCV was opened if my memory serves correctly.

It used to be free for everyone. When they started charging, DVC members were exempt. I don't think there was a period in between when members had to pay. I think when they first started charging, it was only $6.

 

[TLSnell1981]

As I said, we can guess all we want. That is one of the big problems that I have with the DVC, no information, just change and politics.

Bill

ITA!

And there is the problem with DVC, nothing is communicated in an informative, honest and timely manner.

Bookwormde

Again, I agree.

I used free valet. I also use the AP discount and rent the "free" movies. These are about the only "perks" we utilize. So, does this mean I don't care about other perks? The perks other use and I don't? No, it doesn't.

I'm curious as to how much it would've cost to have continued free valet. I wish we'd been given the option.

 

[disneynutz]

ITA!


Again, I agree.

I used free valet. I also use the AP discount and rent the "free" movies. These are about the only "perks" we utilize. So, does this mean I don't care about other perks? The perks other use and I don't? No, it doesn't.

I'm curious as to how much it would've cost to have continued free valet. I wish we'd been given the option.

I have asked DVC Management several questions about the recent hot topics and none of my questions were answered. First Jim Lewis won't answer my emails, now Member Satisfaction.

Guess I'm Black Listed.

Bill

 

[Dean]

I'm curious as to how much it would've cost to have continued free valet. I wish we'd been given the option.

I'd estimate between $10 and $20 per week for each membership per year (not just those that use it) by the time you add the direct costs, admin fees associated and DVCMC 12%.

 

[DisneyWalker44]

First Jim Lewis won't answer my emails,

You're serious???

I suspect you have unrealistic expectations about the level of service DVC can provide it's 300,000 members (and what Jim Lewis does all day.)

 

[TLSnell1981]

I'd estimate between $10 and $20 per week for each membership per year (not just those that use it) by the time you add the direct costs, admin fees associated and DVCMC 12%.

So, you estimate it would cost between $520-$1040 per year per membership? Seriously or am I misreading your post?

 

[Dean]

So, you estimate it would cost between $520-$1040 per year per membership? Seriously or am I misreading your post?

You are misreading and I probably wasn't clear enough. Assuming an average contract size in the 180-200 point range, my rough estimate would be $10-20 per year per contract. That assumes no reductions could be negotiated but it's likely that the price could have been reduced somewhat by contractual negotiations. Obviously it there are many variables we simply don't know.

 

[MandMLUVMMandDVC]

I was a guest at the Boardwalk two weeks ago and wasn't given much of a choice about parking. We unloaded my bags in front and then my son went to park my car. He calls me a few minutes later to say that the choice was to either do the valet for $12 or he could park at Downtown Disney & take a bus back to hotel. There were so many "day visitors" that both self parking areas were filled and no room for resort guests. Sure enough, at 9:30 (after EPCOT fireworks) there was a rush of people leaving the self parking areas. Really ticked me off! I had to pay to park because security doesn't keep non-guests from parking there?!?!

 

[Robo-Daddy 3000]

I have asked DVC Management several questions about the recent hot topics and none of my questions were answered. First Jim Lewis won't answer my emails, now Member Satisfaction.

Guess I'm Black Listed.

Bill

Sadly, Jim Lewis does not communicate directly with members-unless you consider his fluff column in the Disney Files to be communication.


Instead, you can write to DVC MemberSatisfaction and then get a phone call from Sheila who will tell you that you've got some good ideas and she's taking notes about what you are saying and that she will pass your comments along to "leadership".

I assume Jim Lewis would be considered "leadership", right?