NO MORE free valet parking for DVC members.

[scot@dvcstore]

Sad but I understand Disney is trying to control costs for the DVC Members.

 

[Figment2]

Just got back from a BWV stay and decided to state my 2 cents. I'm past the fact we have to pay but if I'm a paying customer, I should not have to wait 10-20 minutes to get a receipt for my car. I waited 10 minutes one time and a friend waited 20 minutes. Staffing is an issue. I asked one of the valets if they cut staff and was told (these are his words, not mine) "yes, when we lost the DVC contract, they did cut staff."

BW is not a new resort. They know the busy times (like Sunday, 12/13, when 300 people were checking out and 300 were checking in - that was the 20 minute wait around 11am).

I am going to send a complaint letter not about the charge or the staff but the staffing.

I'd love to know, too, what happened to the lady whose car keys couldn't be found (12/10 around midnight at the Contemporary). They tore apart the cabinet and she even went into the valet stand to look with no success. When we were walking to our car I heard her say, "the valet said he's take good care of my car." Have no idea of what model/make her car was and all I could think of was what if it wasn't one of the valets she gave her car! I know that has happened here in Chicago.

Cyn

 

[jdg345]

Well, FWIW, I just got back from another few days on property and the TIW card saved me quite a bit. It seemed as long as I used it at least one time for valet, I was not charged that day. I was only charged one day for Valet, and it was [coincidentally?] the same day I did not use my TIW card.

 

[pilferk]

Quick question:

When they cut the DVC contract, did they likewise reduce the number of valet spaces?

The answer may be here, somewhere, in this behemoth of a thread, but I've missed it.

It would be interesting if they cut staff...but the valet service did not give up a number of their spaces back to "regular" parking.

 

[Chuck S]

Quick question:

When they cut the DVC contract, did they likewise reduce the number of valet spaces?

The answer may be here, somewhere, in this behemoth of a thread, but I've missed it.

It would be interesting if they cut staff...but the valet service did not give up a number of their spaces back to "regular" parking.

I don't think it was a "DVC" contract, as such. It is a WDW Resorts Contract that alowed for free DVC valet. It is unlikely that resorts would have cut the valet parking spots simply because the DVC perk was dropped from the contract.

 

[pilferk]

I don't think it was a "DVC" contract, as such. It is a WDW Resorts Contract that alowed for free DVC valet. It is unlikely that resorts would have cut the valet parking spots simply because the DVC perk was dropped from the contract.

The contract that provided for free DVC guest use of valet at DVC resorts, then.

So then...we're now trying to squeeze more people into LESS available "regular" spots, right? Or, rather, the same number of "regular spots", but we've increased the demand factor, so they are not LESS available.

Because you'd assume (and...yes, I know what assume makes out of u and me) that there would be a noteable drop off of DVC useage, and thus overall useage, of the valet system at the DVC resorts. I mean, if it's not free, I'd guess there's a lot fewer DVC guests using it. I'd guess that's mirrored in, if it's true, the reduction of valet staff. I mean, if it was enough of an impact to drop FTE's, it has to be "noteable", right?

But there's no corresponding drop in "available inventory"? That's poor logistical planning, at best. Because all those DVC guests who used to use valet parking, and are not, are going to need "regular" spaces to park in. Those cars aren't simply going to disappear. And the most logical place to get them from would be from the valet service....since they obviously now NEED fewer spaces.

I've no real issue with losing the perk. It's annoying, but if it's in the interest of keeping costs down I can live with it. The writing was likely on the wall when they outsourced valet. But I DO have an issue with not planning to deal with ALL the fallout from it. Especially at resorts like BWV and BCV where parking is already at a premium.

 

[Chuck S]

The contract that provided for free DVC guest use of valet at DVC resorts, then.

So then...we're now trying to squeeze more people into LESS available "regular" spots, right?

Actually, you are trying to self park more cars into the same number of self park spot that were available prior to the change, not less spots. But I understand what you are trying to say.

There should be plenty of self parking available, if, and that is a big IF, they give preference to guests actually staying at BWV and BWI, and make those without room key cards valet or park in the auxiliary lot behind the Hess station.

This could be done by simply allowing the driver of a group to drop the group off up front, then having them park in the auxiliary lot. Exceptions, of course for those, with handicap plates and placards, who can still valet free or use the H/C parking slots. The problem is enforcement.

 

[crisi]

The contract that provided for free DVC guest use of valet at DVC resorts, then.

So then...we're now trying to squeeze more people into LESS available "regular" spots, right? Or, rather, the same number of "regular spots", but we've increased the demand factor, so they are not LESS available.

Because you'd assume (and...yes, I know what assume makes out of u and me) that there would be a noteable drop off of DVC useage, and thus overall useage, of the valet system at the DVC resorts. I mean, if it's not free, I'd guess there's a lot fewer DVC guests using it. I'd guess that's mirrored in, if it's true, the reduction of valet staff. I mean, if it was enough of an impact to drop FTE's, it has to be "noteable", right?

But there's no corresponding drop in "available inventory"? That's poor logistical planning, at best. Because all those DVC guests who used to use valet parking, and are not, are going to need "regular" spaces to park in. Those cars aren't simply going to disappear. And the most logical place to get them from would be from the valet service....since they obviously now NEED fewer spaces.

I've no real issue with losing the perk. It's annoying, but if it's in the interest of keeping costs down I can live with it. The writing was likely on the wall when they outsourced valet. But I DO have an issue with not planning to deal with ALL the fallout from it. Especially at resorts like BWV and BCV where parking is already at a premium.

You just needed to get this to 100 pages, right?

There is speculation upthread that eventually they will rebalance the valet parking spaces for the reported reduction in use. This apparently hasn't happened at this point in time, may never happen, and its even possible that despite 100 pages, the reduction in use and lack of parking spots has been the perception of people on this board and actually isn't measurable (I doubt this, myself - but it IS possible - and I was trained in the 'confirm your perceptions with measurement' school of business.)

 

[Dean]

Quick question:

When they cut the DVC contract, did they likewise reduce the number of valet spaces?

The answer may be here, somewhere, in this behemoth of a thread, but I've missed it.

It would be interesting if they cut staff...but the valet service did not give up a number of their spaces back to "regular" parking.

One person has reported that the number of spaces for valet parking is currently contractual. We don't know for certain and we don't know the terms or contract length. Obviously that gives more vehicles into the same number of spaces initially. There are many ways to compensate for this issue. You can better police who parks in those spaces that shouldn't including those not staying at the resort and employees, you can (hopefully) recapture some of the valet spaces at some point (? at next contract negotiation), you can re-negotiate the contract due to the affects if the vender is willing and I'm guessing about now they are or will be soon. In all likelihood this will take a year or two to sort out and will take a combination of the above type approaches to be successful. Even then, BWV has had times when parking was an issue even before this change so success will always be relative when discussing parking success. However, it is my belief that things will be worked out reasonably and that with some reasonable effort, things will be as good or better than before. I would not be surprised to see a discounted DVC valet parking option paid for by members who use valet. I doubt we'll see a return to free or nearly so valet though if the vendor gets desperate enough to negotiate a substantial volume discount, it's possible.

I suppose the question is what is the optimal price and volume compared to minimal staffing goals. The best bang for the buck so to speak. It may be that those remaining valet employees are the right level of service for the contractor currently.

 

[granmanh603]

Have not followed this thread in weeks but just got back a few days ago from WDW BWV and we(or DSIL) had trouble parking in self park the day we arrived 12/13 at 2 PM no spots had to valet park(but we ate and I remembered the post about the TIW card and we used that for that day) as a side note at night after fireworks at Epcot the stream of cars out of the self park was steady so I guess they are not checking room card at all again. Not really fair to the owners to get the better self park.

 

[d-r]

the portable perks book they gave us at check in last week lists free valet parking, but I didn't try it.

 

[colonialtinker]

as a side note at night after fireworks at Epcot the stream of cars out of the self park was steady so I guess they are not checking room card at all again. Not really fair to the owners to get the better self park.

I agree, we just got back from a standard view room overlooking the self parking area, by 11am each day there were no spaces available. We also witnessed 1 person getting extremal upset with check in on having no parking spots available for guest. The valet parking area had very few cars and the handicap parking spaces by the valet parking area were full, plus there were a few cars that had moved the barriers around by the employee gate at the tennis court so they could park. We noticed there were quite a few empty spaces after 10pm each night and very early in the morning.

 

[DebbieB]

I just completed the online survey for my stay, got the card in the mail today. I made several comments about the self-parking situation at BWV. Really the only downside to my stay.

 

[tgropp]

I truly sympathize with BWV and the parking situation. I have only stayed there once and it is a beautiful resort in an amazing location. I stated my frustations with the loss of valet parking back in the first few pages of this thread lamenting on how WDW was losing its magic etc. with all the cutbacks, nitpicking et all. Fast forward to my visit in November/09. I arrive at BCV at 8 A.M. to pick up my meal plan card and jokingly ask if there are rooms ready. The CM You replied "I will see if I can get you a magical moment" Poof, a 1 BR at 8:15 A.M. Later on that day after going to Toy Story Mania to use a Fast Pass, it was broke down, no ride. Next night I went to Guest Services and showed them the day old fastpass...... they gave me one for that night, but told me not to tell anyone as the wait was 150 minutes. All of a sudden, valet parking does not seem that important. Have a Merry Christmas Everyone!

 

[Disneypubgal]

I truly sympathize with BWV and the parking situation. I have only stayed there once and it is a beautiful resort in an amazing location. I stated my frustations with the loss of valet parking back in the first few pages of this thread lamenting on how WDW was losing its magic etc. with all the cutbacks, nitpicking et all. Fast forward to my visit in November/09. I arrive at BCV at 8 A.M. to pick up my meal plan card and jokingly ask if there are rooms ready. The CM You replied "I will see if I can get you a magical moment" Poof, a 1 BR at 8:15 A.M. Later on that day after going to Toy Story Mania to use a Fast Pass, it was broke down, no ride. Next night I went to Guest Services and showed them the day old fastpass...... they gave me one for that night, but told me not to tell anyone as the wait was 150 minutes. All of a sudden, valet parking does not seem that important. Have a Merry Christmas Everyone!

Love it!

 

[JaneDE]

I was one of those uniformed members who came to DW and tried to get my free valet parking at Boardwalk last night. I was surprised to find this perk gone. However, the valet explained to me that if I brought my receipt from dinner to the valet booth, they would wave the fee. I asked him if this was true at other DVC hotels and he said that most of them wil do this. Well, it worked last night but tonight we go to Cape May Cafe for dinner and I willl be interested to see if they will honor the free parking with proof that we ate dinner there. Has anyone else been told this?

 

[Chuck S]

I was one of those uniformed members who came to DW and tried to get my free valet parking at Boardwalk last night. I was surprised to find this perk gone. However, the valet explained to me that if I brought my receipt from dinner to the valet booth, they would wave the fee. I asked him if this was true at other DVC hotels and he said that most of them wil do this. Well, it worked last night but tonight we go to Cape May Cafe for dinner and I willl be interested to see if they will honor the free parking with proof that we ate dinner there. Has anyone else been told this?

That actually is a perk for TiW card holders. If the valets continue billing out DVC owners to the TiW card (ie if TiW notices a sudden substantial increase without a significant increase in TiW sales) I'd expect that perk to be taken away from the TiW card holders, too, or the cost for TiW to increase yet again.

If you are an Annual Pass holder, you can purchase a TiW card for $75 per year. This gives you a 20% discount at almost all Disney owned table service restaurants (including adult beverages) as well as free valet while dining.

 

[mopee3]

The contract that provided for free DVC guest use of valet at DVC resorts, then.

So then...we're now trying to squeeze more people into LESS available "regular" spots, right? Or, rather, the same number of "regular spots", but we've increased the demand factor, so they are not LESS available.

Because you'd assume (and...yes, I know what assume makes out of u and me) that there would be a noteable drop off of DVC useage, and thus overall useage, of the valet system at the DVC resorts. I mean, if it's not free, I'd guess there's a lot fewer DVC guests using it. I'd guess that's mirrored in, if it's true, the reduction of valet staff. I mean, if it was enough of an impact to drop FTE's, it has to be "noteable", right?

But there's no corresponding drop in "available inventory"? That's poor logistical planning, at best. Because all those DVC guests who used to use valet parking, and are not, are going to need "regular" spaces to park in. Those cars aren't simply going to disappear. And the most logical place to get them from would be from the valet service....since they obviously now NEED fewer spaces.

I've no real issue with losing the perk. It's annoying, but if it's in the interest of keeping costs down I can live with it. The writing was likely on the wall when they outsourced valet. But I DO have an issue with not planning to deal with ALL the fallout from it. Especially at resorts like BWV and BCV where parking is already at a premium.

Congratulations !!!!

You are the first person to post a reply on the 100th page on this tread!!! For that you get your pick of
A. Free valet parking if you are there now! or
B. Free pool hoping pass for all pools in Chicago on January 1, 2010.

Personally I think the last one is the best

Moe

 

[Onetrue]

I never even knew we got free valet with DVC, I have been staying at the Grand all this time and they never told me, just let me pay it each visit!

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

1500 posts!