NO MORE free valet parking for DVC members.

[cutakenta]

I just got home today. Friday night there was no and I mean no parking at Beach Club. Valet is a must at Beach Club and a MUST MUST at Boardwalk.


On a side note, parking at BLT is Great!! Each time I can park within 50 yards from the front door!!!!!

 

[Brian Noble]

We get notifications all the time of the points are going to increase in two weeks, in five days, next week, etc. But not when one of the operations of DVC changes - like point reallocations, no free valet, etc.

Well, sure. Those point-price notifications are marketing, in homes of getting you to buy more points, and they are a Sales expense.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Well, sure. Those point-price notifications are marketing, in homes of getting you to buy more points, and they are a Sales expense.

So are you agreeing with me or trying to educate me on the fact that the right hand of DVC isn't talking to the left hand???

 

[tjkraz]

The valet parkers are probably going to get a fair amount of flak over this and they had nothing to do with it.

The employees themselves may not have anything to do with it but their employer certainly does. Hopefully they are taking steps to train their people on how best to handle inquiries.

If that was the case, DVC could have notified members in a timely manner. I think that's the biggest gripe of all.

Again, that's how Disney corporate has operated for as long a I can remember. Can't even pass that one off on Iger...Eisner was the same way.

Negative changes are never directly addressed in most cases. They don't go out of their way to highlight price increases, service decreases or any negative changes to the quality or quantity of service. Those jobs are left to Disney fan websites, message boards and other outlets.

This is the modus operandi for any large company these days. McDonald's doesn't tell you they are reducing the number of pickles on your favorite hamburger. Kleenex doesn't announce that their packages are being reduced from 100 tissues to 90. BMW doesn't put a notice on their website indicating that the base price of a vehicle is going from $55,000 to $57,000.

I guess I can understand why there are higher expectations for DVC, but I think that expectation is unrealistic. They DID have Member Services reps begin communicating the change to callers yesterday. The website has been updated. And I suspect we'll get some sort of statement from DVC, too. That alone is more than 99% of companies would have done.

 

[Chuck S]

Well, sure. Those point-price notifications are marketing, in homes of getting you to buy more points, and they are a Sales expense.

That's the difference. Advertising & sales expenses are treated differently than if marketing funds were used for free valet. One would likely be a direct write-off, and treated much differently under tax laws by the IRS.

So are you agreeing with me or trying to educate me on the fact that the right hand of DVC isn't talking to the left hand???

They may be talking fine. The bean counters and attorneys, on the other hand, are looking out for tax loopholes and what would constitute a direct marketing write-off vs. an ongoing employee expense and tax liability.

 

[Deb & Bill]

... The website has been updated...

Not from what I just posted a few posts above. Still shows it as complimentary.

 

[Hazzard101]

Just my luck -- I'm just booked my first trip "home" for May and plan to have a car since we're at AKV. Looks like DH will be dropping us off and parking the car. Anyone know how far it is from the parking area to AKV (Jambo)? I'm guessing it's not a $12/day walk.

While we're on the subject of cars, parking, etc.....don't DVC members get free parking at the theme parks or did I dream that up?

If you are staying at kadni the parking is better. You can park under the building near an elevator close to your room. So it is actually more of a pain to have your car parked instead of driving to the under-building parking and riding the elevator to your room. If you use you car a few times while you are there it gets expensive to tip them every time you need your car. Parking at Jambo is pretty close to the lobby. Where I will miss Valet parking is when we go to Beach Club for dinner at Cape May and Welcome Home Wednesday. That is if they don't stop doing that, oh they won't because that makes them money.

I guess we will have to see what happens.

 

[Hazzard101]

Don't know about anyone else, but I would much rather keep the valet perk than be able to "Follow Deevy's comedic vacation adventures"......

This makes them money so they will keep doing that. I bet she gets free valet parking at the resorts.

 

[Brian Noble]

So are you agreeing with me or trying to educate me on the fact that the right hand of DVC isn't talking to the left hand???

It depends on what you are trying to say.

My point is that the "notices" you are sent about price points are not notices at all, they are nvestments in future sales. The Sales/Marketing budget is charged for them, and is expected to show a return on those investments. That may be your point too---I'm not sure. If so, then yes we agree.

If there were a way to tell you that valet parking is no longer free, and somehow convince you to buy more points in the process, I'm sure they'd do it.

 

[DVCBELLE]

I might not understand this but wouldn't it be free to send an email to all members announcing the change in policy?

Seems to me they could easily send out an email and let everyone know there is a new policy in place. I guess then people without email would be mad so then they would have to mail to people who did not have email. Then there would still be people mad that they never got the notices and insist on free parking so they probably figure with no notice they can say they didn't tell anyone. Thus ticking off the masses rather than a few complainers.

 

[Brian Noble]

Not quite free, but darn close in terms of time and material costs. Somewhat less free in terms of goodwill. As Tim points out, TWDC has been Orwellian from the very beginning when it comes to controlling information. If Disney doesn't tell you something, it's not because "they forgot" or "it was expensive." It's simply because they thought they'd be better off by not bringing it to your attention.

Disney's modus operandi from the begining of "the Florida project" (and well before) has been aloof and paternalistic, to put it mildly.

 

[ak1024]

I am not happy to learn of this change. We have used the free valet alot and we are arriving to WDW this Saturday and checking into Bay Lake on Sunday. I feel that there should have been more(any) advanced notice before the change took place. An official announcement through an email would have been appropriate. I know that some members don't use it but I hope that many will at least issue a complaint on behalf of those of us who do. I will be sending mine ASAP. I never complain about anything at WDW but this really disappoints me.

 

[Crystal_27]

Maybe it's just me, but this news doesn't at all upset me. We've never valeted our car at Disney (or ever...really), so this perk I won't even miss. It does stink for those who routinely use the service, though.

 

[photobob]

If I want to park at BW while staying elsewhere may I still park there by showing my DVC card? Is the only change the valet is no longer free for DVC members?

I like staying at BWV and have enjoyed the free valet parking so this is a bit of a kick in the shin, following the punch in the stomach of the point reallocation. I know the point change didn't negatively affect everyone, but it did me. I'm not looking forward to the next "membership enhancement".

The valet parking employees will soon be missing a great deal of tip money, a lot less people will be using the service. I really don't think valet parking is worth $12 per day plus tip, that may be chump change for some but it isn't to me.

 

[Hazzard101]

Assuming valet parking is subsidized by dues, this may not be a case where DVC is to blame.

Valet parking is outsouced and has been for about 3 years now. There would have to be an agreement in place between DVC and the outsourced vendor to accept some rate (certainly less than $10-12 per day) for parking DVC member vehicles. Think of it as a volume discount--DVC guarantees a certain level of traffic and they get a price cut.

Sounds to me like the vendor may have tried to raise the rate to the point where it doesn't make sense for DVC to continue the agreement. After all, is it really fair to have all members paying for a service that only some utilize? Yes, if the agreement allows them to obtain a very attractive favored rate...but the benefit dwindles as the rate rises.

As with many negotiations, this could be a big game of chicken between the valet parking co and Disney. After failing to secure higher rates, they are now left to make a go of it with far less traffic at most resorts. Perhaps time will (and a substantial loss of business) will alter that outlook.

If that is true, there is a contract and this must be the end of it. it must have been re negotiated. I am sure if it went out to bid another company would have been more than happy to negotiate for free parking for DVC members. it is the bottom line DVC and Disney and the Valet parking contractor is looking out for. I am noticing Disney has been counting on the Disney Magic fans paying anything and not complaining. We just got back last night and when we went to cash in our last snack credits at Goofy's they have taken all the create your own station items off the plan. DVC members pay full price for the DP and now that is being downgraded and the price being jacked up.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If I want to park at BW while staying elsewhere may I still park there by showing my DVC card? Is the only change the valet is no longer free for DVC members?

I like staying at BWV and have enjoyed the free valet parking so this is a bit of a kick in the shin, following the punch in the stomach of the point reallocation. I know the point change didn't negatively affect everyone, but it did me. I'm not looking forward to the next "membership enhancement".

The valet parking employees will soon be missing a great deal of tip money, a lot less people will be using the service. I really don't think valet parking is worth $12 per day plus tip, that may be chump change for some but it isn't to me.

Technically, no. Your parking pass for staying at a WDW resort is only good at that resort and for theme park parking. Your DVC member card isn't good for any parking at all. You are supposed to be a guest at that resort to park there. Unless the guard at the parking lot entrance allows you entrance into the parking lot.

DVC has never endorsed using the free valet parking (when we had it) to park at a resort with the intent to visit the theme park adjacent to that resort.

 

[poggs]

Just checked into BCV today. I was not aware of this policy and pulled up to the valet bay. I said I wanted to bell the bags and valet the car and was told it was $12 to valet now. I was surprised and definately not willing to pay $12 so drove off to self park myself once the bags were unloaded and halved the tip.

On the way past, I noticed that the valet lot was almost empty! Whilst at the same time, the self park outside the villas was busier than I've ever seen it. Had to park a fair bit away from the villas pool entrance. normally you can get to about 5 or 6 cars from it.

Ho hum, will save me about $50 a stay in tips though!

 

[Chuck S]

If that is true, there is a contract and this must be the end of it. it must have been re negotiated. I am sure if it went out to bid another company would have been more than happy to negotiate for free parking for DVC members. it is the bottom line DVC and Disney and the Valet parking contractor is looking out for. I am noticing Disney has been counting on the Disney Magic fans paying anything and not complaining. We just got back last night and when we went to cash in our last snack credits at Goofy's they have taken all the create your own station items off the plan. DVC members pay full price for the DP and now that is being downgraded and the price being jacked up.

I'm not so sure a new contractor would happily give DVCers free valet now. Given that minumum wage has gone up, even for tipped positions, they'd have to make $$ to pay those mandated wages, and if their only source of income to pay those wages is the valet parking fees, I sure wouldn't want a significant portion (probably at least 50% or more) of my employee time going to a non-compensated service. I really think that is the biggest reason we've lost the free valet perk. If the contractor wasn't making $, they can't remain in business, and Disney Resorts doesn't want the valets back on their payroll.

 

[harra]

Maybe it's just me, but this news doesn't at all upset me. We've never valeted our car at Disney (or ever...really), so this perk I won't even miss. It does stink for those who routinely use the service, though.

Crystal,

I think for most people they aren't necessarily upset about this specific perk being removed but about how they went about notifying us (they didn't) and that this is a growing trend with WDW in perk removal AND perk denial.

It's a growing dissatisfaction with the way things are being operated that you are hearing. This may, for some, be the straw they breaks the camel's back

 

[Chuck S]

If I want to park at BW while staying elsewhere may I still park there by showing my DVC card? Is the only change the valet is no longer free for DVC members?

I like staying at BWV and have enjoyed the free valet parking so this is a bit of a kick in the shin, following the punch in the stomach of the point reallocation. I know the point change didn't negatively affect everyone, but it did me. I'm not looking forward to the next "membership enhancement".

The valet parking employees will soon be missing a great deal of tip money, a lot less people will be using the service. I really don't think valet parking is worth $12 per day plus tip, that may be chump change for some but it isn't to me.

You may park at the Boardwalk while visiting Boardwalk shops and restaurants, you may not park at a resort for theme park access.