NO MORE free valet parking for DVC members.

[edk35]

I called today to make a request for a ressie and happened to ask about the valet parking. He said it went started as of today. Self parking is still free.

 

[Chuck S]

Chuck, if your saying "Disney" is deciding to make decisions that will cost "DVC members" more money (or less perks) and too bad for them-then yes, we have no argument and should expect more bad situations to come.

Remember that Disney and DVC are separate operating entities. "Disney" does not pick-up any expenses for DVC...and DVC resort operating expenses are passed along to our dues. If "DVC" picks up the expense of a subsidy to the valet contractor to give us a perk, DVC owners have to pay for it. That is the difference between a timeshare and a hotel. If Disney wanted to give cash hotel guests "free" valet, they'd increase the cost of the cash rooms per night to offset the expense. Similarly, DVC would increase the dues to offset the expense.

 

[jade1]

Remember that Disney and DVC are separate operating entities. "Disney" does not pick-up any expenses for DVC...and DVC resort operating expenses are passed along to our dues. If "DVC" picks up the expense of a subsidy to the valet contractor to give us a perk, DVC owners have to pay for it. That is the difference between a timeshare and a hotel. If Disney wanted to give cash hotel guests "free" valet, they'd increase the cost of the cash rooms per night to offset the expense. Similarly, DVC would increase the dues to offset the expense.

Sorry Chuck, I posted that last one before I read yours. I am getting closer to seeing what you are saying-but not quite there yet. So up until now, free DVC valet at say BWV was paid by DVC dues? And now since Disney outsourced it, BWV will lower the dues by that amount, and have the member that uses it pay for it? And likewise, any DVC member that buys an AP and gets $100 off-that $100 is covered by that members DVC dues?

 

[DVCBELLE]

Just my 2 cents.
We fly in to WDW, and have never rented a car. While quite a few say that the last thing they want to do on vacation is cook in the villa, the last thing we want to do is drive anywhere. I love cooking in our villa. We enjoy the transportation from parks to resorts etc., and have never used the valet parking, and it was only available at 3 resorts. One of them was our home base at VWL, and we never used it.
However, in CA at DLR, we drove in, and will always drive in to that resort. The parking for non valet was, maybe, a few minutes walk back to the VGC. Just for the sake of expediency, it would take as much time, or less for me to walk to my car, then to wait for the valet to bring it to me at VGC, and I am sure of the same for VWL.
My only reason for wanting my car during a stay at my DVC, would be to get groceries, to cook dinner in my villa, something everyone else claims to hate.
I'll take better food over valet anytime.

IF you ever choose to use Valet even with the charge...you can call the valet desk from your room and by the time you reach the front desk - they will have your car waiting for you. This was my favorite thing about valet - we never waited for our car - we walked out the door and into our waiting car!

 

[Dean]

I think the more people that call in and the more people that write, the better chance there is that they might reconsider this or actually attempt to renegotiate something in the next contract period. It also gives us a chance to express our displeasure that we weren't notified ahead of time. What happens to the people pulling up to the valet today, expecting to get complimentary parking? As a member who has a vacation that starts on Friday, at a resort where this change goes into effect (VWL), I feel like I should have been notified by phone or email at least.

Knowing how these type of decisions are made, I'm sure it's far too late to have any affect on this issue though it never hurts to try.

Will this change prompt more members to skip the rental car and just use DME and busses/boat transportation?

Maybe a few but I doubt it'll have much affect on that decision.

I have seen that area full. I have also been told I could NOT self park there. Both situations on a F&W weekend and both times a registered guest of the BWV. Guard knew we were staying there. Polite, but not sympathetic. And FWIW, both times there were plenty of spaces available after IllumiNations. We were in SV and could easily see the cars leaving around 9:30pm.

I have never seen it full and have never seen it completely open. Did you see it full or were you just told it was? Often they will direct guests of other resorts across the street by telling them the lots are full even when they are not.

Perhaps. I do agree something to do with the valet contract precipitated the change, but do not agree that BWV/BWI were getting paid to allow the valet company to provide the service.

It could go either way, it certainly wouldn't surprise me if there were some type of direct financial benefit to the resort or system. You can bet one or more people within Disney are getting something out of it one way or another besides just providing the service for free.

I certainly hope that the change doesn't result in violence! I agree that many DVC members have a bad case of entitlement, but unless someone is mentally unbalanced, I can't see members resorting to violence over this. I think you are exaggerating.

Not exaggerating, more joking to make the point that it is likely to not be very pretty.

Don't you usually make the decision to "outsource" something because they can do it cheaper?

There are other potential benefits over cost alone. These include limiting risk and liability and riding oneself of many of the management headaches. For example, we use a personnel agency for most of our new entry level positions. That way if things don't work out very well with that person, you simply tell them bye as long as it's done within 6 months. No documentation requirements, no risk, no hassles. We keep the top performers and avoid many of those "project" type employees that generally don't pan out and drag any system down that they are a member of.

Remember under labor laws, the contractor still has to pay the valet a wage, even though they are tipped positions. If the hourly income to the contractor from operations is less than that mandated hourly employee expense, what would you have them do?

That tipped wage for FL just went to over $4 an hour earlier this year.

 

[Paging Tom Morrow]

At least now the website now says:

"Valet parking available for a nominal fee"

Nominal to me means "insignificant". Not sure I agree with $12 a day being insignificant.

Main Entry: 1nom·i·nal
Pronunciation: \ˈnä-mə-nəl, ˈnäm-nəl\
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English nominalle, from Medieval Latin nominalis, from Latin, of a name, from nomin-, nomen name — more at name
Date: 15th century

1 : of, relating to, or being a noun or a word or expression taking a noun construction
2 a : of, relating to, or constituting a name b : bearing the name of a person
3 a : existing or being something in name or form only <nominal head of his party> b : of, being, or relating to a designated or theoretical size that may vary from the actual : approximate <the pipe's nominal size> c : trifling, insignificant <his involvement was nominal> <charged only nominal rent>
4 of a rate of interest a : equal to the annual rate of simple interest that would obtain if interest were not compounded when in fact it is compounded and paid for periods of less than a year b : equal to the percentage by which a repaid loan exceeds the principal borrowed with no adjustment made for inflation
5 : being according to plan : satisfactory <everything was nominal during the launch>

 

[Chuck S]

Sorry Chuck, I posted that last one before I read yours. I am getting closer to seeing what you are saying-but not quite there yet. So up until now, free DVC valet at say BWV was paid by DVC dues? And now since Disney outsourced it, BWV will lower the dues by that amount, and have the member that uses it pay for it? And likewise, any DVC member that buys an AP and gets $100 off-that $100 is covered by that members DVC dues?

Dues formerly paid part of the valet contract under the area of common area expenses. We can probably assume the contract was renegotiated between Disney Resorts and the valet company. Part of that negotiation drops the free parking perk. The contractor may now be having to pay the employee expense from their share of the $12 fee. If that is true, then there is no longer an expense to pass along to DVC as part of the common area fees.


As far as discounts they are normally granted at the discretion of what ever entity is granting the discount. For instance, WDW may be seeing an increase in AP sales, and also an increase in non-DVC room sales to DVC members as a result of the AP discount... I know we sometimes bookend out DVC trips with AP stays for a night or two at POP Century.

Discounts should not be paid for by dues.

If I owned a store, and granted a discount to members of a group, I would count upon the discount increasing sales to members of the group enough to offset the discount without the group as an organization paying a fee for the discount. This is also the case with DVC dining and merchandise discount. It is unlikely that DVC pays a fee, for instance, to Landry's to grant us a discount at Rainforest Cafe or T-Rex, Landry's hopes that the discount will drive increased sales.

The same with the AP discount, Disney is banking that the discount will drive more park days, TiW purchases, and AP room discounts to offset the cost to them of the discount.

By the same token, the valet contractor, if they see a drop in demand for valet parking, could grant a discounted rate to DVC Members to encourage more people to valet park, thus increasing their "sales" if they need to do so without it costing DVC anything.

Apparently, the valet contractor currently feels that the drop in the number of DVCers using valet, and the associated drop in the number of required employees, will save more $ than increasing sales via a discount of any kind.

Perks are a balancing act for businesses. Will the good will and hoped increase in sales offset the overall cost of providong the discount? That needs to be decided by the business. If 30% of DVCers that currently valet park for free are willing to pay the $12 valet fee, and they can save one employee per shift, it may be better for the contractor than to have 50% of DVCers that currently have free service pay $7, and need another employee per shift.

 

[eliza61]

In response to member requests to provide more healthy activities at the resorts, like walking.

Sadly Chuck, I just lost my pension benefits at my job and we recieved an explanantion in a mailing it said...

"in response to employees wanting to manage their own retirement, we are discontinuing your pension". I had no idea my having a pension prevented employees from managing their retirement.

I guess you have to laugh to keep from crying...

Personally for me the issue isn't valet parking. The issue is the overall "trend" of cut backs, cut backs, cut backs that I see occuring at the world. The valet parking is just one more issue.
Cuts in Fantasmic
Cuts in "live" performers (ex pre show entertainment like 4 for a dollar)
cuts in menu offering.

Any one of these things I could probably shrug my shoulders but start adding them up and my overall experience is starting to feel more like a "amusement park " and less like "a magical disneyworld" ***sighs***

 

[jade1]

If that is true, then there is no longer an expense to pass along to DVC as part of the common area fees.

If it indeed drops this cost from dues-that's good. Not sure I believe the savings will be passed on though.

Discounts should not be paid for by dues.

I basically agree with this (such as AP), so the valet discount was being paid by dues-and now has been corrected, the DVC free internet discount is not paid by dues either then?

 

[mopee3]

Ah another subject that management has chosen to change without asking the natives, that would be us. Now that they have done the dirty deed does anyone know if the TIW card was affected the same way? I noticed there was some mention earlier in the thread but haven't seen if anyone checked.

It has been interesting to observe the people who got in early, 90's, and watched their perks slowly disappear. For many of us who bought later we don't miss something we never had. Never the less I can sympathize with those would have watched the perks disappear.

moe

 

[DisFamily2006]

Well, one of many more perk modifications (removals) to come....

I'm still waiting for modification of the 7 month booking window for non-home resorts. It'll eventually be 3 months IMHO.

 

[Chuck S]

I basically agree with this (such as AP), so the valet discount was being paid by dues-and now has been corrected, the DVC free internet discount is not paid by dues either then?

No, not exactly. The valet, before being a contractor, was paid for through dues as a common area service provided by Disney resorts. When the valet service was contracted out by Disney, the contract may have included a clause that the valet service remain free for DVC, TiW (DDE) and disabled guests for X number of years. And Disney resorts may have been obligated under the contract to subsidize part of the employee cost of the valet company during that time, meaning that that subsidy would have to be paid by DVC as part of the common area management agreement.

Upon renewal/renegotiation of the contract, Disney dropped the subsidy, meaning that DVC Common area costs would be slightly lower, but probably will see an increase because of wage increases to other common area staff. There was no DVC Dues line item for a "valet discount/free service", it was a common area cost.

The internet wasn't free until the bulk of the cost of providing that service was paid by the $10 per day fee. It took several years for DVC to get free internet services. The infrastructure costs (modems, wiring, and billing system) likely reached the point of cost offset before the internet service was offered free to DVCers. The actual cost of providing internet service is very low, once the infrastructure items were paid for, and is likely covered by dues as a common area utility expense. It is also possible that overall, the number of cash guests paying for the service offsets the cost of the service enough that the internet provider agreed to provide DVCers with the service for free when the service contract was renewed, if DVC pushed for it as a member perk.

 

[Chuck S]

Ah another subject that management has chosen to change without asking the natives, that would be us. Now that they have done the dirty deed does anyone know if the TIW card was affected the same way? I noticed there was some mention earlier in the thread but haven't seen if anyone checked.

It has been interesting to observe the people who got in early, 90's, and watched their perks slowly disappear. For many of us who bought later we don't miss something we never had. Never the less I can sympathize with those would have watched the perks disappear.

moe

I bought in the early 1990s. I have no qualms with the perk changes. It was made clear when we perchased that perks can come and go, and that all we wee really buying was the ability to use our point at our home resort based upon availability. Do I miss the freepark passes, sure I do, but that was always a limited time offer with a scheduled end date. Dining discounts and perks change all the time...and in fact in the very early years, there really weren't any at all.

 

[carolina_yankee]

Will this change prompt more members to skip the rental car and just use DME and busses/boat transportation?

Thanks, DVC!

It will influence me. We usually stay 7- 10 days. That ups the cost of a rental by $12 a day, or up to $120 for length of stay for us. That's not worth it, especially since a non-Priceline 10 day rental will run me about $200 - $250 as it is. $300+ buys a heck of a lot of taxis for resort to resort travel (even with a towncar, bypassing DME).

In actuality, self-parking is only a pain to us at the Epcot resorts, so I'd be more likely to stay at VWL, AKL, BLT or SSR to avoid the desire for valet.

All DVC has to do now is end the free internet perk, and they'd get $22 a day back from owners who bought points for 'free' stays.

 

[Deb & Bill]

At least now the website now says:

"Valet parking available for a nominal fee"...

Here is what I found on the member website:

Valet Parking at the Walt Disney World Resort
Valet parking is complimentary at Disney's BoardWalk Resort, Disney's Wilderness Lodge, and Disney's Beach Club Resort. Just show your Disney Vacation Club Member ID Card. Complimentary valet parking is not available at other valet parking operations or for Theme Park access.

You'll be charged the daily fee of $10.00 for this service at any other valet parking operation at the Walt Disney World Resort. Once you've paid for the valet service, you'll receive unlimited valet parking for the remainder of the day. Whether or not you are charged to valet park, gratuities are still appropriate. There will be no charge for Guests with disabilities who have the proper permits.

Still says complimentary.

 

[Chuck S]

It will influence me. We usually stay 7- 10 days. That ups the cost of a rental by $12 a day, or up to $120 for length of stay for us. That's not worth it, especially since a non-Priceline 10 day rental will run me about $200 - $250 as it is. $300+ buys a heck of a lot of taxis for resort to resort travel (even with a towncar, bypassing DME).

In actuality, self-parking is only a pain to us at the Epcot resorts, so I'd be more likely to stay at VWL, AKL, BLT or SSR to avoid the desire for valet.

All DVC has to do now is end the free internet perk, and they'd get $22 a day back from owners who bought points for 'free' stays.

DVC isn't getting $12 "back" from owners that are valet parking. In fact, I doubt DVC gets anything from the $12. The bulk would go to the service contractor, with maybe a small percentage going to Disney resorts for allowing the provider to conduct their business on Disney property.

 

[Dean]

Ah another subject that management has chosen to change without asking the natives, that would be us. Now that they have done the dirty deed does anyone know if the TIW card was affected the same way? I noticed there was some mention earlier in the thread but haven't seen if anyone checked.

It has been interesting to observe the people who got in early, 90's, and watched their perks slowly disappear. For many of us who bought later we don't miss something we never had. Never the less I can sympathize with those would have watched the perks disappear.

moe

There is the rub. While there have been changes and perks that have come and gone, there have been no significant changes to the contractual elements of the plan. And those few elements that have changed, have changed back in some cases (number of transfers) and some are better now than they were (reserve a week at a time). I was trying to remember if valet parking was free initially at BWV and I can't, I'm thinking it was not free initially but maybe someone remembers for certain.

 

[mopee3]

There is the rub. While there have been changes and perks that have come and gone, there have been no significant changes to the contractual elements of the plan. And those few elements that have changed, have changed back in some cases (number of transfers) and some are better now than they were (reserve a week at a time). I was trying to remember if valet parking was free initially at BWV and I can't, I'm thinking it was not free initially but maybe someone remembers for certain.

When we were considering DVC I had to decide whether or not we would be happy to just stay at DVC villas. I came to the conclusion that yes I would be happy just staying DVC and not using the points else where. So for us the perks are just that, a sort of freebie and if they go... well we really didn't loose anything.
My vacation starts when the nonstop flight lifts off the tarmac at Seattle or Portland and just gets better when the plane lands in Orlando.

Moe

 

[JimC]

DVC could have emailed members and posted a notice of the change on its web-site. It could have been noticed on the MS phone system instead of the "Have you visited..." spiel. It could have been printed on every confirmation as a "special notice". They could have piggy backed on a DVD sales communication to us.

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

 

[Deb & Bill]

...When the valet service was contracted out by Disney, the contract may have included a clause that the valet service remain free for DVC, TiW (DDE) and disabled guests for X number of years. ....

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

They could have gotten rid of Deevey Cee and used that money to fund valet parking for members.