NO MORE free valet parking for DVC members.

[disneynutz]

We can debate these issues all day long but nothing will change.

Bottom line is, it's a Disney problem, not just a DVC problem. The old Disney is gone and I don't really care for the new Disney. I don't see an end to their new business model and things will never go back to the way they were.

 

[Chuck S]

Yes, I am paying full DVC price for a room. I am charged the same even if Disney is offering free dining, etc. and in fact my dues increase each year. So while the general population continues to pay less right now to go to Disney than in years past, I am paying the same number of points AND higher dues.

Compare the actual price of your DVC stay to what the same room would cost with "free dining" or a buy 4 get 3 free plan. Your still coming out ahead. Free dining isn't all it's cracked up to be if you pay rack rate for a DVC room to get it.

By infererior - I mean in comparison to the quality of WDW prior to all the cutbacks and changes - from an earlier post where I expressed my thoughts on this




Dining: the quality of food is slipping. I pay full price for the dining plan.

The parks: there are attractions that aren't open, the parks aren't as clean, there are less entertainment options, there are less cast members - all of this affects my vacation enjoyment. In addition - the removal of Fantasmic every night greatly changes the enjoyment of the show and park. I had a woman scream at me for saving a seat for my DH and DS when they went to the bathroom for 5 out of the 45 minutes we had been sitting there (and I had paid for a dinner package - she had not)

How are park operations any responsibility of DVC? As she said, they are separate. Even in 1992 when we purchased, it was clearly explained that the parks could be sold or closed, and we would still have the resort obligation. You know it was rumored before Eisner departed that Comcast and other non-Disney entities were looking at purchasing the parks. You may not like it, but I don;t think it is something where you can hold DVC accountable. Nor can you necessarily hold Disney accountable fo DVC. They are separate entities.

The resorts: less staff, things took longer - nothing major but there are little things that add up; minor repairs aren't being done (painting, etc. - at least they had not been done last time I was there)

I don't know which resort you may be specifically referring to here, but we often hear this complaint for OKW...yet it seems there is aways a building at OKW closed off for full rehab. It is an ongoing cycle. Everyone can get a room near the end of the cycle from time to time. It is one of the difference between a timeshare operation and a regular hotel...and Ive occasionally had a room in a regular, major brand hotel that is in lots worse shape than anything I've experienced in all my nearly 40 DVC visits.

 

[n2mm]

Just found this out the hard way!!!!! Checked in BLT yesterday no mention of the loss of valet. Today we used valet for dinner and they made us pay after dinner! No notice to guests at all!

That bites -- this is my fear too. We are DVC and Tiw (AP) members and we check in next weekend (BWV ). I know I lost my DVC valet parking, but wrote to the TiW folks this morning, because I didn't want to find out the hard way that it's gone there too! They did write back saying it's still one of their perks (at least for now--my words, not theirs).

 

[lugnut33]

Let me clarify--I meant the DVC Florida discount of $100 off an AP. As opposed to the DVC California discount of $20 which is a pittance compared to Florida. Whether Florida "resident" discounts will be affected--who knows?

And Brian Noble--please don't think that I am so crass as to compare losing valet parking to the Holocaust. My point was that people weren't so upset about not having the perk in California but now that it's affecting Florida . . . . it's typical that people don't miss something until it's gone and/or it directly affects them.

Yup, I remember many people posting in this thread who were fine when DVC messed with the points charts because it didn't effect them (though many members got screwed on the whole deal). Take away the free valet and now they are mad because it directly affected them.

 

[Chuck S]

We can debate these issues all day long but nothing will change.

Bottom line is, it's a Disney problem, not just a DVC problem. The old Disney is gone and I don't really care for the new Disney. I don't see an end to their new business model and things will never go back to the way they were.

And it isn't necessarily a "Disney" problem. If they were the only company being driven by investment market forces, then I'd agree it is a problem unique to Disney, but it isn't.

Remember that Eisner received a "no confidence" type vote NOT because he "lost the magic and pixie dust", regardless of what the avarage person was led to believe, but because the investment houses and fund managers wanted a better P&L statement. As long as profit is the deemed the sole force of investment value, it will not change for any company.

 

[disneynutz]

And it isn't necessarily a "Disney" problem. If they were the only company being driven by investment market forces, then I'd agree it is a problem unique to Disney, but it isn't.

Remember that Eisner received a "no confidence" type vote NOT because he "lost the magic and pixie dust", regardless of what the avarage person was led to believe, but because the investment houses and fund managers wanted a better P&L statement. As long as profit is the deemed the sole force of investment value, it will not change for any company.

You can call it market forces and make excuses for the industries that have had a major role in the collapse of our country, I call it greed.

The problem isn't unique to Disney but they chose which path to take. Sometimes you need to do things because they are right, not because everybody else is doing it.

Walt may not have been much of a finance guy and Disney did have financial problems in their history, but if Disney had been built based upon their P&L statement, all you would have is another Six Flags.

 

[DVCBELLE]

Compare the actual price of your DVC stay to what the same room would cost with "free dining" or a buy 4 get 3 free plan. Your still coming out ahead. Free dining isn't all it's cracked up to be if you pay rack rate for a DVC room to get it.



How are park operations any responsibility of DVC? As she said, they are separate. Even in 1992 when we purchased, it was clearly explained that the parks could be sold or closed, and we would still have the resort obligation. You know it was rumored before Eisner departed that Comcast and other non-Disney entities were looking at purchasing the parks. You may not like it, but I don;t think it is something where you can hold DVC accountable. Nor can you necessarily hold Disney accountable fo DVC. They are separate entities.



I don't know which resort you may be specifically referring to here, but we often hear this complaint for OKW...yet it seems there is aways a building at OKW closed off for full rehab. It is an ongoing cycle. Everyone can get a room near the end of the cycle from time to time. It is one of the difference between a timeshare operation and a regular hotel...and Ive occasionally had a room in a regular, major brand hotel that is in lots worse shape than anything I've experienced in all my nearly 40 DVC visits.

I have never before complained to DVC and I get that I am getting a great deal with DVC and I still love it.

It is just frustrating to see the quality declining and I get that it is the economy - I just think that they will not restore these things when the economy improves as then it will just be the norm for everyone.

I expressed this concern to DVC and it is a concern that I have heard many DVC owners (not just on this board) echo - and she even told me that she often has this conversation with owners. They need to know there is a frustration.

BTW - last time we were there for a week - no one said Welcome Home to us...even my 5 year old said something about it....its little things that disappear slowly....

 

[Deb & Bill]

...BTW - last time we were there for a week - no one said Welcome Home to us...even my 5 year old said something about it....its little things that disappear slowly....

No, they give a generic "Welcome Home" when you come back to the resort on the theme park bus. And they do it a POR/POFQ, Pop Century, etc.

 

[mopee3]

For all you complainers and moaners there is an easy answer. Sell your points and let someone who loves DVC and Disney use them. Then you can get that free stuff you sooooo think you are due.

 

[KingOMiami]

The real deal for Flordians -- if it meets their needs -- is the Florida-resident Seasonal AP, which saves us an additional $100 beyond the DVC price. But that pass comes with significant blackout periods which don't work for many people. Works for us and we love it!

As Jim mentioned, Floridians do get the seasonal pass which as for his family, works DW and I as well. Personally, I have no desire to go to WDW in the middle of summer when it is packed and too doggone hot as well. We usually plan a trip for either Memorial Day or Labor Day weekends and the temps then are uncomfortable enough.

I prefer to stay in the AC at those times.

Back to the original post about valet, I have yet to use it myself. Outside of those with disabilities, the distance from parking lot to resort is not a big deal. I tend to drop off the Mrs at the entrance, go park and bring the suitcase up myself (it has wheels)

There are very perks that I can think of that we have taken advantage of since becoming DVC members. Only one I can think of was this past January using the free high speed internet access. Otherwise, the dining discounts are negligible as we don't typically eat in the table service restaurants in the DVC resort. The pass discounts don't apply to us as well

As some others have mentioned, the perks is not the reason we joined. We joined to be able to have at least one vacation per year to stay at a deluxe resort and live it up at the place that we both love and enjoy

 

[PamOKW]

Was there a survey done that indicated it was a member preference to pay for valet parking?

 

[Maistre Gracey]

For all you complainers and moaners there is an easy answer. Sell your points and let someone who loves DVC and Disney use them. Then you can get those free stuff you sooooo think you are due.

Nothing against you personally, but I really hate these kind of responses.

So... Are we suppose to just sit and accept whatever we are told? Are we ever allowed to question anything, or suggest better ways to do things?
Should we post a dancing banana at every decision DVC makes regardless if we like the decision? Better yet, are we allowed to disagree with anything DVC decides?

Just curious because I need to know if I should sell..

MG

 

[KingOMiami]

Yup, I remember many people posting in this thread who were fine when DVC messed with the points charts because it didn't effect them (though many members got screwed on the whole deal). Take away the free valet and now they are mad because it directly affected them.

I will say I was not happy with DVC changing the points since we just have a lil 50 point contract. What used to be was that we could get a 4 night stay in adventure or choice season for 48 points during the week, banking the couple that were left over. Now with the new point requirements that go into effect next year, we will only get 3 nights. The flip side is we will have more points to bank and after a few years we will end up with enough to stay for another night.

Of course the ideal thing which I am hoping we will be able to do inthe next couple of years is to buy more points so it would be as much of a factor for us

 

[pearlieq]

it is important that we express our concerns so she can pass them onto the higher ups!!

That really is the key. Pick up a phone or type out an email--I can think of cases where they did respond to overwhelming member complaints and this could be one of them!

 

[Chuck S]

You can call it market forces and make excuses for the industries that have had a major role in the collapse of our country, I call it greed.

The problem isn't unique to Disney but they chose which path to take. Sometimes you need to do things because they are right, not because everybody else is doing it.

Walt may not have been much of a finance guy and Disney did have financial problems in their history, but if Disney had been built based upon their P&L statement, all you would have is another Six Flags.

Even with Six Flags in bankruptcy, they haven't been publically attacked by Wall Street, and even a "Disney" family member like the WDW company was when profits were down,were they? What good it taking the high road when it leaves the company vulnerable to a hostile takeover because the stock prices are too low?

 

[TLSnell1981]

Remember that Eisner...

I wish we could forget. I had hope things would, once again, become "Walt's Disneyworld". So much for hope.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Nothing against you personally, but I really hate these kind of responses.

So... Are we suppose to just sit and accept whatever we are told? Are we ever allowed to question anything, or suggest better ways to do things?
Should we post a dancing banana at every decision DVC makes regardless if we like the decision? Better yet, are we allowed to disagree with anything DVC decides?

Just curious because I need to know if I should sell..

MG

Totally agree, MG. We did sell off two of our contracts about two or three years ago when we started seeing things going downhill. And we had two more on the market, but took them off when the price also started going downhill and we were getting ridiculous offers.

I think it's a lot better for the longer time members to let the newer members know it's not so rosy out there in DVC land. And if we don't let DVC know that we are upset about what they do from time to time, they'll start to do lots of things that will make us all quit. Then they'll have members going out of their way to not recommend purchasing DVC. DVC-HI and DVC-DC will become retirement villages or sold off to Four Seasons.

 

[Chuck S]

I wish we could forget. I had hope things would, once again, become "Walt's Disneyworld". So much for hope.

It was never "Walt's" Disney World, no matter what you may think. It was almost never built after he died. Roy continued the project, but remember that Roy also threatened to sue his brother on behalf of stockholders when Walt wanted WED Enterprises wanted to become a totally separate company from Walt Dsney Productions. Roy also made cuts and changes to Walt's original plans for the Florida project, based on finances.

It takes both vision AND financial security. And in todays investment markets, the financial aspects have become more important than any vision, unfortunately.

 

[mopee3]

Nothing against you personally, but I really hate these kind of responses.

So... Are we suppose to just sit and accept whatever we are told? Are we ever allowed to question anything, or suggest better ways to do things?
Should we post a dancing banana at every decision DVC makes regardless if we like the decision? Better yet, are we allowed to disagree with anything DVC decides?

Just curious because I need to know if I should sell..

MG

I didn't take it personally, and I think people who want to gripe about stuff should do so. Sometimes it gets things done. But after awhile it gets old. I would think if we have complaints there is a meeting coming up in a couple of months and it would be great if those that can attend the meeting do so.


As for the banana, well I just like to use the thing it makes me smile.

I kind of wonder if there shouldn't be sticky titled "Complaints".

Moe

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I seldomly use valet parking, preferring much to the dismay of my family, parking my own car, no matter the distance. Still, even though Disney needs no ones approval to make this change it's still a perk taken away. Does this change make me want to sell my points and move on, no! DVC still works for me. I didn't like the 2010 point restructure, I didn't like it when they began the $95 transfer fee, I don't like housekeeping going down hill and now no more lotion. We have a right to express our displeasure at having things taken away even if it's in their right to do so and even if nothing will be done about it.

One thing in and of itself doesn't convince me to sell and get out of DVC but cummulatively the trend lately of going into my pocket to take back the things that were used to help lure me in originally, I find offensive. It's most probably good business for Disney but just like the DDP and Free dining, I don't have to like it or go along with it. Imagine how the original DVC'rs felt when the free passes were taken away!

When these types of situations become more of a constant concern, I may have to reconsider the worth of my membership, for right now I'm still in! I guess the old saying is true, "Nothing Good Lasts Forever!" Just as in my recent pay cuts, I've found that typically when somethings taken away, it's seldomly given back!