NO MORE free valet parking for DVC members.

[Chuck S]

this is what happens they quote this and that but never give the real facts and costs in their argument, and keep shoving figures at you till you are supposed to believe them. no matter what anyone says with all the constant discounting disney is doing dvc is not the bargain it was. do i like it, no

and for what its worth americans can book via the uk, you just have to know how

Uhh, again, the dues ARE included in the figures. And encouraging people to break Disney policy, which is that specific regional offers are valid for that region only, is not allowed on the DVC boards.

 

[childsplay]

..now it would have to be fully funded by DVC in whatever agreement they may reach with the contractor to offer free parking, if they wanted to do so. Or DVC could fund their own valets, if they wished, but again, it wouldn't be cheap.

To a certain extent Chuck, I guess that's where I was headed with my thinking, free valet parking was never free, we paid for it in the form of dues. It would be interesting to know how much.

 

[DebbieB]

All I know is $108 comes out of my checking account on the first of the month and I had 6 nights in a AKV studio in June and will have 6 nights in a BWV 1 bedroom in December. Original cost paid off 7 years ago. Can't beat it.

 

[DebbieB]

To a certain extent Chuck, I guess that's where I was headed with my thinking, free valet parking was never free, we paid for it in the form of dues. It would be interesting to know how much.

Valet used to be free for everyone. When they started charging, they did not charge DVC members. I would like to know too if there was a dues chargeback, especially when they outsourced it. Before that, the valets were on the resort payroll. So were members subsidizing everyone's free valet?

 

[MrShiny]

The "outsourcing" thing is kind of funny to me. If I am not mistaken (which I acknowledge I may be!) Disney created CARS (which does the valet parking) as it created BAGS, which handles DME luggage. This allowed them to expense these things without having to provie benefits etc. that they provide other workers. Yes, it is technically a seperate company, but the management has a strong tie to Disney.

What this will most likely mean is less valet parking, especially as those using this perk are the ones who probably "need" it least (in general and with the exception of busy parking times at BCV, etc.). They know where they are and are generally staying for a longer period, so in most cases they'll probably forego the fee and just self park.

This will man that CARS won't need as many employees, so it can cut its costs and maintain profit at whatever price it contracted with Disney (which Disney pretty much dictated anyway, imho).

So more than trying to capture more money from us DVC members, it will lead to us walking to and from the parking lot more and worse, lead to valets being out of work. And I think that's what they really want.

 

[Chuck S]

Valet used to be free for everyone. When they started charging, they did not charge DVC members. I would like to know too if there was a dues chargeback, especially when they outsourced it. Before that, the valets were on the resort payroll. So were members subsidizing everyone's free valet?

When it was free for everyone, the employee cost should have been shared between the DVC portion and the cash portion of the resort, similar to the cost of other common amenities.

The original agreement between the contractor and Disney may have called for a subsidy of some kind by Disney until the renewal period, which likely was also split between DVC and the cash resort in a similar manner. The renewal likely elimates any subsidy, taking them completely off of Disneys payroll and benefit package.

 

[Chuck S]

So more than trying to capture more money from us DVC members, it will lead to us walking to and from the parking lot more and worse, lead to valets being out of work. And I think that's what they really want.

I absolutely agree, employee benefits, unemployment ins, workmens comp are all expensive items, no matter what corporate entity or contractor is handling the payroll requirements of the valets.

Labor is always the first line item to be cut in favor of profitability.

 

[Sammie]

I don't think we have to worry about this move putting valet out of service, with parking lot fees costing more than the valet fee, I think it will increase, which might be the reason they booted DVC out. To make room for the increase.

I do think with the increase in valet and parking lot fees, the resorts close to a park are going to see an increase in the number of people parking there that are not staying there.

 

[Sammie]

The "outsourcing" thing is kind of funny to me. If I am not mistaken (which I acknowledge I may be!) Disney created CARS (which does the valet parking) as it created BAGS, which handles DME luggage. This allowed them to expense these things without having to provie benefits etc. that they provide other workers. Yes, it is technically a seperate company, but the management has a strong tie to Disney.

What this will most likely mean is less valet parking, especially as those using this perk are the ones who probably "need" it least (in general and with the exception of busy parking times at BCV, etc.). They know where they are and are generally staying for a longer period, so in most cases they'll probably forego the fee and just self park.

This will man that CARS won't need as many employees, so it can cut its costs and maintain profit at whatever price it contracted with Disney (which Disney pretty much dictated anyway, imho).

So more than trying to capture more money from us DVC members, it will lead to us walking to and from the parking lot more and worse, lead to valets being out of work. And I think that's what they really want.

The valet work for Mears.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Has anyone actually confirmed that it happened? The release on this board seems to indicate that the price went up but that it was still free for DVC members. Confusing.

I haven't said much because I am obviously in the minority here but I could actually care less about the valet parking. We were there 2 weeks ago and didn't use it and never have. We even went to Boardwalk twice and never used it. I really don't get it.

Park your car and walk. What is the big deal? It's not like that's all the walking you do at WDW. LOL I would say what some of you sound like but Carol would definitely kick me off if I did.

 

[MrShiny]

The valet work for Mears.

Yes! You may be right! CARS might be who they created to outsource to in California. BAGS I think had close ties to Mears too (and I know that is the firm that handles the luggage).

For all intents and purposes, with a customer as big as Disney, Disney is pretty much in control. It's outsourcing in name only.

I don't think valet parking will increase, even with the bump in theme park rates. I think the net will be a decrease, which is probably what they want, since I bet Disney isn't paying per car. If there are fewer cars, they can still meet SLA's and reduce staff. The tricky part is then when you have people sick etc, you have a smaller pool to draw from. So I expect services will become spotty in the future.

 

[eliza61]

Has anyone actually confirmed that it happened? The release on this board seems to indicate that the price went up but that it was still free for DVC members. Confusing.

I haven't said much because I am obviously in the minority here but I could actually care less about the valet parking. We were there 2 weeks ago and didn't use it and never have. We even went to Boardwalk twice and never used it. I really don't get it.

Park your car and walk. What is the big deal? It's not like that's all the walking you do at WDW. LOL I would say what some of you sound like but Carol would definitely kick me off if I did.

Well, I guess I could be as rude and say the same about what you sound like, but the big deal is we don't like to lose perks and we are allowed to complain about it. You can always skip this thread.

 

[DVCBELLE]

Has anyone actually confirmed that it happened? The release on this board seems to indicate that the price went up but that it was still free for DVC members. Confusing.

I haven't said much because I am obviously in the minority here but I could actually care less about the valet parking. We were there 2 weeks ago and didn't use it and never have. We even went to Boardwalk twice and never used it. I really don't get it.

Park your car and walk. What is the big deal? It's not like that's all the walking you do at WDW. LOL I would say what some of you sound like but Carol would definitely kick me off if I did.

I will answer your question.

I have two kids. We like to stay at Boardwalk.

When you return to the BWV after the parks close, there is often no parking in the self park lot - so you have to drive around until you find a spot, park in overflow across the street or valet. When Valet was free - this was the obvious choice. Add in the fact that there is also a convention center at BWV - this place can get ridiculously crowded.

Now, my DH will probably drop me and my two possibly SLEEPING children off at the lobby - no longer will each of us be able to carry one. (my kids are older now so I won't have to worry about this as much as before) Then he will have to go find somewhere to park. Which could take up to 1/2 an hour if the BW is full that night. Then I am left to get my little ones to the room, bathed and in their jammies - while he hunts for a parking spot. Sure - I can do it but at the end of the day when all 4 of us are tired -the last thing we want to do is hunt for parking spots. So we will find another resort to stay at -even though BWV is our favorite. I don't think it is a big deal anywhere else but if you stay at the BW you would understand.

BTW - I would even be willing to pay a discounted valet parking rate but not $12. Sure perks aren't a guarantee but if it hits a point where all DVC is providing me is a studio/1-bedroom etc - then I would probably sell and stay in a 4 bedroom house off property.

 

[whitfamily]

As I asked before, but no one responded, is there an e-mail we can send issues/comments to? Can't find one on the member site.

 

[Sammie]

Losing the valet perk is of course not the end of the world, I don't see anyone on this thread that feels that way. Some of us enjoyed the perk, obviously some did not use it.

I could care less about free internet, or meet and greets or any number of things that DVC offers but obviously some enjoy those items.

 

[Sammie]

As I asked before, but no one responded, is there an e-mail we can send issues/comments to? Can't find one on the member site.

If you go to the member site, there is a Contact Us that will be forwarded to Member Satisfaction or email to:

dvcmembersatisfactionteam@disneyvactionclub.com

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I'm predicting by the end of 2010 free access to the health clubs will be eliminated. Is it a perk I use a lot nope, but does it give me an overall impression of quality and value. You bet it does.
So for me it's just small chips that are craking through the pixie dust and making wdw "average"

You may not be far off Eliza. I spoke with member satisfaction and was told the reason valet had gone from free to $12 was that a decision had been made to do a pay as you go for services rather than spread it out across the membership. That doesn't bode well for other amenities. I expressed that I don't want to see items go this way - we've only used valet once and I'd expect our use to be minimal in the future but I don't want this trend to continue.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I haven't said much because I am obviously in the minority here but I could actually care less about the valet parking. We were there 2 weeks ago and didn't use it and never have. We even went to Boardwalk twice and never used it. I really don't get it.

Park your car and walk. What is the big deal? It's not like that's all the walking you do at WDW. LOL I would say what some of you sound like but Carol would definitely kick me off if I did.

Well, free valet was a big deal to me. I have fibro and frequently rent an ECV for the parks. Not only is it a pain to find a parking place at BWV, but the walk can be very tiring. So, valet will now cost over half the price of an ECV. An occaisional taxi will be more cost effective.

On top of everything? I'm ticked MS couldn't find the time to post the change on their website.

 

[Dean]

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.

Actually almost everyone taking a stand based on their personal affect were in the complaining group. Disney didn't mess up the points chart, they did a long overdue rebalancing that should have been in in 2001 or 2002 and likely again in 2007 or 2008. That change happened to be negative to a relatively small portion of the membership base, myself included. A change that was specifically allowed in the POS and one most would think they were obligated to do if things got too far out of balance from a demand and occupancy standpoint.

Now to a general response to today's posts and the thread in general. I hate the "sell if you don't like it approach" but there comes a point in those willing to simply complain about everything they don't like that it becomes applicable. IMO it's OK to vent here and vent to MS but it means nothing, it's just a vent. Likewise threatening to sell or threatening they'll have more costs in other areas due to such changes likewise means nothing or any other means of trying to rationalize why they shouldn't have made this change means nothing. They know what's gong on, they've already factored in those issues and concerns better than any of us could do at this point. And they've already factored in the complaints. Other than a few people who were surprised this week at the resorts, is it any wonder why DVC doesn't give advance warning on such items, simply more time and more people complaining.

Has anyone talked to corporate about this, what about your voting representative? And has anyone taken me up on the suggesting to pay a visit to DVC management, look at the books, talk to people like the CFO and VP types? Anyone getting a lawyer over these or other recent issue?

 

[keishashadow]

Well, free valet was a big deal to me. I have fibro and frequently rent an ECV for the parks. Not only is it a pain to find a parking place at BWV, but the walk can be very tiring. So, valet will now cost over half the price of an ECV. An occaisional taxi will be more cost effective.

On top of everything? I'm ticked MS couldn't find the time to post the change on their website.

sorry, didn't read thru whole thread, so if this has been addressed already forgive me...

i thought valet was complimentary for those w/HC plates/placard

has this changed too?