NO MORE free valet parking for DVC members.

[Dean]

Oh, Shelia joyfully informed me that "for now" free valet was still included for TIW.

I would bet there's a separate contract and some type of pay structure that TIW is responsible for though it's likely passed on to the restaurants.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I absolutely disagree with the idea they don't care once they have your money.... The one area where I think the criticism is valid is on the short notice and the lack of appropriate notification of those with trips that were close at hand.....I don't think one can reasonably complain about the re-allocation, full week reservation change or the actual decision to charge for valet.

I think, a few weeks would have been sufficient...and said as much. I was fortunate I hadn't already paid for my rental car.

We're on day 3 of the valet change and it STILL isn't on the member website.

 

[Dean]

I think, a few weeks would have been sufficient...and said as much. I was fortunate I hadn't already paid for my rental car.

We're on day 3 of the valet change and it STILL isn't on the member website.

I agree. I'm suspecting that wasn't possible but they should have sent out an email which could EASILY have been done and should have not only updated the website but put in on the front page in a very prominent fashion. They should have made it a priority to get it appropriately on the website. They do look bad due to the method far more than the decision itself.

 

[jade1]

I would think that prior to the Mears contracts, the valets were Disney employees, and their wages and benefits were shared as part of the common areas for the combined DVC-Cash resorts. Remember that the free standing DVCs (OKW & SSR) have never had valet services.

As minimum wage increased, along with associated employee costs, like health insurance, retirement, etc., Disney decided it was more cost efficient, like many businesses, to contract out he valet services and remove those employees from the Disney payroll system. Likely the first year or so, the previous Disney employees continued to receive some Disney benefits whose costs were shared by the DVC-Cash resorts. Probably with this latest cotract, the benefits have shifted completely to Mears' responsibility.

I do think DVC tries to fund the most used items for members. I would guess that the "free" internet, while quite a bit less to fund than valet employees, is also used by a higher percentage of members than the valet service. Look at all the threads we had over the year prior to receiving the internet from members complaining that even Motel 6 and Super 8 have free internet, plus laptops and other portable devices (ones where you may need to supply your own wifi router) have become much more common place for travelers.

Thanks Chuck, so it was Disney, DVC or maybe a combination of Disney and DVC that was paying for free valet service for years, and is now paying nothing towards it.

 

[Chuck S]

Thanks Chuck, so it was Disney, DVC or maybe a combination of Disney and DVC that was paying for free valet service for years, and is now paying nothing towards it.

That would be my guess. But it is also possible that they have a different type of outsource agreement.

But remember, if it is as I suspect, during the last few years, they weren't technically paying for "free valet" service, they were subsidizing employee benefit packages for the employees that had formerly been part of Disney's valet service team. There is a difference. But because of this subsidy, Disney/DVC would have an easier time requesting such a perk from the contractor because a side effect would have been lower employee cost for the vendor. If, again it is as I guess, the valet benefits are now fully funded by the contractor, they need increased revenue tocontinue to do business...with minimum wage contribution increases, even for tipped employees and (assumed) increasing medical insurance costs.

 

[sdlipton]

All,

Reading www.wdwinfo.com today, i noticed that while Valet Parking is going up in price, it is still indicated on here on the boards and on its sponsoring website that DVC valet is still free.

Valet Parking is FREE for the following:

* Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Members parking at a DVC resort which offers valet parking. Either the DVC Member card or Resort ID indicating that the guest is a DVC Member is required as proof
* Disney Dining Experience cardholders with an Advance Dining Reservation at the resort where they are valet parking
* All guests who a current handicap license plate/tag

This looks like itw as just updated this weekend by wdwinfo.com. Can someone from the site, or a moderator clear this up?

 

[TLSnell1981]

I'd be curious to see how much, if any, the valet's income will decrease. I'm betting the DVCers and the workers will be the only ones to lose.

 

[jade1]

That would be my guess. But it is also possible that they have a different type of outsource agreement.

But remember, if it is as I suspect, during the last few years, they weren't technically paying for "free valet" service, they were subsidizing employee benefit packages for the employees that had formerly been part of Disney's valet service team. There is a difference. But because of this subsidy, Disney/DVC would have an easier time requesting such a perk from the contractor because a side effect would have been lower employee cost for the vendor. If, again it is as I guess, the valet benefits are now fully funded by the contractor, they need increased revenue tocontinue to do business...with minimum wage contribution increases, even for tipped employees and (assumed) increasing medical insurance costs.

I get that part for the last few years, I'm just saying for years before (meaning before outsourcing) is was all paid for by Disney/DVC-now (a few years later) they are paying nothing towards it.

 

[Paul in CT]

All,

Reading www.wdwinfo.com today, i noticed that while Valet Parking is going up in price, it is still indicated on here on the boards and on its sponsoring website that DVC valet is still free.

Valet Parking is FREE for the following:

* Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Members parking at a DVC resort which offers valet parking. Either the DVC Member card or Resort ID indicating that the guest is a DVC Member is required as proof
* Disney Dining Experience cardholders with an Advance Dining Reservation at the resort where they are valet parking
* All guests who a current handicap license plate/tag

This looks like itw as just updated this weekend by wdwinfo.com. Can someone from the site, or a moderator clear this up?

As great as the DIS site is, it is not official Disney. Since DVC did not send out any prior notice, I would not expect the DIS to have this information. The fact is that no free valet parking was allowed at BWV on Sunday and we were told the policy changed that day.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Found this on the member website under Latest News (View all News) - but you to look hard to find it. The other information about free valet is still located under Perks.

Changes made to valet parking offering

Complimentary valet parking for Disney Vacation Club Members at Disney Vacation Club Resorts at the Walt Disney World® Resort was discontinued effective October 11, 2009.

Similar to other fee-based services, such as additional housekeeping service or additional room amenities, only those Members who choose to valet park will be charged, instead of increasing the annual dues for all Members to cover the costs.

Self parking will continue to be complimentary at all Disney Vacation Club resorts. For drivers choosing to use the valet service, the cost is $12 a day, effective October 11, 2009. Members and Guests with disabilities will continue to receive complimentary valet parking.

Once paid, the valet parking service can be used for the entire day at any resort without paying the fee again.

Back To DVC News

 

[Dean]

I'd be curious to see how much, if any, the valet's income will decrease. I'm betting the DVCers and the workers will be the only ones to lose.

The question isn't so much how will their income decrease as much as it is how much smaller a force will they need overall. I would doubt the remaining force will see much difference but would suspect that some of these charges might to to the workers and that it's very likely that issue was in part behind this change.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Found this on the member website under Latest News (View all News) - but you to look hard to find it. The other information about free valet is still located under Perks.

Hmmm....when you go to "view all news" it's at the top of the list. But, not on the front page??? Dee Vee still tops that list, but is under the valet announcement on the link.

I called myself looking for the info. Would have thought it was important enough to be under "latest news"(front page).

**edited to add** I wonder why Shelia didn't know this information was posted?

 

[Chuck S]

I get that part for the last few years, I'm just saying for years before (meaning before outsourcing) is was all paid for by Disney/DVC-now (a few years later) they are paying nothing towards it.

That, too, would be my guess.

Well, they were Disney employees, so their wages should have been part of the shared resort expenses. Remember that when valet first started, it was free for all onsite guests.

Of course, wages and benefits costs per employee have increased as well over the years. So as they started saving the cost of the valet wages, the savings were likely used to pay increasing wages for other resort staff.

 

[cutakenta]

Oh how nice, "Self parking will continue to be complimentary at all Disney Vacation Club resorts."
We will let you park for free as long as you find a spot and drop $200 for dinner.





Quote:
Changes made to valet parking offering

Complimentary valet parking for Disney Vacation Club Members at Disney Vacation Club Resorts at the Walt Disney World® Resort was discontinued effective October 11, 2009.

Similar to other fee-based services, such as additional housekeeping service or additional room amenities, only those Members who choose to valet park will be charged, instead of increasing the annual dues for all Members to cover the costs.

Self parking will continue to be complimentary at all Disney Vacation Club resorts. For drivers choosing to use the valet service, the cost is $12 a day, effective October 11, 2009. Members and Guests with disabilities will continue to receive complimentary valet parking.

Once paid, the valet parking service can be used for the entire day at any resort without paying the fee again.

Back To DVC News

 

[Chuck S]

Oh how nice, "Self parking will continue to be complimentary at all Disney Vacation Club resorts."
We will let you park for free as long as you find a spot and drop $200 for dinner.

I'm sure you meant that tongue in cheek...but there are some non-Disney operated onsite resorts that charge a daily self parking fee...and Universal resorts also charge a self parking fee.

While I doubt they'd ever charge DVC for self parking, as the maintenance of the lots is covered by dues, I guess they legally could.

 

[Deb & Bill]

....**edited to add** I wonder why Shelia didn't know this information was posted?

Because Sheila's job is to be a sounding board, not someone to resolve your problem.

Can't you just see her and the other DVC Member Satisfaction CMs sitting together in a room saying, "Oh damn, here's another one."

 

[lawgs]

When you check-in you'll receive a paper tag to place on your dashboard identifying you as an onsite guest. This will give you the free parking.

just got back from AKV at Kidani

the parking "slip" thingy means nothing, what they are looking for when you go through a "gate" is the "keys to the world" room key you get at check in and this applied to the main magic kingdom gate we went through when we were visiting Wilderness Lodge/Polynesian Resort

they do seem to have a security check point now at night when you pass through the main Magic Kingdom parking booths....signs up say the "road is closed", you slow for security out with their crossed flashlights, and they inquire where you are going....then send you on your way ( they did not ask for room key, just wanted to know where we were going )...Perhaps this was more to prevent people from going to the Contemporary we never did find out why they were doing this ....it happened all three times we visited the above resorts later at night


we never displayed the parking slip after we learned this ( the slip is a convenience for the resort in case they have to contact someone about moving their vehicle if maintenance is being done near where your vehicle is parked ...this according to the resort manager we talked to )

seems some creative individuals have been photo copying the "slip" according to the security guard at the AKV gate, but since they do not have "room keys" to show they are probably denied entrance

of course anyone could ride a bus right into AKV without ever having to show anything.....

 

[TLSnell1981]

Can't you just see her and the other DVC Member Satisfaction CMs sitting together in a room saying, "Oh damn, here's another one."

I thought the same thing today!! I'm thinking **speaker phone is on and they're all getting a kick out of this**

I don't see how someone can be so sweet and chipper. Shelia got off script for a moment though. I said, "you must be really busy with the valet complaints....you were mentioned a few times on the forums today." She replied, "I was? **long pause** What did they say?" (Me) Oh, that you were professional, polite, apologetic, etc., but that Disney had weighted all options, before the decision. to discontinue FREE valet AND our complaints weren't going to change anything." She stammered a little, "but they do care and we take all complaints seriously (she was back on script).

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

.....I can't think of anyone else that does free valet for a hotel or similar but I can think of many that charge for self parking and some that have mandatory valet often with required fees as well as high as $25 a day......

I am not certain if there's just a particular area you are talking about but I did think you had visited NV? Lots of free valet here and it influences why I don't like paying directly. Charge for self parking? I think they'd string you up for that one?!

 

[quirty30]

Charge for self parking? I think they'd string you up for that one?!

Try visiting any major hotel surrounding O'Hare Airport as well as those downtown. There is 1 - yes 1, reputable hotel in downtown Chicago that offers free self parking. All the rest charge; the last time I valet parked at a downtown hotel, I believe I paid $48 a day - no "in & out" privileges were included. I would imagine that the situation is similar in most large metropolitan areas. I agree that the failure to notify members that the valet parking perk was ending was a major faux pax, but honestly, $12 a day for valet parking isn't bad, especially when you consider that it's good all day at any of the resorts. I also agree that Disney would be crazy to charge for resort self parking (but never say never.)