NO MORE free valet parking for DVC members.

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Then they need to offer convention guests free valet as part of their convention fees.

Actually I meant if the Contemporary never built the convention center then they could have used that area as a parking lot for guests just going to eat there. So if they never had it then they wouldn't have convention guests and needed to offer them free valet parking to make up for it. Don't forget the convention center was not open until 1991, which means it was not apart of the Contemporary when it opened in 1971.

 

[Sammie]

I don't think they can add a parking lot area only for Contemporary/Bay Lake Tower guests, because there doesn't seem to be any room. A Cast Member once told me if they didn't have the convention center where it is then it might have beeen possible to have guests just visiting to park there, however they don't expect to ever add that.

Also doesn't the Boardwalk already have seperate parking for guests not staying there, because whenever my family and I went to visit there we were always told to park in the visitors lot to the left of the guard gate and not in the general parking lot.

There is absolutely no reason to add a parking lot, and that is not what I suggested. They simply need to take the existing parking and divide it into Resort, valet and day guests, giving most of it to resort self parking, a little to valet and less to day guests, who have the option of taking a bus, monorail etc. to get there to dine or shop.

They would only need to put up a few concrete dividers and one arm gate accessed by a resort ID, just like the valet lots and possibly a sign or two desiginating the different parking area. The parking for nonresort guests there to just shop or dine, needs to be further out.

It would cost them hardly nothing and would go along way to please the guests staying there.

At the DVC resorts they are going to see a decline in valet use with this change and some of the existing valet lots could be given back to self parking. It would also make these lots more secure.

 

[Chuck S]

With the exception when you arrive the day you check-in, don't all the resorts have this option? Whenever my family and I drive back to the Contemporary sometimes we will go in the area where the Disney buses enter, insert our KTTW card and the barrier will go up.

No, OKW has not added a card reader or bus gate. I wish they would, but it would be expensive, they'd have to do a full redesign of the entryway. Traffic does get backed up sometimes.

 

[Dean]

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?!

Yes, LV does have free parking but it's not really free is it, LOL, and they have ulterior motives to do so. I'm sure there are exceptions.

Marriott offers free valet????

They do in LV, not sure about anywhere else. However LV does not currently have a self parking lot. Most locations don't have valet for vacation club sites.

so many hotels have resort fees, whether a one-time per stay or daily charge; easy way to earn some $s

im wondering if a mandatory fee may be in the works for the non-DVC rooms to cover parking, internet, etc., throw in a 5 X 7 photo, or cheap collectible and call it a deal

Generally it's just to cover the cost of the services though there are exceptions. Non members, and members not staying on points, do pay for internet currently.

I am also an owner at Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club in Oahu, the same location Disney is building next to. Owner's at Ko Olina are charged $5.00/day for valet parking. Non-owner's are charged $30/day for valet parking. Disney could certainly offer members a reduced rate.

That's all Marriott owners though, not just owners at that resort. And they also charge non owners for self parking I believe. Marriott requires that a resort provide free parking to all Marriott owners. BeachPlace came VERY close to losing their affiliation with Marriott in part over their demand to charge those that did not own at that resort for self parking.

BTW, ME has not always been free.

 

[twinklebug]

Yes, LV does have free parking but it's not really free is it, LOL, and they have ulterior motives to do so. I'm sure there are exceptions.

Well, with all the free booze flowing on the casino floor, I'm sure they have to keep folk with one too many from climbing behind their wheel. It's just being responsible ... and... if said person who would have left, goes back in and forgets his wife told him he had a $ limit on gambling, all the better.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

There is absolutely no reason to add a parking lot, and that is not what I suggested. They simply need to take the existing parking and divide it into Resort, valet and day guests, giving most of it to resort self parking, a little to valet and less to day guests, who have the option of taking a bus, monorail etc. to get there to dine or shop.

They would only need to put up a few concrete dividers and one arm gate accessed by a resort ID, just like the valet lots and possibly a sign or two desiginating the different parking area. The parking for nonresort guests there to just shop or dine, needs to be further out.

It would cost them hardly nothing and would go along way to please the guests staying there.

At the DVC resorts they are going to see a decline in valet use with this change and some of the existing valet lots could be given back to self parking. It would also make these lots more secure.

Well at the Contemporary they have three self parking lots. The 1st one is located in front of the Tower Magic Kingdom View rooms, plus the 1st and 2nd rows are only for cars that valet park. The 2nd self parking area is the north parking lot, which is located in front of Bay Lake Tower. The 3rd self parking lot in front of the South Garden Wing building, however I guess the only guests who park there are those staying in that section, if they happen to have a car. Anyway I guess they could change some spots in front of Bay Lake Tower and make them into a parking area for guests not staying there. So here is a map of the Contemporary which shows both parking lots so you can see exactly what I am saying.

 

[Dean]

Well, with all the free booze flowing on the casino floor, I'm sure they have to keep folk with one too many from climbing behind their wheel. It's just being responsible ... and... if said person who would have left, goes back in and forgets his wife told him he had a $ limit on gambling, all the better.

I don't gamble, I donate. I set a limit between the two of us and once it's gone, it's gone and we're done. Thank goodness for the penny slots.

 

[hakepb]

Yes, LV does have free parking but it's not really free is it, LOL, and they have ulterior motives to do so. I'm sure there are exceptions.

hmmmm, I just got free valet parking today from the owners of the most expensive hotel in my little city. Well, I didn't go to the hospital, but did have an appointment at a (fairly large) quick care location. I'm not sure if "the sisters" have an ulterior motive, too?

Normally, I'll self-park there. The farthest spot is about the same distance as the closest BWV spot, but I decided to take advantage of free valet since this thread popped up.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Yes, LV does have free parking but it's not really free is it, LOL, and they have ulterior motives to do so. I'm sure there are exceptions.

Ulterior motives? Can't be true! But they let you have a bit of fun with your $12 before they snatch it out of your hands. That makes me happier!

 

[Dean]

hmmmm, I just got free valet parking today from the owners of the most expensive hotel in my little city. Well, I didn't go to the hospital, but did have an appointment at a (fairly large) quick care location. I'm not sure if "the sisters" have an ulterior motive, too?

Normally, I'll self-park there. The farthest spot is about the same distance as the closest BWV spot, but I decided to take advantage of free valet since this thread popped up.

IF you're saying that "hotel" was a hospital, I think it's common for them to have free valet. Sad that anyone would think of them as a hotel though, sad but true for some. And yes, they do have ulterior motives.

 

[OKW Lover]

Interestingly enough, we got our bill this morning (we're at BWV) and there was no valet charge on it. We checked in on Sunday (the day the change was effective) but didn't have a car. But on Monday our guests arrived and they did have a car, which we had valet parked. I was expecting to be charged for the one night they used it, but it didn't show up.

I wonder if DVC is having second thoughts?

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Interestingly enough, we got our bill this morning (we're at BWV) and there was no valet charge on it. We checked in on Sunday (the day the change was effective) but didn't have a car. But on Monday our guests arrived and they did have a car, which we had valet parked. I was expecting to be charged for the one night they used it, but it didn't show up.

I wonder if DVC is having second thoughts?

My guess is that was only temporary and only at Boardwalk Villas because guest were told that there were no more self-parking spaces and that the guest would be required to pay $12 for valet parking.

As someone suggested, "Where on this beautiful lawn would you like for me to park my car?"

 

[hakepb]

IF you're saying that "hotel" was a hospital, I think it's common for them to have free valet. Sad that anyone would think of them as a hotel though, sad but true for some. And yes, they do have ulterior motives.

I hate hospital stays. While I'd love to stay in WDW more, I want to get back days wasted (I suppose all were not wasted, but there have been a few too many extra observation days when I think healing is better at home) in a hospital. I just call it "the most expensive hotel in town" because 1)it's very, very, very expensive and 2) trying to call it a hotel is like flavoring a medicine, makes it sound better but never fully masks what it really is.

It would be sad if anyone actually used a hospital as a hotel...

 

[chevyAZ]

Think this was a big mistake by Disney. Just checked into BWV this Sunday and learned about it. Pretty disappointed by it.

I can tell you its a long walk from 301x to the parking lot with 2 kids, stroller and gear especially after a shopping trip.

For me its easier to stay at SSR. At least the car would be closer.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I have made this suggestion to MS in the past. I hope now they see a real need for it especially at BWV, BCV and VWL and even BLT. They need to have a restricted parking area for resort guests only, easily restricted the same way the valet area is that is accessed with the Resort ID card.

1) It is a good thought, but counter-productive.
2) They already have the visit from the DVC member.
3) But, if restaurant guests had to walk further, they might not come.
4) That would be lost revenue for WDW.
5) So, I think it will remain a free-for-all for general parking spaces.

 

[Mlissa88]

I'm curious - Did anyone receive an email response to their email complaint regarding the lack of notification regarding the revoking of the perk or your complaint in general?

I got an email response back...but it was only to tell me that they wouldn't respond to me because I didn't have all my membership info in my email. At this point, I don't even know if I want to bother sending it again...

 

[jodifla]

I'm curious - Did anyone receive an email response to their email complaint regarding the lack of notification regarding the revoking of the perk or your complaint in general?

I got an email response back...but it was only to tell me that they wouldn't respond to me because I didn't have all my membership info in my email. At this point, I don't even know if I want to bother sending it again...

Yeah, I got that messages as well.

Another rule "change" without informing the members.

But that's just what they are counting on....not hearing from you.

I'm just going to copy and paste my message again with all these new stupid requirements. They won't wiggle out of my complaint that easily.

 

[jodifla]

So I emailed them my complaint about the horrid way they handled the valet parking perk, only to get this response:

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Thank you for contacting Member Services.

For security purposes, we require your Name, Membership Number, address
and phone number listed on your Membership to answer your email request.


In the future if you do not want to include all this information, please
contact us through our DISNEY VACATION CLUB Members-only site:
www.dvcmember.com. Since this is a secured site, some of the required
information will automatically be included for us to respond to your
email.

At the main page, you will be required to log in. Once inside the site,
you may select "Contact Us" from the tool bar on the home page, and then
"Contact Member Services." If you do not have the Vacation Club ID and
pin that was sent to you in the mail, you will need to contact Member
Services for further assistance at 800-******** or 407-566-3800.
Regrettably, this information is not able to be sent through email.

Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

One wonders what the next excuse not to handle my comment will be.

 

[crisi]

1) It is a good thought, but counter-productive.
2) They already have the visit from the DVC member.
3) But, if restaurant guests had to walk further, they might not come.
4) That would be lost revenue for WDW.
5) So, I think it will remain a free-for-all for general parking spaces.

And Boardwalk and Beachclub have the additional issue - three hours is plenty to get to Illuminations. So the three hour parking pass isn't useful. MK resorts can have the same issues with Spectromagic.

I'd validate at all park attached WDW resorts (Monorail resorts, BW and Y&BC - but probably not WL or AKL). You either show a current hotel room key when you leave, a receipt from a Boardwalk restaurant or shop for a minimum of $XX dollars, or you pay a $20 parking fee. I'd make it over the cost to park at the parks. That still enables people who are spending at the hotel restaurants and shops, keeps parking free for the hotel guests, but addresses the abusers who are "free parking" for Epcot. It does require staffing a booth, but you'd only really need to staff it for half a dozen hours a day - if that. Fireworks letting out time is the prime time to catch the abusers.

 

[Mlissa88]

Yeah, I got that messages as well.

Another rule "change" without informing the members.

But that's just what they are counting on....not hearing from you.

I'm just going to copy and paste my message again with all these new stupid requirements. They won't wiggle out of my complaint that easily.

True. I just logged on and resent it with any additional information I may have "missed".