NO MORE free valet parking for DVC members.

[Paul in CT]

I sent an email as well letting them know about the valet parking issue and this is what they wrote back...

Thank you for contacting Member Services.

As part of the normal course of doing business, we regularly evaluate and adjust our pricing. As a result, effective Sunday, October 11, 2009, complimentary valet parking for Disney Vacation Club Members at the Walt Disney World Resort has been discontinued. The valet parking charge is $12.00 per day, however complimentary self-parking is always available. 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.
Thank you again for contacting us.

Sincerely,
Nikki
Member Services
Disney Vacation Club

**********************************************

Basicly, if we want free valet they would have to raise our due's so that's why they are removing it...IMO, that's bull!!!

I just received the same response from Buffy. They must have a random name generator for the scripted response.

Although I am not happy about this change, I am even more upset about the way it was initiated with no prior notice even to DVC CM's. That was totally unacceptable and really unnecessary. DVC send enough emails from Member Services. I think they could have sent us one on the cancellation of free valet parking. Either way they were going to get complaints.

Regarding the comments about not buying in to DVC because of this lost perk, IMHO there are better reasons than that like the high price of points - $112 going to $120 shortly. I am glad I bought in when the prices were more reasonable and when they were offering free park tickets until 2000 as an incentive. I think a resale is the only way to go now if one wants to buy in for a more reasonable price.

 

[Dean]

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

Sadly some do in some situations, it is sad and we all pay for it.

As for the standard reply, did anyone expect any different, would anyone here do it differently if on the other end. Realize that Disney monitors very carefully what goes out so as to be absolutely correct and consistent whenever possible. They are not going to get in a back and forth open ended discussion on anything. The truth is very simple, it came down to raising dues or pay to play. Certainly we don't have the numbers including % of usage, actual costs with each option, etc to truly make an informed decision. This is why only certain people can answer email and why you end up talking to specific people when you complain about such matters.

I don't use ME. Am I paying for the service? I have a feeling we are entering the "a la carte" world of Disney.

My understanding is minimal or no charge to the resorts for that service. The bottom line is the resort cannot provide everything everyone wants for free and this is a very reasonable option to charge for. I certainly don't want to have fees raised to pay for it, I'd rather make the choice and pay if I decide to use it just like for extra towels or the DDP.

Thats not the correct question! The question we should all be asking is "how much are my dues going down by taking this perk away".

And that is the question we should he asking every time they take a perk away. I know perks are not guaranteed, but with every loss, it devalues DVCs attraction, worth and reputation.

If they are outsourcing things, those things should be cheaper and/or better quality. DVC members aren't getting either in this case. DVC gets zip/zero. >again<

While I'd agree in principle, it does not appear to apply in this case. The truth is the perk is gone AND dues will go up, just not as much.

 

[Dean]

Are the resort staff still saying "Welcome home!" at check in? I don't pay for parking at "home". I wonder if 'the leadership' knows that?

That's more than a little silly and if used in discussion with DVC I'm sure they'd tune everything out after such a statement because it is not a rational response. Anyone who truly had valet parking at home likely wouldn't be a DVC member and certainly wouldn't care about $12 a day in charges for the Rolls or Bentley.

 

[RAD]

Although I am not happy about this change, I am even more upset about the way it was initiated with no prior notice even to DVC CM's. That was totally unacceptable and really unnecessary. DVC send enough emails from Member Services. I think they could have sent us one on the cancellation of free valet parking. Either way they were going to get complaints.

DVC spend the money to send myself and wife two seperate mailings that had a chart for BLT point costs and financing costs. So they could find the time and $'s to do that but zilch, nada, nothing for notifying members of this change. I did send an e-mail to DVC saying I was VERY upset at this change. I also recommend that whatever person approved this change have their parking space at the office moved the same distance away from the building door as the average self park space is at BWV.

 

[Disneypubgal]

Had the following exchange with Nikki the past few days...

Sent today -
Nikky,

It wasn't there until a few days after the change took place. I find it rather insulting that it was not posted and members were not notified before the change took place...

And to be honest, an e-mail or some offer type of correspondence should have been sent PRIOR to the change taking place not after.... and that we (the members) should have to go look for it rather than DVC informing us.

Please don't make it seem as though it has been there since the change took place...when in fact it wasn't until a few days later.

K

Received today frim DVc
Hello Kim ,
Thank you for contacting Member Services.
It is actually on the Members Only Website under the news section.
Please let us know if there is anything else we can do to assist you.


Sincerely,


Nikki


Member Services

Disney Vacation Club


TUESDAY

Original Message Follows: ------------------------

Thank you for getting back to me. While I am disappointed that this perk was taken away... I am kind of surprised that I heard about it on the web and not directly from Disney/DVC...

----- Original Message -----
From: Disney Vacation Club
Date: Monday, October 12, 2009 5:12 pm
Subject: Re: Valet Parking
To:

Dear ,
>
>Thank you for contacting Member Services.
>
>We appreciate your interest in a Disney Vacation Club Resort.
>As of
>October 11, 2009, Disney Vacation Club Member no longer receive
>complimentary Valet Parking. If your sister or your father has
>the
>hanging Handicapped Tag, then you can use it and they still
>receive
>complimentary Valet Parking.
>
>Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance.
>
>Sincerely,
>
>Larry
>
>Member Services | Online Communications
>Disney Vacation Club
Original Message Follows:
>------------------------
>Member Name:
>Member Number:
>Country: US

>Is it true that DVC members will no longer receive complimentary
>parking when staying at there DVC resort?? This causes me great
>concern for my
>upcoming trip in Feb 2010. My sister and my father are both
>disabled,
>while neither is in a wheelchair, one walks with a cane and the
>other
>travels with an ECV... Part of our group will be driving for
>this trip
>and the vehicle we will be using does not have handicap plates
>(althoughwe will have the hanging handicap decal) is there any
>allowances made
>for those with disabilities??? It would be very unfortunate if
>we had
>to self park having disabled guests...Not to mention having this
>perk go
>away altogether.. please advise.
>
>Thank you!




While I am not happy about this change... I am even more disappointed by the method in which it was/wasn't communicated.... and having worked for Disney for almost 10 years (I don't work for them anymore)... I am certain that this decision was made way in advance of the change. The failure to inform the members is just plain wrong... and the damage control on the back end far out weighs the upfront cost of letting us know... wonder if that comes out of our dues as well!! Most of the members joined because we LOVE Disney and want to vacation there....we are a captive audience, we want to be there... but we are also people and deserve to be respected and appreciated...

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

As for the standard reply, did anyone expect any different, would anyone here do it differently if on the other end. Realize that Disney monitors very carefully what goes out so as to be absolutely correct and consistent whenever possible. They are not going to get in a back and forth open ended discussion on anything. The truth is very simple, it came down to raising dues or pay to play. Certainly we don't have the numbers including % of usage, actual costs with each option, etc to truly make an informed decision. This is why only certain people can answer email and why you end up talking to specific people when you complain about such matters.

Dean, are you saying that you would have handled informing the members exactly like Disney or that you would have handled the blowback in the exact same manner?

I must say that if I were in the same position, I would have given members at least two weeks notice, or would have at least given members with reservations a heads up of two weeks notice. There is nothing wrong with making a decision and firmly sticking with that decision, and honestly explaining to members why the decision was made.

Yes, there would have been complaints and emails back to member services and may have been more difficult for member services to handle in the short term. However, I believe that you get further in the long run by always doing what is on the up and up.

I had the privilege of working for a very wise retired Air Force Colonel for many years, and learned one very valuable lesson. A lot of times its less important that you made a mistake or had to convey bad news. Its more important how you handled the situation.

Jim Lewis & Co. hasn't learned that lesson.

Wouldn't it be better if we were on here saying..."Its too bad that we lost our valet perk, but gee I understand why DVC chose not to increase our dues by $XX amount."

Instead we are on the boards talking about how DVC doesn't respect the membership, and doesn't bother to inform us of decisions that negatively effect our membership.

Again...its all about maturity and making responsible decisions!!

 

[queenie82]

You have valet parking at home?

You don't
Oh dear....that must be rectified

 

[disneynutz]

There is something going on here that we aren't being told. I doubt that raising the cost for Valet by $2 caused DVC to cancel the perk. How much would they have to raise our dues to cover the increase, $.02.

I'm concerned that this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Bill

 

[SCFIREMAN]

Well, I received a scripted phone call. "We're really glad you let us know of the problem....we need to make sure our communication is better...blah, blah" At least, she didn't use " done to enhance your membership."

I was left with the impression Disney really doesn't care what we think.

I have been trying to reach my guide since this whole thing went down to maybe get a better answer but have had no such luck in getting a return phone call.

 

[SCFIREMAN]

Thats not the correct question! The question we should all be asking is "how much are my dues going down by taking this perk away".

And that is the question we should he asking every time they take a perk away. I know perks are not guaranteed, but with every loss, it devalues DVCs attraction, worth and reputation.

If they are outsourcing things, those things should be cheaper and/or better quality. DVC members aren't getting either in this case. DVC gets zip/zero. >again<

But if it truely is a "perk" we souldnt be paying for it, in my opinion anyway. So I think your question needs to be rephrased as how many services are we paying forare going to be removed with no decrease in our dues.

If valet was $10 before and we were covering it in our dues how much could a $2 increase realy raise our dues when spread between all the contracts.

 

[Sha]

A friend asked for someone in charge of Member Services or DVC.. I dont remember right now. This was the reply:

You are welcome to contact Jim Lewis by sending an email to
members@disneyvacationclub.com and placing his name in the subject line.
You may also send a letter to him at the following address:

Disney Vacation Club
Attn: Jim Lewis
1390 Celebration Blvd.
Celebration, FL 34747

 

[AJKMOM]

That's more than a little silly and if used in discussion with DVC I'm sure they'd tune everything out after such a statement because it is not a rational response. Anyone who truly had valet parking at home likely wouldn't be a DVC member and certainly wouldn't care about $12 a day in charges for the Rolls or Bentley.

My reply was more directed to a PP who came "home" and was forced to pay for valet because the public lots were all full. There was some sort of event going on, and the lot was filled with cars of people who were not staying at the Boardwalk. If they are making valet a $12 fee, they should have an option for those of us that don't mind walking, not filling up the free lot with outside guests.

They arrived and were told "there is no free parking". We don't have valet parking at home, but we do have a place to park at home. Seems that DVC should have given members some warning, we already rented a car and are coming "home" in a few weeks, probably too late to get in on Magical Express.

It also makes us wonder what's next, and how much warning we'll get.

 

[n2mm]

We leave tomorrow and will be staying at the BWV and will post back how the parking is going there. I personally think they need to turn one of the self lots (the one near Valet) into a resort guest only lot and use a gate and your room card to open it to park your car. That just doesn't seem that hard to do.

 

[jade1]

If valet was $10 before and we were covering it in our dues how much could a $2 increase realy raise our dues when spread between all the contracts.

That's what I was wondering as well. Isn't there like millions of points at BWV? If there is for example 5 million, 2 cents would bring in the $100K to pay the entire thing, much less just what it's gone up.

 

[Chuck S]

That's what I was wondering as well. Isn't there like millions of points at BWV? If there is for example 5 million, 2 cents would bring in the $100K to pay the entire thing, much less just what it's gone up.

You are assuming that DVC was subsidizing the valet at $10 per DVCer using the valet service previously. My supposition is that they were not, that they were more likely paying a portion of valet employee benefits for the employees that may have been grandfathered into the Disney employee system when the first outsourced contract was drawn up, through the common area costs. If so, $12 per parked car could be a substantial jump in cost as compared to the former cost of any benefit subsidy.

 

[tammymacb]

That's what I was wondering as well. Isn't there like millions of points at BWV? If there is for example 5 million, 2 cents would bring in the $100K to pay the entire thing, much less just what it's gone up.

My guess is that DVC is getting rid of this perk, and raising costs on other "benefits" that DVC profits directly from. Because we certainly won't see a penny back in our dues. If that money isn't being given out to an outside entity, it can be absorbed inhouse. Between all of us, it's a lot of money.

I've posted on another thread. The day this broke ( I won't say announced, because it still hasn't been announced by DVC that I'm aware of ) I put my BWV points up for sale. I'm sick of being nickle and dimed and seeing nothing come back to me. All the changes, the poor communication and disrespect of members has made me see the light. "Why am I paying money to be aggrivated?" So, sold one BWV already, and will aggressively sell the other one ( don't owe on it and just want out )

I see fewer and fewer Disney trips in my future as my daugter is growing up, and I remember Disney 30 years ago, when it was "the good old days" and often these days pale in comparison.

I thought about contacting MS, but knew I'd get canned answers and they really wouldn't care anyway. So, I'm walking. And I can't walk fast enough.

 

[Chuck S]

My guess is that DVC is getting rid of this perk, and raising costs on other "benefits" that DVC profits directly from. Because we certainly won't see a penny back in our dues. If that money isn't being given out to an outside entity, it can be absorbed inhouse. Between all of us, it's a lot of money.

I've posted on another thread. The day this broke ( I won't say announced, because it still hasn't been announced by DVC that I'm aware of ) I put my BWV points up for sale. I'm sick of being nickle and dimed and seeing nothing come back to me. All the changes, the poor communication and disrespect of members has made me see the light. "Why am I paying money to be aggrivated?" So, sold one BWV already, and will aggressively sell the other one ( don't owe on it and just want out )

I see fewer and fewer Disney trips in my future as my daugter is growing up, and I remember Disney 30 years ago, when it was "the good old days" and often these days pale in comparison.

I thought about contacting MS, but knew I'd get canned answers and they really wouldn't care anyway. So, I'm walking. And I can't walk fast enough.

If the valet parking was a decent profit center for Disney, the valet services would still be under Disney's roof and not outsourced, wouldn't it?

Instead, it is outsourced. The contract has come up for renewal, and Mears apparently feels that giving DVCers the perk cuts into their operational costs to the point that it had to be discontinued, or fully funded by DVC.

At $12 per car, and 60 cars per day, that is a cost of $262,000+ per year per valet resort. For VWL, that would be approximately
11.5 cents per point...or about $3 per month. on a 300 point contract.

Now, you may say that any member with 300 points shouldn't have a problem with $3 per month, even if they don't use the service. But isn't the converse also true, that those that use the services should pay for it, especially considering that the service isn't a physical part of the resort, like a pool, or a necessity like front desk pesonnel? Remember that they've had wage increases in those necessary areas as well that have upped dues. At some point the scale is tipped as to what may be of most value to the most members, especially considering that dues increases are legally limited in their total amount.

 

[jade1]

You are assuming that DVC was subsidizing the valet at $10 per DVCer using the valet service previously. My supposition is that they were not, that they were more likely paying a portion of valet employee benefits for the employees that may have been grandfathered into the Disney employee system when the first outsourced contract was drawn up, through the common area costs. If so, $12 per parked car could be a substantial jump in cost as compared to the former cost of any benefit subsidy.

Actually SCFIREMAN assumed that, mine was to cover the entire amount-which you mentioned was about $100K from a previous post. How many points are at BWV to get $100K?

 

[jade1]

At $12 per car, and 60 cars per day, that is a cost of $262,000+ per year per valet resort. For VWL, that would be approximately
11.5 cents per point...or about $3 per month. on a 300 point contract.

Now, you may say that any member with 300 points shouldn't have a problem with $3 per month, even if they don't use the service. But isn't the converse also true, that those that use the services should pay for it, especially considering that the service isn't a physical part of the resort, like a pool, or a necessity like front desk pesonnel? Remember that they've had wage increases in those necessary areas as well that have upped dues. At some point the scale is tipped as to what may be of most value to the most members, especially considering that dues increases are legally limited in their total amount.

So you went from an estimated cost earlier of $100K to $262K, and you use the smallest resort to make your case. Wouldn't there be far fewer cars using valet at a resort that's what... 1/5th the size of BWV? You may be right, and it may be higher (may be way lower)-but at least someone is finally talking app costs, and I for one, appreciate that because we are not in favor of a generic membership.

 

[jade1]

If the valet parking was a decent profit center for Disney, the valet services would still be under Disney's roof and not outsourced, wouldn't it?

I don't know, but you just increased their revenue from $0 to app $100K to $262K (plus tips) for VWL-and that's just the DVC portion of customers.