NO MORE free valet parking for DVC members.

[lawgs]

We checked into BCV Oct 20. I had not gotten an email or any other information until I went to leave the car with the valet. When I checked in I asked to speak to a manager, who I know had nothing to do with the DVC decision. I explained that I was at the annual meeting last year and nothing was discussed about this and that I was not infomed of the change. In addition I was upset that I had paid my annual fees last January and they were cutting off something in essence I had already paid for. He seemed suprised that I was not informed but promised to look into it.

I then called Member services and got a supervisor who I repeated all of my concerns to and this is the line I got. They were discontinuing the service in my best interest. (I love when other people do stuff in my best interest b/c they know more than I do and yet somehow it never seems to be in MY best interest). It was explained that with valet fees going up they had to stop the service or my annual dues next year would go way up. In addition they had done a study and found that a lot more members were utilizing DME so they were keeping it instead.

I asked the obvious question if more people use DME than valet how could costs be going way up for valet service? I never got an answer for this, however I did get the answer that annual dues do go to pay for the valet service. When I asked if I was going to get a refund for the portion of my annual dues paid last year for valet that was cut off before the end of the year, I never got an answer for that either.

A short time later the BCV manager called back with in essence the same corporate line.

My problems are that I was not informed on something that I had already paid for through the end of the year, they took something away in the middle of the year, and they did it in my best interest to save me money. I would like to know how much of annual dues goes to DME. I wonder how much we are subsidizing a service that Disney is providing to other guests to keep them on property vs something that really was just to my benefit. just my 2 cents worth.

did you see the "rubber stamp" they used last year at the annual meeting to approve all "items" after we all had input as to DVC's direction.....tongue in cheek ???

 

[jrl153]

I read the last day for the valet perk was on Oct. 11th. It was on the DVCNews.com website. Just go to the site and search valet parking. It also gives an email address to let them know what we think about losing this perk.
I used the service last March at AKV, it was a nice perk that will be missed.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I read the last day for the valet perk was on Oct. 11th. It was on the DVCNews.com website. Just go to the site and search valet parking. It also gives an email address to let them know what we think about losing this perk.
I used the service last March at AKV, it was a nice perk that will be missed.

I take it you didn't read the other 1001 posts before yours.

 

[DVCBELLE]

I take it you didn't read the other 1001 posts before yours.

jrl153 started a new thread yesterday - it must have been moved into here so another discussion didn't start! It does seem funny placed where it is in this thread

 

[MELSMICE]

I was surprised the other day when we were at the Boardwalk & was informed this. I was standing by the valet waiting for someone to arrive & asked if parking was still free for DVC members. CM told me that this changed as of October 11 & it was $14 per day to park.

It was a nice perk. I actually feel bad for the valet CM's that relied on their tips because I'm sure that many members will choose to self park now - I know not all will, but a big handful probably will. We probably will.

Oh well.............just my thoughts on this new change. I'm sad!

 

[photobob]

There's a 1,000+ post thread if you'd like to read all about it.

 

[chalee94]

here is the thread for discussion of the valet change.

 

[Tara]

I thought it was $12/day, not $14/day for valet. (Isn't it theme park parking that went up to $14?)

 

[shortypots]

I never used it anyway, so not a big loss to me, but frankly, $12 or $14 is way to high for someone to park my car for me so I don't have to walk! And let's face it, with all the wonderful food we eat when we are there, I need to walk!

 

[DenLo]

And what is another block or two when you're going to be walking miles around the different parks?

 

[NEM]

As a mom who travels by herself to Disney with still 2 kids under 2 AND the fact that they used this perk as a big selling point when I bought my DVC. This really ticks me off. I have just gotten back into things after having my last baby and found this out today when making reservations for next summer. I definitely called and sent a letter today stating my opinion.

I used (and tipped well) this free perk.
I have to figure out what I am going to do now that it is gone.

I still think this is rotten...

Michelle

 

[awilliams4]

Curious as to whether this so called Perk was ever free. I would assume that MF paid for it...thus we all paid for it already. I suspect that since prices are going up and Valet services were outsourced, the cost to DVC was going up two-fold so basically those that weren't using it are now no longer being charged and those that will use it will get charged. Not sure how this is a bad thing at all. Assuming I am correct.

So if I am correct, this was not a Free Perk that was taken away. It is a service where the charge is getting reallocated to the persons using it. If I am right and people have a problem with that, then they got bigger problems.

 

[Sammie]

Curious as to whether this so called Perk was ever free. I would assume that MF paid for it...thus we all paid for it already. I suspect that since prices are going up and Valet services were outsourced, the cost to DVC was going up two-fold so basically those that weren't using it are now no longer being charged and those that will use it will get charged. Not sure how this is a bad thing at all. Assuming I am correct.

So if I am correct, this was not a Free Perk that was taken away. It is a service where the charge is getting reallocated to the persons using it. If I am right and people have a problem with that, then they got bigger problems.

MF did not pay for it, however MF would have paid for it had it continued.

 

[DebbieB]

Somewhere in the 1000+ posts, someone posted that they talked to DVC and it was not part of dues previously. The valets are not Disney employees and their new contract no longer provides it free to members.

 

[eliza61]

And what is another block or two when you're going to be walking miles around the different parks?

That's actually the reason why I loved valet parking. After walking all day in the parks especially in the hot sun, I really enjoyed pulling up and going straight into the resort.

 

[photobob]

I never used it anyway, so not a big loss to me, but frankly, $12 or $14 is way to high for someone to park my car for me so I don't have to walk! And let's face it, with all the wonderful food we eat when we are there, I need to walk!

$12 is way too much, free was much better! I will miss it because I did use it when we stayed at BWV, I won't miss it enough to pay for it!

 

[Terry]

I feel like I have been slimed. Welcome Home! Gimme your $12!

We used the free valet service every day of every trip and always tipped well. Does Disney really think that they will improve the bottom line by nickel and diming their very best customers (DVC Members)?

We just got back from a week at CSR/AKL. My wife and I love to have dinner at the nice "sit down" restaurants around WDW. Not this time. We decided to support some of the local area restaurants where our business was appreciated and the parking was free and close to the door. I don't think Disney will miss a few hundred bucks, but, who knows. A flood starts with a single raindrop.

 

[Dean]

As a mom who travels by herself to Disney with still 2 kids under 2 AND the fact that they used this perk as a big selling point when I bought my DVC. This really ticks me off. I have just gotten back into things after having my last baby and found this out today when making reservations for next summer. I definitely called and sent a letter today stating my opinion.

I used (and tipped well) this free perk.
I have to figure out what I am going to do now that it is gone.

I still think this is rotten...

Michelle

The option is still there but those that use it will have to pay for it.

For a resort area, $12 is fairly low for valet parking. I'm headed to DC area this weekend where self parking is $19 a day and valet is $28. Stayed on Oahu last year with $25 mandatory valet and no real self park option.

 

[JimC]

...Stayed on Oahu last year with $25 mandatory valet and no real self park option.

Seems to be common in Marina Del Rey as well.

 

[Robo-Daddy 3000]

The option is still there but those that use it will have to pay for it.

For a resort area, $12 is fairly low for valet parking. I'm headed to DC area this weekend where self parking is $19 a day and valet is $28. Stayed on Oahu last year with $25 mandatory valet and no real self park option.

I think its $17 for valet at the Grand Californian Villas.