NO MORE free valet parking for DVC members.

[crisi]

Are Disney's fitness centers staffed? Most hotel fitness centers are not, in my experience, but I walk so much at Disney I've never bothered to run there.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Are Disney's fitness centers staffed? Most hotel fitness centers are not, in my experience, but I walk so much at Disney I've never bothered to run there.

At BWV, it was the last time we were there (2008). At Vero Beach, no. So maybe it depends on the fitness center.

 

[Anal Annie]

The issue isn't whether or not it's "legal", but rather whether or not we are happy about it and rather see dues increase to maintain it.

MG

Oh for crying out loud. This is the horse that just won't die isn't it!?

As someone who ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS uses DME I would NOT like to see MY dues go up so that someone else can drive and let someone else parking their freaking car for them.

Just park it yourself and move on already people!

 

[Dean]

Are Disney's fitness centers staffed? Most hotel fitness centers are not, in my experience, but I walk so much at Disney I've never bothered to run there.

Not usually but they would likely have to staff them for all hours if done pay to play OR they would have to work out a controlled access system which would require other personnel costs. Thus there would be added costs to do pay to play that I doubt could even be covered by the incomes generated. That's why I speculated that the choice was between having the facilities or not rather than who pays for it.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...As someone who ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS uses DME I would NOT like to see MY dues go up so that someone else can drive and let someone else parking their freaking car for them. ...

I just hope my dues aren't paying for your DME. Someone has to pay for it.

 

[CarolMN]

I just hope my dues aren't paying for your DME. Someone has to pay for it.

ME is a service that all the WDW on-site resorts offer, just like transportation to and from the parks & DD. While I do not know for sure, it makes sense that the resorts fund those bus/monorail & boat transportation services. And thus, I'm sure a portion of our dues are funding ME for the DVC resorts just as they fund the the other transportation services.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Oh for crying out loud. This is the horse that just won't die isn't it!?

As someone who ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS uses DME I would NOT like to see MY dues go up so that someone else can drive and let someone else parking their freaking car for them.

Just park it yourself and move on already people!

Sorry to upset you..
May I suggest that if you don't want to read this thread, don't open it.
That technique works great for me with subjects I don't want to read.

MG

 

[Anal Annie]

ME is a service that all the WDW on-site resorts offer, just like transportation to and from the parks & DD. While I do not know for sure, it makes sense that the resorts fund those bus/monorail & boat transportation services. And thus, I'm sure a portion of our dues are funding ME for the DVC resorts just as they fund the the other transportation services.

I agree. ME is a service that is available to everyone staying onsite without discrimination for which property you are staying at or whether it's for cash or on points. It is free to all and it saves many families the additional cost of renting a car. There are also some reservations at DVC resorts which are made on cash too. I like that ME is colorblind to cash vs points and doesn't care if you're going to POP or to the Poly. And FWIW we used the bus transportation way back when it was a Mears transfer that we had to pay for. It was still cheaper than renting a car and for some of us on a budget the value it provides is unbeatable.

I am not above parking my own little self if I DID have a car with me. In fact, I would prefer it. I just don't get the fuss.

 

[Anal Annie]

Sorry to upset you..
May I suggest that if you don't want to read this thread, don't open it.
That technique works great for me with subjects I don't want to read.

MG

I have been following this thread since the beginning and for the most part just read it. But I just still can't believe some people are still harping over such a thing. I will however read (and post) on any thread I want - but thank you very much for your suggestion tho.

(PS) shouldn't you be practicing for your Chip 'N Dales dance routine right now?

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I have been following this thread since the beginning and for the most part just read it. But I just still can't believe some people are still harping over such a thing. I will however read (and post) on any thread I want - but thank you very much for your suggestion tho.

(PS) shouldn't you be practicing for your Chip 'N Dales dance routine right now?

Fine, but if you choose to read the thread, you shouldn't berate somebody for posting on it.

PS- I paid for my DVC with singles...

MG

 

[Brian Noble]

I paid for my DVC with singles

Then you need to find a higher-class club, MG. You should be at least getting $20s in the VIP room.

I suspect (but don't know) that the resorts themselves do not pay for ME as a direct expense, because it is a loss-leader for the resort as a whole. ME's goal is to create a captive audience that must spend every available minute and dollar of vacation time and money with the Mouse. I am guessing that the per-cap numbers in Foods and Merchandise went up enough to more than offset the costs of running ME, else Disney would be charging for it by now. Room rates certainly didn't spike up commensurate with the value of the transfers when it was introduced---not even close.

Edited: It's also possible that the resorts got a boost in RevPAR when it was introduced, by allowing Disney to offer fewer and less generous discounts because of the value of the transfers, but I don't recall that happening in any obvious way either, nor do I recall a statement in the Annual report about RevPAR jumping, but might not have been looking for it. They were already at ~90% occupancy, give or take, so it wasn't just to fill rooms, but it might have been to fill rooms at a higher effective rate.

Edited again: now that I think about it, there might be enough information in the annual reports to answer this question. They do report percentage changes in guest spending in both Resorts and Parks, so a spike in either would tell us where the ME profits accrue.

 

[bumbershoot]

But it isn't. The risk is on the vendor if the usage patterns change (which is what I suspect happened - the original contract was signed in a better economy where more cash guests used valet - when the economy tanked, the vendor wasn't breaking even on their staffing commitment for just cash guests - but they were parking all these DVC guests for FREE!).

That's the first time I've ever come close to understanding the whole "DVC valet parking" was entirely free from the vendor issue. Thank you, Crisi! Even if you're not totally correct with what you suspect (though it sounds reasonable), it was helpful to me.

 

[Dano1182]

Is it true that we no longer get free valet parking??

I thought this was a great perk.

Particulary when returning to DVC after a long day with the kids drop car at front door and carry them in .

Now I hear it will be 12 a day plus tips.
adds up to 60 bucks extra foe our next trip.
WHat will we lose next??

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Is it true that we no longer get free valet parking??

It is gone. I liked it too but have adjusted my parking habits. Here is a link to a lot of thoughts on the topic:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2305423

HBC

 

[Dano1182]

I guess I am way behind on this.
I wonder if we will be charged for towels next

 

[Chuck S]

I guess I am way behind on this.
I wonder if we will be charged for towels next

We are charged for towels...at least we were supposed to be charged for towels. The rooms are cleaned when we arrive, then fresh towels on day 4 (or full cleaning if 8 nights or more). If you need more towels, they are supposed to be $6 a pack of 4 bath towels/2 hand towels/4wash cloths and a mat.

It's been that way for years and years.

 

[Anal Annie]

Fine, but if you choose to read the thread, you shouldn't berate somebody for posting on it.

PS- I paid for my DVC with singles...

MG

Berate: To rebuke or scold harshly.

Scold: To reprimand or criticize harshly.

I really don't think I did either of those. I didn't scold you. All I said initally was that I can't believe this thread is still going - since OCTOBER no less!! Good grief. Over parking for crying out loud. It's a done deal. Can't we all move on? It just amazes me that it's THAT big of deal to SOOOOOO many people. I don't get it that's all. It's parking. I just don't see the fuss - it's a luxury and and I personally don't feel that all members should subsidize the cost if not all members USE it and am not bothered by the idea that my dues won't have to go up to pay for someone else to let someone park their car for them.

Maybe they should've made it an option to go with certain ressies...like the extra benefits concierge guests get. I'm OK with that if somebody wants to use an extra 2 more points per day to have it available or something. I mean it's their points if they want to use them that way. So to review MY opinion. Dues for valet parking = no. Cash for valet parking = yes and Points to valet park = yes.

Oh, and please don't respond to me again. This is just my little 'ole opinion. I don't think it's worth getting my panties in wad or my blood pressure up. I am OVER it. I am moving on. Adios. Ya'll enjoy the indigestion you're getting over it.. I'm gonna go find something else to fret over.

 

[Tara]

I guess I am way behind on this.
I wonder if we will be charged for towels next

The fact is that your dues are already paying for general upkeep and things like towels. They were not previously paying for valet parking and when the vendor decided to discontinue the discount, DVC chose not to continue it by passing along the price to all members in the form of higher dues.

 

[bumbershoot]

It's a done deal. Can't we all move on? It just amazes me that it's THAT big of deal to SOOOOOO many people. I don't get it that's all.

It's probably still going on because they only *just* announced it in the Disney Files mag. So people who aren't usually on, or hadn't been on, the Dis, and hadn't used their points in awhile (or who had but perhaps took ME last time), are just now finding out about it.

Gotta give everyone a chance to find out about it, which is going to take some time.

 

[Tara]

Berate: To rebuke or scold harshly.

Scold: To reprimand or criticize harshly.

I really don't think I did either of those. I didn't scold you. All I said initally was that I can't believe this thread is still going - since OCTOBER no less!! Good grief. Over parking for crying out loud. It's a done deal. Can't we all move on? It just amazes me that it's THAT big of deal to SOOOOOO many people. I don't get it that's all. It's parking. I just don't see the fuss - it's a luxury and and I personally don't feel that all members should subsidize the cost if not all members USE it and am not bothered by the idea that my dues won't have to go up to pay for someone else to let someone park their car for them.

Maybe they should've made it an option to go with certain ressies...like the extra benefits concierge guests get. I'm OK with that if somebody wants to use an extra 2 more points per day to have it available or something. I mean it's their points if they want to use them that way. So to review MY opinion. Dues for valet parking = no. Cash for valet parking = yes and Points to valet park = yes.

Oh, and please don't respond to me again. This is just my little 'ole opinion. I don't think it's worth getting my panties in wad or my blood pressure up. I am OVER it. I am moving on. Adios. Ya'll enjoy the indigestion you're getting over it.. I'm gonna go find something else to fret over.

Personally, I agree that it's surprising this thread is still going. Just an indication that some people feel strongly, though. BUT what I will say is that you shouldn't post to a thread and then expect people to not respond to you. That's not how discussion boards work.

Oh for crying out loud. This is the horse that just won't die isn't it!?

As someone who ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS uses DME I would NOT like to see MY dues go up so that someone else can drive and let someone else parking their freaking car for them.

By the same token, why should I have any portion of my dues cover ME when I NEVER, NEVER, NEVER use it? I could say "I don't want to see my dues go up for someone who is too freaking cheap to rent a car." But that wouldn't be very fair, would it? Yet it's basically the same argument you are making.

I don't think dues should cover valet parking, either, for the record.