No more free Valet parking ...

[PamOKW]

Something else to keep in mind is that in the past valet parking was always free for anyone staying at WDW. They only charged people from outside and even then only in the evening at BWV. (I'm not sure if any other resort charged at night.) Then they went to charging everyone for valet and gave DVC'ers the "bonus" of being able to valet park at DVC resorts for just the cost of a tip.

It seems that this is not a very costly perk for DVC to throw our way. They've cut back pool hopping. The Disney Stores are on their way out and are currently useless to many of us anyway so the discount is just about worthless.

The parking problem at BWV is one from the time they built Boardwalk. They don't seem to know whether it's a resort or an entertainment center. If they provided adequate bus service, I bet many people wouldn't bother bringing their cars over to the resort.

 

[Crissup]

Originally posted by PamOKW
They don't seem to know whether it's a resort or an entertainment center.

I like it because it's both. This is one of the major reasons I've always felt it was a better resort (per my criteria) than OKW. Some people like OKW better because it's quieter. I like BWV better because it's noisier.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by Crissup
That's the spirit!! Take it out on the poor guy earning minimum wage.

While I understand the sentiment, $2 total is very acceptable under normal circumstances. If someone goes from over tipping to normal tipping, that does not make them an ogre.

I'm actually surprised the perks weren't tied to points stays. There are actually only a few discounts or benefits that require you be staying. These include the cash room discount, UPH discount and pool hopping. Nothing else is tied to even an on property stay that I can recall. Someone may come up with another one but you get the principle. But in this case, I'd be surprised if the OP were correct. Sounds like wishful thinking on someone's part.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by KNWVIKING
..... The reason you are chosing to valet park in the first place. Why would you valet park at GF ? To walk around the pool ? Or to drop $150.00 in a resteraunt ? Disney is counting on you to visit these up-scale resorts and to spend $$$$. If free valet parking is all it costs to lure you in,then it's money well lost.

Maybe I am misunderstanding your post, but Valet parking is not free at the GF, that will cost you.

 

[PamOKW]

Originally posted by Crissup
I like it because it's both.

Yes, it is both. It is advertised as an entertainment center like PI. But, they do not offer transporation (like to PI) or adequate parking to accomodate the resort guests, the convention attendees and the people who come for the restaurants and nightlife. At night, you have to transfer at DD. This quickly turns a 5 minute drive into a 2 hour trek.

 

[Lesley]

Not sure if this was covered here....but I think the confusion began when Disney first began charging resort guests for valet parking. The cm's have been confused ever since then...or some of them anyway.

One of our stays at the BW a charge for valet parking appeared on my bill....I went to the front desk and pointed out the error and was told that we now had to pay for valet parking. I continued to politely disagree until the cm called a manager...who corrected him and the charge was removed. This was at least a year ago, if not two.

 

[MCazer]

When staying at OKW, my family has often times gone to the Polynesian or Grand Floridian and shown our DVC card and gotten free valet parking. This is great when you have a minivan and stroller and it is raining! Otherwise, parking is very close to the entrance.

We love to visit the monorail resorts when we go to Disney. They are so beautiful and the restaurants are good too!

 

[Chuck S]

Free valet parking is a perk ONLY at the resorts that include an "attached" DVC resort. No other WDW resorts are included. If you received free valet parking at the Poly or GF then the CM was mistaken and you got "lucky".

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

Originally posted by Dean
While I understand the sentiment, $2 total is very acceptable under normal circumstances. If someone goes from over tipping to normal tipping, that does not make them an ogre.

I totally agree. WDW guests are so used to everything being overpriced, they feel "cheap" when they give a "normal" tip for services. I'm sorry...but tipping someone $5.00 for 2 minutes of work seems excessive.

I wouldn't feel to sorry for the valets. From the tipping reports on this board, the poor minimum wage valets probably make more money/hour than many DVCers.

 

[MCazer]

Free valet parking is a perk ONLY at the resorts that include an "attached" DVC resort. No other WDW resorts are included. If you received free valet parking at the Poly or GF then the CM was mistaken and you got "lucky".

Then we must have gotten lucky year after year, because we joined in 1997.

 

[Chuck S]

For several years "Free Valet Parking" was an "on-site" perk far all guests staying on-site, DVC or not. That perk was discontinued and replaced by the current perk, DVC only at DVC resorts.

 

[DebbieB]

I think the change to charge for valet parking started about 2 years ago.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by Chuck S
Free valet parking is a perk ONLY at the resorts that include an "attached" DVC resort. No other WDW resorts are included. If you received free valet parking at the Poly or GF then the CM was mistaken and you got "lucky".

Well... yes and no. We were not charged for valet parking at the YC because we already had a tag from VWL. I explained to the valet that we got that tag free because we were DVC, but he insisted that once you have a tag for the day, you get unlimited valet parking.
In short, according to the valet at YC, it doesn't matter if you pay for your first tag of the day, or get it free because of DVC. Once you get the tag, you are entitled to valet parking anywhere on property.

MG

 

[Ralph&Pam]

Originally posted by DebbieB
I think the change to charge for valet parking started about 2 years ago.

Actually, I think the change took place on Monday, July 16, 2001. We were at the BWV at the time. We arrived on the previous Saturday. I knew from this board and the member newsletter about the change so I was prepared for the ensuing confusion on Monday when we used our car. At the end of our stay, I had to go to the front desk and have two parking fees removed from our bill. A late charge also showed up on my credit card after we had returned home. I had to call the resort to get this one corrected (and I had to pay for the phone call). In our eight visits since then, we have not had any parking charges show up on our BWV bills. We have paid for valet parking at the Grand Floridian and at Animal Kingdom Lodge when we've visited these resorts to dine.

Ralph