No More Free Valet Parking

[lrodk]

The Orlando Sentinal is reporting today that Disney will begin charging $6 per use for guests or visitors who use their valet service at any of their premium resorts. The change takes effect July 16th. Here's the article:
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Guests at Disney's luxury hotels are about to lose one of the perks that came with their eye-popping bills.

On Monday, the entertainment giant will begin charging $6 a day for valet service at its upper-tier hotels -- where rooms start at $190 a night -- including the posh Grand Floridian and the new Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Overnight guests, as well as day visitors, will be forced to fork over the money if they don't feel like parking their own cars. The service is not offered at Disney's lower-priced hotels.

Observers say the move is clearly motivated by the company's desire to shore up a bottom line stung by the country's economic woes. And they call it one more example of Disney letting its concern over the bottom line get in the way of overall quality.

Not so, Disney spokeswoman Rena Callahan said.

"It has become a very standard industry practice, and we are just following that," Callahan said.

The other hotels that will begin charging: Yacht Club Resort, Beach Club Resort, Contemporary Resort, Polynesian Resort and the Wilderness Lodge. The BoardWalk Inn already charges for valet service.

Disney's hotels will be falling into line with most, if not all, of its upscale competitors, who already charge for valet parking. A few miles up the road, for example, the hotels at Universal Orlando charge $10 for the same service.

And Disney's self-parking remains free, while many competitors charge several bucks a night.

Still, the claim that Disney is simply following "outside industry standards" -- as described in a memo to employees -- rings hollow to some.

"Disney doesn't care about outside standards except when it meets their needs," said Scott Brush, a Miami-based hotel consultant.

 

[DisDuck]

As I read it, this is per day not per use so no matter how many times a hotel guest uses Valet it still only costs $6.

Actually, that is very reasonable and I think it is just plain Disney bashing to complain. Why, because just about all premium hotels in major cities charge a 'valet parking fee' for hotel guests. The article mentions that Universal charges $10. I know of a hotel in Boston that 5 years ago was charging $18/day. It is more the norm that the unusual to charge.

So Disney has decided to join the crowd and get chewed out. Is anyone complaining on the Universal forum here at DIS about their valet parking charge? If not, why not? Or is only Disney that gets the hit.

Also, on a companion thread to this there has been discussion on valet tipping. That now that there is a charge tips will decrease or disappear. Actually, why should it do either. I bet this charge shows on the bill not out of pocket when checking in. Therefore, as a guest gets their car picked up or delivered they will continue to tip since no other monies were be collected.

 

[Captain Crook]

DisDuck, as you can imagine I don't disagree with you, but with regard to less tipping to the valet's...What I interpreted from other threads (here, the CB & RB) to mean is that if guests (us) have to start paying Disney the 6 bucks per day, that guests (some) will lessen or cut out their tips altogether...Which seems to be a sad commentary on our courtesy, appreciation & greed in general...Kind of like saying "Disney has made this "greedy" move, we won't punish Disney by not patronizing them, but we will stiff the valet!" tsk, tsk, tsk.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I talked to the WDW Disabilites Office, as well as the Bell Servicces Manager at one of the Deluxe Resorts. Anyone with a handicap tag will still get valet parking at no charge. If you have HP plates and use your own car, or you have a state-issued hang tag that will be sufficient. Also, probably if you show up using crutches, or with a wheelchair or ECV you might get no charge even without a tag.

 

[YoHo]

Oh, great, how long will it be before those people that abuse the In park handicap system will abuse the valet parking privleges?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I think that this will be a bit more difficult for non-disabled to abuse. I know what I had to go through to get an officially issued disabled hang tag from my state. Also, when I show up with an ECV in the trunk of my car it is obvious that I am spending more than $6.00 per day for it. Similarly, if a person doesn't have a hang tag, but is wearing a cast and using crutches, or having a wheelchair or ECV in the car they are probably not "faking it". It is much easier for a person to just go to the in-park wheelchair rental to abuse the treatment.

 

[Janet2k]

When I first stayed at the Disneyland Hotel years ago, I was charged a daily fee to have a car on hotel property. Valet parking, though, did not have a separate fee on top of this (it was free, so to speak). On my next visit, valet parking had a charge on top of the daily parking fee that was already tacked onto my resort stay. Now that WDW has made the first move, I am expecting them to go all the way – a charge for parking at all WDW resorts, even the self-park lots.

I do not like the new policy, even though I never have a car while at WDW. It cheapens the magic for me.

 

[SPAGo 98]

Did the Swan & Dolphin used to charge for valet? I remember staying there a coupla years back, and they charged for valet parking. So have they always charged, or am I misremembering?

 

[Captain Crook]

Swan & Dolphin have always charged for valet parking. Self parking is free.

At WDW, I believe the institution of charging for valet parking is financially motivated not done out of parking space problems, per se, as is the case at DL and big city hotels. Therefore, I think it's safe to assume that self parking will remain free but don't expect free valet to return...It's a dinosaur!

 

[jimmybop]

another day, another $, what are ya goin to do? Like a few other people have said, there is no more free valet parking at other hotels. plus, $6 isn't all that much compaird to what other hotels prob. charge...

 

[Jake]

Parking should be FREE for guest at WDW hotels. This is just another way for rasing prices.

 

[DVC-Landbaron]

OK folks!! An update. This was posted on RADP from a guy who had dinner reservations at the Floridian.

Okay, I'm back from dinner, and spoke to a valet in the course of walking out to the parking lot, and this is what was said during the conversation:

1.) You get charged for valet whether you're staying at the hotel or not. The valet indicated the only benefit a resort guest receives that the average Joe doesn't is the ability to put the charge on their card key as opposed to paying the fee then and there.

2.) The valets did not receive a pay increase to offset the loss in income they're experiencing.

3.) The valets are not happy about it at all, although the gentleman I spoke to pointed out that they just instituted the charge, so it's still kind of early to tell what will happen in the end. He did say that tips have dropped off substantially.

4.) There is a general feeling among the valets that Disney has pre-empted a portion of their income for the company's benefit.

I'll point out that this was a very quiet conversation that took place out of earshot of any guests. I'll also point out that this was one valet at one resort. Even though they're not happy about the situation, they appear to be taking great pains to not let it affect their interaction with the guests, which is to their credit.

OK, a few quotes, replies and random thoughts. From my good friend DisDuck:

Actually, that is very reasonable and I think it is just plain Disney bashing to complain. Why, because just about all premium hotels in major cities charge a 'valet parking fee' for hotel guests. The article mentions that Universal charges $10. I know of a hotel in Boston that 5 years ago was charging $18/day. It is more the norm that the unusual to charge.

Now, I used your quote only because it was first. But there are also others would deserve a reply and that I would like to ask a question. So this also goes out to The Captain, Sapgo 98, jimmybop and of course, thedscoop!!

So? (hmmmm. That really seems to lack tone)

So what? (Nah! Still not right)

SO WHAT!!!!???

What does “all premium hotels in major cities” pricing and management philosophy have to do with the Disney experience? I really don’t get the connection. Whether or not other hotels/resorts charge for something should make no difference whatsoever to Disney. I suppose it could be used as a form of justification. An excuse to put their hands in our pockets once again. But that’s just plain silly, isn’t it? When you really get right down to basics, it’s just spin.

Unless, of course, their goal is to make that wonderful and highly unique Disney experience (you know, part of the SHOW we like to discuss from time to time) equitable to the ordinary and rather pedestrian “hotels in major cities” experience. Somehow, I don't think that should be their goal. Somehow I expect a little more from Disney. Like the first time I drove up to the Floridian and the guy says, “Valet parking?” Skeptically I say, “How much?” And he says, “Complimentary, sir.” And I turn to my wife, smiling that special Disney smile and say, “Only in Disney!!! To me that should be their goal. Not ordinary run-of-the-mill, dozens-in-every-city, mundane hotels. Don’t you? Or am I missing the point again?

 

[Captain Crook]

No, I'm just kidding.

I see exactly what you're saying and I wish it could be true but this is one of those issues that I feel Disney has a right to maximize their profit potential as IMO parking your vehicle has very little 'Magic' involved with it. Free valet? Nice perk, little magic. Pay for valet? Lost perk, little magic loss...I think it patently unfair to not allow Disney any ability to run their Resorts as a normal Hotel would, after all they are competing in the same market place. There is only so high they can raise rates, food, extras, etc. so it becomes very hard to hit any profit targets with anything short of full occupancy. I myself, will be mising on this "special" treatment on my next Disney trip to AKL for four nights over Labor Day. I wish I could valet, but I can Park and it won't bother more than the length of time it takes to walk from my car to the front desk.

I feel terrible about the treatment of the CM's but Disney has been famous for his typical employee callousness and it's not just the Eisner era, Walt himself was guilty of selfish employee relations, so it's nothing new...Just business.

Now does this make sense or did I too, miss the point!

 

[DVC-Landbaron]

I see exactly what you're saying and I wish it could be true but this is one of those issues that I feel Disney has a right to maximize their profit potential

Hmmm. Sounds like “bicker-speak” to me. Tell me, my good Captain, just what issue shouldn’t they ‘maximize their profit potential’? Don’t you see, we can say that about every issue that confronts Disney. Valet parking – Maximize profit potential!! Charge for transportation – Maximize profit potential! No new Monorails – Maximize profit potential! Off-the-shelf spinners – Maximize profit potential! DCA type parks – Maximize profit potential! Obscene prices – Maximize profit potential! Where do you draw the line? At what point does the Disney experience cease to exist? At what point is the SHOW over?

IMO parking your vehicle has very little 'Magic' involved with it

How can you say that? It’s all part of the package! You yourself said, just a couple days ago, that it made you feel like a ‘big shot’. That’s magic! Captain, there’s nothing real ‘magic’ about cleaning up tons of trash, but when they do it, day in and day out, with seemingly little effort, insuring that the guest never even notices, well, that’s magic! When they transport you in unique and exceptional ways, WITHOUT a charge, that’s magic. It’s all the little things added together that make up the magic and sometimes price plays a part. Is a three dollar monorail ride magic? I’m not sure it is. But making a monorail ‘standard’ and complimentary transportation within your vacation world is definitely magic. And making an ordinary shmuck like you or I feel like a big shot is magic as well. That was always part of the package. It was part of the magic of staying in WDW. You were a big shot. Better that that, you were their ‘guest’.

I think it patently unfair to not allow Disney any ability to run their Resorts as a normal Hotel would, after all they are competing in the same market place.

Captain!!! “Ability to run their Resorts as a normal Hotel”!!??!!?? Have you finally gone completely crazy!!?? We’ve got to get out of the hot Keys sun!! You want them to run their resorts as a ‘normal’ Hotel? Why!?!?!

I wish I could valet, but I can Park and it won't bother more than the length of time it takes to walk from my car to the front desk.

And when you have dinner at the Floridian that length of time will be quite a while. Have you ever tried the self-park at some of these locations? And what about doing a bit of shopping at the Contemporary? Do you know where visitors self park their cars? I expect that you will spend a great deal of time, in silent contemplation, thinking about how nice valet parking used to be.

I feel terrible about the treatment of the CM's but Disney has been famous for his typical employee callousness and it's not just the Eisner era, Walt himself was guilty of selfish employee relations, so it's nothing new...Just business.

Do you really hate Walt, or do you just vilify him to make Ei$ner look a little better?

Now does this make sense or did I too, miss the point!

No and yes. Respectively.

 

[Captain Crook]

...Of our early days on the DIS where we would argue the same detail from a totally different perspective making argument teniuos at best!

Anyway...You ask where do I draw the line, well with the Parks and anything associated with them actually. I think all magic issues should be preserved or looked at through a different criteria, if you will, when it relates to the Parks. The Resorts are Disney, contain much magic but must stand on their own, each and evey one, so they need to be able to compte in a more traditional sense - By that I'm not saying throw all unique Disneyness out the window, I'm only saying let them run the Resorts as profitably as possible & leave the Parks alone.

Now, I did mention that parking with valet made me feel like a "big shot" and this next trip I won't have that momentary feeling, but it isn't going to bother me. I'm personally not the type of person who needs to be called by name, who likes doors opened for him, who values "turndown service," etc. I generally like anything that draws attention away from me (this may be a reaction from the life I used to lead when I was younger, but it's the way I am now). But I digress, I just don't find anything about valet parking magical...Nice? Yes. Convenient? Yes. Magical? No. Further, I will never make that walk to the Grand Floridian or Contemporary or anywhere else. When I'm on property I use Disney transportaion and thats it. If it's inconvenient, we don't do it. I look at that as part of the choice of Resort I have chosen to stay at.

Is a three dollar Monorail ride magic?

Now, see thats a good question. But as a resort guest it woldn't affect me if day guests were charged. Now if Resort guests were charged it would bother me to the point of considering whether Disney was going to continue to be my first choice vacation destination and Disney has to make that evaluation with every decision. Charging for transportation (no matter what form) is something that might impact attendance at the Resorts and the Parks. Charging for valet parking, as does every other hotel, WILL NOT affect anyones decision to come to a Disney Resort or Park.

As for do I really hate Walt? No, I like Walt and thank my lucky stars he started what he started. But he was no saint, quite to the contrary, he wa a cantakerous, self absorbed, 'always thught he was right' boss. Fortunately for him (and us) he was nearly always right and had a genius sized imagination & forsight. You should be able to notice that most of my "pot shots" at Walt only occur after an unfair inference (usually directed at Eisner) like "Walt wouldn't have done that."

 

[DisDuck]

Thanks Captain for coming to my rescue, somewhat, as I was the first quote from our quotemiester, DVC. I have stayed both onsite and offsite in my 18-19 trips to WDW. Valet parking is/was just a perk to me, never part of the magic.

DVC, at that hotel in Boston which charged $18/night for valet parking (required if have a car as no onstreet parking), I still tipped the valet when retrieving my car. Why you ask, because He was still performing a service that to me warranted a tip. Something like a waiter/ress does. They receive a salary and their job is to service you so why tip, one might say. Answer because it smoothes out the rough edges of the given service (surly without; pleasant with).

If the valet parkers, in general, a losing out on tips it is more than the new charge. As I understand it the charge is per day and put on your room account, no matter how many times you ask for the car. Therefore, why would someone not tip, the attendent is still running around doing a service.

I think this is much to do about nothing. Unless the policy has changed in the last year or so, Universal charges for parking even if just using CityWalk and then you get the cost deducted from your meal. Well what if you don't eat at any of the restaurants (some of which used to charge a cover) then you are paying for visiting CityWalk unlike Downtown Disney.

I would rather concentrate on the Parks then the Resorts when worrying about loss of show/magic. I don't visit WDW (onsite or otherwise) for the parking regulations.

 

[F.C. Fan]

FYI
Anytime after 6:00 pm (which is when most people start to come out to enjoy CityWalk itself) Universal doesn't charge for parking.

 

[DVC-Landbaron]

Captain. You can't have it both ways. Either entire WDW experience is unique and special and magical OR it's just the parks. I think the whole thing should be. But hey, Ei$ner outvoted me a long time ago when he introduced his caste system of hotels!!

By that I'm not saying throw all unique Disneyness out the window, I'm only saying let them run the Resorts as profitably as possible & leave the Parks alone.

That's absurd!! It's a "Disney experience"!! There should be no difference at all! Picture Florida experiencing a drought, and the color of the landscape turns to a lackluster, pale, washout shade of green to outright brown. That is until you cross the street from Crossroads or turn off I-4. The very first blade of grass you encounter, rich and vibrant green, is part of the magic!! Can they look to the Quality Inn down the block and argue that their landscaping is suffering too, the same as all of Florida!? Is that OK? How far can we dumb down the Disney experience (aka The SHOW)!? Does this match our recent discussions that WDW is the all inclusive, 'magical' experience that makes it sooooo much better than any other place on the face of the globe?

Now, I did mention that parking with valet made me feel like a "big shot" and this next trip I won't have that momentary feeling, but it isn't going to bother me.

Why not? It seems to me that it was 'special' enough for you to mention it. It seems to me that Disney had added to your experience somewhat in a typical 'pixie dust' way. Just a little 'extra' that made the vacation a tad bit more enjoyable, slightly more that 'ordinary', you know, kind of magical in a way. Certainly doesn't make or break a trip, but very special!! A nice little touch that put the Disney experience ahead in the race. Seems they are content to be an also ran this time. At least that's my take.

When I'm on property I use Disney transportation and that's it. If it's inconvenient, we don't do it. I look at that as part of the choice of Resort I have chosen to stay at.

So you get up in the morning at Coronado Springs and find that without some Tonga Toast from the Poly or a Beignet from Port Orleans you just might not make it through the day. You have your car, but decide not to use it. So… How do you get there?

Now, see that's a good question [charge for a monorail]. But as a resort guest it wouldn't affect me if day guests were charged.

What makes you think they won't charge resort guests. They are charging resorts guests for valet, aren't they?

Dis!! Haven't talked to you in a while. And I have only one question this time.

Unless the policy has changed in the last year or so, Universal charges for parking even if just using CityWalk and then you get the cost deducted from your meal.

For right now I'm going to leave the tipping aspect out of it. I understand your position and find that I agree. I will continue to tip. However, that's you and me, and maybe a handful of others. The point is, as witnessed on the Debate board and other Disney sites, many, many others will not. Much to the loss of the valets themselves.

Now, as far as the Universal charges, I really have to ask, most respectfully - SO? What in the world does Universal have to do with WDW policy! I thought we were supposed to be better!? It seems like we are most definitely worse. There is no validation in the WDW policy. If there were, half my squawking would be silenced. But again, Disney (Ei$ner philosophy) has chosen to bilk their quests out of even more cash. And they have proven once again that, though they may not be the leaders in guest satisfaction any longer, they are certainly leaders of picking the guest's pockets! Yes!! That's their true strength. And they do it much better that Universal!

 

[Wantogo]

By charging $6 to park your car for you, Disney can start saving up to pay for Fox Inc.

 

[JeffH]

According to the absurd logic in this discussion, if charging for parking (valet in this case), like everyone else does, takes away from the Disney magic, then Disney has never been magical since they have always charged for parking, just like everyone else.
Oh, and they also charge for burgers and fries, just like everyone else.
Oh, and they also charge for the hotel rooms, just like everyone else.
Oh, and they also charge for the shooting gallery, and video games.
Oh, and they also have bathrooms, just like everyone else.
All this horrendous unmagical guest gouging was pioneered by Walt Di$ney.
When they start charging for using the pool, then you have an argument.

The 'free' valet parking is the only thing that I can think of that exists at WDW that normally would/should carry a charge and I imagine there was some 'hidden' reason that it was free (eg: to help control/manage non-guest parking). And in all the years that I've been going to WDW and the many times we've stayed at the resorts, I never knew it was free, so what's the point? As far as I'm concerned there has always been a charge, and gee the magic IS still there.