No more rental boats at OKW

[zorro77]

Any news if this was done because of a problem or because of the construction for the Disney Springs project. Maybe coming back after project is done ?

 

[DebbieB]

Any news if this was done because of a problem or because of the construction for the Disney Springs project. Maybe coming back after project is done ?

See the link on page 1. They were run by a 3rd party and were not making money.

 

[leise]

Nooooo! What a shame, we loved renting boats from OKW. WE were planning to rent a suntracker one this summer for an afternoon. Really disappointing that Disney can't keep this service going for us DVC members

 

[Reddog1134]

Nooooo! What a shame, we loved renting boats from OKW. WE were planning to rent a suntracker one this summer for an afternoon. Really disappointing that Disney can't keep this service going for us DVC members

That would mean Disney would have to run it at a loss (which isn't going to happen) or they would have to incorporate the cost into the DVC dues.

 

[erionm]

That would mean Disney would have to run it at a loss (which isn't going to happen) or they would have to incorporate the cost into the DVC dues.

They won't add the cost to our dues either. When the company that runs the valet operations decided they could no longer offer free valet to members, DVC did not step in to cover the cost as that would have ultimately been added to our dues.

 

[Reddog1134]

They won't add the cost to our dues either. When the company that runs the valet operations decided they could no longer offer free valet to members, DVC did not step in to cover the cost as that would have ultimately been added to our dues.

But what I'm saying is IF they did decide to take over operation or the boats (or continue to offer free valet), those costs would be added to our dues.

From what I had heard, the valet service was included in our dues. They discontinued it because the cost was going up and they did not want to increase the dues to cover it.

 

[erionm]

From what I had heard, the valet service was included in our dues. They discontinued it because the cost was going up and they did not want to increase the dues to cover it.

From the 2009 Condo Meeting recap over at DVCNews.com:

There was a lot of boos when the disappearance of the Valet Parking perk was announced. Jim said valet parking was offered by a third party and that the 3rd party was offering complementary valet parking to DVC members but since changed their mind. Jim said they are still trying to negotiate a valet parking discount for members, but that free valet parking is a thing of the past.

http://dvcnews.com/index.php/dvc-pr...910/1134-2009-condo-association-meeting-recap

From the 2010 Condo Meeting recap over at DVCNews.com:

The free valet parking perk--discontinued in October 2009--came up again. According to Lewis, the parking vendor was providing service free of charge to DVC members. Given the growth in membership they could no longer justify the free offering. DVC had no choice but to make members subject to the vendor's fees.

http://dvcnews.com/index.php/dvc-pr...1414/news-27910/1447-2010-condo-meeting-recap

Nothing in either of these indicate that DVC was paying the vendor.

 

[Reddog1134]

From the 2009 Condo Meeting recap over at DVCNews.com:

http://dvcnews.com/index.php/dvc-pr...910/1134-2009-condo-association-meeting-recap

From the 2010 Condo Meeting recap over at DVCNews.com:

http://dvcnews.com/index.php/dvc-pr...1414/news-27910/1447-2010-condo-meeting-recap

Nothing in either of these indicate that DVC was paying the vendor.

Ok, this is saying that the vendor could no longer afford to "give out" free valet parking because of the increase in membership. That makes sense.

The original story I heard (back when it was first discontinued) was that valet parking was "in house" when it was free, but was then contracted out to a 3rd party which didn't offer it for free. It sounds like it was always contracted out.

ETA:

Here's the quote that I saw which led me to believe it was coming out of member dues.

"In order to better manage members dues, we are sad to announce that member free valet parking wil be coming to an end on Jan 1. Increasing costs to pay for the valet services at the resorts has had your managers scrambling to find a way to keep this service, but, unfortunately, it could not be done. We appreciate our members and will continue to try to restore this perk in the future if possible. Until then, please contact us at dvcmember.com if you have any question. "

 

[disneynutz]

Ok, this is saying that the vendor could no longer afford to "give out" free valet parking because of the increase in membership. That makes sense.

The original story I heard (back when it was first discontinued) was that valet parking was "in house" when it was free, but was then contracted out to a 3rd party which didn't offer it for free. It sounds like it was always contracted out.

ETA:

Here's the quote that I saw which led me to believe it was coming out of member dues.

"In order to better manage members dues, we are sad to announce that member free valet parking wil be coming to an end on Jan 1. Increasing costs to pay for the valet services at the resorts has had your managers scrambling to find a way to keep this service, but, unfortunately, it could not be done. We appreciate our members and will continue to try to restore this perk in the future if possible. Until then, please contact us at dvcmember.com if you have any question. "

Nope valet was a Disney function, I was told that Disney had union issues with CM's and they wanted to lower their accident liability exposure. Shortly after switching to the contracted vendor, Bags Inc., Bags stopped the free DVC valet service without warning or notice.

Bill

 

[disney54us]

That's a shame, DH and DS rented some years back while the girls went off to Super Soap weekend. Maybe another company will come in.