Originally a thanks note - is heating up as a near debate on BCV/BWV valet parking

[Dean]

This is one of those situations where one policy contradicts another. DVC members get free valet parking period, any time for any reason. BWV would like to control or eliminate parking simply for those to get to the parks. The problem will be that if many park using the DVC prviledge with the intent of visitiing the parks. Much use for this reason will result in a reduction or elimination of the perk. I can't blame one who uses it at present as that's the way things are set up.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Originally posted by InstImpres
Let me start by saying DVC has brought out the snob in me and my expectations.

That said, we were told by the valet our first trip home to call from the room for the car. I do this at all 3 DVC resorts. As we finish packing the backpack for the day, I call for the car. We are usually at the valet stand within 5-8 minutes and 95% our car is waiting.

Sandy

LOL! I have to tease here. The last time I counted there were FOUR DVC resorts and soon to be FIVE. Of course neither OKW or SSR will have to worry about valet parking, since they will have outside the door parking instead. (Please take this comment in the light hearted manner it was meant)

 

[HookdonWDW]

Just a thought... has anyone ever stayed at BWV, BCV or VWL and found that the valet lot is full? We spoke to a valet about it once, and he said that they usually have lots of empty spaces in valet.

My guess is that when DVC members take advantage of the free valet parking, they aren't taking spaces away from hotel guests, since valet parking is separate from self-parking. I also think that between tips and the portion of our dues going towards it, DVC helps WDRs to keep valet service prices reasonable. JMO...

 

[InstImpres]

Originally posted by dianeschlicht
LOL! I have to tease here. The last time I counted there were FOUR DVC resorts and soon to be FIVE. Of course neither OKW or SSR will have to worry about valet parking, since they will have outside the door parking instead. (Please take this comment in the light hearted manner it was meant)

Guess I should have explained better....I was ony counting where valet was an option. Or maybe since OKW is sooooo far away from everything I forgot about it. That must be why they have you park at your door, or you would be far from the parks and than further to your car....it could be as far as BWV hallway!

Sandy

 

[perdidobay]

HookdonWDW........
I totally agree with you. In the many times we have valeted at WL, and BW, they have never had a full lot. As someone else brought up, the only reason it posssibly takes a while to get a valet to bring your car around is due to the amount of time to get to it and bring it back, plus the traffic around the front to the hotel area. I too, always call a few minutes ahead from the room.
I have no problem using a perk DVC gave to me and will continue to do so.
PS: I am sure that they (valets) appreciate the fact that I tip $ on both ends of the service.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I don't know how we manage to turn a simple thank-you into a debate, so it must be the Pixie Dust!

Free Valet Parking is allowed for DVC members at BWV. It does not state for what, or when. Obviously this must be one of those underutilized areas that we hear so much about on this board. No discount on AP's because we members overutilize the AP's and there is no profit in offering it. Disney has done their homework and if Valet parking was a issue it would be a non issue because we would not have that perk. If we don't use it they will say we don't want it and take it away. If we do use it, we place a strain on the system and they take it away.

That's why they are perks. There is no rhyme or reason and they can be given or removed at any time at their whim. We gain nothing by walking on eggshells as should be noted by the many perks that have gone by the wayside since DVC started as well as those added. All were business decisions.

Pool hopping is another perk that causes this debate. Now when a pool is crowded it's because DVC allows pool hopping when in truth, members make up a small number of people at the pool at any given time, let alone hopping members. People shouldnt be allowed to bring food in the park because those that buy food can't find a seat during busy times, when in truth, there is no purchase required to have a seat in the parks to enjoy a stick of gum. Now it's I had to wait for Valet parking because the members are parking and going to Epcot. I don't understand the "pay alot expect little" attitude. Even Sam's Club enhances it's memberships with perks so why don't we expect the same value from DVC? I am not condoning abusing perks, but using perks and not be made to feel like you are infringing on someone else's vacation. I don't think there has been a perk discussion yet that hasn't turned into HOW THIS PERK NEGATIVELY IMPACTS MY VACATION.

I appreciate all those that report back on their experiences at WDW and as members.

So for what its worth, Thank you Jaysue!

 

[Terry S]

Here is a thread where someone actually suggested to someone to valet park at BC and then just go to Epcot for the day. This is what worries me, these people were not even DVC members.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=466307

 

[drusba]

Some comments:

"Free" valet parking for DVC members at the three DVC resorts is a misnomer. Non-members have to pay the $6 which goes to the resort's fund to defer costs of the valet services. Members are not charged because their share of valet services are included in the dues; if they were charged the $6 it would effectively be double charging those members who are owners at the resort. In other words, it is not really a "perk."

BoardWalk has never had a 3 hour parking limit. BoardWalk does have a policy of not allowing persons to park in the main lot just to go to Epcot. Its enforcement is piecemeal: never enforced in the evening because of presumption that driver is going to the BW; it is mainly designed to keep morning people out of free area part of the lot and thus discretion to allow people to valet park even in morning (which, if they are paying $6, will help by trickle down to offset dues); in slow seasons it is often not enforced at all. Since valet area never actually fills (particularly since they began charging $6) it is not a real issue. Regardless of any restrictions, virtually anyone can still park free at BW in the morning as it has no restrictions on the overflow lot across the street from the main lot -- in fact, soon after BW adopted the policy of not letting morning people park in the free area of the main lot, that secondary lot, which was usually empty in the morning before then, began to have a lot of cars in the morning.

 

[mrsdon]

If someone pays $6 to valet park and then walk over to Epcot, to avoid parking at Epcot what difference does it make?
The park charges $7 to park, so hes only saving $1.
Parking at the parks is free to resort guests, so if someone wants to valet park and pay the $$ why should it bother me.
The valet lot is never full.

 

[InstImpres]

Originally posted by LIFERBABE
People shouldnt be allowed to bring food in the park because those that buy food can't find a seat during busy times, when in truth, there is no purchase required to have a seat in the parks to enjoy a stick of gum.

Now wait a minute!! I thought Gum was against Disney rules.


(Sorry, I couldn't resist, I hope the humor will calm the ruffled feathers!)

 

[LIFERBABE]

Originally posted by LIFERBABE
People shouldnt be allowed to bring food in the park because those that buy food can't find a seat during busy times, when in truth, there is no purchase required to have a seat in the parks to enjoy a stick of gum.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Now wait a minute!! I thought Gum was against Disney rules.


LOL InstImpres!

It is! I guess I need to add that to the list too!

Liferbabe (smoothing her ruffled feathers back into place )

 

[jaysue]

OMG.....no gum at WDW

Does that mean that Singapore has bought out WDW

Anyways, thanks for the impressive thread and responses so far...one never knows where a thread will travel as it unravels

Thanks!
jaysue

 

[gmboy95]

I use the perk all the time when we are down.....no matter where I am staying....I as well feel that water will seek its own level. If there is a space problem then Disney will address it, and we can then become more cautious....but up until now i have never been told that the lot was full, and the service has been outstnading!!

 

[TCPluto]

Dear Heavenly Walt,

Forgive those that valet park at resorts where they stay not;

Be kind to the poor souls who sleep, or consider sleeping, 5 mortals in a studio or 1 bdrm;

Forgive those that look down their long thin noses at all who choose not to stay at an OKW GV (or OKW in general);

Please be judicious with the unwitting people who would dare bring their own food into the parks, and especially to those who would have the audacity to sit and eat it;

Please absolve those which would chew gum ,smoke cigarettes (and particularlly cigars); encourage them all to take up the pipe
(pipe tobacco, not crack or marijuana!);

Please find worthy of pardon those exceptionally heinous vermin identified by their penchant for saving chairs poolside, caring not for the bathing delight and comfort of fellow resort guests;

Alas, the wayward pool hopper knows not what he does, be kind to him as well.

Walt here our pleas and render us whole. I mean them!!!!

 

[twinmomplus2]

Very, very funny!

 

[cubsfan]

Amazing.....I was thinking it....and you were writing it........How'd you do that? :

 

[joepoe]

I like the prayer to Walt, pretty cute!

My two cents on this thread are that we have stayed at BWV many times and have never had a problem either valet parking or finding a convenient self-park space.

 

[hulagirl]

Too funny TCPluto!

Did you all see this thread? I thought it was interesting....
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=463659

The Boardwalk is notorious for all kinds of transportation issues. I don't mind walking but not sure how I'd feel if I wanted to valet and was told to park in the overflow lot because it was full. Depends.....how far away is the overflow lot?

 

[leanne2255]

SOMEBODY SAY AMEN!!!!!!!!!

 

[LIFERBABE]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAMEN!

TCPLUTO,

ROFL!

Maybe all the sinners (not me, them!!) can say this prayer and take a dip in Bay Lake to wash their sins away!