Parking for DVC members not staying on-site

[ilovediznee]

I am a DVC member but the trip I am taking in October will be with my mother at her time-share and not mine at Disney. My understanding is that I can go to OKW or the BWV's, park and then take the transportation. I confirmed this with MS earlier last week.

Has anyone done this? They said I can drive up to the gate, show my DVC card and then park - this is one of our perks that we technically pay for.

Please advise.

Thanks

 

[Dean]

While there are no real barriers to doing this, I don't think there's was ever any intention of providing parking for members staying off property. This is likely one of the questions where the answer will vary everytime you ask MS or the resorts. I can assure you that if you got up to the guard gates and state you want to park so you can go to the theme parks, you will catch some grief.

 

[Chuck S]

But is it worth the time to wait for the bus? Many DVCers have APs, which includes free parking at the parks. And OKW doesn't have all that much parking, I've seen the lot full quite often. I'd be a little annoyed if I was staying at the resort and couldn't park near Olivia's for lunch of find a place to park during check-in because someone left a car to park hop.

 

[RobDoc]

DVC Member's are allowed to use the free valet service at BWV, BCV and VWL- regardless where they are staying. Just show your DVC membership card and you should be all set.

 

[DebbieB]

You would be entitled to free valet parking at BW, BC & WL, that is the DVC "perk" for parking. Valet is rarely full, even when it is they can double park so you wouldn't be taking away a space from someone staying at that resort. BW especially has a parking problem because too many offsite people park there claiming to be going to the Boardwalk and instead go to Epcot.

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by WebmasterDoc
DVC Member's are allowed to use the free valet service at BWV, BCV and VWL- regardless where they are staying. Just show your DVC membership card and you should be all set.

Has this changed recently? I thought you were allowed to use valet for free if you were staying at any Disney DVC resort, did not realize you could use it if not staying with Disney even if you are a DVC member.

I know when we stayed at the Polynesian and went to the YC and BC for dinner we had to pay to valet even though we are DVC members. The valet told us it is what is on our ID not our membership card, same as pool hopping priviliges. That we would have to be staying at a DVC resort during our stay not to be charged.

All this is so confusing at times, as you get different info from so many people.

 

[Deb & Bill]

DVC members only get free valet parking at the DVC resorts that offer valet parking - WL, BC, BW. No others, not YC, AKL, CR, Polynesian, GF. You still need to tip the valets, though.

You only need to show your DVC card, not your resort ID.

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by Sammie
Has this changed recently? I thought you were allowed to use valet for free if you were staying at any Disney DVC resort, did not realize you could use it if not staying with Disney even if you are a DVC member.

From the Member's website:

"Valet Parking at the Walt Disney World® Resort
Disney Vacation Club Members are not charged for valet parking at Disney's Beach Club Resort, Disney's BoardWalk Resort or Disney's Wilderness Lodge, regardless of where you're staying. You must present your Disney Vacation Club Member card or Walt Disney World Resort ID with your "DVC Member" designation on it when leaving your vehicle to be parked.
Members will be charged the daily fee of $6.00 for this service at any other valet parking operation at the Walt Disney World Resort. Once you've paid for the valet service, you'll receive unlimited valet parking for the remainder of the day. Whether or not you are charged to valet park, gratuities are still appropriate. There will be no charge for guests with disabilities who have the proper permits."

This has been in place from the start of the Valet Parking perk. You must show something identifying you as a DVC member (either Room ID with "DVC Member" or your actual DVC membership card.

Pool hopping is different and is available only when staying at a DVC resort on points. Only the room ID (with "DVC Member") is accepted for hopping.

I'm certain there is some confusion with CM's regarding some of these perks. If you can, you might take a copy of the "perks" with you to educate a stubborn CM.

Enjoy!

 

[married@wdw]

My Mom is a DVC member who recently moved to the Orlando area. When she visits Disney for the day (probably about once each week), she uses her DVC membership card for free valet parking at VWL, BWV and BCV when she's going to Epcot, MGM or MK.

And I do think it's worth it to wait for the boat at VWL -- much quicker than monorail or boats from TTC. I'd definitely park at BWV or BCV for Epcot as well, such a short walk! But I think MGM and AK are easier to just park there, unless you want to/enjoy the boat ride or bus ride.

I'd avoid OKW. Very little parking and the bus service is much slower then just parking at the parks.

 

[PamOKW]

Y&B can be tricky. We can get free valet parking at the Beach Club only (not Yacht Club).

 

[joepoe]

Originally posted by WebmasterDoc
From the Member's website:

"Valet Parking at the Walt Disney World® Resort
Disney Vacation Club Members are not charged for valet parking at Disney's Beach Club Resort, Disney's BoardWalk Resort or Disney's Wilderness Lodge, regardless of where you're staying. You must present your Disney Vacation Club Member card or Walt Disney World Resort ID with your "DVC Member" designation on it when leaving your vehicle to be parked.
Members will be charged the daily fee of $6.00 for this service at any other valet parking operation at the Walt Disney World Resort. Once you've paid for the valet service, you'll receive unlimited valet parking for the remainder of the day. Whether or not you are charged to valet park, gratuities are still appropriate. There will be no charge for guests with disabilities who have the proper permits."...

Enjoy!

I wonder if there is anything Doc DOESN"T know about DVC!! You're scary!

 

[Towncrier]

Wow. I wish that I would have known this a week ago. I was fretting over whether to stay on-site (non-DVC) or off-site. I would never have thought of using this service when not staying at a DVC resort. Thanks for the info Doc.

 

[Werner Weiss]

As a DVC member staying off-site, I wouldn't hesitate to use the DVC valet parking benefit to park at the Boardwalk if we were going to dinner at the Flying Fish.

But I would not expect to be able to use the DVC valet parking benefit to park all day at the Boardwalk to visit Epcot or to take a bus the the Animal Kingdom.

I'm sure it's not the intent of this benefit to allow DVC members who are staying off-site to save the $7 parking fee at the theme parks (and just pay the valet tip instead).

Or am mistaken?

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by Werner Weiss
As a DVC member staying off-site, I wouldn't hesitate to use the DVC valet parking benefit to park at the Boardwalk if we were going to dinner at the Flying Fish.

But I would not expect to be able to use the DVC valet parking benefit to park all day at the Boardwalk to visit Epcot or to take a bus the the Animal Kingdom.

I'm sure it's not the intent of this benefit to allow DVC members who are staying off-site to save the $7 parking fee at the theme parks (and just pay the valet tip instead).

Or am mistaken?

Werner, that was my point. My bet is if this is abused, the privilege will go away and we'll all pay for valet parking.

 

[skelooch]

I understand about the valet parking, but what about getting by the guard at the gate, do you just show your DVC membership card to get passed him, and will he ask if you are staying on or off site or at another WDW Resort.

I had guests come to visit at BCV once and they just told the guard the were visiting and he let them right in. If it's that easy what's to keep anyone from parking there while they go to the parks, and before you know it there won't be any parking available for resort guests.

Once you get past the guard whether you valet park for free or not is immaterial don't you think.

 

[TIdoublegaER]

I do understand what you are saying and you are correct, once you are past the guard, then there is nothing stopping you from parking and going into the parks. This is a major problem at BW and there are many complaints about it. There is also a sign at BW that there is no theme park parking allowed. But there is nothing to stop someone from lying and saying that they are visiting the resort.

I valet parked for free at VWL last year while staying at the Orlando World Center Marriott so that I could check out the resort and take pictures. I didn't have any problems getting by the guard. I just told him that I was visiting and he let me through. I did have to show my driver's license.

To directly answer your questions, yes, you can stay offsite and valet park for free if you show your DVC card (at DVC resorts) and once on Disney property, you are free to use Disney transportation. But I have to agree with others that I don't think it was intended for those stay off-site (or on-site for that matter) to use the resorts for theme park parking.

 

[RAD]

A group of famlies stayed off site in February, we're DVC members. I had booked an Illuminations cruise, that left from Boardwalk marina, so we parked at Boardwalk. We had two cars for the group, I went first, told the guard shack that we were there for a cruise along with the van behind us, he waived us both through. We used valet parking, showed the attendant the DVC card and said the other van was also with us, no charge for either van.

That was the only time use used the benefit, I guess I just don't feel right about parking at a resort for free just so I don't have to pay the parking price. I know if I was staying at a resort and couldn't use valet because it was full I'd not be a happy camper. If you can afford to buy into DVC I think you should be able to pay the daily park parking charge, but if you are going to the resort to visit that resort, for dinner, shopping or such that's OK. Just my two cents on the matter.

 

[DebbieB]

Just wondering, has anyone ever encountered a full valet parking at a WDW resort?

 

[RAD]

Originally posted by DebbieB
Just wondering, has anyone ever encountered a full valet parking at a WDW resort?

I've seen it on a Saturday night at Boardwalk, they had a sign up.