Renters ?'s and SSR tour ?'s

[ericamanda01]

I recently rented points from someone who is not on the Dis and I was hoping someone here could answer some questions for me. First I wanted to know if we need to pay for parking? If so what is the rate, also what is a normal tip for the valet? We haven't used a car at WDW in the past so this is a little new to us. Second and most important, we wanted to take a tour of SSR while we are there and I wanted to know if we need to make an appointment? Also how big is SSR? DH said that if (fingers crossed) we join that he would prefer this resort due to location. Thanks in advance.

 

[mamatojon]

You don't need to pay for self parking at the resort or theme parks if you are staying onsite, technically you are supposed to pay for valet (I *think* it's 9.00) unless you are a member (I think they are supposed to ask for the blue member card) but in reality during our stay at least all we had to say was that we were DVC members and they didn't charge us. I think my husband even got his card out once and the valet shook his head at him in a "no, no, don't bother" kind of way. I think there is debate about the tipping question, we tipped 2$ on return of the vehicle since I read on a tipping site that 2$ was appropriate. As far as touring SSR, they have models open for current DVC members to tour without an appointment, self guided. If you aren't a member they are going to want to sell DVC to you and give you the whole presentation, for which you would need to make an appointment. Again though, they didn't once ask to see our ID's there either, we showed my MIL the rooms and they knew she wasn't a member.

Oh and to answer your question about the size of SSR... HUGE. ENORMOUS. GARGANTUAN. I think it is really beautiful and will be especially so once the landscaping matures a bit, but no question about it... it is big.

 

[ericamanda01]

Thanks Christine. We don't want to take advantage of members services while renting points, so I thought it best to ask here. I can't wait to tour SSR. We are staying at BWV to get an idea of how the DVC works. I'm too excited!

 

[Deb & Bill]

DVC members get free valet parking at DVC resorts with valet parking - VWL, BCV and BWV. But you are supposed to show your blue member card. You won't have that. You will get a parking pass to put in your car window to allow you free parking at the theme parks. No one is supposed to park at a resort (other than their own) to by-pass the theme park parking. No parking at BW, BC or YC to avoid paying to park at Epcot or Disney Studios. You can park for free is you are taking advantage of the resort activities - dining, shopping (not swimming, though). Pool hopping is another DVC perk which is not supposed to be extended to non-members unless they are staying with the member as their guest.

We usually tip the valet both ways, dropping off and picking up. My husband usually gives them $2 each way (unless he doesn't look at the money he hands them and gives them $21 - a one and a twenty - like he did at WL once - really made that valet's day).

 

[ericamanda01]

We usually tip the valet both ways, dropping off and picking up. My husband usually gives them $2 each way (unless he doesn't look at the money he hands them and gives them $21 - a one and a twenty - like he did at WL once - really made that valet's day).

I made that mistake once and my DH hasn't let me live it down. Only our tip was at a starbucks and it was a fifty instead of a five. Many I still think about it and feel so silly. But hey at least those that worked that day had a nice surprize.

 

[Desnik]

You don't have to be a member to tour the SSR open house. Atleast we weren't when we did it. If you go to any DVC kiosk and tell them you just want to look around they will give you a post card type thing that had directions and the times the models are open for you to view. You can also make an appt. at the kiosk or when you go to SSR. When we went, we toured by ourselves first. Then went back the next day with no appointment and was given a guide and we bought right then and there!

SSR is really beautiful and we loved being able to walk to DtD. It is big but does have internal bus system. Please remember that they will not push a hard sales pitch on you! We had been to timeshare tours in the past and could not believe how laid back the DVC experience was. They just give you the info, answer your questions and you decide if it's right for you!

We always velet park at other DVC resorts and have never been asked to show any ID. We always tip $2 when we drop off and $2 when we pick it up.

 

[ericamanda01]

We are only going to rent a car for the first few days we are there. So I have no problem paying for the valet, I just don't want to take advantage as a renter of members benefits. After all were not member. . . yet!