Should we VALET or self park at WL??

[susy]

Arriving the day before Thanksgiving and leaving the Monday after. We plan to use the boat to MK, but drive to the other parks. With the place being so packed, should we valet? If we call from the room do they have time to bring around the car or will they be too swamped? We are up and out VERY early and will probably need the car one evening... Also, what do we tip and when?

 

[YesDear]

You are not a DVC member. If you are you get free valet parking at WL.

While the parking lot is right there, my bet is it is going to be packed for Thanksgiving. So it is easy to get there and you will walk aways to your car. Of course you can send someone in your party to get the car!

As far as tipping is concerned, I will usually give a $2 tip to each driver. Valet parking is $6

Depending on the crowd the car is usually there waiting for you, but again it is thanksgiving.

 

[Uncleromulus]

It'll be more busy than usual, certainly, but valet service should still be fine.
Tipping is another issue. You'll see all sorts of thoughts on that.
I do it just as YesDear..

 

[susy]

The crowds were really my main concern. My Dh can always run and get the car if the lot is right there. I didn't know which would be quicker. I guess if when we return we can't find a space, we can then valet the car. So we tip the guy who brings us the car and then the guy who takes it from us? At AKL when I got downstairs, the car was sitting there with the keys in it, so I didn't know who to tip!

 

[FloridaCat]

Both parking lots are next to each other in front of the drive up area. I have self park in the back and it is not that bad of a wlak and no need of Valet in my opinion or need. FYI: I am 70

 

[Uncleromulus]

Suzy--well, at least you saved two bucks at the AKL!!
Maybe playing it "by ear" is a good idea--just seeing how open the regular lot is, then deciding if it's too far away, etc.
The tipping thing is interesting. There are lots of travel web sites out there that recommend tipping ONLY the valet who actually brings the car to you. The theory seems to be that this is the person actually performing the service. When you drop off your car to park, it could easily be some one else parking your car (other than the person who takes your keys and writes the valet ticket). On busy days your car could sit for some time before it's actually parked, and then maybe by a different person from the one that first met you...and too whom you gave the tip.
Anyway--I tip both ways since the valets work mostly for tips.

 

[susy]

Thanks for all your help. Maybe we will try to save ourselves the $6 a day plus tipping. If we arrive and allow Bell services to take in our bags, I'm sure my DH can park the van and meet us in the lobby. Then DH can just get the car for our next outing and if it's too crowded when we return, we'll valet. I think playing it by ear will be fine. Thanks!