Valet parking no longer free for DVC members.

[Joshua_me]

My two cents....

This is another ploy by Disney to stop you from renting a car.

This is also the reason for the parking fee increase.

Make it expensive and difficult to park and guests will decide to stay on site and eat at Disney restaurants, shop in Disney stores and basically spend every dime at Disney.

^ Hmm... I hadn't thought about it like that.

On a somewhat related note, about five years ago my Mom and a friend of hers left for a 3-night stay at the GF. Mom had recently had back surgery and had a handicapped thingie swinging from the rear view mirror.

When she tried to get the free parking service, the valet gave her all sorts of grief about not having a valid handicapped sticker or the proper paperwork to verify it's validity.

Mom being Mom, she was both embarrassed and incensed, and had "words" with the manager on duty.

Long story short, (too late, Josh !) she got the free parking and a room upgrade to the main building.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Mom had recently had back surgery and had a handicapped thingie swinging from the rear view mirror.

When she tried to get the free parking service, the valet gave her all sorts of grief about not having a valid handicapped sticker or the proper paperwork to verify it's validity.

Since, when isn't a handicap hang tag not consider valid or proper? They have an expiration date.

 

[Superjoint_Ritual]

I know most of us don't wan't to think about this (myself included),but Disney is a business.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I know most of us don't wan't to think about this (myself included),but Disney is a business.

It's a little difficult to see just how much this "business" has changed. We have been going to WDW for over 30 years and WDW is starting to remind me of Jack Frost's version of "SantaLand" ("The Santa Clause 3"). The magic is slowly disappearing.

 

[irunnoft]

I know most of us don't wan't to think about this (myself included),but Disney is a business.

Granted, but as DVC owners, we are part of Disney's highest affinity group. Perks are part of our reward for pre-paying our vacations for the next few decades. It doesn't seem very savvy to start chipping away at the perks.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

We have started thinking about buying into DVC and some of changes I have heard about have me worried. It's a lot of money! I know most people don't have the DIS to stay connected, but I wonder if they worry about this impacting people who Might buy.

 

[brack]

I know most of us don't wan't to think about this (myself included),but Disney is a business.

It's a little difficult to see just how much this "business" has changed. We have been going to WDW for over 30 years and WDW is starting to remind me of Jack Frost's version of "SantaLand" ("The Santa Clause 3"). The magic is slowly disappearing.

I'm going to be different pay the fee or park the car yourself then walk. Most of us (myself included) need the exercise.

It (Disney) is a business and for most of us the magic continues to grow!

 

[tmli]

When is this taking affect? We just used the service at the BWV last night without being charged.

 

[HsvTeacher]

When is this taking affect? We just used the service at the BWV last night without being charged.

It started today, along with the price increase from $10/day to $12/day.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I'm going to be different pay the fee or park the car yourself then walk.

I guess, this must be Disney's attitude too? (and they don't have the decency to inform us of this little change). Gee, I have no idea why so many of us are upset that we've lost another perk. Dropping that kind of dough, to become a third rate citizen in Disney's eye, just doesn't sit well with some of us. And, I won't even get into how difficult it can be to find a parking space at BWV.

 

[Cleocat]

Well that figures. My DW and I just put a down payment on Bay Lake DVC.
We just stayed the Boardwalk Villas, after hearing this news we probably will not stay at the BW again. Only because self-parking will seem like it would be packed if not many people use the valet now. Anyone who has stayed there knows what I mean.
They had a wedding there on our second day. The self parking was FULL beyond compacity. We would rather stay at OKW where we can park near the building and not have to worry about it.
A part of me is wondering if I am doing the right thing by buying in DVC. But yet a part of me still feels it is worth the money. Even with some of the upcoming changes, just on the lodging cost alone seems worth it. Especially since my in-laws live near Orlando and we visit them every year, we always visit disney for a couple of days.
I guess I'm hoping we get to enjoy a DVC vacation while we still have some perks.

 

[irunnoft]

I'd be interested to know whether the TiW card still comes with free parking.

 

[lugnut33]

It's only a matter of time before they add a "Resort Parking Fee" into the cost per night. Just like so many off-site resorts have done.

 

[DisneyKevin]

I see your point, but you'd think they'd have the complete attention of the guests who put the money out for DVC. Those are the ones they don't have to convince to spend their time on property. I think this is a terrible way to treat the DVC folks. They shouldn't take perks away that were there when they signed up.

Yes...they have the DVC owner's attention....but by offering complimentary valet parking, they realize that you might go off property to shop, eat or visit...gasp....other attractions.

We decided not to rent a car for our trip next week. I don't want to pay $150, for valet, on top of the rental fee. We never eat off property. I'm using the Garden Grocer for the first time ever. This will cut down our trips to DTD (and purchases). We don't like riding the buses and will take a taxi, if need be.

And this is exactly what I believe Disney is hoping will happen.

I'm going to be different pay the fee or park the car yourself then walk. Most of us (myself included) need the exercise.

It (Disney) is a business and for most of us the magic continues to grow!

I'm happy that the magic continues to grow along with the prices..

Have you ever parked in the self-parking lot at the Boardwalk? Imagine doing that with a gallon of milk, a twelve pack of soda and a bag of gorceries that you've purchased for a week at your DVC resort. Imagine having to make two or more trips!!!!!!!!

 

[mel&me]

It's only a matter of time before they add a "Resort Parking Fee" into the cost per night. Just like so many off-site resorts have done.

That would be my tipping point. I would be selling my DVC membership.
I could see the updated maintenance fees already.

 

[TLSnell1981]

It's only a matter of time before they add a "Resort Parking Fee" into the cost per night. Just like so many off-site resorts have done.

I've only stayed in DVC and Marriot's Vacation Club in Paris. I have nevered paid for parking.

If Disney begins charging DVC members to park? You may just see a march on Disneyworld.

 

[Becx N Gav]

Oh man that sucks!
Must have come into effect some time in the last two weeks because it was still free on the day we left WDW - Sept 30th.
Have they mentioned this at all on the DVC member site?I'll have to take a look.
It was such a great perk grrr

I guess at least we got our money's worth, but no more renting a car for the whole stay. Maybe a couple of days but then again if we're going to a mall we'll just get a taxi there and back.

In a way this will save us money

My two cents....

This is another ploy by Disney to stop you from renting a car.

This is also the reason for the parking fee increase.

Make it expensive and difficult to park and guests will decide to stay on site and eat at Disney restaurants, shop in Disney stores and basically spend every dime at Disney.

It's definately made it more of an incentive to us to NOT rent, the cost of the rental car and now parking, driving in Orlando (DH enjoyed it but I kept getting us lost ), if we were going to do Universal we'd stay in one of their hotels anyway, ME gets you from the airport - Disney and back, they have a fairly comprehensive transport system on site or we take a cab.

 

[Gav N Becx]

Is that another hint that you wanna stay at Universal next year? Lol... I agree tho, looks like it is going to be cheaper to skip the car rental next time. On the plus side FL tours are great for getting from/to the airport.

 

[disneywego]

i was thinking about joining the DVC but seeing as disney is taking all the perks away i don't see a point... i find my self staying off site more... and not wanting to use the ddp because the menus have gotten slim. even the snack credit choices are getting slim...


it's not as magical as it once was.... but seeing as i was there a few days ago.. there didn't seem to be a shortage of people... so they can't say they aren't making money.

 

[fakereadhed]

It's only a matter of time before they add a "Resort Parking Fee" into the cost per night. Just like so many off-site resorts have done.

Any resort fees would be my personal tipping point.

I really thought long and hard about going this Dec. with all the cuts in the magic and economic times being what they are. I don't really need one more reason to space my trips out to every 3-5 years. That would be more than enough reason.