Valet parking no longer free for DVC members.

[SamSam]

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

Yes, TiW still gets free valet parking...at least for now.

 

[mommyceratops]

This is awful!! Valet was my fave perk. so wrong. I am writing a letter, not that it will help but....

 

[crazydisneyman]

I know what I am going to talk about at the DVC Annual meeting this December.

 

[MaryJ]

I know what I am going to talk about at the DVC Annual meeting this December.

And when you do, you'll be talking for all of us!

I just booked a rental car last week for our upcoming Nov. trip, and this really has been bummed! This was the one DVC perk that we consistently used! Thankfully, we also have a TiW card, so I guess we can use that for this trip.

 

[TLSnell1981]

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

We never drove further than DTD! Not having a car will greatly curtail my shopping habits.

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!!!!!!!!
And, that's if you can even find a parking space.

........

 

[doconeill]

Was valet parking contracted out? If so, then DVC needed to negotiate this particular perk with the contracting company, and I'm guessing that fell through.

 

[ADP]

I know what I am going to talk about at the DVC Annual meeting this December.

I'm with ya. I don't think you'll have to worry about discussing it though...There will probably be 27 other people in front of you in line at the mic complaining about the same thing.

 

[rotlex]

Anybody moving closer to that tipping point?

I'm not DVC but this still ticks me off. They are just so clueless.

It's moving me toward the tipping point of not buying DVC at this point. Wife and I have been looking into it heavily for the past two years, and frankly, it seems less and less a deal to us. Heck, we have put it off for two years, might as well wait another, especially with all the deals going on, and see what transpires over the next year or so!

It seems as though Disney is doing everything to get people to visit, 4/3 5/2 free dining etc. etc., but nothing to move anyone toward actually buying DVC!

 

[n2mm]

Yes, TiW still gets free valet parking...at least for now.

Yes, I wrote the TiW office this morning and already got a positive response.


Hello! To answer your question, no, as a Tables in Wonderland member, you have not lost your free valet parking perk. Below I have attached our official verbiage on the complimentary parking and valet services.

Parking Privileges:

Resort valet services are complimentary to members, for the sole purpose of dining. This privilege will only be extended to one vehicle per membership card. Present your membership card with a valid dining receipt at the Valet Stand upon retrieving your vehicle.

Theme Park parking is complimentary to members, for the sole purpose of dining. Before 5:00pm, please pay for parking at the Toll Plaza. Visit Guest Relations on your way out of the Theme Park, and if it has been less than 3 hours, show your membership card and dining receipt for reimbursement for parking. After 5:00 p.m., members can show their membership card at the toll plaza to enter the parking lot. Theme park admission is required for dining in all Theme Park restaurant locations.

On Holidays listed above, there will be a charge for parking and valet services. The Holidays are: Easter, Mother’s Day, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day.

Thanks!

CM Name removed

 

[BriarRosie]

Was valet parking contracted out? If so, then DVC needed to negotiate this particular perk with the contracting company, and I'm guessing that fell through.

That's what I was thinking. I remember when Disney contracted out their valet services, and I had read some bad things that happened once they took over. Things like charging the valet fee to the guest (if the parking pass was on the dashboard...could be scanned to the room) even if the guest had been exempt from the fee.

It's moving me toward the tipping point of not buying DVC at this point. Wife and I have been looking into it heavily for the past two years, and frankly, it seems less and less a deal to us. Heck, we have put it off for two years, might as well wait another, especially with all the deals going on, and see what transpires over the next year or so!

It seems as though Disney is doing everything to get people to visit, 4/3 5/2 free dining etc. etc., but nothing to move anyone toward actually buying DVC!

Valet parking should not be a deal breaker with buying into DVC. I have rented cars in the past, and very rarely did I use the valet parking service. I most often used the self-parking area. There are still self-parking areas at resorts.

I can see how the newer promotions (4/3, or free dining) can put aside wanting to buy DVC. For me, the amount I spend for the resorts I get, coupled with a really nice discount on the annual pass made DVC the right choice for me. It didn't hurt that the price per point was pretty low when I bought, too.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Valet parking should not be a deal breaker with buying into DVC. I have rented cars in the past, and very rarely did I use the valet parking service. I most often used the self-parking area. There are still self-parking areas at resorts.

What is or isn't a deal breaker is entirely up to the individual. There is no set standard for what is and isn't a deal breaker. Everyone has different needs and different opinons of what makes something worth it or not.

This is just another thing that makes me sad because for me, it is a cummulation of things, not just one thing and it the list of things just keeps getting longer.

Parking increases, ticket increases, stroller rental increase, charging more during peak times for dining, the cut backs on the menus, outsourcing services, cutbacks and Food & Wine, charging for wine tasting and cooking seminars at Food & Wine, no more pictures included at MNSHHP or MVMCP, the homigenizing of merchandise, the poor quality of new merchadise, the list goes on and on. You can tell me Disney is a business all you want, I understand that, it all still just makes me sad.

 

[ADP]

I said this in another thread, but I think it applies here.

I agree that lowering prices isn't a good idea; however, I don't agree with raising prices either right now. I think the majority of people would tell you just keeping prices static for a while would be pleasing. I think what most people are disgusted with right now is the rate of the increases. Just when you get over one increase it seems like another one is right behind it. Too much, too fast.

 

[farmergirl]

Well DH called member services he said to send complaints to the following email address, although I have never heard of an email startign with www. but my husband double checked and they said it indeed started with www. I still find this odd so we will try it without and if it comes back we will add on the begining. This is where we were told to send it. minus the begining membersatisfactionteam@DisneyVacationClub.com

 

[eliza61]

Valet parking should not be a deal breaker with buying into DVC. I have rented cars in the past, and very rarely did I use the valet parking service. I most often used the self-parking area. There are still self-parking areas at resorts.

I can see how the newer promotions (4/3, or free dining) can put aside wanting to buy DVC. For me, the amount I spend for the resorts I get, coupled with a really nice discount on the annual pass made DVC the right choice for me. It didn't hurt that the price per point was pretty low when I bought, too.

This is just another thing that makes me sad because for me, it is a cummulation of things, not just one thing and it the list of things just keeps getting longer.

Parking increases, ticket increases, stroller rental increase, charging more during peak times for dining, the cut backs on the menus, outsourcing services, cutbacks and Food & Wine, charging for wine tasting and cooking seminars at Food & Wine, no more pictures included at MNSHHP or MVMCP, the homigenizing of merchandise, the poor quality of new merchadise, the list goes on and on. You can tell me Disney is a business all you want, I understand that, it all still just makes me sad.

Exactly!!
Disney is a "total" experience for me. So when you have chipping away of a little here, a little there it makes that "experience" a little less magical.
Now theres a thread saying that Disney is discontinuing the dvc resort specific merchandise. Once again it's one of those things that would not stop me from going by itself but it does make me sad (if it's true). I loved getting resort specific merchandise and see this as another step toward homogenous, one size fits all type of servicing.

 

[irunnoft]

What is or isn't a deal breaker is entirely up to the individual. There is no set standard for what is and isn't a deal breaker. Everyone has different needs and different opinons of what makes something worth it or not.

This is just another thing that makes me sad because for me, it is a cummulation of things, not just one thing and it the list of things just keeps getting longer.

Parking increases, ticket increases, stroller rental increase, charging more during peak times for dining, the cut backs on the menus, outsourcing services, cutbacks and Food & Wine, charging for wine tasting and cooking seminars at Food & Wine, no more pictures included at MNSHHP or MVMCP, the homigenizing of merchandise, the poor quality of new merchadise, the list goes on and on. You can tell me Disney is a business all you want, I understand that, it all still just makes me sad.

This was VERY well said. That about sums it up for me. This very succinct, very poignant summary needs to be sent to the "powers-that-be" at WDW.

 

[3DisneyKids]

I am WILD about this! The free valet parking for DVCers was truly one of my favorite perks. And let's face it, there just aren't that many perks. For me, this would not be a tipping point for buying/not buying DVC, but it certainly steams me to have a great perk like this taken away out from under me.

 

[disprincessatheart]

We're new to DVC, so we haven't yet gotten really used to free valet, but on our 2 trips earlier this year, we used it when we went to AKL and BW. It was great to be able to use that service. Now we're expecting our first child, and we'll be bringing him down around 4 months. Valet parking would have been a GODSEND with an infant, carseat and stroller to deal with - a godsend we would have tipped nicely for. THere's no way we'll pay $14 plus tip on top of a meal for valet parking though. I guess DH will be getting more excercise this trip after he drops me and the baby at the front door. I did send in a complaint to MS..

 

[TheBeadPirate]

Anybody moving closer to that tipping point?

I'm not DVC but this still ticks me off. They are just so clueless.

We are DVC and still proud to be, BUT the effect of all the recent changes has pushed me to the point that I wouldn't reccomend DVC anymore. We were thinking of adding on points and that has changed also.

We used valet almost exclusively with DVC because it was easy. When I travel for work (every week!) I self park and lug my bags to the room. On my vacation, I really enjoyed someone else doing that for me. Is the 12 bucks a day gonna kill me? No, probably not. But I'll be pulling up under the port coche and unloading the bags with bell services, telling valet "no thanks", and self parking. That's an extra $12+ for French slushies!


And the Budget Board has stroller/fridge shares. What's next? Carpool signups on the DVC Board?!?

Really?!?


I have the car keys, and the first stop is the grocery, then the liquor store. Drop your gas money in the ashtray!

Lori

(just so you know who the opinionated one is today)

 

[FireDancer]

Any body ever hear the old "how to boil a frog". You can't put him in already boiling water because he'll hop out, so you put it in cold water and turn up the heat slowly until it's dead"

I have heard of that analogy when talking about taxation but it does fit here.

Not being DVC I had no idea you even got valet free but I would be a bit perturbed if I were a member. Free Valet is something that really doesn't cost a lot but goes a long way. I never valet so if I were DVC not offering it won't make them any money, I'll just park the car myself.

We need a fail whale emoticon.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Is $12 the normal rate for valet parking? If so, at the very least couldn't Disney have given DVC members a discounted rate? I mean, seriously, you go from free to $12? I don't think they should have pulled the perk at all, but if they insist upon it, at least make it half, $6.00 instead of the full rate.