Valet Parking ...please help!

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

Ok, I feel like an idiot (I'm really not) but... we live in Maine, the closest thing to Valet parking here is when DH moves the car for me when the snow plow comes. So...please help me understand Valet Parking at Disney Resorts.

Here's what I know:
(I tip the driver (one or both ways), but when and where do I pay for the parking? How do I get my car back? How long does getting the car take? Do I leave the car running or turn it off? If I valet park and forget something in the car can I walk to get it out?)

Lets start with this:

1-Follow the valet park sign.
2- Get out of car.
3- NOW WHAT?

pretend I am a visitor from another planet (um, hello, I said Maine ) and please give any and all details you can. THANKS!

 

[kaytieeldr]

You forget the "put car in park" and "turn off engine" steps
The valet will give you a claim ticket.
You will pay for the service when you go to pick up your car (present the ticket at the valet counter).
It is typical to tip when you get your car back, but no valet is going to say no to an advance tip.
If your car hasn't been moved, yes, you can go back to get something from it. Try not to forget anything.

 

[betterlatethannever]

Ok, I feel like an idiot (I'm really not) but... we live in Maine, the closest thing to Valet parking here is when DH moves the car for me when the snow plow comes. So...please help me understand Valet Parking at Disney Resorts.

Here's what I know:
(I tip the driver (one or both ways), but when and where do I pay for the parking? How do I get my car back? How long does getting the car take? Do I leave the car running or turn it off? If I valet park and forget something in the car can I walk to get it out?)

Lets start with this:

1-Follow the valet park sign.
2- Get out of car.
3- NOW WHAT?

pretend I am a visitor from another planet (um, hello, I said Maine ) and please give any and all details you can. THANKS!

I will try and fill in more details.

If you are staying at the resort, and you have the valet park the car, the cost will be billed to your room. When you pick up the car, yo will get a tag you leave on your dash board. You can valet your car in any other WDW resort THAT DAY with no charge (just tipping).

Depending on the resort, it will take from 5-10 minutes for the valet to get your car. Typically, we call from the room as we are leaving and have them get the car. At the AKL we have it timed so we arrive just as they are pulling up in the car.

If you forget something in the car and try to retrieve it after they have taken the car to the valet lot, you cannot go to the lot to get it. You won't have the keys. When the car is in the valet lot, the keys are sealed in an envelope at the valet desk. The valet would have to bring the car up and start the process all over again.

Ed

 

[sadler]

I see from your signature that you are planning to stay at Contemp and Poly. Bear in mind that if you prefer, you can park your car yourself in the self park lot at both Contemp and Poly.

 

[manning]

I will try and fill in more details.

If you are staying at the resort, and you have the valet park the car, the cost will be billed to your room. When you pick up the car, yo will get a tag you leave on your dash board. You can valet your car in any other WDW resort THAT DAY with no charge (just tipping).

Depending on the resort, it will take from 5-10 minutes for the valet to get your car. Typically, we call from the room as we are leaving and have them get the car. At the AKL we have it timed so we arrive just as they are pulling up in the car.

If you forget something in the car and try to retrieve it after they have taken the car to the valet lot, you cannot go to the lot to get it. You won't have the keys. When the car is in the valet lot, the keys are sealed in an envelope at the valet desk. The valet would have to bring the car up and start the process all over again.

Ed

That's why I have a spare key and key pad entry. Learned that lesson years ago when I locked the car and forgot to take the key. (that were the days before chimes). Of course that didn't do any good five years later when I left the key in the car and the spare in my coat pocket. Three guesses where the coat was. After that never left the keys and got key pad entry. I also learned how to use a coat hanger.

The amazing thing about leaving the key in the car is you realize it at the same moment the door slams shut!!!

 

[chamonix]

Boy isn't that the truth!

Valet parking is very easy. You won't have to wait long for them to bring up your car, most valet parking areas are very close to the place you will be waiting. You certainly won't wait as long as you would at the bus stop, lol!

All you have to worry about is the tip. The cost goes on your resort bill and you just use the hang tag when you valet at other resorts during your stay. (be sure to tip the drivers though) You don't even have to do anything with the hang tag, the drivers will see it in your car and know what to do.

 

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

You guys are great, I think I understand it all now:

follow valet signs
stop car, put in park, get out leave key
take everything I think I'll need (will forget something though)
They give me a ticket with a car valet # on it
i leave to wherever, they take care of car, put hangtag in...blah, blah...

when I want car back- call valet desk and give them the ticket# they gave me when I dropped off the car
pay valet desk or have billed to room
go to valet stand present ticket that shows I'm paid????
tip pick up driver, load car, drive away
don't lose hangtag, can be used later same day to park again

repeat


(Yes, I could self-park but I really want to feel pampered on this trip, and not hauling 4 kids across a parking lot would feel pretty nice at the end of the day. I like the idea of driving up to door, getting out and having the car "magically" reappear at the door when we need it.)

THANK YOU ALL!!!!!!

 

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

on another note....

I'll be the idiot to get out at the valet stand, grab all the stuff, and the kids then hit the door lock, and close the door.
My car would of course still be running, LOCKED, and there would be no other key within miles.
(other than the valet part, I have done this...you may now call me a moron!)

 

[sadler]

Have a great vacation and enjoy the pampering of valet. The only reason I mentioned self park option is that you expressed a concern about getting things from your car. BTW -- Self park lot at Poly is only steps away from the front door of the resort.

 

[Hugpug]

One more note from experiance when you stop car at Valet I would not only put car in park but turn off motor and take the keys and hand them to valet this is to prevent the automatic reaction of locking the car when you get out. My car has very sensitive locks and I not only left the motor running but locked my purse with spare keys in the car. I now either row down my window when stopping for my mail so as not to turn the motor off and get out to get my mail this way if I lock the door all I have to do is reah in and unlock the door. A lesson well learned. LOL

 

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

Thank you all for your help! I won't feel like an idiot now and I'll still be able to enjoy the novelty and convenience of valet parking.
hugpug- good advice, we'll take out the keys before closing the door. I am definitely the "lock the keys in the car" type.
sadler- I am not in the least upset with your parking advice, it is great advice, and I am happy that you shared your knowledge of the self-park at the hotels I will be staying in. Thank You!

 

[manning]

One more thing. Make sure you get the right car. Once in Hawaii they gave me the wrong car. The only reason I knew was the cooler in the back seat I knew I never had. When they said I was wrong we looked at the contract in the glove box. Needless to say he didn't accept the tip. Luckily my car was still there.

However I think Disney is more careful. I wouldn't worry.

 

[LoveMyBoys]

how much does it cost to valet park at disney resorts?
thanks.

 

[manning]

$7.00 per day plus tip

 

[heathrow42]

or you can use the princess method Wait for the guy to come open your door (mess with your sunglasses, look for your water bottle, get your purse, otherwise be busy), step out and let him handle closing the door or getting in or whatever. Leave the car in park, don't open the door, don't close the door, let the valet do it for you.

If you are renting, newer cars won't let you lock the door if the car is off and the keys are in the ignition. (You can however put it in park, and lock it, with you on the outside.. oops!) Just train yourself to only use the key fob to lock and unlock and not the door.. much harder to lock the car from the fob when the keys are in the ignition.

--heather