Valet Parking Question

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

Does anyone know...?
If I am staying at one DVC resort (as a member), am I entitled to valet park at another DVC resort during my visit?
Thanks!

 

[ChickieToo]

I believe the answer to that is Yes. We just did it the week of Oct4-11. And we've done it in the past. The only thing that was different is that in the past, we have also Valet parked using DVC membership at the Contemporary and GF when going to meals in the restaurants, but this year they said no at the Contemporary, because it isn't a DVC resort. When I explained that I'd done it previously they told me something like "they keep changing it". Also, something new (new to us anyway) if you pay for valet parking once in the day, they will give you a card, and you won't have to pay for Valet parking for the rest of that day.

 

[ralphd]

Valet parking is free to DVC members at DVC resorts only. Some DVC members have been able to valet park at other Disney resorts because of valet cast member misunderstanding.

ralphd

 

[Scoootch]

Originally posted by donaldbuzz&minnie
Does anyone know...?
If I am staying at one DVC resort (as a member), am I entitled to valet park at another DVC resort during my visit?
Thanks!

Actually, if I understand it correctly, we are entitled to valet park for free as long as it's a DVC resort. There's no stipulation about having to be staying at all, let alone on points. You just have to show your blue member card.

It's one of the perks we're suppossed to get all the time. But only at the DVC resorts.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by ralphd
Valet parking is free to DVC members at DVC resorts only. Some DVC members have been able to valet park at other Disney resorts because of valet cast member misunderstanding.

ralphd

This is an accurate paraphrase of the policy on the Members' website. I would only add that you do not even have to be staying at a DVC resort to take advantage of this perk.

Best wishes -


P.S. Here's the info from the Members' Website:


Valet Parking at the Walt Disney World® Resort
Disney Vacation Club Members are not charged for valet parking at Disney's Beach Club Resort, Disney's BoardWalk Resort or Disney's Wilderness Lodge, regardless of where you're staying. You must present your Disney Vacation Club Member card or Walt Disney World Resort ID with your "DVC Member" designation on it when leaving your vehicle to be parked.

You will be charged the daily fee of $6.00 for this service at any other valet parking operation at the Walt Disney World Resort. Once you've paid for the valet service, you'll receive unlimited valet parking for the remainder of the day. Whether or not you are charged to valet park, gratuities are still appropriate. There will be no charge for guests with disabilities who have the proper permits.

 

[QuiltTeddy]

Yes, we did it. You definitely can....although it was back in 2000.

 

[rocketriter]

Of course, valet parking at OKW is always free!

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by ralphd
Valet parking is free to DVC members at DVC resorts only. Some DVC members have been able to valet park at other Disney resorts because of valet cast member misunderstanding.

ralphd

That and the fact that members have at times be given a valet parking card when using DVC to valet park. This too is due to CM issues but is different.

 

[TOMAR@SSR]

IMHO, DH and I feel that (as posted from "Chickie Too"), they can`t make up thier minds to the rule, and ( with all do respect to Disney), the perk for DVC members should be at ALL resorts that valet!
For instance, we were @ the GF for dinner, And Breakfast the next day before we went to MK. So what good is getting a pass for the same day!
Another DVC family, (that was waiting for thier car) had dinner, and was returning for the Princess Tea party the next afternoon.
Our both families were`nt charged, the cm @ the valet desk was very nice. ( He also was a DVC Member).
We think that this is a transportation issue that should be addressed, as alot of DVCer`s opt to Drive to WDW or rent cars when they get there. WDW transportation is fine going from park to park, but not from resort to resort, most times you`ll have to go to DTD first, than transfer to a resort bus!! If you have a dinner PS@ a certain time, and the bus is not there, OMG!!
_______________________________

 

[Chuck S]

The difference is, a portion of the wages of the Valets is paid by member dues at the DVC resorts that offer it, which justifies the free perk for members at DVC resorts. But this is not the case at other Disney resorts.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Hmmmm. I'd be willing to bet that, if DVCers were given free valet at all resorts, DVC or not, that the valet lots would fill to overflowing once word got out.

As Tomar states, a lot of DVCers do have a car at WDW; could you imagine the "fun" at the GF if a few hundred DVC cars showed up at the valet for a day at the MK?

Oh, I see Chuck S. brought up the real issue - we pay for DVC valet through our dues; I'd rather have those who do valet at non-DVC resorts pay for it themselves, and not have it subsidized in everyone's dues.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by TOMAR@SSR
IMHO, DH and I feel that (as posted from "Chickie Too"), they can`t make up thier minds to the rule, and ( with all do respect to Disney), the perk for DVC members should be at ALL resorts that valet!

We think that this is a transportation issue that should be addressed,

The rules are straight forward, the issue is enforcing them consistently, something Disney have never been good at. Remember that if you were a cash customer staying at GF, etc, you'd pay the parking fee but be able to use the pass at other Disney resorts. Exception being handicapped who always get free valet parking. This is already a perk that DVC members get even beyond cash customers, saying it should be extended to all resorts seems a bit much to me with the current rules. Remember that up until a few years ago, everyone got free valet parking. And you can always self park if you have a valid reason to be there. Though they don't look at pool hopping to be a valid reason in some cases.

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

Thanks so much to everyone who responded. I have learned so much on the DIS!

 

[TOMAR@SSR]

Honestly, I wasn`t going to respond , because I now can understand "THE RULE"
But just to let you guys know that this year was our first trip as DVC members ( but many x`s before as reg. visiters ), and we just found it odd, that most resorts honored the sign given to us @ the Beach Club Villas ( for the windshield ) stating that we were DVC Members, and let us valet park, sans the fee.
A- We love the valet parking feature, and
B- The fee of $6.00 is very insignificant to us (we`re on vacation),
since we generally tip the valet parkers generously. To say that it should be a given , is here nor there, to the fact that they SHOULD get it straight. It is the principal of the matter.
And, We`ll valet park, ANYWAY, fee or no fee

thanks

 

[Scoootch]

TOMAR@SSR ---
IMHO, DH and I feel that (as posted from "Chickie Too"), they can`t make up thier minds to the rule, and ( with all do respect to Disney), the perk for DVC members should be at ALL resorts that valet!

I agree

Chuck S -- The difference is, a portion of the wages of the Valets is paid by member dues at the DVC resorts that offer it, which justifies the free perk for members at DVC resorts. But this is not the case at other Disney resorts.

Dean -- saying it should be extended to all resorts seems a bit much to me with the current rules. Remember that up until a few years ago, everyone got free valet parking.

Okay so what am I missing here then? Is it just me?? Up until a few yrs ago valet parking WAS free at all the resorts. DVC and NON-DVC alike. To my understanding, the reason they started charging for valet parking was mainly because of the abuse of the theme Park guests parking in resort lots. Especially, valet parking because it was free. And Disney realized that by charging to valet park it would deter at least SOME of the guests from doing so. And of course Disney would start making that $6 they would be missing from day guests who would have paid to park at the theme park lots.

Thing is, who was paying the salaries of the valets then?? Disney now is making $6 per day, per car (with the exception of the DVC members at DVC resorts) that they weren't making before and now that they are pulling in more $$ for valet parking all the way around, DVC members have to subsidize for their portion for still getting this for free as a perk? Sorry, but IMO it's just not right

If nothing else, there should be some kind of exception to the rule for valet parking ~ such as if you have a meal reservation at the GF for example. It shouldn't cost $6 plus tips to park your car for only 3hrs. At the very least, they could eliminate the charge for dinner hrs ~ I understand some would valet park and head to the park for the day after breakfast but what about those who go to the GF to have a nice dinner at Citrico's for example, and say arrive for a 7pm PS and then retrieve their car around 10 or 11pm. They obviosly aren't heading to a park afterward. And then it's going to cost $10 by the time you get done paying for valet and tipping just to not have to walk all the way to the self park lot??!

DrTomorrow -- Oh, I see Chuck S. brought up the real issue - we pay for DVC valet through our dues; I'd rather have those who do valet at non-DVC resorts pay for it themselves, and not have it subsidized in everyone's dues.

I agree but this is where I don't understand -- why are we suddenly having to subsidize for this when they obviosly realized this was another area they could start making an extra buck?! It didn't hurt them before the abuse of the parking to avoid the theme park lot fees so why would letting DVC members still have this as a free perk need to be subsidized? The valets are still being tipped well .

 

[Chuck S]

Originally posted by Scoootch


I agree but this is where I don't understand -- why are we suddenly having to subsidize for this when they obviosly realized this was another area they could start making an extra buck?! It didn't hurt them before the abuse of the parking to avoid the theme park lot fees so why would letting DVC members still have this as a free perk need to be subsidized? The valets are still being tipped well .

When Valet parking was free at all resorts, it was an "on-site" perk for all WDW guests, DVC or non-DVC. (Remember many years ago, pool hopping was also an "on-site" perk for everyone).

Now that Valet is no longer a "perk" for all WDW guests at all resorts, the have restricted the "free" perk to DVC members only at DVC resorts, which members at those resorts pay part (but not all) of the salary for those valets, since only the "blended" resorts have valet, and NOT the dedicated DVC resorts (like OKW and SSR), it is a cost shared there by both DVC members and Disney, as a common area cost.

Whether or not a valet is tipped, they still are paid a small hourly wage, like a food server. At Disney resorts, Disney pays all of that cost, and reaps the $6 benefit. At DVC/Disney resorts members pay part of that cost, and as a courtesy perk Disney allows us to use the service for free at those resorts.

It's not confusing, simply a matter of who pays their wages.

 

[Scoootch]

But this is what I'm questioning, why should DVC members have to pay part of the valets wages? Disney realized there was an extra buck to be made and is doing so now by charging to valet park at all the resorts. I'm sure they're making a hefty profit above and beyond making up for what they may have lost from those who were getting out paying to park at the parks because I'm sure now they're not only getting the fee back that way but also collecting twice from those who may be day guests and paid to park at the parks and then may have also gone and valet parked at a resort and then they paid another $6 plus tips (I'm sure it doesn't happen always but I'm also sure it must happen) ~ they didn't need to make up the extra before they started charging. To me, it seems it's gravy for them and on top of that, DVC members should have to pay too for part of the valets salary? I still feel it's not right. But maybe it's me

 

[DrTomorrow]

Originally posted by Scoootch
[...] If nothing else, there should be some kind of exception to the rule for valet parking ~ such as if you have a meal reservation at the GF for example. [...]

But this would require no small amount of logistics; every valet would need access to a list of guests with reservations - feasible, but not a trivial task. Plus you'd still run afoul of the abusers: people who made a 4 PM PS at 'Ohana just to park there for a late night at the MK; people who claim to have a PS but don't - sadly, there are many folks who try to beat the system. And what about people who don't make a PS but who honestly plan on dining at a Resort restaurant - will they have to pay for valet? And if all it takes to save $6 is to say "I'm eating here", then where are we?

 

[Chuck S]

Originally posted by Scoootch
But this is what I'm questioning, why should DVC members have to pay part of the valets wages? (

Because it is part of the "common area" staff agreement between Disney and DVC management. Of course, there could be an alternative, they could amend the agreement to where DVC owners at the blended resort would be exempt from payng into the valet salaries at those resorts, but then I'd certainly expect to pay $6 to use the service like every other guest.

 

[Scoootch]

Originally posted by DrTomorrow -- But this would require no small amount of logistics;....feasible, but not a trivial task. Plus you'd still run afoul of the abusers

Agreed, but I was basically speaking of DVC members and that this should be a perk for us, not all WDW guests. Yes, no doubt there will be abusers, there always are regardless of which rule gets broken unfortunatley. But if they were to do this for DVC members I don't see why the requirement couldn't just be as it already is when parking at a DVC resort. Proof of eligibility being to have to show our blue member card. Only extend it to all WDW resorts. If it's from dinner hour on say 4:30pm or later, then why not? Then there wouldn't be the need for valets to have a list of PS's. It would be an honor system but hopefully, the majority of members who take advantage of the perk would use it as intended but like I said no matter what rule exists, there are always people who will abuse the system and break the rules.

Originally posted by Chuck S -- Of course, there could be an alternative, they could amend the agreement to where DVC owners at the blended resort would be exempt from payng into the valet salaries at those resorts, but then I'd certainly expect to pay $6 to use the service like every other guest.

See, but to me then that isn't a perk, it's something we should outright be entitled to. JMO