Valet questions

[stormer]

1. Do we need anything special for the free valet parking or do we just show our DVC card?

2. How much do you usually tip?

3. If we go to the Yachtsman for dinner do we valet for free at the Yacht Club too, or just where we are staying?

Thanks!

 

[Dean]

1. Do we need anything special for the free valet parking or do we just show our DVC card?

2. How much do you usually tip?

3. If we go to the Yachtsman for dinner do we valet for free at the Yacht Club too, or just where we are staying?

Thanks!

Your blue card will do it, I usually tip $2 on pick up which is the standard national recommendation. No free valet parking at YC but you can park at the BC if you like.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We only get free valet parking at resorts with valet parking that also have a DVC resort connected - VWL, BCV, BWV, AKV.

 

[disneynutz]

If you are not staying at the resort, you are limited to 3 hours. At AKV and VWL the guard gave us a Valet 3 hour pass that the Valets scan with a bar code reader.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Your blue card will do it, I usually tip $2 on pick up which is the standard national recommendation. No free valet parking at YC but you can park at the BC if you like.

Dean is correct that most published guidelines for valet parking tips indicate $2, and only when they bring your car to you (not when you're dropping your car off).

For example, see http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lists/tipping/

However, that's the same amount as 20 years ago. People in tipped positions who earn a percentage are earning twice as much as 20 years ago because of inflation. But those who get an unchanging set amount, such as valet parking attendants, are earning less and less in real, inflation-adjusted dollars.

So I'm happy to tip more than the "standard" $2 for friendly, attentive service. Although I agree that a tip when you're dropping off your car is optional, I don't mind tipping a valet parking attendant who deserves it at drop-off or pick-up.

 

[Uncleromulus]

disneynutz:
Just curious--if you were valet parking, the guard wouldn't need to give you a parking pass at all. We always just go through the guard entrance and drive right up to valet parking. No pass is needed.

 

[Dean]

If you are not staying at the resort, you are limited to 3 hours. At AKV and VWL the guard gave us a Valet 3 hour pass that the Valets scan with a bar code reader.

This is not a limitation for valet parking for DVC members staying on property or not.

 

[Dean]

Dean is correct that most published guidelines for valet parking tips indicate $2, and only when they bring your car to you (not when you're dropping your car off).

For example, see http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lists/tipping/

However, that's the same amount as 20 years ago. People in tipped positions who earn a percentage are earning twice as much as 20 years ago because of inflation. But those who get an unchanging set amount, such as valet parking attendants, are earning less and less in real, inflation-adjusted dollars.

So I'm happy to tip more than the "standard" $2 for friendly, attentive service. Although I agree that a tip when you're dropping off your car is optional, I don't mind tipping a valet parking attendant who deserves it at drop-off or pick-up.

Horace, not picking on you but since you linked the CNN information I quoted you. I found the Linked Article very interesting and on target. Below is a short quote from that article that I feel fits many DVC members well, some may recall that I've said in the past that some members over tip (or tip where not truly applicable) partly because they fell guilty.

Apparently, because as Americans we're neurotic, guilt-prone, and we don't want to be thought of as cheap or ignorant. At least those are some of the reasons that Cornell professor Michael Lynn has found in his 20 years of research on tipping behavior.

I see a valet as an entry level position though I've seen articles where valets in some locations make 6 figures and the info I had before they outsourced suggested that valet's at WDW often made more than likely many members who own do. Actually I know at least a couple were members, maybe they're on this BBS. I'm also a rule follower so once a standard is established I need a reason to vary from it such as a change in the standard though weather, remembering my name (esp my last name), and other pluses often are reasons to adjust upwards as well. I wonder if the salary portion went up when they started charging, I'd assume it did. Also, some would say DVC members don't pay for valet, I'd argue that we did by buying in and do every year as part of being members, same for pool hoping.

 

[jdvm]

We use our DVC card and also our Disney Dining Experience card because that will get you free valet at all resorts that offer it. We tip on the way in and on the way out as the DVC valets don't pool their tips and it's rarely the same person on both ends. I used to tip $2 in and $2 out but my wife made me up it to $3 a year or so ago. And if it's in the middle of a thunderstorm, we make it $5 for hazardous duty.

John

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you are not staying at the resort, you are limited to 3 hours. At AKV and VWL the guard gave us a Valet 3 hour pass that the Valets scan with a bar code reader.

What limits you is the use of the facilities at that resort. As long as you are at that resort, you should be able to park there. But if you leave the resort, you must move your car. DVC has instructed members not to park at resorts to avoid parking in the parking lots at the theme parks.

 

[Dean]

We use our DVC card and also our Disney Dining Experience card because that will get you free valet at all resorts that offer it. We tip on the way in and on the way out as the DVC valets don't pool their tips and it's rarely the same person on both ends. I used to tip $2 in and $2 out but my wife made me up it to $3 a year or so ago. And if it's in the middle of a thunderstorm, we make it $5 for hazardous duty.

John

They may not pool tips but do have a system to rotate who is in a position to get tipped, this is in effect the same thing. These two system (pooling and rotations) are the main way tips are "shared" for Bell services and valet's and is to a degree, the way it's often done in restaurants as well.