NO MORE free valet parking for DVC members. - The DIS Discussion Forums

Spacemonkaay · 10-10-2009, 10:09 AM

I just got off the phone with MS. I called to add a name to a reservation. At the end of the call, he told me (as a heads up) that we will no longer be receiving the valet parking perk. We have to pay the full price from now on.

I know they give us the warning when we buy that perks can be taken away, but COME ON!!! Sheesh. Ridiculous.

Tara · 10-10-2009, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spacemonkaay

I just got off the phone with MS. I called to add a name to a reservation. At the end of the call, he told me (as a heads up) that we will no longer be receiving the valet parking perk. We have to pay the full price from now on.

I know they give us the warning when we buy that perks can be taken away, but COME ON!!! Sheesh. Ridiculous.

I seriously doubt this is true. When exactly is "from now on"?

Simba's Mom · 10-10-2009, 10:15 AM

I'll be in WDW next week. I'm going to stop at several kiosks and ask about it. Yes, I know that sales guides at those kiosks don't always know, but if I ask several, it'll be interesting to see what everyone tells me.

JimMIA · 10-10-2009, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simba's Mom

I'll be in WDW next week. I'm going to stop at several kiosks and ask about it. Yes, I know that sales guides at those kiosks don't always know, but if I ask several, it'll be interesting to see what everyone tells me.

The people who would KNOW are the valet dudes and dudettes. They're the ones actually dealing with parking and charging.

JimMIA · 10-10-2009, 10:29 AM

I hope this single comment by one MS rep is not accurate, but I can see some logic for it if it is true.

A year or so ago, Disney outsourced the valet function. Prior to that, the valets would have been Disney employees and would have been on the clock whether they were actually moving cars or not, so there would not have been much actual cost for them parking one of our cars.

Now, however, the resorts are paying another company for that service, and if they are paying them by car parked (which seems likely), there is a direct cost to the resort if one of us gets our car parked. That's a different cost equation, and one the resorts may not be willing to eat. It's possible they've given DVC the option of either paying for our valets or eliminating the freebie, and DVC chose elimination.

We'll see. If it turns out to be just rumor, it wouldn't be the first time!

CarolMN · 10-10-2009, 10:37 AM

Part of the "logic" for the free valet perk for DVC members at the DVC resorts was that our dues helped to pay for the valet wages. Members shared the cost of the service with the BWI.

If members now have to pay for valet at the DVC resorts, then member dues shouldn't have to pay for any portion of the "outsourcing contract". At a minimum, members should pay a reduced fee.

I can't believe that the valet company only gets paid if a car is parked. Don't their employees at least get minimum wage? I know the employees rely on tips for a portion of their pay. I can believe that there is a flat fee plus something per car parked, though.

Spacemonkaay · 10-10-2009, 11:17 AM

The guy from MS said they just found out about the change. I'm interested to see the backlash on this one . . . especially if there are any valet fees buried in the annual dues.

Spacemonkaay · 10-10-2009, 11:18 AM

Side note: I said nothing about even having a car on property. He fully pushed this information on me. Maybe one of you fine folks should call MS and ask about it, just to confirm that I'm not crazy. ;o)

mommyoftwo08 · 10-10-2009, 11:37 AM

I too called this morning to modify our reservation for January and was given the same information. No more valet...

TLSnell1981 · 10-10-2009, 11:38 AM

Just spoke to MS. Effective October 11th, DVC members will be charged $12,per day, for valet parking!!

The reason? The service is now outsourced. I asked the CM about this being covered in our dues. She said this is no longer the case. Guests with disabilities will still receive the service free of charge.

Chuck S · 10-10-2009, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLSnell1981

Just spoke to MS. Effective October 11th, DVC members will be charged $12,per day, for valet parking!!

The reason? The service is now outsourced. I asked the CM about this being covered in our dues. She said this is no longer the case. Guests with disabilities will still receive the service free of charge.

I wonder if this is also true for DDE/TiW?

I also wonder how many complaints the outsourced sompany will receive from the valets at the DVC resorts, as their tips will no doubt plummet? Or if maybe DVCers were really a "problem" for the valet system, as I've witnessed a few member meltdowns at resort front desks?

At least they are still doing free valet for folks with disabilities, so when traveling with Mom, it won't be a problem.

Spacemonkaay · 10-10-2009, 11:44 AM

Thanks. I began to think I was hearing phantom voices in my head or something.

GoofItUp · 10-10-2009, 11:45 AM

Just my luck -- I'm just booked my first trip "home" for May and plan to have a car since we're at AKV. Looks like DH will be dropping us off and parking the car. Anyone know how far it is from the parking area to AKV (Jambo)? I'm guessing it's not a $12/day walk.

While we're on the subject of cars, parking, etc.....don't DVC members get free parking at the theme parks or did I dream that up?

Chuck S · 10-10-2009, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoofItUp

While we're on the subject of cars, parking, etc.....don't DVC members get free parking at the theme parks or did I dream that up?

All onsite guests get free parking at the theme parks, including DVC resorts. If you stay offsite, DVCers do not get free theme park parking.

Spacemonkaay · 10-10-2009, 11:47 AM

They'll probably "outsource that service" too.

JK.

10-10-2009, 10:09 AM	#1
Spacemonkaay Mouseketeer Join Date: May 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 77	NO MORE free valet parking for DVC members. I just got off the phone with MS. I called to add a name to a reservation. At the end of the call, he told me (as a heads up) that we will no longer be receiving the valet parking perk. We have to pay the full price from now on. I know they give us the warning when we buy that perks can be taken away, but COME ON!!! Sheesh. Ridiculous. __________________

10-10-2009, 10:15 AM	#3
Simba's Mom everything went to "H*** in a handbasket Keep me off the high horses! Suffers from theme park dyslexia Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Harlingen, TX, USA Posts: 23,002	I'll be in WDW next week. I'm going to stop at several kiosks and ask about it. Yes, I know that sales guides at those kiosks don't always know, but if I ask several, it'll be interesting to see what everyone tells me. __________________

10-10-2009, 10:37 AM	#6
CarolMN DVC Co-Moderator Join Date: Aug 1999 Posts: 23,119	Part of the "logic" for the free valet perk for DVC members at the DVC resorts was that our dues helped to pay for the valet wages. Members shared the cost of the service with the BWI. If members now have to pay for valet at the DVC resorts, then member dues shouldn't have to pay for any portion of the "outsourcing contract". At a minimum, members should pay a reduced fee. I can't believe that the valet company only gets paid if a car is parked. Don't their employees at least get minimum wage? I know the employees rely on tips for a portion of their pay. I can believe that there is a flat fee plus something per car parked, though. __________________ Best Wishes - BWV - Early Morning on May 2, 2008

10-10-2009, 11:17 AM	#7
Spacemonkaay Mouseketeer Join Date: May 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 77	The guy from MS said they just found out about the change. I'm interested to see the backlash on this one . . . especially if there are any valet fees buried in the annual dues. __________________

10-10-2009, 11:18 AM	#8
Spacemonkaay Mouseketeer Join Date: May 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 77	Side note: I said nothing about even having a car on property. He fully pushed this information on me. Maybe one of you fine folks should call MS and ask about it, just to confirm that I'm not crazy. ;o) __________________

10-10-2009, 10:29 AM	#5
JimMIA "Smells like ca-ca in here!" Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Miami, Wyndham Great Smoky Mountains, and EVER (Everglades National Park) Posts: 10,548	I hope this single comment by one MS rep is not accurate, but I can see some logic for it if it is true. A year or so ago, Disney outsourced the valet function. Prior to that, the valets would have been Disney employees and would have been on the clock whether they were actually moving cars or not, so there would not have been much actual cost for them parking one of our cars. Now, however, the resorts are paying another company for that service, and if they are paying them by car parked (which seems likely), there is a direct cost to the resort if one of us gets our car parked. That's a different cost equation, and one the resorts may not be willing to eat. It's possible they've given DVC the option of either paying for our valets or eliminating the freebie, and DVC chose elimination. We'll see. If it turns out to be just rumor, it wouldn't be the first time!

10-10-2009, 11:37 AM	#9
mommyoftwo08 Mouseketeer Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 387	I too called this morning to modify our reservation for January and was given the same information. No more valet... __________________

10-10-2009, 11:38 AM	#10
TLSnell1981 TinkLoves Boo Boo Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 9,724	Just spoke to MS. Effective October 11th, DVC members will be charged $12,per day, for valet parking!! The reason? The service is now outsourced. I asked the CM about this being covered in our dues. She said this is no longer the case. Guests with disabilities will still receive the service free of charge. __________________ "Strangely enough, it all turns out well. How? I don't know. It's a mystery." Shakespeare in Love

10-10-2009, 11:44 AM	#12
Spacemonkaay Mouseketeer Join Date: May 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 77	Thanks. I began to think I was hearing phantom voices in my head or something. __________________

10-10-2009, 11:45 AM	#13
GoofItUp DIS Veteran Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 2,129	Just my luck -- I'm just booked my first trip "home" for May and plan to have a car since we're at AKV. Looks like DH will be dropping us off and parking the car. Anyone know how far it is from the parking area to AKV (Jambo)? I'm guessing it's not a $12/day walk. While we're on the subject of cars, parking, etc.....don't DVC members get free parking at the theme parks or did I dream that up? __________________ Off Site - 06/87, Off Site - 06/93, ASM - 11/01, Dolphin - 11/03, CBR - 01/06, POR - 09/07 FIRST TRIP WITH DS-10 mo!, Off-Site - 06/08 (DH's conference, so DS and I hit the parks!), BCV - 03/09 DS#2 was sick, so DH & DS#1 went alone! , DL Fairfield - 10/09 First Trip to DL & DS#2's first trip to a Disney Park!, 06/10 - BWV (Our first trip as OWNERS!), 06/11 - AKV-Kidani, 03/12-BWV, 06/12 - Not sure where yet!

10-10-2009, 11:47 AM	#15
Spacemonkaay Mouseketeer Join Date: May 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 77	They'll probably "outsource that service" too. JK. __________________

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