Valet Parking Basics

[ddoll]

I've never used valet at Disney before (like Moley, I usually have an able bodied spouse with me to lug my bags around for me and drop me off at the resort door), but this time it will be all women and I think it would be great to use their services.

What are the rules here? We're staying at the Swan, so I know they charge you a set fee per day for valet. But what about parking at the other resorts? Is there an additional fee each time?

And as for tipping, I read Moley's very detailed breakdown in another thread, but the question of whether you tip the person who moves your bags from the car to the cart was never answered.

[SuzyQ]

My rule-of-thumb is that we give the guy a buck or two who takes our luggage and then another couple dollars if they deliver (granted we only have about 3 pieces total). Otherwise, I don't tip thie first person and just give $5 to to the one who brings to the room (they alternate their jobs to even things out anyway).

I always give a couple dollars to the valet when they bring the car back.

I believe that there is a valet fee if you are not a DVC member and are not already paying a fee at the particular resort that you are valeting (is that a real word??). I will take a look around and see if I can find an answer for ya!

~Suzy

[ddoll]

Well, I just found the answer to my own question on allears:
WDW Swan and Dolphin -- Valet parking at these resorts is $14 a night, and is NOT reciprocal with Disney resorts offering valet parking. ( In other words, WDW Swan and Dolphin will not honor Disney resort parking hang tags and vice versa.)

[Ursulinda]

The swan self parking is very close to the hotel (go in through the conference center.) The dolphin self parking is quite a trek.

[Robin]

I'm not sure, but I think the Dolphin self parking is also by their conference center. I know there is a big lot outside the new wing. It's quite a walk to the 'main' entrance, but without luggage a person should be able to take a short cut through the conference area to the rotunda. Luckily though, I think we're all at the Swan.

[Tutter]

We always park in the self parking at the Swan. It's kinda neat to see what shindig/conference they are having as you walk by.

We have even been known to park in the self park when we aren't staying there but want to take the boat to Epcot but don't tell anybody! :whistle:

Tutter

[FLSharon]

And as for tipping, I read Moley's very detailed breakdown in another thread, but the question of whether you tip the person who moves your bags from the car to the cart was never answered.

there was a thread on this awhile back and my recollection is that the person who moves the bags from the car to the cart is paid full wages and not really to be tipped. the guy who delivers them to the room is the one you tip. I was so glad to hear this for it was costing me a fortune to get these blasted bags to my room and frankly i was getting annoyed. And i've been known to self park and carry them myself for that very reason. :wink:

[SuzyQ]

That's funny, Sharon!

I just give the "tip" to my personal bellman, Del. ;)

~Suzy