New Vendor Drop-Off Policy? Update: CONFIRMED exclusive drop off vendor = Scooterbug

[siren0119]

It shouldn't. Those pictures were much more recent (three months ago) than the policy change (maybe three years ago?) Any scooters in that picture should belong to the Featured vendors - who have Disney's approval to utilize Bell Services.

Arrangements with bell services for Featured vendors to have scooters dropped off would have nothing to do with the problem of space to store them until a guest needed them, and known issues with guests claiming they left their scooters with BS at the end of their stay but not actually leaving them. The photos that PP referred to just show the sheer quantity of scooters being left at BS - which can pose a safety risk for workers (if they need to block halls/egress/etc to make room for them) as well as a liability since they can't be stored securely if the resort's storage space is overwhelmed.

 

[CatNipRules]

The company I use always meets me when I arrive. I message them when my plane lands and they are waiting for me at the resort.

I understand where it can be an issue for some, but there has to be a reason Disney has done this.

 

[diskids2]

I just called Buena Vista and they confirmed. I have a rental in Feb. Said I was "grandfathered" but if you don't have a reservation by 10/1 - new policy is in effect. Encouraged me to voice my displeasure with WDW...which I just did after an hour of waiting to get someone who isn't really in the executive office anyway...but I felt better!

 

[Hoodie]

So far I've seen a couple of stroller rentals, including the verified ones, confirm this. Nothing on scooter or grocery delivery yet. It may be phased in or maybe given the numbers, stroller vendors were notified first?

So in short, confirmed by most stroller companies, not yet confirmed by other vendors. I'd be prepared though for the others to follow shortly.

 

[Groot]

I wonder, why the change? Is it because of all the space that the rentals take up?

 

[Hoodie]

I wonder, why the change? Is it because of all the space that the rentals take up?

Space, liability, and probably staff cuts. The entertainment cuts get noticed, the supporting staff rarely does.

 

[Groot]

So far I've seen a couple of stroller rentals, including the verified ones, confirm this. Nothing on scooter or grocery delivery yet. It may be phased in or maybe given the numbers, stroller vendors were notified first?

So in short, confirmed by most stroller companies, not yet confirmed by other vendors. I'd be prepared though for the others to follow shortly.

Gold knows about it too.

 

[Kenswing]

I read somewhere that they were going to start charging $6.00 to accept groceries at Bell Services..

 

[Hoodie]

I have never rented an ECV. Is the rumored policy to have broken down scooters moved to the nearest exit new? I seem to recall some people saying they could be traded out in the park, but didn't know if that was actually IN the park.

 

[RaySharpton]

I wonder if this has anything to do with the number of scooters that was left at the resort. I think @RaySharpton had taken a picture of a lot of scooters that were left at pop ( looked like over 50) if they just got overwhelmed with the number and with the stroller and the such. I hope this does not affect anyone and that the transition goes smoothly

I agree.

These were photos at Disney Pop Century Resort Preferred Provider scooters. Notice they are outdoors and even though they may get rained on, they do wipe them down before giving them to the guests.

I have seen days where the mobility scooter stretched around to the Airport kiosk at Pop Century. I imagine they are running out of space for Preferred Provider's to leave their mobility scooters.

The wall on the left has electrical outlets where the Preferred Provider can plug in their scooter if they needed charging.

 

[bluecruiser]

If this only affects non-featured providers, isn't that the way things currently work? I thought customers currently had to meet them when the ECV/etc. is delivered.

If this affects featured providers as well as other third-party vendors, it reduces the advantage of being a featured provider.

 

[gap2368]

If this only affects non-featured providers, isn't that the way things currently work? I thought customers currently had to meet them when the ECV/etc. is delivered.

If this affects featured providers as well as other third-party vendors, it reduces the advantage of being a featured provider.

It sounds like all vender will have to meet there customers now for Drop-off pick up ( or very soon) I think this is what gold was talking about that they always meet there customers and this would not change for them.

 

[toocherie]

You could arrange to meet the representative at or close to your arrival. You could request a room close to the lobby. You could ask for physical assistance getting to your room, then back to the lobby to meet the rep.

We will have to see how this plays out. For those of us who have already had our room reservations for several months "close to the lobby" may not be an option--I have a standard wheel-in shower room reserved at POFQ in November--while I know POFQ isn't huge, I certainly was not planning on having to walk to my room with carry-ons etc. --and since it is not a preferred room (they weren't available at the time I booked) it will not be a close building. I know at SSR they will transport you and your luggage in a golf cart--not sure if that's an option at POFQ (and then once there you're stuck until the next day--so if my flight gets in at 9 p.m.--and I was planning on going over to DS to get dinner after arrival--that plan is shot because I won't be able to physically do that and won't be able to get a rental scooter until the next morning. I guess I would have to grab something to eat before getting escorted to my room). The plan had been to have the scooter delivered for arrival day so when I checked in I could pick up the scooter and go. (the November plan may be ok because what I read is that if you had a reservation made prior to Oct. 1 then they will allow the drop off--not sure about my January trip where my flight doesn't get in until 11:30 p.m.).

 

[toocherie]

I read somewhere that they were going to start charging $6.00 to accept groceries at Bell Services..

This isn't a rumor. I shipped my suitcase to SSR in April and was charged $6.

 

[SueM in MN]

Interesting news...we'll see how it plays out.



That would be my assumption, also. I know they instituted delivery fees on things like packages shipped and handled through the front desk. But with the number of people I see posting all over the boards about "have it delivered" or "how do I avoid delivery fees" - I can imagine Bell Services/Luggage Services may be getting overwhelmed with accepting and handling deliveries other than luggage. That includes ECVs, wheelchairs, mobility equipment for the room (shower chairs and such), strollers, groceries, etc.


While a common rumor, no, I don't believe they actually pay WDW to be a "featured vendor." However they did go through a rigorous application process and meet a lot of requirements; some vendors simply opted no to go that route. The featured vendors were selected back in 2012 and I don't believe there has been option for changes since (no new ones added).

Enjoy your vacation!

I had corresponded with a number of the Featured Vendors before the selection occurred in 2012 (and one vendor who chose not to apply). One even shared the questionnaire with me.
In order to be considered for as a Featured Vendor, they did have to agree to a bunch of things, including size, speed and condition of their ECVs, plus some things that had to do with delivery, pick up and liability. The ones I corresponded with said there was no fee involved; Disney was trying to go from umteen different companies all delivering to the resort and expecting Bell Services to hold them to a small number.

I read somewhere that they were going to start charging $6.00 to accept groceries at Bell Services..

they have been charging a fee for accepting groceries and packages for quite a while.

If this only affects non-featured providers, isn't that the way things currently work? I thought customers currently had to meet them when the ECV/etc. is delivered.

If this affects featured providers as well as other third-party vendors, it reduces the advantage of being a featured provider.

If this is true and NO third party vendors can leave them, I think there will no longe be any Featured Providers.

The stories are a bit contradictory at this point - I’ve read no ECVs, wheelchairs or strollers can be left at Bell Services, but I’ve also read « approved vendors ».
On the other hand, since the only ones allowed to leave those items at Bell Services have been the Featured Providers, it might mean no more delivering to Bell Services at all.

 

[Groot]

Well, I can think of a couple good things to come out of this:

1. With the main perk of being a “Disney-Verified” provider (E.G. Buena Vista) being nullified, this might bring the prices of rentals down and be more competitive with the “Non-Verified” Vendors (E.G. Gold Mobility).

2. With EVERY VENDOR now being made to meet with their customers in person, this will encourage the Vendors to teach first-timers how to use their equipment that they rented and reduce accidents. (More so for first-time Scooter Drivers than anything else.)

3. In addition to driving lessons, this will also reduce the chances of a customer receiving a rental that is worn out.

 

[toocherie]

While I would be happy with a lower price--that won't offset the inconvenience for me. It adds a whole new level to my planning (including considering again whether to just bite the bullet and fly with my own scooter from the West Coast). And I've never received what I would consider to be a "worn out" scooter from Buena Vista--had one problem with Apple--and after they failed to timely resolve the issue never used them again.

 

[Bjkandma]

I' m good. I rented from Gold Mobility and had no problems. Nor, do I expect any in the future.

There is good that comes from this. Guests will be able to actually see the condition of their mobility device. Companies will no longer get away with leaving less desirable scooters (ripped seats, broken tillers, dirty, etc) for their customers.

Who I feel for are the guests who will be arriving later than scooter delivery time, or leaving resort prior to opening of scheduled companies.

There is no doubt in my mind, that in the near future Disney will offer their own scooters, allowing pick up and delivery at resort. It's a money maker for them!!!

 

[skittlesfirehawk]

I' m good. I rented from Gold Mobility and had no problems. Nor, do I expect any in the future.

There is good that comes from this. Guests will be able to actually see the condition of their mobility device. Companies will no longer get away with leaving less desirable scooters (ripped seats, broken tillers, dirty, etc) for their customers.

Who I feel for are the guests who will be arriving later than scooter delivery time, or leaving resort prior to opening of scheduled companies.

There is no doubt in my mind, that in the near future Disney will offer their own scooters, allowing pick up and delivery at resort. It's a money maker for them!!!

Disney does offer their own scooters. At 50$ per day it’s not economically feasible.

 

[chicagoshannon]

Disney does offer their own scooters. At 50$ per day it’s not economically feasible.

but you can't take them back to the resorts. So if you need them to get around there you're out of luck unless you rent off site.