We have stayed on and off site many times when visiting WDW. We'll be staying in a rental house this June due to the number of people we have traveling with us. When we have stayed off site in the past all we had to do when we visited a resort was tell the guard at the gates we were going to walk around he property, shop, and possibly eat there. We never had an issue. This past summer when my son and DIL visited they were asked for a password when they attempted to park at The Boardwalk resort. They were planning to go to ESPN to eat without reservations. The guard advised that if you make a reservation at a resort restaurant you will be given a password to allow to park in the resort parking, otherwise you will not be allowed to park at the resort. I know in the past, particularly at The Boardwalk, there was an area for non resort guest parking. So, the question is, currently, can a non-resort quest staying off site park at a resort to shop, visit the property, and dine (without a reservation)?
Resort Parking If Staying Off Site
- Thread starter COMPSPEED
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figment_jii
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2006
I've never been asked for a "password" but various resorts have asked for reservation numbers, my name, and/or to see a driver's license or some other form of ID. I have seen them compare it to a list of guests with ADRs on occasion. Usually non-resort guests are allowed to park at the resort to tour that resort (with or without a reservation), but the Boardwalk does seem to have more problems with folks trying to bypass paying for parking at Epcot, so perhaps they are cracking down at that resort in particular. Usually you can go to the over-flow lot behind the Hess station, but I have also been there when that lot was closed to the general public. They might have just been there when the lots were full and they didn't have space for non-resort guests or guests without a confirmed ADR.
bumbershoot
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2007
I've made reservations for Boardwalk restaurants and haven't been given a password.
If a security guy said that to me I would assume that he was joking. As I'm doing now.
Deb & Bill
DVC-Trivia Contest, Apr-2006: Honorable Mention
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2000
That parking area is for guests visiting the Boardwalk, not for visiting the theme parks.
StrawberryTink
"2nd star to the right & straight on 'til morning"
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2011
We stayed back in October and we were asked for passwords, passport's and exact reasons why we were at resorts. Arrived at POR to check in and got a lot of questions before being allowed to check in. Had a breakfast at Bay Lake Tower, breakfast at Contempo, got the 3rd degree from both. Same at Poly for dinner reservations. I thought it was a bit strange, but i guess people are taking advantage and they're cracking down on that. I flew 4760 miles and I didn't even have to show my passport that much at all 6 airports... 
Brian Noble
Gratefully in Recovery
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2004
...which is exactly what the OP wants to do, if I am reading the question correctly.
OP: In general, you can park at a resort to shop/eat there, even if you are staying offsite. The guard will ask to see photo ID (though I'm not sure why; they barely glance at it.) You might be advised there is a time limit, depending on how busy things are. If for some reason the lot is exceptionally busy, they will turn you away. That can happen at Boardwalk during Food & Wine weekends, for example.
Sue M
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 27, 2009
It sounds like they are really cracking down. Especially at Epcot and MK resort area. I would advise if you want to go visit athe Boardwalk to walk around and possibly eat, to go on a day you will be at either Epcot or DHS. Leave your car at the Epcot or DHS lot. It's easy to either walk over or take the boat from the park. Then you wouldn't have to worry about if you'll be allowed to park at resort or not, without a dining reservation.
bumbershoot
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2007
We've always had them ask for an ID or MB (post-MB), and for the reason, but it's never felt like a big deal.
And we were there in January and weren't asked for a password. (more below)
Had breakfast at Al Forno in January, no password needed, and there was no CM directing traffic or regulating access. I've actually never come across a CM in the parking area once I get through, and we've eaten at Cat Cora's place a couple times, then Al Forno, we've gone to BW to swim (DVC members staying on points, it's allowed for BW), and we've stayed there twice...have never seen anyone directing traffic.
Weird!
StrawberryTink
"2nd star to the right & straight on 'til morning"
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2011
It wasn't a big deal so much, i mean except from the previous times i'd visited i didn't have to provide passwords or ID when going to another resort. However the CM's that rushed me to prove why i was there didn't sit well with me. I pretty much had to walk around with my passport attached to me last visit. Hopefully that doesn't happen this trip because it was a bit annoying
Perhaps some of our faces didn't fit enough..lol
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