Parking at Boardwalk

[DisneyAl]

Has anyone else been irritated by having to walk way out to find a place to park. Would it not be better if guests staying there would use their room key (like at Vero) to park in the closest lot. As it is now anyone can park there once passed the entrance.

 

[bicker]

It's even worse when there just aren't any parking spots.

Brian Charles Kohn
"in my own words"
Some Imagination, huh? - Mickey Mouse

 

[spiceycat]

kept in mind that the BWV shares the parking with BWI (conventions) - when it first opened you did have to use your key to get in this parking. But the way I understand it (may have got the whole story wrong) the people in the conventions complainted about not being able to use the parking lot - so the thing was taken down. They are making money off the conventions. I do not think they will change it very easily. However complaint to the hotel - on the form that is in your room.

 

[AnnK]

I love BW, it is my home resort. I feel that a gate across the GUEST parking would be a great investment, that would keep spots open for people who are STAYING at BW, so that you can CHOOSE to self -park or valet. We usually valet, but sometimes when we are know we are going to go back out we will self-park. The problem is that you have all these people who are NOT STAYING at the BW parked in OUR parking lot.
The lot for guests is located in the front by the guards, but you see them pass right through as if they are going to valet, then they park in our lot. I can't tell you how many people I see returning from the parks and heading right into our parking area. The problem is so bad, even Yacht and Beach has a sign telling people that they don't have parking for the parks, that it is for guests only.
I have e-mailed MS , and I will continue until they do something to keep those who are not staying at BW out of our lot.

 

[drusba]

The problem can get bad even though there is a second (but distant) lot across the street. However, I doubt any cure is in sight. The convention issue I was not aware of but makes sense. Also, unlike any other resort, the boardwalk is itself considered a Disney attraction open to the public and thus I seriously doubt they will create any restrictions. We generally use valet parking which avoids the problem.

 

[NJmouse]

We use valet all the time. We are on vacation and don't need to be "hunting for a parking spot"
this time is used for other Disney pleasures. Also if we know we are going back out in less then 10 mins. we tell the valet attendent and they usually just park the car right out front (on the side there are some spaces). Met some nice CM on the valet front. We call down from the room before we leave and wa-lah the car is waiting for us with the air on. Oh how nice not to get in a hot car!

 

[dvc_john]

I complained about this issue at the annual meeting in Dec 1999, and got little response. I prefer self-parking, but if you are coming back to BWV at 8 or 9 at night, you might as well forget about finding a parking space. After Illuminations, streams of people head straight from EPCOT to the parking lot.

Two possible solutions:

1) Make parking free at the regular lots for those with Florida resident passes. This would take away some of the incentive for locals with Florida resident passes to try to park at BW for free.

2) Charge $10 for parking for non-BWV/BWI guests, but give out a $10 dated coupon for use at any BW restaurant. That way, legitimate guests going out to eat will have free parking, and cheaters will have to pay.

 

[AnnK]

I agree that you are on vacation. That is why we usually valet our car. I just feel that since the parking is for GUESTS who are staying at BW it's parking spots should be READILY available for anyone who is staying at BW to park their car if that is what they choose to do. It bothers me that these freeloaders don't want to pay the 6.00, or are just to lazy to park and ride the tram will park at my resort and take spots for those who have invested in the LOCATION of BW.
A person who has the "non-preferred view" is actually closer to the self-parking lot, than they are to the main entrance, and it is a much shorter walk if you can find a spot to park.
Conventions may make money, but while we were there I did not see anyone in the convention hall, or any activity over there what-so-ever. The Contemporary has effectively shut down the "park and walk to "MK the Yacht and Beach isn't allowing anyone to use their guest parking. I realize that BW is an entertainment area, they have parking for the people who wish to visit, it's located right next to the guard booth. It's a matter of enforcing the parking restrictions. On my last trip we self-parked because we knew we were going to the airport to pick people up. On our way down ONE aisle we found only THREE cars that had the BWV pass! Three out of how many?????? It's outrageous. Then as you head to your room you hear people as they are returning to their cars in our parking lot saying how they are headed back to their hotel to go in the pool/hot tub. If someone wants to park at BWV and slither into the parks,then so be it, just don't park in the area reserved for the "GUESTS" staying at the BWV's.

 

[PamOKW]

There should be guaranteed parking for guests of BWV and BWI...no question. BUT, they have built parking lots that are much larger than that and they encourage valet parking. BW is a convention center and a destination and they have included parking for those. Going to Epcot and then spending a few more hours at BW is enouraged. I also feel that as long as the public is able to park at BW that all member DVC resort guests should be given first dibs on that parking over any other WDW guest.

I have seen cars turned away at Christmastime. I'm not sure why but I assume they were non-WDW resort guests.

 

[Peterd]

Dvcjohn, That would be a great idea about the $10 dollar voucher. We just stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel in Universal before moving over to the Boardwalk. The way the Hard Rock discouraged the parking and walking to the parks for visitors was to have gates at the guests parking, I believe that you can only valet park, and the price to park was at least double the parking at the parks, and went up with the longer you stayed. I could be wrong about the self parking there, but we couldn't find a parking lot there without a gate that didn't need a room key.
We valet about 80% of the time. I have also pulled up to the main entrance of the Boardwalk, and parked to the left of the building if it was for about a 5 to 10 minute stop to pick up our party before leaving. I wouldn't do it for any longer than that, because that's not what those spots are primarily for. When we do self park, it is a nice short walk to the rooms by the quiet pool and community hall. It is rather annoying to not find a spot in the self parking area, and then notice that the other cars parked there, not only do not have BW parking papers in their windows, but don't even have any of the other disney resort parking papers in their windows.
We also experienced this at the OKW, where you couldn't find any parking near the main pool. Sometimes, I would drop the kids off, and circle the parking lot for about 10 minutes waiting for a spot. We would drive from our room because I feel the roads in OKW are too busy for our kids. Our "adult" niece almost got taken out one time by one of the buses,(her fault though). Later that day, on the boat to Downtown Disney, we met a family not staying at OKW OR onsite, using the boat because they didn't like the chaos of parking at Downtown Disney. Remember those keys we were supposed to use for Disney transportion? I haven't had to show mine in about 8 years.
I'm all for gates for guest parking at the resorts. Even the Coronado Springs has it. We used to park at the Contemporary, go to MK, then to Chef Mickey's at night. You can't do this anymore, because of the Guest's complaints. I can't blame them. How many complaints does it take before they put the gate back up? Welcome visitors, just park in visitors parking!

 

[PamOKW]

Something else that would help the parking problem would be to improve the transportation to and from BW especially in the evening. I would take the bus back to OKW but the times I've done it the trip tends to take well over an hour. First, you wait with large crowds for a bus to DD. Then, you get off at DD and wait sometimes as long as half an hour for a bus to OKW. Next you take the tour through traffic of PI and Westside finally heading to OKW. This is way too long at the end of a long day. To pick up the car from the valet and to drive to "home" at OKW takes less than 10 minutes. In fact, BW has become about the only place I do drive to regularly just because getting back home by bus is so incredibly difficult.

 

[AnnK]

Yes there is parking for those who wish to "visit" BW. It is located by the guard booth. I have no problem with those who visit the BW and park in the appropriate lot.
I have not seen enough conventions going on when I have stayed to justify the parking lot being so full. I don't see why the convention people cannot be handed a key that would get them through the gate.I have however seen MANY people who are just using the BW to park and go to the parks. They do not stop at the restaurants, they are just there to park. These are the people that I want to have park in the lot reserved just for them! It may be a longer distance to walk, but what do you want for free? I saw a young couple pull in, first the thought they would park in the handicap area, then they drove over and parked in the "guest" lot, when they should have parked in the "visitor" lot. I am certain that each guest when they pull in are told where they are supposed to park, it's just that they choose to ignore it.
I for one will continue to pursue a change in policy. I would like a gate, but I feel the above suggestions would also deter people from using the BW as an alternative parking lot.

 

[tiggersnj]

I believe drusba is correct. The boardwalk is considered an attraction, therefore, they have to provide parking. I'm sure there is a solution but unfortunately, I can't think of one. A gate at the front lot for guest staying at boardwalk seems fair to me.

 

[DebbieB]

After the Annual BWV meeting in December, members had a chance to individually talk to the managers. I spoke to the BW Manager about this very issue. I was ticked off because the night before we returned about 8:00pm and found a spot at the very end of the lot only when someone pulled out. The part that made me mad is that as we walked back through the lot, I noticed that almost every car did not have ANY Disney Resort Parking Pass. Which meant they were not staying at any Disney Resort. I suggested a separate lot (or part of the lot) for BW hotel guests and he told me that it would not be fesible, they are limited on space. He did say that the guards are supposed to direct people across the street when the lot gets full, I suggested that non-guests be directed there first. He acknowledged that it is a problem but since Boardwalk is a public area, there's not much they can do about it. He suggested using the free valet parking.

 

[spruce]

How about a visitor entrance that leads directly and only to visitor parking. Anyone not a guest or using valet would then be directed to that area by the guards and not permitted past the gate...spruce

Offsite 87,92,97,00
CBR 95
DI 98
Vero 98
BWV 98,99,00
OKW 99x2,00,01
DCL 98,01

 

[Peterd]

I'm all for it Spruce, and since they are making so much money from these visitors, they should use the money to run a small shuttle back and forth to the visitor's lot. I also like the idea of the 10 dollar voucher talked about above, kind of like in the Atlantic City casinos where you have to get validated before you leave, or pay the parking fee, whatever it is.

 

[nuthut]

Another great reason to stay at OKW! Where you can park in front of your door.

 

[Peterd]

WOW, I'm surprised it took you that long. Thanks for your input. It really added to the topic.

 

[nickglover]

Is the valet parking at BWV free if you are staying at OKW? (except for a tip, of course)

 

[Richyams]

Valet parking is free at any hotel for any WDW resort guest. A tip is always nice.

"From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs", Karl Marx, pretty sick, huh?