Boardwalk parking

[OhioDisneyDad]

I have an ADR for Kouzzina at 6:25p. We'll have a rental car and will be coming from HS. What's the best option for parking at the Boardwalk area? We'll probably want to either look around the Boardwalk after dinner or maybe pop in to World Showcase to view Illuminations or get a drink. Thanks.

 

[seashoreCM]

The guard will direct you where to park. You may have to tell him you have a restaurant reservation (ADR). You may have a 3 hour parking limit; the guard would take down your license plate number and give you a paper pass.

Very often the lot behind the gas station and across the street from the Boardwalk building is used by guests dining.

 

[Missytara]

I have an ADR for Kouzzina at 6:25p. We'll have a rental car and will be coming from HS. What's the best option for parking at the Boardwalk area? We'll probably want to either look around the Boardwalk after dinner or maybe pop in to World Showcase to view Illuminations or get a drink. Thanks.

Don't expect to park there long enough to have a dining reservation, then take the water taxi (or walk over) to the Gateway and watch the fire works three hours later - unless you do valet parking and then you pay for it.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Personally I would leave your car parked at Hollywood Studios and from there take the boat or walkway when going to the Boardwalk. So once your finished eating and looking around, you can then go back to Hollywood Studios and get your car.

 

[Missytara]

Personally I would leave your car parked at Hollywood Studios and from there take the boat or walkway when going to the Boardwalk. So once your finished eating and looking around, you can then go back to Hollywood Studios and get your car.

Agreed, or take their car over to Epcot; park in their lot and take the boat over to the BW from the Gateway.

At least with one of those options, you don't have to worry about your car being towed.

 

[OhioDisneyDad]

Personally I would leave your car parked at Hollywood Studios and from there take the boat or walkway when going to the Boardwalk. So once your finished eating and looking around, you can then go back to Hollywood Studios and get your car.

HS closes at 7p that night and Epcot closes at 9p. I didn't think the boats would still be running to HS that far after closing. I suppose we could valet park at the BWI and not worry about how long we linger - correct?

 

[skelooch]

Well worth the cost!!!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

HS closes at 7p that night and Epcot closes at 9p. I didn't think the boats would still be running to HS that far after closing. I suppose we could valet park at the BWI and not worry about how long we linger - correct?

Even though you wouldn't be taking up a spot from someone staying at the Boardwalk by doing that and if the valet Cast Members don't mind, you are really supposed to only valet park for the time you will be at the Boardwalk. Now even if the boats are not running from either park you can still walk to and from them, so you don't need to worry about making the boats.

 

[goofy4tink]

HS closes at 7p that night and Epcot closes at 9p. I didn't think the boats would still be running to HS that far after closing. I suppose we could valet park at the BWI and not worry about how long we linger - correct?

Yo9u can walk from Epcot to DHS..takes about 20 mins along a nicely lit sidewalk. Runs behind BW.

Even though you wouldn't be taking up a spot from someone staying at the Boardwalk by doing that and if the valet Cast Members don't mind, you are really supposed to only valet park for the time you will be at the Boardwalk. Now even if the boats are not running from either park you can still walk to and from them, so you don't need to worry about making the boats.

I really wish everyone would believe me when I tell them that you can pay to valet park and then do anything your little heart desires. I have asked this question at BW, CR, GF....same answer every single time. If you pay to valet park, you are then free to go anywhere you want to...dinner, to a park, whatever.
My father visited us at BW, valet parked his car and was told that he could leave it there as long as he liked and go anywhere he liked.

 

[OhioDisneyDad]

Yo9u can walk from Epcot to DHS..takes about 20 mins along a nicely lit sidewalk. Runs behind BW.


I really wish everyone would believe me when I tell them that you can pay to valet park and then do anything your little heart desires. I have asked this question at BW, CR, GF....same answer every single time. If you pay to valet park, you are then free to go anywhere you want to...dinner, to a park, whatever.
My father visited us at BW, valet parked his car and was told that he could leave it there as long as he liked and go anywhere he liked.

I'll be using the valet parking. Thanks!

 

[goofy4tink]

I'll be using the valet parking. Thanks!

You're welcome. Seems like the best solution.

 

[Traveliz]

We were there a couple of weeks ago and went to the guard gate. We were going to tell him we were going to valet park (which would have been fine) but we were directed to self park in that lot and not given a parking pass. It just varies on the date/season/guard as to what the experience will be.

Liz

 

[goofy4tink]

We were there a couple of weeks ago and went to the guard gate. We were going to tell him we were going to valet park (which would have been fine) but we were directed to self park in that lot and not given a parking pass. It just varies on the date/season/guard as to what the experience will be.

Liz

I've seen that happen, many times. It seems to be almost the 'rule' not the 'exception'. BUT...the only issue I have is this.....when I have a car, and I return to BW about 9:15ish, from wherever it was that I was at, it is really hard to find a decent parking spot. Okay, so the resort must be really full, right? Nope. Stand there and watch what happens at about 9:40ish.....tons of guests are leaving BW and getting into their cars and leaving the resort. Why??? Oh, I don't know...maybe IllumiNations is over?? Drives me nuts. Now, all those cars are gone and there are a ton of closer up spots open. These people get to the parking lot later in the afternoon, when BW guests are out, and there are plenty of spots open, especially up towards the front of the lot. They take 'em, and those of us returning later on, are left with the more distant spots.

I really wish that Disney would make a rule and stick to it. Perhaps if they had part of the lot sectioned off for true resort guests, those paying to stay there, and left the further reaches available to those needing short term parking it would work out better for those of us staying there. Key access would be nice.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I've seen that happen, many times. It seems to be almost the 'rule' not the 'exception'. BUT...the only issue I have is this.....when I have a car, and I return to BW about 9:15ish, from wherever it was that I was at, it is really hard to find a decent parking spot. Okay, so the resort must be really full, right? Nope. Stand there and watch what happens at about 9:40ish.....tons of guests are leaving BW and getting into their cars and leaving the resort. Why??? Oh, I don't know...maybe IllumiNations is over?? Drives me nuts. Now, all those cars are gone and there are a ton of closer up spots open. These people get to the parking lot later in the afternoon, when BW guests are out, and there are plenty of spots open, especially up towards the front of the lot. They take 'em, and those of us returning later on, are left with the more distant spots.

I really wish that Disney would make a rule and stick to it. Perhaps if they had part of the lot sectioned off for true resort guests, those paying to stay there, and left the further reaches available to those needing short term parking it would work out better for those of us staying there. Key access would be nice.

I always assumed that the parking lot to the left of the guard gate and the one behind the Hess is where guests should park if they are not staying at the Boardwalk. However last month when we were there I saw other cars with parking passes not from the Boardwalk. In fact one car had a parking pass that said Epcot Food & Wine Festival, which expired sometime in November 2010. So I guess it's up to the security guards to enforce where those guests should park.

 

[keishashadow]

The CR guard house certainly manages to keep close tabs on access to their parking lot. We own @ BW & have dealt with the full parking lot which clears out as described above. Management has to be aware of the issue, assume they have decided it's a legitimate trade off so as not to deter those who patronize the restaurants/bars.