Can I park at the Boardwalk?

[Dawnflower]

I am wanting to spend an evening strolling around the boardwalk, eating and so forth, may wander into EPCOT for illuminations but mostly Boardwalk. Can I park there? If not, what would be the best way to leave AK at 5:00 and make it to a PS at Spoodles by 6:20. We can either drive or take the bus, but would rather not have to walk all the way through FW as I like to llook at EVERYTHING and it slows me down!

 

[SteveS]

Parking at Boardwalk is at a premium. Parking there to go to EPCOT is a big problem. Leave the parking open for the resort guests and park in an EPCOT lot.

 

[Snoopymom]

We just did this, just go in at the hotel entrance and tell the gate person and he'll direct you to guest parking. I was expecting the lot to be farther away from the Boardwalk than it was. (GF's guest parking is really far away.) There wasn't any time limit, but it was dead everywhere we went with Hurricane Francis two weeks ago, so I'm not sure if it's different when it's busy. Have fun!!!!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Technically, I don't think they allow people to park at resorts and then go to the parks, but you could always ask, since you plan on spending most of the evening at BW and may or may not pop into Epcot for Illuminations, and then coming back to Boardwalk.

Your other option of course, would be to park at Epcot earlier, walk over to the Boardwalk for your PS and then walk back to your car after Illuminations.

I LOVE walking back through FW after Illuminations. Everyone rushes out, and if you hang back a little, it's just so pretty and it feels like you are the only one there.

Have a great trip!!!

 

[DisneyKidds]

Absolutely you can do that. If your primary purpose is to enjoy the Boardwalk and have a meal, then by all means you should park there. If you pop into Epcot for an hour to catch Illuminations it won't be a problem. Tell the guard that is what you are doing and he won't give you a bit of trouble. Let the CM at the resort be the one to tell you what is acceptable and what is not....he or she is most qualified to do that.

Now, if your primary purpose was to spend time in Epcot, you are on shakier ground, even if you are eating at the Boardwalk. Again, so long as you inform the guard that you are eating at the Boardwalk you will be allowed to park there.

I wholeheartedly agree that parking at a resort just to go to a park is something that shouldn't be done.......unless, of course, you are a DVC member who is going to valet park at a DVC resort .

 

[swilphil]

You may want to splurge and valet park at Boardwalk Inn.

 

[CDizney]

I've never ever ever had a problem being able to park at the Boardwalk while I was not a guest there. I let the guard know that I have reservations at one of the restaurants at the Boardwalk and they let me go right through.
Once done with my activity at the Boardwalk I then hop the water taxi over to Epcot to end the night.

 

[LvsTnk]

Tried to delete my post but it wouldn't allow me, I try to stay away from the BW parking threads. So just ignore my post if it upsets you.

On 2 occasions as a guest we have had the "lots full" once in valet as well.

People know that valet parking then hopping on over to Epcot is the way to go..... let's not kid ourselves Signs are posted that it isn't allowed, but they are not going to turn away potential customers to the BW shops and restaurants.

And not that any DISers would do it, but anyone can make a ressie there and not show up.

 

[DebbieB]

There is another lot across the street from the hotel, down from the gas station. You will be directed there if the main lot is full. When I was there in May, they closed the lot early on the weekends to everyone but BW hotel guests and directed others across the street.