Can I park @ BCV or BWV and just visit?

[doubletrouble_vb]

There is an easy solution to the problem of people parking to visit the parks. Install an automatic ticket machine at the most efficient spot. Then guests get the ticket validated when they make a purchase greater than the cost of parking in one of the theme park lots or if they visit a restaurant.

DVC members and hotel guests can get their tickets validated at the information desks, DVC kiosks or by valet parking. I don't think this is an expensive approach because it is done by hotels, movie chains, and department stores all over the country.

It seems bizarre to park at a resort to go to the parks. The amount of money you save isn't worth the wear and tear on your feet.

A more expensive version of this solution would be to build a parking garage in the far lot at BWV. Again...you get a ticket to park there and there is a cashier at the exit. All non-hotel guests park there and walk....do the validation routine. DVC members staying on property can still valet park if they want.

 

[DebbieB]

I spoke to the Boardwalk Manager about this after the DVC annual meeting 2 years ago. I complained that I could not find a space when I returned to the resort in the evening. His response was that Boardwalk is a public entertainment area and they can't restrict parking. He mentioned that they had opened the overflow lot across the street where non-resort guests were to go when the main lot became full. He also mentioned free valet parking is available (at that time it was free to all WDW resort guests). I don't see anything wrong if the OP uses valet parking if they are going to return to the BW later to swim. Valet parking does not take a space from a resort guest. The valet lot is always half empty and even if it does get full they can double park because they have the keys. The valets are usually standing around, so they can make a couple extra bucks in tips.

As I said before, I think they need to crack down on non-WDW resort guests using the lot. We had rooms the past 2 years facing the parking lot. Every morning, around 8:30-9:30 you would see people exiting the lot and pushing strollers up to the BW entrance. All that is open during that time is Spoodles and the store. I doubt they were all going there. And at night after Illuminations, many people were back in their cars and leaving. I think if you do not have a WDW resort parking permit, you should automatically be directed across the street. I think that would eliminate the problem for resort guests because most of the cars in the self park lot do not have any WDW parking permit.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

The problem is just another case of abusers (not the original poster, mind you) but other abusers try to park in the BC parking lot as thier close proximity parking for Epcot, taking spaces from BC guests, so they don't have to use the Epcot parking. Security needs to be restrictive, to help discourage this, IMHO.

 

[DeeP]

I think you did not read all of my emails. I was only going to Epcot for the princess breakfast and then pool hop and visit the boardwalk for the rest of the day. We love the area, but we could not get a reservation at the 7 month window. We are still on the waiting list, but I doubt it will come through. I also clearly indicated that I would not use the parking lot just to enter Epcot, so I think you jumped the gun on this response.

I do not think I jumped the gun at all, if you are going to Epcot for the princess breakfast you should be parking at Epcot not BWV. The breakfast is at Epcot so that is where you should park, if you were eating breakfast at a boardwalk restaurant then BWV parking lots are where you should park. For guests that want to walk the boardwalk, eat at restaurants etc you are supposed to get a parking pass good for 3 hours, it is not good for the day. From another post I read that DVC members were pool hopping to the Poly they also received a parking pass good for 3 hours not for the entire day!

 

[DebbieB]

The original poster is going to the breakfast and then to BW for pool hopping. I don't think they should have the hassle of parking twice so that the car isn't in the lot for an extra hour or two. Especially in the morning when the lot isn't full, the problem is usually in the evening. And especially if they valet park. Give her a break! I agree that they need to crack down on parking, but start with non-WDW guests who have no business at all there and are strictly going to Epcot.

Has anyone ever received a 3 hour pass at BW? I've parked there when not staying there and never have. From the attitude of the BW Manager, I don't think they want to discourage parking because it will take away from business at the BW.

 

[PamOKW]

spoke to the Boardwalk Manager about this after the DVC annual meeting 2 years ago. I complained that I could not find a space when I returned to the resort in the evening. His response was that Boardwalk is a public entertainment area and they can't restrict parking.

While I sympathize with guests staying at the resort having trouble parking, BW is not solely a resort. It is a hybrid at WDW in that it is both an entertainment center and a resort. It is a part of WDW.

Just as with many of the aspects of DVC, it is up to Disney/DVC to control how they run things. If they permit people to use the parking lots, then they can use the lots and/or valet parking. The original poster is not trying to save a parking fee (they don't need to pay one anyway). They are trying to park in the most convenient place. They are going to Epcot and they are using the BW area.

I'm actually in agreement that WDW resort guests should be allowed to park at BW. The first to be restricted should be offsite guests who may be trying to save parking fees. If the resort is especially crowded, then I have no problem with them turning away WDW resort guests who are not also staying at BW.

 

[icydog]

I hear what you are saying about tipping and I will take it under advisement. My opinion is that you actually should tip once.
That is what is expected. We asked a valet guy and he sugested one tip when you leave. Since all the money is pooled no one guy gets more money than another so one tip should surfice. We also valet park when we go to other resorts since we have handicapped plates. I think this service is wonderful for us.
I just think that we will continue to tip gractiously and generously when we pick up the car.

 

[InstImpres]

Originally posted by DebbieB

Has anyone ever received a 3 hour pass at BW?

I am taking cover under my desk as soon as I finish this post.

We went to the Poly for Chef Mickey and left our car there to go to MK. It was our last morning and we had time for breakfast and 2-3 hours in the park that is it. (have to squeeze out every last DIS minute), My SIL was worried they would tow our car as it had a 3 our permit and we were there for almost 5. To make it worse, we parked in an empty area of the lot for an easy exit making the car really stick out.

Security told me not to worry as long as it wasn't there after midnight (we entered at 9:30am). They said the pass is really just a "security measure" not to be worried about.

O.k., I'll go hide in shame now

 

[DeeP]

I'm actually in agreement that WDW resort guests should be allowed to park at BW. The first to be restricted should be offsite guests who may be trying to save parking fees. If the resort is especially crowded, then I have no problem with them turning away WDW resort guests who are not also staying at BW.

Does this mean WDW guests staying at other resorts should be able to park at BWV when they are going to Epcot and MGM instead of driving to Epcot or MGM and parking in their parking lots? If so would this also apply to guests not staying at VWL parking there to take a boat to MK or guests not staying at OKW parking there to take the boat to DTD?

 

[JOC]

InstImpres,
Shame on you!

Okay, you've been duly chastised...you can come out from under the table now!

 

[PamOKW]

If the security guard permits parking at BW by non-BW guests, yes they should be able to park there if they think that is the most convenient place. If the plan is to spend the morning at MGM, the afternoon/evening at Epcot and then walk the Boardwak, then parking at BW would be the most convenient choice and until Disney changes the policy, you can park there. People do park at the other resorts at WDW when they are not staying there so BW is not being singled out. The three-hour pass example above was just given. During Christmas Week, I have seen the guard at BW distinguish between Disney resort guests and non-Disney guests, turning away the latter from parking. A BW guest always has the option of valet parking as a solution to not being able to find a self-park space.

 

[DeeP]

The parking policy at all the WDW resorts is the parking lots are for guests staying at the resort OR guests eating at one of the resort restaurants, shopping in one of the shops etc.--regardless if they are WDW resort guests or not. The resort parking lots are not to be used as a parking lot for people going into one of the theme parks --regardless if they are WDW resort guests or not.
Personally this has no bearing on me not being able to get a parking space at BWV because I always use valet parking, it is one of the many amenities I love at this wonderful resort. I just find it so amusing how people can get so upset about those that do not follow their perceived rules (re: booking multiple DVC resort ressies at the same time and only intending to use one reservation), when this is not even a rule, yet a policy/rule that is very much Disney's policy (resort parking) can so easily be overlooked because it is more convenient for them. It must be very convenient to be able to pick and choose which rules/policies (even ones that are not even rules/polices)you wish to follow and disregard the real policies because they are inconvenient for you. I would be very surprised if those that park at BWV or BCV for the day while they visit Epcot, MGM and then finish up their day by visiting the boardwalk at night tell the security guard at the gate that this is what they intend to do. Most likely a lie regarding eating at a boardwalk restaurant or visiting the boardwalk is told to the security guard so therefore they are admitted into the resort's parking lot. But heck, what is a little white lie if it makes your day more convenient! Why even think about the guests that are staying at these resorts and choose not to valet park or the guests that have legit dinner plans at one the resorts restaurants that have to search high and low for a parking space, as long as your day is more convenient for you. I have read many times that one of the wonderful things about staying at the resorts that do not have direct access to the theme parks was the ability to drive your own car, so why the need to park at a resort with direct access to one of the parks? Just drive to the park and park in their lot, if you are a WDW resort guest it is free. True you have to move your car when you switch to a different park but the ability to have direct access to parks is one of the amenities of staying at one of those resorts, if you want that amenity then pay (with points or cash) to stay there.
Being inconsiderate to others is the same whether you are tieing up multiple DVC rooms with the intention of only using one or taking away a parking space from a guest that legitimately belongs in that space.

 

[PamOKW]

Once again, BW is not purely a resort. It is an entertainment center and a convention center. The DVC manager was even quoted here saying just that. Because of the increased use of this area beyond resort guests, Disney provided additional lots. It is up to Disney to ensure guests of the BWI and BWV receive preferential parking and to turn away people coming to park if the lots are full. The original poster's use of the parking seems to fall into those guidelines.

If you are directing the "pick and choose" comment to me, I have never lied to park at BW. The rare occasions that I have parked there have been in the evening to use the BW area. Equating parking at BW and BCV are not exactly the same. BCV is purely a resort....BW is not.

Here is Disney's own description of the Boardwalk area (note the second paragraph):

Take in an atmosphere that combines the timeless charm of a 1940s Atlantic coastal village with the best in contemporary entertainment, shopping and dining. It's your best bet for a night out this side of Atlantic City.

Free parking at all times. Valet parking also available for a small charge. Free admission to Disney's BoardWalk, shops and restaurants at all times. An admission charge is required for Jellyrolls, as well as certain other special events. For more information about Disney's BoardWalk, call (407) 939-3492†.

 

[DeeP]

Free parking at all times IF you are going to be walking the boardwalk, going to one of the clubs, eating at one of the restaurants or shopping in one of the shops. Not free parking so that you can have quick access to and from Epcot or MGM. Ending up your day at the boardwalk to eat, go to a club etc does NOT entitle someone to park in the resorts parking lot for the entire day just because it is more convenient. During the portion of the day when the guest is eating at a restaurant, in one of the clubs etc., then and only then are they entitled to be parking in the resort's parking lot.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by DeeP
Free parking at all times IF you are going to be walking the boardwalk, going to one of the clubs, eating at one of the restaurants or shopping in one of the shops. Not free parking so that you can have quick access to and from Epcot or MGM. Ending up your day at the boardwalk to eat, go to a club etc does NOT entitle someone to park in the resorts parking lot for the entire day just because it is more convenient. During the portion of the day when the guest is eating at a restaurant, in one of the clubs etc., then and only then are they entitled to be parking in the resort's parking lot.

I have to agree with DeeP. An evening PS for Chef Mickey's does not entitle a guest who isn't staying at the CR to park there in the morning and go to the MK for the day. Why should it entitle someone to park at the Boardwalk under the same circumstances?

While I understand the "Boardwalk is a destination" argument of the managment, IMHO, that doesn't relieve them of the responsibility to provide self parking for the hotel guests. I think "Boardwalk is a destination" is a giant excuse on their part. I can only conclude that they don't think the problem is big enough to spend any money addressing it. I don't blame the people who want to park there, I blame the resort management for poor planning and lack of enforcement of their so called policy.

That said, I also have the option of free valet parking so this isn't a huge issue for me, just a minor irritation. I often wonder about the guests of the BWI, though. As far as I know, they do not get free valet parking. Personally, if I didn't qualify for the free valet and had a car, I would never even consider staying at either the BWV or BWI because of the parking situation. The BWI must have the same occupancy rates as the other deluxe hotels, because the resort managers sure do not seem very concerned about the lack of parking for their guests.

FWIW, there is a huge exodus of cars from the BWV/BWI self-parking lot after Illuminations. We always stay in a BWV standard view and the above statement is based on our observations. It occured on every evening that we were in our room around the time of Illuminations (6 different trips). It was interesting to note that the valet parkers were not very busy at that same time. Maybe some of those "I'm going to the Boardwalk" guests did spend more time on the Boardwalk than it took to walk past it on the way to EPCOT, but it does make one wonder.

 

[PamOKW]

You can park at DD and then take Disney transportation to a park. You can park at the MK and then take the monorail to Epcot. In fact, you can park anywhere Disney allows you to park and then use the Disney transportation system to travel the parks. The Boardwalk is NOT just a resort like the MK area resorts. There is no restriction on using the lot and then using Disney transportation to visit other areas. Disney is trying to attract people to the BW area as competition to the other nightlife areas in the Orlando area. It is not just for the enjoyment of BW guests

I sympathize with BW guests who don't like that situation but that is the way Disney has set it up. Parking at BW to view Illuminations and then spend the evening at BW is something I'm sure Disney is fully aware of. A solution to the parking problem would be to provide adequate Disney transportation to the Boardwalk area.

If Disney wants to restrict the parking as they do at a resort they can do so at any time. They could also start a limited time parking rule. Until then, no one is abusing the system or breaking any rules.

I do think non-Disney guests who are parking there to beat the parking fee should be stopped. They do this at many of the resorts and DD where they park and then board Disney transportation.

 

[HorizonsFan]

A solution to the parking problem would be to provide adequate Disney transportation to the Boardwalk area.

This is where I have problems with the "Boardwalk is a destination" argument. I fully understand that Disney promotes it that way and I'm sure they want it to be a popular destination, but why is there no transportation from other resorts? In fact, the one resort bus from CS was cancelled over a year ago. I just don't believe there are that many people coming from other resorts to eat at Spoodles or boogie at Atlantic Dance. If the BW area were that popular, Disney would run busses from other resorts.
Are all those folks parked in the BW lot really patronizing BW establishments? I don't think so...
As far as the OP goes, she's spending the day at the BW and only an hour or so at Epcot. I'd say she's using the parking as intended.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by PamOKW
You can park at DD and then take Disney transportation to a park.

That's not true unless you are willing to take a bus to one of the resorts first. The direct transportation to a park from DD was discontinued some time ago. Chip 'n Dale Express (one of the Disney bus drivers) said it was because the majority of the riders were from the DD hotels who didn't want to use the DD Hotel shuttle service.

You can park at the MK and then take the monorail to Epcot. In fact, you can park anywhere Disney allows you to park and then use the Disney transportation system to travel the parks.

I don't agree with that either. If you park at the CR, the Poly and/or the GF during busy seasons, you get a 3 hour parking pass. That tells me that Disney doesn't want you to park there unless you have business at that location.

The Boardwalk is NOT just a resort like the MK area resorts. There is no restriction on using the lot and then using Disney transportation to visit other areas.

If that were true, the security personnel would not turn away people who say they are parking there to visit EPCOT. This happens frequently, especially in the morning when there isn't much happening on the Boardwalk. All that is open then are the shops, the Boardwalk Bakery and maybe Spoodles.

Disney is trying to attract people to the BW area as competition to the other nightlife areas in the Orlando area. It is not just for the enjoyment of BW guests.

I agree with that. I would add that this does not excuse them from providing adequate self-parking for the hotel guests.

I sympathize with BW guests who don't like that situation but that is the way Disney has set it up. Parking at BW to view Illuminations and then spend the evening at BW is something I'm sure Disney is fully aware of. A solution to the parking problem would be to provide adequate Disney transportation to the Boardwalk area.

If Disney wants to restrict the parking as they do at a resort they can do so at any time. They could also start a limited time parking rule. Until then, no one is abusing the system or breaking any rules.

I pretty much agree with that. If Disney doesn't want to improve the transportation to and from the Boardwalk (too expensive, probably), it wouldn't be all that hard to "reserve" a portion of the lot for hotel guests only. The EPCOT people can park in the overflow lot across the street.

I do think non-Disney guests who are parking there to beat the parking fee should be stopped. They do this at many of the resorts and DD where they park and then board Disney transportation.

As mentioned, it's very inconvenient to park at DD if you want to visit a park. I don't really care where people park as long as there is adequate parking for the hotel guests. I've never heard of this kind of parking issue at the value or moderate resorts, and I've never heard of a problem at the WL, the AKL or Ft. Wilderness. It's only the resorts within walking distance (or a monorail ride) of a major park that seem to have the problem.

 

[PamOKW]

The moderates have solved the problem by having a lot in the front near their check-in that is accessible to everyone. To reach the actual guest parking you have to have a key card or give an explanation to the guard.

OKW does have problems from time to time with people parking in the front area to ride the bus into the parks. They can also use the "I'm eating at Olivia's" excuse.

I'm glad to hear they found a solution to the DD problem. I wasn't aware that they put a stop to it. I also didn't mean you can park at a resort and then board Disney transport. I meant you can park at a park or a water park. That also assumes that you have a valid use of Disney transportation -- i.e., you are a WDW resort guest. I agree that parking at BWV solely to visit Epcot should be stopped and a dedicated parking lot for resort guests should be provided. I'm not advocating parking at BW to visit Epcot. I am saying that you can do what the original poster asked.

Another pet peeve --- In the "olden days" they actually checked for resort ID to use the transportation. They no longer do this. This leads me to believe that Disney would prefer people not be driving around the grounds since they have opened the transportation to everyone.

 

[DeeP]

The Boardwalk is NOT just a resort like the MK area resorts. There is no restriction on using the lot and then using Disney transportation to visit other areas.

I sympathize with BW guests who don't like that situation but that is the way Disney has set it up. Parking at BW to view Illuminations and then spend the evening at BW is something I'm sure Disney is fully aware of.

I am sorry but you are wrong and the reason I know you are wrong is because I have spoken with the BWV manager and front desk CMs regarding this very subject. I am returning to BWV in a few weeks and I will make a point of taking my time to talk to the BWV manager again regarding the parking policy, just to make sure that nothing has changed since our last conversation, and then I will gladly post the results here on this board when I return. The first conversations I had with the mgr and CMs regarding BW parking policy I did not mention how parking at their lot to enter parks was so publized on the internet, maybe this is something they should be aware of and maybe once and for all this problem can be eliminated. One can only hope!