DHS and Epcot on the same day - where's best to park?

[mrjcuk]

Hi guys, long time lurker and first time poster! I'm going to Disney for the 4th time in October 2015, having been in 2009, 2013 and 2014 - my poor DBF has told me that this has to be my last trip with him for a while (although he only went for the first time last year!) so I have to make the most of it!!

We are intending to roll HS and Epcot into one day this time, in that order, so that we can start the day with ToT and end it with Illuminations!

My question is, where would be the best place to park? EPCOT, HS, TTC? And how should we aim to travel between the parks and back to the parking lot at the end of the day?

I've only ever done one park each day before so it would be good to know of the best way to do these particular two and park sensibly!

Thanks for your help!

 

[*DisneyDreamer]

I think parking at DHS seems like the easiest way. Start the day there, then either walk through the Boardwalk area or take the Friendship boats over to Epcot when you're ready to park-hop. After Illuminations, you can exit through the International Gateway and then walk back to the DHS parking lot (or take the boat again, but that might take longer than walking depending on how crowded it is leaving). If you park at DHS, you'll also be able to avoid the Epcot parking lot traffic after the show.

 

[itchin2go]

I think parking at DHS seems like the easiest way. Start the day there, then either walk through the Boardwalk area or take the Friendship boats over to Epcot when you're ready to park-hop. After Illuminations, you can exit through the International Gateway and then walk back to the DHS parking lot (or take the boat again, but that might take longer than walking depending on how crowded it is leaving). If you park at DHS, you'll also be able to avoid the Epcot parking lot traffic after the show.

Yes, since you're starting at DHS AND ending with Illuminations, the DHS parking lot makes more sense than the Epcot one.

 

[Gianfootography]

I don't know if you can still do this, but it is what I did once. I parked at the Boardwalk and took a bus over to DHS. Later that day I took the boat to Epcot. The boat took forever. It stopped at each of the Epcot resorts before finally stopping at Epcot. So if I were to do it again I would take a bus from DHS to Epcot. After Illuminations leave through International gateway and leave from Boardwalk.

 

[itchin2go]

I don't know if you can still do this, but it is what I did once. I parked at the Boardwalk and took a bus over to DHS. Later that day I took the boat to Epcot. The boat took forever. It stopped at each of the Epcot resorts before finally stopping at Epcot. So if I were to do it again I would take a bus from DHS to Epcot. After Illuminations leave through International gateway and leave from Boardwalk.

I have not tried to park at Boardwalk in the morning, but when I tried one evening (to legitimately eat on the Boardwalk and nothing else), I was sent to a lot in the boonies. It was un-fun. I think the Boardwalk parking lot gets a lot of abuse and they are not really accommodating. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Gianfootography]

I have not tried to park at Boardwalk in the morning, but when I tried one evening (to legitimately eat on the Boardwalk and nothing else), I was sent to a lot in the boonies. It was un-fun. I think the Boardwalk parking lot gets a lot of abuse and they are not really accommodating. Just my 2 cents.

I know the parking lot you are talking about. I have parked there a bunch of times. I'd rather park there and walk than to deal with the crowds leaving Epcot. Sometimes I also stick around and go to the Dance Hall.

 

[MrKnight]

I don't know if you can still do this, but it is what I did once. I parked at the Boardwalk and took a bus over to DHS. Later that day I took the boat to Epcot. The boat took forever. It stopped at each of the Epcot resorts before finally stopping at Epcot. So if I were to do it again I would take a bus from DHS to Epcot. After Illuminations leave through International gateway and leave from Boardwalk.

This is strongly discouraged, there is a Security Checkpoint, they will most definitely question you and unless you are a guest at Boardwalk, attending an event at the Convention Center, or have an ADR for a Boardwalk restaurant, they WILL turn you away!

 

[chefmb]

I know the parking lot you are talking about. I have parked there a bunch of times. I'd rather park there and walk than to deal with the crowds leaving Epcot. Sometimes I also stick around and go to the Dance Hall.

Don't count on parking at the Boardwalk. They are cracking down on people parking there who are not staying there or who don't have an ADR there (due to construction and parking lots being closed). We stayed there two weeks ago and there was a long thread from other BW guests about being notified that they might not be able to use self parking.

 

[Gianfootography]

I just skip the security checkpoint and go directly into the overflow parking. I do it every time I go to Dance Hall or to gorge out on Ice Cream.

 

[DOOM1001]

Park at DHS,after you leave DHS you can either take a bus,take a boat or walk to Epcot.I would base my choice on what part of Epcot you want to do when you arrive,for example if you want to do WS then either walk or boat over,if you want to enter from the front and do Future World then grab a bus.After Illuminations exit by the International Gateway and walk or take a boat over to DHS.

 

[POOHsie]

I wonder about parking at DHS, going there then Epcot, then taking friendship boat back to DHS parking. Lots of times DHS closes around 8pm, Epcot IllumiNations ends at 9:15. Would there be friendship boats going to DHS an hour-and-a-half after DHS park closes? If not, would OP want to walk there?

If I had a car, I might suggest parking at DHS, exiting, then moving the car to the Epcot lot. It's a fairly quick trip to Epcot's lot.

 

[mrjcuk]

I wonder about parking at DHS, going there then Epcot, then taking friendship boat back to DHS parking. Lots of times DHS closes around 8pm, Epcot IllumiNations ends at 9:15. Would there be friendship boats going to DHS an hour-and-a-half after DHS park closes? If not, would OP want to walk there?

If I had a car, I might suggest parking at DHS, exiting, then moving the car to the Epcot lot. It's a fairly quick trip to Epcot's lot.

Thanks for all the replies guys, I knew you would help!

This is what concerns me about parking at DHS and then not getting back there until after Illuminations. Even if the park is closed, can we still get out of the lot? How far is the walk from Epcot to DHS if there were no boats?

Of course, we are happy to move the car between the two if that ends up being easier but it's interesting to hear your other suggestions.

 

[POOHsie]

Thanks for all the replies guys, I knew you would help!

This is what concerns me about parking at DHS and then not getting back there until after Illuminations. Even if the park is closed, can we still get out of the lot? How far is the walk from Epcot to DHS if there were no boats?

Of course, we are happy to move the car between the two if that ends up being easier but it's interesting to hear your other suggestions.

There's people at Epcot who start off at DHS every day of the year. What their story is about walking or boating back to DHS is what I don't know, since there can be a time disparity between DHS close and Epcot close. After Illuminations I imagine there's a crowd waiting to board a friendship boat when it arrives. There's more than one boat, but the route around Crescent Lake isn't quick, dropping off at three stops serving the resorts there (BWI, BC/YC, Dolphin-Swan) (and DHS til some point in time). The walk from Epcot to DHS can be 20-30 min. Follow along the Boardwalk, then turn left and go along the canal alongside of BWI.

You don't have to worry about the DHS lot being closed. Even after closing, there will still be ppl in DHS. Some have a late dinner, some are shopping, or strolling. I'm not sure about DHS parking lot trams at that late point but the DHS lot isn't real big if walking to your car.

 

[Rosebud123]

When going to the Boardwalk area in the evening, I've parked in a lot right behind the Boardwalk resort. Can you just park there and walk to both parks?

 

[HelenParr]

You'll be there during Food and Wine, which can make resort parking more restricted.

If you enjoy walking, park at DHS, and walk or boat to Epcot when ready to move parks. After Illuminations, stroll back to DHS. It'll take 20-25 minutes if you do not take the boat. It's a nice walk. (There will be a boat, but there will also be a zillion people in line for the boat.) The parking lot at DHS will be fully accessible after Illuminations.

A very close second for me is re-parking. You won't have to walk over the first time, you won't get charged twice for parking (get a receipt at first park) and you'll have less walking after Illuminations -- although it'll still be about 10 minutes to get from World Showcase to your car.

 

[jcdean]

You could park in the Swan/Dolphin lot ($18 I think). Easy boat or walking access to both HS and the International Gateway.

 

[mrjcuk]

Thanks guys, it seems walking or reparking would be our best options, so it's likely that's what we will do!

 

[Lucius Best]

It's a nice pleasant walk from HS to Epcot through Epcot resort area and in the International Gateway. But it is not short, it will take 20+ minutes, and I certainly wouldn't want to have to walk back to HS after Illuminations (unless I was planning on stopping somewhere on the Boardwalk for a late bite). HS and Epcot are so close together, it will be less than 5 minutes to drive from one to the other.