Dinner on Boardwalk, Then Illuminations-Parking? Help!

[richs52]

We leave in 2 days and I have a quick question: We want to have dinner at one of the places on the Boardwalk around 7ish and then view Illuminations at Epcot. Where should we park? Can we just park at Boardwalk and then walk over to the International Gateway, then go back to our car after Illuminations?: Thanks so much!

-Rich

 

[zurgswife]

If you have a PS scheduled at the Boardwalk you should be able to but they have gotten stricter with entrance into the parking lots...if you don't have a ps you might not be able to enter the BW parking lot..

 

[jctwizzer]

Parking at the Boardwalk can get a little "tight"---they could use more room.
One possibility is to use valet parking; or, if you continue past the Boardwalk entrance road, there's a self parking lot on the right and we frequently use that--I'm assuming that lot hasn't been closed--

 

[MrsJ Henry]

YOu should be ok parking there if you are eating there. Also, Are you staying on site at another resort?
We found out on our last trip that we could park at any of the resorts with our parking pass.

 

[TammiMcMan]

We found out on our last trip that we could park at any of the resorts with our parking pass.

Actually, the parking pass you're given entitles you to free parking at any of the Disney theme parks. Even as another resort guest, you are still subject to many of the same guidelines as an off site guest. During busy times, you could also be denied parking due to the lots being full from registered guests at that particular resort. Primarily this is at the monorail and Epcot resorts because there is some abuse of people leaving their cars in the lot while they spend the day at the MK or Epcot.

To the OP, because you are looking at parking at Boardwalk, I would just have a PS secured or use the self parking lot if it's available. You might be given a 3 hour time limit by the security guard, but if you're planning on dinner at 7pm and Illuminations at 9pm, you shouldn't have a problem with that. If you valet park, there is no time limit given.

 

[J&J]

How much is valet t BW what is the charge?
What would happen? If you are going to have a late lunch maybe at 2 pm at one of their restaurants, then walk around the park maybe even till after the fireworks what will happen?

 

[TammiMcMan]

I believe the valet charge is $6, plus tip, so around $10. I have no idea if there is some sort of written policy, but in my opinion, if you are planning on staying for more than 3 hours you really should use Disney transportation. At the Boardwalk, you will still need to go through the security gate before you even get to the valet parking area. Let the guard know your intentions and let him make the decision. It's going to depend on a few things, like the length of time you're going to be there, what the occupancy rate at the resort is and if you are going to valet park. He'll have his instructions for the day based on that information.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

Tammi: we just didn't have any problems going to the different resorts and parking. The guard told us on several occasions-go right through. No questions asked at all. So I don't know what it would be like when it is real busy... just speaking on what our experience was with the guards at the different gates.

I do hear what you are saying though.

 

[*Fantasia*]

So you mean to tell me that I can park my car at Poly (even without a PS at Poly) and use the monorail to go to the park and the Poly guests are okay with that?

 

[beattyfamily]

So you mean to tell me that I can park my car at Poly (even without a PS at Poly) and use the monorail to go to the park and the Poly guests are okay with that?

Not sure who said that but that is not the case. The parking lots at the monorail resorts are for it's guests only. Visitors eating at the resort or shopping at the resort can visit THE RESORT up to 3 hours. They will issue you a 3 hour pass and sometimes if they are really busy, turn you away.

The resort parking lots are NOT for parking to go to the parks. That certainly wouldn't be fair to those staying at those resorts if everyone not staying there did what you are suggesting.

I've stayed at the Contemporary 3 times now and it was very difficult to find parking many times. We saw abuse many times and it was certainly frustrating.

 

[TammiMcMan]

So you mean to tell me that I can park my car at Poly (even without a PS at Poly) and use the monorail to go to the park and the Poly guests are okay with that?

No and that's why I wanted to clarify what MrsJHenry posted about being able to use your parking pass at any resort. Even being a resort guest at another Disney hotel, you are still subject to the same guidelines. Parking at a resort to eat dinner or shop for a few hours is fine, it is not meant to be a more convenient way for someone to get in and out of the theme parks.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

I did not mean to cause any confusion. I was just stating what our experience was.

 

[Mickey527]

Boardwalk has a self parking area but it is hard to find a close spot. I have never had a problem but I usually am in one of the farthest areas, like approx row 15 if you were in a store parking lot. But your going to walk anyway so unless you don't like to walk you will have no problems.
You can valet park, it is free for handicapped people and around $8 for others.
The question I have is are you going to spend the day at other parks and do you have park hopping privledges? The reason I ask is that you will use a day on your pass if you go into the park after dinner just to see Illuminations unless you have parkhopping privledges. Most of the rides and shows are closed after 7 pm at Epcot and the others have long lines after 7 so you won't be able to do much but find a spot to see the show. I wouldn't use a day on my pass for this. You can see some of the fireworks from the bridge leading from Boardwalk to Epcot but not the show on the water.
Peggie

 

[Deb & Bill]

So you mean to tell me that I can park my car at Poly (even without a PS at Poly) and use the monorail to go to the park and the Poly guests are okay with that?

Fantasia, you forgot the and

Besides, all the resort parking area have signs that indicate they cannot offer parking for theme park guests. The parking is for the resort guests.

 

[richs52]

Thanks for the responses.

We are staying offsite and will be in the MK in the afternoon. We then wanted to go over to the Boardwalk, grab a quick bite ( we don't have a PS) and then off to Illuminations. We were hoping to park at Boardwalk, but if it is going to be too much trouble, maybe we'll try it another day when we can walk there from the WS. Thanks again.

-Rich

 

[DebbieB]

We tried to park at Boardwalk last Friday night around 6:00 to do some shopping. The close self park was full, we couldn't find a space so we did valet. We are DVC members so it was free but the regular valet charge is $7.00.

 

[SusanDK]

Is it correct that valet parking is free if you have the DDE? I remember reading that somewhere when the DDE was discussed early this year, but cannot find now where it says this.

Susan