Disney Boardwalk

[sallyj123]

I am not staying at Disney when I go so where would be the best place to park to a wander around the Boardwalk, and is the Boardwalk open to non Disney Guests?

 

[CAS239]

I believe the Boardwalk parking is only for those staying at the resort or with a dining reservation. I don't believe they offer parking to just park and explore the Boardwalk.

Whenever we go to the Boardwalk shops we either walk from Epcot or HS.

Someone might have some better info or if anythings new with their parking situation..but I'd say come from Epcot and head to the boardwalk

 

[sallyj123]

somebody did mention to me about parking at Downtown and then catching the Disney bus to the Boardwalk, but as we not Disney guests I did not think we would be allowed to catch the Disney bus, can anybody clarify that?

 

[cluvsdisney]

There is a parking lot behind the Hess station across the street for overflow parking at the boardwalk.

 

[Parker Clan]

There's a parking lot right near the Boardwalk Inn they let us park in - we have eaten there and once just went to buy souvenirs from one of the gift shops.

 

[Andyman33]

You do not need to be a Disney guest to use any transportation. You are also allowed to be on all the Disney property and hotels including the big public Boardwalk. You can't use the pools but walk around and look....spend your money they are happy to take it

 

[cgattis]

Just wanted to make sure you knew the entertainment doesn't come out until evening, so all that's there are the three restaurants, the bakery, and one gift shop. Seashore Sweets is (sadly) closed right now. There's no ice cream anywhere along there right now--we ended up back over at The Fountain to get my friend's fix . You can also enjoy the shops and snacks in the other hotels around the lake, though. And it's quite pretty (but sunny). Just wanted to manage expectations if you go during the day versus evening. We enjoy it either time, it's just very quiet during the day.

 

[Ratpack]

We toured the BW last year and was lucky enough to be allowed to park in the guest parking lot. We asked the attendant at the gate and they let us in, but I would not trust that to happen every time. As I said, we considered ourselves lucky. The lot behind the Hess station may be your best bet, but another option is to park at the Fantasia Mini Golf course and walk over. It is a little bit more of a walk, but not bad and an option if nothing else is open. I would definitely do this before going to Disney Springs or a park to catch the bus over UNLESS you are already going to be at one of those places.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

You can also park at the Swan or Dolphin for $18.

 

[Hopefully]

There's a parking lot right near the Boardwalk Inn they let us park in - we have eaten there and once just went to buy souvenirs from one of the gift shops.

This is very unusual - you were lucky. The Boardwalk lot is for guests paying to stay at the Boardwalk Inn and the Boardwalk Villas, or who have an ADR at one of the restaurants. It was not designed for either theme park parking or the number of folks who want to visit the Boardwalk. It is not big enough
Day guests can pay to Valet Park at the Boardwalk ($25 + tip) or try the overflow lot behind the Hess station.
As others have said, Disney transportation is available to all, but I would not go to DS and bus to the Boardwalk. I would try the Hess lot

 

[Parker Clan]

This is very unusual - you were lucky. The Boardwalk lot is for guests paying to stay at the Boardwalk Inn and the Boardwalk Villas, or who have an ADR at one of the restaurants. It was not designed for either theme park parking or the number of folks who want to visit the Boardwalk. It is not big enough
Day guests can pay to Valet Park at the Boardwalk ($25 + tip) or try the overflow lot behind the Hess station.
As others have said, Disney transportation is available to all, but I would not go to DS and bus to the Boardwalk. I would try the Hess lot

Agreed- we've had ADR's there the last five years and that is why we are allowed to park there. We have never had a problem, since we are going to dinner. Last year though they did let us park to walk around/get snacks/ grab a few souvenirs.
When we go in August there are SO many spaces available it's really a non issue

 

[Hopefully]

Agreed- we've had ADR's there the last five years and that is why we are allowed to park there. We have never had a problem, since we are going to dinner. Last year though they did let us park to walk around/get snacks/ grab a few souvenirs.
When we go in August there are SO many spaces available it's really a non issue

I think mid day afternoons it is relatively free. August may be quieter than other times. But I have been a guest at the Boardwalk Villas in the fall, and it is very aggravating to come back to your resort in the late afternoon or evening and be unable to park when you are paying a lot of money to stay at that resort. Then you were able to sit and watch the mass exodus after Illuminations. Lots of folks tried parking there and walking into Epcot. They definitely have gotten stricter, so I am glad it worked to your advantage.

 

[erionm]

There is a parking lot behind the Hess station across the street for overflow parking at the boardwalk.

That location has been rebranded as Speedway. Speedway (a division of Marathon) purchased the retail portion of Hess.