Epcot Area Resort Hopping

[mckenk]

We are headed to Disney this week, staying off-site. We would like to take some time to check out the four Epcot area resorts. I'm assuming we won't be able to park at one of the resorts (please correct me if I am wrong). What would be the best way to get there? We will be going directly from our hotel. I was thinking of taking a resort bus from Disney Springs, but I'd like to know if there is a better option.

 

[Sue M]

Depending on how busy it is you may be able to park at one of the resorts for a limited amount of time. The guard at the gate will want to know why you’re coming in and ask for photo ID. You would just say you’d like to look around. It may be harder to park without a restaurant reservation. I’m not sure what events are going on at Epcot but if it’s food & wine or Flower Festival your chances diminish.
To be on the safe side I’d just park at Disney Springs and take resort bus. The Epcot resorts are really cracking down on parking because so many abuse it to get free parking for Epcot or DHS.

 

[Lynne M]

You should be able to valet park at one of the Epcot area resorts. You could also make it part of your Epcot day, since you can easily walk to YC/BC or BW from the International Gateway. Or, walk or boat from DHS.

 

[PSUGuy]

We had an unpleasant experience related to this issue a few years back. We had a ressie for dinner at Cape May and we had some time to kill so we decided to check out the whole YC/BC area. As we were strolling around the pool area near the YC very close to the building some over officious CM asked to read our MB and when she discovered we were staying at Board Walk she ordered us to leave! I explained that we were just checking out the resorts for a possible future stay and we had Cape May reservations, no dice, we had to leave. We were in street clothes, what did this twit think we were going to do, jump in the pool?

Bill From PA

 

[Hopefully]

We had an unpleasant experience related to this issue a few years back. We had a ressie for dinner at Cape May and we had some time to kill so we decided to check out the whole YC/BC area. As we were strolling around the pool area near the YC very close to the building some over officious CM asked to read our MB and when she discovered we were staying at Board Walk she ordered us to leave! I explained that we were just checking out the resorts for a possible future stay and we had Cape May reservations, no dice, we had to leave. We were in street clothes, what did this twit think we were going to do, jump in the pool?

Bill From PA

Actually, she was doing exactly what she is supposed to do. Checking to ascertain where you are staying and only allowing guests of the BC/YC/BCV into Storm Along Bay is her job. Of course, she should have been polite and firm, not "Officious".
OP, It is the Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot right now, That will result in parking being more restricted. I agree you can pay to Valet Park, I think it is currently $25 plus tip, or you can take a resort bus from DS
Have Fun

 

[holden]

Uber/Lyft would be an option too.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We had an unpleasant experience related to this issue a few years back. We had a ressie for dinner at Cape May and we had some time to kill so we decided to check out the whole YC/BC area. As we were strolling around the pool area near the YC very close to the building some over officious CM asked to read our MB and when she discovered we were staying at Board Walk she ordered us to leave! I explained that we were just checking out the resorts for a possible future stay and we had Cape May reservations, no dice, we had to leave. We were in street clothes, what did this twit think we were going to do, jump in the pool?

Bill From PA

Only YC/BC resort guests are allowed within the gates of Stormalong Bay (and the signs at the pool clearly state that). The CM was only doing her job. If you hadn't wandered into that gated area during your resort tour, you would not have been asked to show your MB. While you may not have jumped in the pool, they also don't want you taking up loungers or space in that area.

OP, if you don't want to spend any money on parking, your best bet is to park at DS and take a resort bus over. Otherwise, you can attempt to park at one of the resorts, but be prepared to pay for valet parking if regular parking is not available.

 

[loves to dive]

I'd park at HS and either walk or boat to all of them. It's an easy walk or you could boat to Swan/Dolphin which is the first stop then walk around the lake from there. You can valet park at all of them or self park at Swan/Dolphin, it's $20 per day. You could bus from DS since I'm assuming it's within walking distance but it's been my experience that the buses from there are slow and not very reliable but if you have plenty of time it's an option.

 

[EdmondD]

As we were strolling around the pool area near the YC very close to the building

Some hate here for @PSUGuy. I suppose it depends on how you interpret his phrase "around the pool area," but if it's "around" as in literally outside and around it (which it sounds like based on him saying "very close to the building") then no, he shouldn't be asked to leave. You can be near the pool area. You can look into the pool area. Indeed, the entrance to, for example, Beaches and Cream, is mere feet from the pool area. So it does sound like the CM was being overzealous. Now if he had managed to sneak past the person scanning at the entrance to the pool....off with his head!

So to the OP, don't be dissuaded from checking out S. Bay from outside the fence. Also, take Uber.

 

[PSUGuy]

Some hate here for @PSUGuy. I suppose it depends on how you interpret his phrase "around the pool area," but if it's "around" as in literally outside and around it (which it sounds like based on him saying "very close to the building") then no, he shouldn't be asked to leave.

Thanks, and to clarify, we were on a walkway, I forget whether it was paved or boards, right up against the building and we were actually strolling towards Cape May for dinner. Believe me, the attitude if the CM reminded me of a comment by Jim in 'The Office' made towards Dwight, 'This is the least amount of power I've ever seen go to someone's head'.

Bill From PA

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Thanks, and to clarify, we were on a walkway, I forget whether it was paved or boards, right up against the building and we were actually strolling towards Cape May for dinner. Believe me, the attitude if the CM reminded me of a comment by Jim in 'The Office' made towards Dwight, 'This is the least amount of power I've ever seen go to someone's head'.

Bill From PA

If that's the case, then the CM was wrong!! You should not have been asked to leave that area. That's a public pathway that remains accessible so anyone (resort guest or not) can access the restaurants, lobbies, etc. So, that's just weird that they asked you to leave! Where did they tell you you had to go?

 

[PSUGuy]

So, that's just weird that they asked you to leave! Where did they tell you you had to go?

No specific directions, we were headed in the general direction of Cape May anyway so we just rolled out that way.

Bill From PA

 

[mckenk]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I like the idea of parking at HS and taking the boat. I think we will either do that or an uber. I hadn't thought about the buses taking a long time.