FLAME SUIT ON: Can I park @ BCV for the DVC Merry Mixer party?

[WelcomeHome]

We're staying @ VWL so I'm certainly not interested in spending an hour taking Disney transportation from VWL to a Disney park in order to finally catch a bus to the Epcot entrance for a 3 mile hike across Epcot to the International Gateway (that's where the DVC Merry Mixer Party is)! I want to simply drive from VWL to BCV (15 minutes) and park @ BCV and take a 10 minute walk to the Merry Mixer Party.

Since this is a DVC event, and I am a DVC member, will the guard at the entrance to the BCV parking lot give me any problem parking there to attend the Merry Mixer Party?

Has anyone done this before?

Best wishes,
Dave

P.S.- I'll be there at the Dec 6th party - anyone else going?

 

[CarolMN]

Moving to Mouse . . . .

 

[RLRDA]

The guards don't know why you're parking there. Do you even need a reason? Suppose you just wanted to go to Beaches & Cream or Cape May Cafe? Or walk around the resort grounds? If you're staying at VWL you'll have a parking pass so they'll know your a WDW guest at another DVC resort. These are all just assumptions on my part but how can they tell you that you cannot park there?

P.S. Not going....wish we were!

 

[ScottOKW2K]

I don't think the guard will give you a problem. When staying at other Disney resorts I have driven to and parked at the Beach Club in order to walk through the International Gateway to see Illuminations many times. I have always told the guard on duty my reason for wanting to park there and have always been allowed. Since the date you gave is not during an extremely busy time I do not expect they would have any problem allowing you to park.

BTW, we always park in the visitors lot to the right after you drive in. I tend to park away from the part closest to the resort to allow the guests staying there to have the closer spots available.

 

[Disney Doll]

Since you are a DVC member and you are wanting to park at the BCV for a DVC event, they shoudn't give you a problem.

I'd valet...it's free for DVC members parking at other DVC resorts.

 

[FredS]

I don't think the guard will give you a problem. When staying at other Disney resorts I have driven to and parked at the Beach Club in order to walk through the International Gateway to see Illuminations many times. I have always told the guard on duty my reason for wanting to park there and have always been allowed. Since the date you gave is not during an extremely busy time I do not expect they would have any problem allowing you to park.

BTW, we always park in the visitors lot to the right after you drive in. I tend to park away from the part closest to the resort to allow the guests staying there to have the closer spots available.

Unless you have gone during extremely slow times this is a surefire way to be told that you CAN'T park there. We have stayed at Beach Club on a couple of occasions when we had a very hard time finding a parking space.

The guards told us specifically that the problem was due to people using that parking lot to visit Epcot. Sure enough, one night we arrived shortly after Illuminations and the parking lot was clearing out. The guards indicated that all they can do is attempt to screen to allow in those who have reservations to eat at Beach Club -- but clearly people will lie about that -- or are guests there (or a few other instances that I can't remember at the moment) but parking there to visit Epcot was definitely not okay.
Just FYI . . . . .

OP may well be told his purpose for parking is fine, but he should be prepared to be told no if there are few empty spaces.

 

[florep1]

Last time I checked the member perks, you're still allowed to valet park for free at BC. It doesn't have any restrictions other than showing your KTTW and DVC card.

 

[mouse]

I believe you can use valet parking at the DVC resorts if you are having dinner at one of the resort's restaurants. I do not think that you can use it to access parks. I do not know how they would enforce this though. I remember receiving a notice in some form stating that the BC parking lot could not be used to access the F & W festival. We stayed at the BCV for a week during the F & W festival in early November. One evening we were waiting to enter the BC parking lot and the driver in the car in front of us could be seen arguing with the guard. This went on for quite awhile(backed up the traffic onto the road) and then the driver finally made a U turn and left. Last year we were staying at another resort, showed our DVC member card at the BC gate, and were honest about going to F & W. We were turned away, also, but expected it. Another option would be to park in the lot across the road from the guest parking lot at the Boardwalk resort. I must say, though, that BCV is our home resort and we have stayed there several times (even busy times) and I have never seen the parking lot even close to full at the BCV. This was just our experience. I imagine that if everyone staying at a DVC resort wanted to park in the BC parking lot to access EPCOT, that would be a problem. The fact that you are attending a DVC event might allow you to park there. Wish I was joining you!

 

[tjkraz]

We attended the mixer back in 2004 and self-parked at the BC. To the best of my recollection, we were honest with the guard about our reasons for being there. We didn't have any trouble getting in.

 

[paults]

We're staying @ VWL so I'm certainly not interested in spending an hour taking Disney transportation from VWL to a Disney park in order to finally catch a bus to the Epcot entrance for a 3 mile hike across Epcot to the International Gateway (that's where the DVC Merry Mixer Party is)! I want to simply drive from VWL to BCV (15 minutes) and park @ BCV and take a 10 minute walk to the Merry Mixer Party.

Since this is a DVC event, and I am a DVC member, will the guard at the entrance to the BCV parking lot give me any problem parking there to attend the Merry Mixer Party?

Has anyone done this before?

Best wishes,
Dave

P.S.- I'll be there at the Dec 6th party - anyone else going?

Isn't there a bus from VWL to Epcot?
why would you go to a park ( from VWL) to get a bus to Epcot entrance and walk through. you could just get a bus to Epcot ent from VWL can't you.

Better yet you could take bus to MGM from VWL and then take the boat to IG

good luck

 

[rigsby25]

When we were new to the disboards, we were given a tip about parking at the Contemporary and walking over to the Magic Kingdom. The first time it worked. Then we came on a Saturday and were grilled at the gate about our reasons for being there. We said we were going to Chef Mickey's. He pulled out a clip board and asked when our reservations were for. I told him we didn't have reservations, and he directed us to a 3 hour parking lot. I was so ashamed and we "lied" in front of the kids. We are old enough to know right from wrong. I know the Contemporary is not a DVC (yet), and I'm not sure what the rule is, but if its not right don't do it. If you have to lie or avoid giving a reason - then its wrong and you know it. I still wince from the experience. The only harm I guess would be less parking for the guests that are staying there but for whatever reason I would follow the rules.

 

[huey578]

I'm a new DVC member, what is the DVC Merry Mixer Party? Is there any info on the DVC website?

 

[WelcomeHome]

I just realized I can't take the bus to Epcot and hike all the way to the International Gateway on the other side even if I wanted to. I'm taking my siser and brother and law and they don't have park passes for that day (we already have our dining reservations and candlelight processional planned for other days where they will be using their limited park passes).

So now I have 2 options left:

#1 - If I take the bus to MGM, can I get on a Friendship boat to the International Gateway without having to enter the park (MGM)?

#2 - Can I self park at the Boardwalk parking lot without intervention from a guard?

While I don't believe I should have to lie to get past the BCV guard, I also don't believe Disney should make it impossible for DVC members to attend unless they have a park pass especially since the chose to locate the event OUTSIDE the International Gateway entrance where park pass admission is NOT required.

It seems like there's a mixed response to my original question about simply parking at BVC to attend the Merry Mixer - free Valet parking is fine provided I don't have any problem when I reach the guard post.

As for the new DVC member requesting info about the Merry Mixer - it's a special "meet and greet" party for DVC members only with free food, drinks, entertainment, Disney characters, limited edition Disney items and even a special gift - everyone whose gone in the past says it's a lot of fun! This year it's every Thursday in December from 3 to 5pm. If you do a "seach" for "magic mixer" on this board, you can even see photos included in threads from previous years.

Best wishes,
Dave

 

[RobDoc]

You can take a bus to MGM and ride the Friendship boat to International Gateway wihtout entering a park.

As a DVC Member, you can use the free valet parking at either BCV or BWV - so driving to the event should not be a problem at all. Self-parking would also be available - based on availbility, of course.

Enjoy the event!

 

[WDWLVR]

I'm a new DVC member, what is the DVC Merry Mixer Party? Is there any info on the DVC website?

From the Member site:

Merry Member Mixer

Celebrate the season by mixing and mingling with your Disney Vacation Club neighbors during this complimentary Member event that will be held every Thursday in December from
3:00 to 5:00 pm, December 6, 13, 20,
and 27, 2007.

Located just outside of the International Gateway entrance to Epcot® we're decking the halls and sharing cups of holiday cheer during our holiday Member get-together. This event will be held rain or shine, so bring your family by any time between 3:00 and 5:00 pm for festive holiday entertainment and complimentary refreshments. This exclusive get-together is our gift to you this holiday season — one of the many perks of Membership.

We look forward to seeing you there!

 

[NJmouse]

Just Park Valet at BCV or BWV, you will already have a pass for parking and it will say DVC member on it. The party is not in Epcot itself it is just outside of the entrance.

 

[DebbieB]

You should be fine parking at BC, there should be alot of spaces in the middle of the afternoon. Valet parking will not be full either.

 

[mouse]

You can take the bus to MGM and ride the Friendship boat without entering MGM. The boat stops at the Swan & Dolphin, the Beach & Yacht Clubs, the Boardwalk, and the International Gateway.

You can self park at the Boardwalk. This lot is actually across the street from the guest parking lot. After you pass the guest parking lot on the left, it is on your right. There is a stoplight at the intersection. There will be no guard to deal with.

In my opinion, the parking at the Boardwalk would be quicker, but the bus to MGM and the boat ride would be more enjoyable. If you have the time, this would be the perfect opportunity to stop and see the Xmas decorations at these resorts.

 

[CarolynK]

We valet when going to another DVC resort.

 

[Tamar]

I would do what Mouse mentioned, the overflow parking at BW that doesn't have a guard. We have used that often when we want to do something in the BW area, to allow guests actually staying at BWV to use the closer lot.