Has parking improved at BWV?

[Inkmahm]

We haven't stayed at BWV since free valet parking was discontinued but we will be back there in October for the F&W festival. I'm curious if the parking situation has gotten any better or if there are still times when BW guests have to park across the street because visitors are taking up parking spots in the closer lot.

For any of you who have stayed at or visited BWV recently, is Disney doing a better job of making visitors park in the overflow lot instead of guests? Have they reallocated any of the valet space to self park space? I love BWV and our boardwalk view but I have to admit I am dreading the parking situation. At BCV, we always seem to be able to park so close to the building that I've become spoiled. Same at Kidani and BLT.

 

[CarolMN]

We were there in late April during Flower & Garden Festival time. The self-parking lot seemed to have more than enough spaces for BWI/BWV guests the week we were there. The CM at the entrance was stopping each car that didn't have a key card to operate the gate. I noticed several of them turning around and leaving, perhaps to park across the street. There was also a sign saying that Boardwalk could not provide parking for theme park access (or something to that effect). FWIW, I did see some cars coming in the back entrance. I don't know if they were BWI/BWV guests or not. If I had to guess, I'd say not.

Even before the changes, parking at the BWV/BWI was easier during Food & Wine Festival time than some of the other times we visited. Seems like they know more people will try to park there during that time and they control things better (I've seen CMs at the back entrance during F&W weekends).

I really don't think you are going to have a problem. We'll be there in October, too, but I haven't decided if we are going to rent a car or not since we'll be spending most of our time at EPCOT.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

^^^ I agree...we stayed at BWV last October after the free valet had been changed and had no issues at all parking

 

[Inkmahm]

I didn't even know there was a back entrance to BWV! Then again, we've always used valet service there before now so I've never been in the self park lot yet, either.

My DH reminded me that we will be spending most of our time at Epcot, too. We likely won't be moving the car much while we are there in October. Still, it bugs me to think that guests may have a hard time parking because non-guests are taking up the space.

 

[cvjw]

We have stayed at BWV three times recently - Sept, Nov and June. We never had any trouble getting a parking space. The lots were not full, and we could park very close to the front of the lot. Last month, we parked in the first row almost every time we needed to park.

 

[Inkmahm]

We have stayed at BWV three times recently - Sept, Nov and June. We never had any trouble getting a parking space. The lots were not full, and we could park very close to the front of the lot. Last month, we parked in the first row almost every time we needed to park.

Glad to hear it!

 

[Inkmahm]

For those who had no problems with parking at BWV, were you staying there on Fri and Sat nights, too, or just Sun through Thurs?

 

[jekjones1558]

We were there at the same time as Carol and had no problem parking Friday and Saturday nights. It still does not appear to me that there have been any valet parking spots released for general parking but the guards are doing a good job of screening out non-hotel/villa guests.

 

[goofy4tink]

We were there in late April during Flower & Garden Festival time. The self-parking lot seemed to have more than enough spaces for BWI/BWV guests the week we were there. The CM at the entrance was stopping each car that didn't have a key card to operate the gate. I noticed several of them turning around and leaving, perhaps to park across the street. There was also a sign saying that Boardwalk could not provide parking for theme park access (or something to that effect). FWIW, I did see some cars coming in the back entrance. I don't know if they were BWI/BWV guests or not. If I had to guess, I'd say not.

Even before the changes, parking at the BWV/BWI was easier during Food & Wine Festival time than some of the other times we visited. Seems like they know more people will try to park there during that time and they control things better (I've seen CMs at the back entrance during F&W weekends).

I really don't think you are going to have a problem. We'll be there in October, too, but I haven't decided if we are going to rent a car or not since we'll be spending most of our time at EPCOT.

When we've been there at busy times (FandW was the worst) we had the same experience you did....the CMs were checking room keys before allowing people into the parking lot. I almost wish they would make the lot keyed entry only. Of course that would mean they would have to offer short term parking for those checking in or out.
That rear entrance?? I thought is was gated. I know that the buses have to wait for a gate to go up there, don't they?? Or has my brain melted in the 100 degree heat up here!!

 

[CarolMN]

When we've been there at busy times (FandW was the worst) we had the same experience you did....the CMs were checking room keys before allowing people into the parking lot. I almost wish they would make the lot keyed entry only. Of course that would mean they would have to offer short term parking for those checking in or out.
That rear entrance?? I thought is was gated. I know that the buses have to wait for a gate to go up there, don't they?? Or has my brain melted in the 100 degree heat up here!!

Yes, it is "gated". I could be totally wrong, but I don't think you need a room key to activate the gate. As I recall, you just drive up to the gate and wait for it to raise.

 

[DebbieB]

For those who had no problems with parking at BWV, were you staying there on Fri and Sat nights, too, or just Sun through Thurs?

When I was there the first full week of December last year, the only problem I had was on a Saturday afternoon, when I arrived. It was fine Sunday to Friday.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

For those who had no problems with parking at BWV, were you staying there on Fri and Sat nights, too, or just Sun through Thurs?

We were there from Thursday to Tuesday...on Friday and Saturday they had one entrance to the closest lot blocked off and a guard at the other entrance...they were only allowing people staying at the Boardwalk to park in that lot all others were directed to the lot across the street

 

[Inkmahm]

We were there from Thursday to Tuesday...on Friday and Saturday they had one entrance to the closest lot blocked off and a guard at the other entrance...they were only allowing people staying at the Boardwalk to park in that lot all others were directed to the lot across the street

Great! Now THAT is what I wanted to hear. That and changing some of the valet lot over to guest self parking....

 

[bobbiwoz]

We had 2 cars for our 1 night stay at BWV, a Saturday night in June. We were able to find spots without much trouble, and we did go out since we had dinner at the GF and some other errands to do in the area.

 

[Debi]

Hooray! Glad to hear parking hasn't been as much of an issue lately. Lets hope this trend continues! The parking situation is my only complaint about BWV.