How to get to Disney's Boardwalk

[bonnielynn]

I was thinking that we could just go to downtown disney and then get on a bus going to one of the resorts, but is there a better way. We are staying in Saratoga Springs..

?

 

[CarolMN]

I was thinking that we could just go to downtown disney and then get on a bus going to one of the resorts, but is there a better way. We are staying in Saratoga Springs..

?

That's probably the quickest way, using Disney transportation, especially if you don't have to wait too long for a bus. The quickest way would be a cab.

You could also take a bus to DHS and then either walk to the Boardwalk (about 15-20 minutes) or take the boat from DHS to the Boardwalk (anoput 25 minutes). The boat goes to Swan/Dolphin dock first (you can get off here and walk to the Boardwalk, walk from there takes about 5-10 minutes), then the YC/BC/BCV dock and then the Boardwalk dock.

 

[angelina]

I'll be in Orlando in a couple of weeks and want to go to the Boardwalk. I'm staying a Bonnet Creek and don't know where to park. Can I go to Downtown Disney and hop a bus? or is it better to go directly to the Boardwalk and park. Can I even do that? Advice would be appreciated.

 

[skelooch]

If you were planning on walking to DTD and then bus to BW, much will depend on what section of SSR you are in, it can be as much as a mile walk from the Carousel and Grandstand sections to the bus stop at DTD marketplace.

 

[skelooch]

I'll be in Orlando in a couple of weeks and want to go to the Boardwalk. I'm staying a Bonnet Creek and don't know where to park. Can I go to Downtown Disney and hop a bus? or is it better to go directly to the Boardwalk and park. Can I even do that? Advice would be appreciated.

It's a very short drive from Bonnet Creek to BW, and you can park there, the guard will direct you to which lot to use.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Taking the bus from Downtown Disney is an option, however I think it also stops at the Yacht Club, Beach Club, Swan & Dolphin before it arrives at the Boardwalk.

 

[CarolMN]

Taking the bus from Downtown Disney is an option, however I think it also stops at the Yacht Club, Beach Club, Swan & Dolphin before it arrives at the Boardwalk.

Didn't do that when we last rode it (last October), but maybe it depends on the season and/or time of day.

We made a stop at one of the water parks and then the next stop was the BWV.

 

[bonnielynn]

I think we could just get a bus to Epcot and walk out the back of the park? But depending on how long we stay.. we may have to cab it back.. is there cabs waiting around.. or should I have a number on hand?

 

[Philadisney]

It's a very short drive from Bonnet Creek to BW, and you can park there, the guard will direct you to which lot to use.

I was thinking of doing this next week when we're staying at Bonnet Creek too, but isn't there a time limit on how long you can park at a resort if you don't have a room or an ADR there? Does anyone know what it is, and is it the same at every resort? Thank you!

 

[seashoreCM]

Sometimes resorts including Boardwalk and Contemporary will issue 3 hour parking passes. If you are engaged in longer activities at the resort and walk back to the guard shack after the first 3 hours, that almost proves you did not spend the time away from the resort such as at a theme park and the guard is likely to issue you another pass.

 

[skelooch]

If you park across the street from the BW entrance, behind the Hess gas station you won't have to worry about time limits, I doubt they will bother you there.
Although it is a little bit of a walk from there to the BW, about .4 mile and somewhat up hill.

 

[Sandi]

Taking the bus from Downtown Disney is an option, however I think it also stops at the Yacht Club, Beach Club, Swan & Dolphin before it arrives at the Boardwalk.

When we were there last August, it did stop at all of these resorts before ending at BW. It was not a pleasant bus ride from DTD to BW. Getting off at Swan or Dolphin (whichever is first) and then walking over to BW is better, but we didn't know that until the second time.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

If you park across the street from the BW entrance, behind the Hess gas station you won't have to worry about time limits, I doubt they will bother you there.
Although it is a little bit of a walk from there to the BW, about .4 mile and somewhat up hill.

That's not always true. A few years ago on New Years Eve when my family and I parked there the Cast Members were still giving our 3 hour parking passes, so during the major holidays they do time you for parking there.

 

[purple figment]

I think we could just get a bus to Epcot and walk out the back of the park? But depending on how long we stay.. we may have to cab it back.. is there cabs waiting around.. or should I have a number on hand?

Yes, you could take a bus from your resort to Epcot, but it will require a theme park ticket to walk through Epcot. It'll probably take about 20 minutes to walk from the front of Epcot to the Boardwalk.

All of the Epcot area resorts usually have 2 or 3 taxis waiting at any given time. If you don't see one, ask bell services to call for you.

 

[smidgy]

I was under the impression that the Boardwalk differed from other resorts regarding the 3 hour limit, because it is a DESTINATION. people don't only go there to eat. you can eat dinner, shop, walk along the boardwalk experiencing the jugllers, magic show, etc., rent the 2 or 4 person bikes, view inlluminations from the bridge leading to beach club, and spend hours at karaokee at the Swan, the dueling piano bar at Jellyrolls, and the ATlantic city dance hall. you can also watch a sporting event at ESPN club.
you may have an ADR for dinner, but if you partake in the many offerings at the Boardwalk (spending $!) I see nothing wrong with parking there.
I would tel the CM this. you may be further back or across the road, but you should definitely be allowed to keep your car where yuo are spending your money. of course, the closer spots should be reserved for guest staying at the hotel (when we stayed there, this was one thing I didn't like about this resort. parking was often very far from your room. no "quick run" to the car to grab something)

 

[goofy4tink]

Didn't do that when we last rode it (last October), but maybe it depends on the season and/or time of day.

We made a stop at one of the water parks and then the next stop was the BWV.

That has been pretty much my experience as well.

I think we could just get a bus to Epcot and walk out the back of the park? But depending on how long we stay.. we may have to cab it back.. is there cabs waiting around.. or should I have a number on hand?

You will need to have park hoppers or you will waste a day of your passes. Also, it could take upwards of an hour to do this. Your resort wait for the bus, ride to Epcot, then walk all the way through Epcot, which can take 25 mins.

I was thinking of doing this next week when we're staying at Bonnet Creek too, but isn't there a time limit on how long you can park at a resort if you don't have a room or an ADR there? Does anyone know what it is, and is it the same at every resort? Thank you!

You can park there but you aren't supposed to head to a park. Parking is for those who are actively enjoying the resort.

I was under the impression that the Boardwalk differed from other resorts regarding the 3 hour limit, because it is a DESTINATION. people don't only go there to eat. you can eat dinner, shop, walk along the boardwalk experiencing the jugllers, magic show, etc., rent the 2 or 4 person bikes, view inlluminations from the bridge leading to beach club, and spend hours at karaokee at the Swan, the dueling piano bar at Jellyrolls, and the ATlantic city dance hall. you can also watch a sporting event at ESPN club.
you may have an ADR for dinner, but if you partake in the many offerings at the Boardwalk (spending $!) I see nothing wrong with parking there.
I would tel the CM this. you may be further back or across the road, but you should definitely be allowed to keep your car where yuo are spending your money. of course, the closer spots should be reserved for guest staying at the hotel (when we stayed there, this was one thing I didn't like about this resort. parking was often very far from your room. no "quick run" to the car to grab something)

Nope....parking is limited to those using the resort. Other than heading to Jellyrolls, there really isn't much to do at BW for more than a few hours. Guest parking lots should not be being used for those who are 'visiting' BW. These people shouldn't be allowed to park and then head to Epcot..and sadly, that's exactly what happens.
You should be able to park in the lot behind the Hess Station. Yes, it is a longer walk to the BW but such is life. You can always valet park.

Parking at BW is no different than parking at any other resort. It is not this big entertainment center that some would like us to believe. Sure, ESPN is there, as are Jellyrolls and Atlantic Dance Club. But...none of them are that big a deal. Many resorts have the surry bikes. And yes, there is nighttime entertainment, but in all reality, it's not so wonderful that I would make a special trip over to check it out.
I love BW, I own DVC there, I spend a lot of time there. But I just don't get the uproar of 'got to get to BW to check out the entertainmet'. It's just not all that wonderful. It certainly isn't a replacement for DTD.
So to say BW is a 'destination'??? No, not really.

 

[5boyz]

I'll be in Orlando in a couple of weeks and want to go to the Boardwalk. I'm staying a Bonnet Creek and don't know where to park. Can I go to Downtown Disney and hop a bus? or is it better to go directly to the Boardwalk and park. Can I even do that? Advice would be appreciated.

It took us 4 yrs to discover you could get to boardwalk in 5 minutes thru Epcot...so we now go to Boardwalk on Epcot day.

 

[goofy4tink]

It took us 4 yrs to discover you could get to boardwalk in 5 minutes thru Epcot...so we now go to Boardwalk on Epcot day.

That is probably the best idea. But be careful. That's what we did back in '03. We had never been to BW before..so decided to walk over during our Epcot time. Well...as we stood there, by the boat dock, my dh turned to me and said..."You know, I could live with buying into DVC if it was here.'' Well, 2 months later, we were owners!!! He gave our name and phone number to the DVC people at the DVC booth at the Polynesian, where we were staying. WE didn't have time to visit a villa since we were checking out. Bought into BW DVC without ever seeing a villa.

So...be careful when visiting BW. It can be a very expensive propsition!!!

 

[5boyz]

That is probably the best idea. But be careful. That's what we did back in '03. We had never been to BW before..so decided to walk over during our Epcot time. Well...as we stood there, by the boat dock, my dh turned to me and said..."You know, I could live with buying into DVC if it was here.'' Well, 2 months later, we were owners!!! He gave our name and phone number to the DVC people at the DVC booth at the Polynesian, where we were staying. WE didn't have time to visit a villa since we were checking out. Bought into BW DVC without ever seeing a villa.

So...be careful when visiting BW. It can be a very expensive propsition!!!

LOL!!!! I am sure you are enjoying it very much!!!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I was under the impression that the Boardwalk differed from other resorts regarding the 3 hour limit, because it is a DESTINATION. people don't only go there to eat. you can eat dinner, shop, walk along the boardwalk experiencing the jugllers, magic show, etc., rent the 2 or 4 person bikes, view inlluminations from the bridge leading to beach club, and spend hours at karaokee at the Swan, the dueling piano bar at Jellyrolls, and the ATlantic city dance hall. you can also watch a sporting event at ESPN club.
you may have an ADR for dinner, but if you partake in the many offerings at the Boardwalk (spending $!) I see nothing wrong with parking there.
I would tel the CM this. you may be further back or across the road, but you should definitely be allowed to keep your car where yuo are spending your money. of course, the closer spots should be reserved for guest staying at the hotel (when we stayed there, this was one thing I didn't like about this resort. parking was often very far from your room. no "quick run" to the car to grab something)

Since the Boardwalk is within walking distance to Epcot and Hollywood Studios the same parking rules apply for those not staying there like at the other Deluxe Resorts. Now I would say it's a unique resort because of all the things it offers, however it will always be considered a resort and not a destination. I mean during the major holidays they enforce parking for those not staying there and during other events like the Food & Wine Festival at Epcot, I heard you can't park there if your staying there or don't have confirmed ADR's.