I LOVE OUR DVC, BUT THIS I HAVE TO POST :(lengthy)

[DeeCee735]

OK, I'll be on the other end of it.

If the security guard had been nicer and said that parking was only for guests staying at the hotel, I think the OP wouldn't be here venting. But, instead, she got an excuse that she had never heard received before at any of the other resorts - that she had to have a reservation at a restaurant that Disney doesn't accept ADRs for. So, if she had lied and said she had a reservation, she would have gone through because the guy at the gate would have had no way of verifying it was true based upon the magic band.

Interestingly, the guy at the gate didn't offer the option of valet parking either, in an effort to make a guest happy and to make some $ for Disney.

Yes. I was definitely taken aback by the way they presented themselves. If we were even asked if we had reservations the two nights before when we visited I don’t think I would have been as surprised as I was when my kids were directed to leave due to having no reservation. On the other end of it for me, after reading all the posts and opinions, I probably could have let it go a little sooner than I did. I got wrapped in the illusion of perfect or magic or whatever word one could use, being in my favorite place and all, when I should have realized that while it could have been said better to us, they were enforcing rules that weren’t enforced two nights before and that that is at their discretion. I have to try to be better too, just as they do.

 

[DeeCee735]

You cannot use car seats on buses. You have to hold the child. There are not acceptable tethers for car seats and they would be unsafe.

Thanks. So the car was necessary and will be for awhile. I’ll let her know as they are thinking about a trip in the not too far off future.

 

[DSLRuser]

I am torn on this one.

For one, I agree that if Disney bills "The Boardwalk" as a destination for night life, then there should be parking available. But I also agree, people staying at Boardwalk should be provided a place to park. A reasonable compromise is to park in the overflow lot across the street. Works fine at the Grand Floridian.

In this situation, I would not have pressed the issue. I would have driven over to the Fantasia Mini Golf, parked there, then walked across the street to access the Boardwalk. What's another 1,000 foot walk when in Disney.

 

[Chuck S]

I am torn on this one.

For one, I agree that if Disney bills "The Boardwalk" as a destination for night life, then there should be parking available. But I also agree, people staying at Boardwalk should be provided a place to park. A reasonable compromise is to park in the overflow lot across the street. Works fine at the Grand Floridian.

In this situation, I would not have pressed the issue. I would have driven over to the Fantasia Mini Golf, parked there, then walked across the street to access the Boardwalk. What's another 1,000 foot walk when in Disney.

The overflow lot may not have been available because of a convention or the new sky cabin gondola construction.

 

[DSLRuser]

The overflow lot may not have been available because of a convention or the new sky cabin gondola construction.

Then Fantasia Mini Golf it would be.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Thanks. So the car was necessary and will be for awhile. I’ll let her know as they are thinking about a trip in the not too far off future.

Lots of people take babies on buses every day. It's commonplace in major metros, not just Disney. Car seats are not designed for or safe in public transit.

 

[satman1962]

On the other end of it for me, after reading all the posts and opinions, I probably could have let it go a little sooner than I did. I got wrapped in the illusion of perfect or magic or whatever word one could use, being in my favorite place and all, when I should have realized that while it could have been said better to us, they were enforcing rules that weren’t enforced two nights before and that that is at their discretion. I have to try to be better too, just as they do.

I totally respect your original post but more so your candid post quoted above. I read far more than I post and I can’t recall anyone ever reflecting back on their negative experience and then taking some of the responsibility as you explained. I had to comment on it. I’m impressed or moved or something... regardless.. good for you.

 

[DeeCee735]

The overflow lot may not have been available because of a convention or the new sky cabin gondola construction.

I was told it was construction. I suggested they open the valet lot as free parking in these cases. They stand by providing parking to guests at the hotel first, ok understandable. What about the guests Disney targets to visit the Boardwalk? Valet parking fees should be lifted during construction. Valet parking could have been mentioned at the gate or by the manager. I’m the one who brought it up to her and by that time we just wanted to leave.

 

[Chuck S]

I don't think they can waive the fees or open the valet lot. The valets are a contracted company, not Disney employees.

 

[DizBub]

After reading this entire thread I am surprised that no one mentioned that valet parking is free for TIW cardholders. Since the valet lots are almost always empty this is a fantastic perk if you have one. You could pay for the TIW in 1 week long trip using Uber. Of course this would only work for people with cars. All you have to do is show your card and return with a dining receipt. Be sure to tip the valet.

We don't own points at BWV but we like to stay there as often as we can. We always drive and parking situation is the absolute worst there. I agree that the Boardwalk is a "destination" especially at night for dining and entertainment and it's unfortunate that there isn't parking to accommodate visitors.

 

[pineapplepalms]

Thanks. So the car was necessary and will be for awhile. I’ll let her know as they are thinking about a trip in the not too far off future.

It’s okay to just hold them on the bus, boat, or monorail without a car seat. We opted for renting a car when DS was younger for several reasons but on our next trip he will be over 2 and much sturdier so we’ll be trying Disney transportation again.

 

[CarolMN]

After reading this entire thread I am surprised that no one mentioned that valet parking is free for TIW cardholders. Since the valet lots are almost always empty this is a fantastic perk if you have one. You could pay for the TIW in 1 week long trip using Uber. Of course this would only work for people with cars. All you have to do is show your card and return with a dining receipt. Be sure to tip the valet.

We don't own points at BWV but we like to stay there as often as we can. We always drive and parking situation is the absolute worst there. I agree that the Boardwalk is a "destination" especially at night for dining and entertainment and it's unfortunate that there isn't parking to accommodate visitors.

It's mostly a destination for people heading to EPCOT. We usually stay standard view and the lot significantly empties every evening right after IllumiNations & park closing.

 

[mikebb]

This is a tough one. While I can understand those who say that Boardwalk parking is first and foremost for guests of the resort (and having been a guest have been frustrated by the parking there), it's also apparent to me that Disney created the Boardwalk as a sort of destination unto itself. Why have Atlantic Dance Hall or Jelly Rolls if just for the guests of the adjacent resorts? And what about the DVC pool hopping privileges? If I want to use BWV's pool, does that mean I have to drive?

Bottom line is Disney sends a very mixed message with the Boardwalk, and has parking problems there that they've made no effort to fix (besides offering a caution on their page for the Boardwalk that parking is limited and non-resort guests may need to valet). Complaining to security, front desk, or anyone else in lower-level management at the resort is a exercise in futility. I can understand OP's frustration, but at the same time it's apparent that Disney is not going to fix this and something we just have to live with if you want to visit Boardwalk without being a guest.

 

[disneynutz]

Maybe Disney feels that Minnie Vans, buses, Skyliner, Uber, Lyft, and taxi's, are enough to get guests to the BW/YC/BC area.

Bill

 

[lovin'fl]

I think Disney expects you to use Disney transport. You can boat or walk from HS or Epcot and bus from MK, AK and DS. They don't want offsite or local folks driving in and parking to use pool or to go go Epcot or HS. I am glad they take measures to prevent that.

I see Bill and I had similar thoughts.

 

[kboo]

You cannot use car seats on buses. You have to hold the child. There are not acceptable tethers for car seats and they would be unsafe.

Thanks. So the car was necessary and will be for awhile. I’ll let her know as they are thinking about a trip in the not too far off future.

It’s okay to just hold them on the bus, boat, or monorail without a car seat. We opted for renting a car when DS was younger for several reasons but on our next trip he will be over 2 and much sturdier so we’ll be trying Disney transportation again.

You will get a lot of debate on the Families board, but we have been taking the kids on Disney transportation without car seats since they were babies. And an occasional taxi or uber as well. We live in NYC, where we use public transportation ALL the time - subways, city buses, and to a lesser extent, taxis and car services. Then again, I am also the person who has taken my kids on 50+ flights without car seats.

If you're staying on site, Disney transportation is fine. We have taken DME with the kids many times. This last time since we had a split stay (Dolphin/BLT) we used FL tours which provided a booster and car seat for the airport transportation. We took uber one night to go to AK, a bus one day to go to AK, and then walked to the other parks (EP, HS, MK).

It is up to you, of course, but millions of people have taken their babies and toddlers on mass transit - at WDW and elsewhere - without car seats and have been fine. Nowhere is it required (and at Disney, not allowed on DME) to have your kids in a booster or car seat on mass transit or public transit. As you see from above - to/from the airport in a car, yes, we get the car seat and booster, but for a short trip at relatively low speeds in clear weather, we made the assessment that the very small risk was one we were willing to take.

 

[drbrjb01]

Valet, guards, housekeeping are NOT Disney employees. They just don't care. Just more areas that Disney cut cost at the expense of that Old Disney Magic they use to have. Poor Walt and Roy must be spinning in their graves at the New Disney.

Part of me agrees with this sentiment and part of me thinks that extra money they make is great as it will allow them to continue to add rides and areas in the parks. Also I have Disney in my stock portfolio.

 

[m1ckeym0use1]

So related question. We're going down in 3 weeks, staying at OKW with a car. We love Ample Hills creamery... is there any parking option we can use over there? Is the overflow lot across the street from Boardwalk open to the public? Is it ok to park in the mini golf lot? I understand we can use Disney transportation, but round trip with transferring somewhere can eat up a lot of time just for an ice cream sundae.

 

[BLLB]

So related question. We're going down in 3 weeks, staying at OKW with a car. We love Ample Hills creamery... is there any parking option we can use over there? Is the overflow lot across the street from Boardwalk open to the public? Is it ok to park in the mini golf lot? I understand we can use Disney transportation, but round trip with transferring somewhere can eat up a lot of time just for an ice cream sundae.

Curious about the answer to this question. We have been BWV owners for quite a while. We have never had a car, but read tons of posts regarding the parking. If you wanted to meet friends for dinner/drinks/ice cream on the Boardwalk, without an ADR/Open Table, is there a place to park?

 

[crisi]

Valet, guards, housekeeping are NOT Disney employees. They just don't care. Just more areas that Disney cut cost at the expense of that Old Disney Magic they use to have. Poor Walt and Roy must be spinning in their graves at the New Disney.

I'm sure the gate guards have also been put on high alert. Disney does not want a car to explode or drive into guests. It doesn't want a mass shooting. It is completely possible that five minutes before she approached the gate, the guard was told there was a high alert situation somewhere and suddenly he doesn't have "polite" on his mind.