Illuminations - World Showcase Entrance ?

[emmsmama]

So I vaguely recall reading somewhere that it is best to exit through the International Gateway entrance/exit after Illuminations to not be stuck in as large of a crowd. So does it work that the main entrance to Epcot and then into WS leads to the Epcot parking lot, but the IG entrance/exit leads to the resorts and restaurants? So if I want to enter/exit through the IG area directly and not go through FW do I have to be parked at one of the resorts?

I booked Cape May Cafe dinner for the night we want to watch Illuminations because I figured I could park there at 7 - go to dinner at CMC - watch Illuminations - and then go back to CMC parking and would still be within the 3hr. parking time limit.

Does that sound right?

 

[zackiedawg]

Yes on all counts. If you've got ressies for Cape May, you can just park at the resort, go to dinner, walk into Epcot via the Int'l Gateway, then walk out via the same, and right back out to your car.

 

[wdwrich]

Technically, you shouldn't do that. All resort parking lots have signs posted that state that parking is for guests at that resort and not for park access. You can park if you're dining at the resort, but that's supposed to be all. I know that at the CR and Poly, the guard will look up your ADR on a list and give you a 3-hour parking pass.

 

[rgf207]

Technically, you shouldn't do that. All resort parking lots have signs posted that state that parking is for guests at that resort and not for park access. You can park if you're dining at the resort, but that's supposed to be all. I know that at the CR and Poly, the guard will look up your ADR on a list and give you a 3-hour parking pass.

This is true but I don't believe the OP will be breaking any rules. He/she should get a parking pass or be given 3 hours to eat/look around. If they have ressies and then go to illuminations I don't see a problem with this at all.

 

[duketennisgal]

Do they really care? I've parked over at the Boardwalk Resort, I told them that I was just wanting to walk around the Boardwalk and they said no problem and told me where to park. We were there from like 4:00 in the afternoon till around 10:00 pm - and yes we were just exploring the Boardwalk and the Boardwalk resorts, we never actually went into EPCOT.

I know this is wrong and I've only done it once (before I realized I shouldn't) but I've parked at the Poly for breakfast (Kona) and took the monorail to MK, then when I was done came back to my car at the Poly. I was a Disney Resort guest (POR) but not a Poly guest. They didn't care, but I won't do it again b/c I don't want to take spots that belong to the hotel guests.

 

[CarolA]

Do they really care? I've parked over at the Boardwalk Resort, I told them that I was just wanting to walk around the Boardwalk and they said no problem and told me where to park. We were there from like 4:00 in the afternoon till around 10:00 pm - and yes we were just exploring the Boardwalk and the Boardwalk resorts, we never actually went into EPCOT.

I know this is wrong and I've only done it once (before I realized I shouldn't) but I've parked at the Poly for breakfast (Kona) and took the monorail to MK, then when I was done came back to my car at the Poly. I was a Disney Resort guest (POR) but not a Poly guest. They didn't care, but I won't do it again b/c I don't want to take spots that belong to the hotel guests.

Well, the Boardwalk now cares!

The only place they let visitors park is across the street. You have to have a Boardwalk parking pass to park closer the hotel. There are guards at the entrances to the lots AFTER you pass the main guardshack who verify your parking pass. I was AMAZED at how big a difference this made in the parking situation! I never realized that at 10 AM there were that many people "walking around the Boardwalk"

If this creates "free loading" at YC/BC then expect a change thier too.

 

[duketennisgal]

Well, the Boardwalk now cares!

The only place they let visitors park is across the street. You have to have a Boardwalk parking pass to park closer the hotel. There are guards at the entrances to the lots AFTER you pass the main guardshack who verify your parking pass. I was AMAZED at how big a difference this made in the parking situation! I never realized that at 10 AM there were that many people "walking around the Boardwalk"

If this creates "free loading" at YC/BC then expect a change thier too.

Wow, wander when that change happened, it wasn't like that back in May when we visited but it makes sense for sure.