Limited Parking Notice on RAT

[deedisneydream97]

That does kind of put the businesses on the Boardwalk kind of at a disadvantage, if they're telling people they can't park there. Sounds like they mainly consider the Boardwalk businesses to be for the Epcot area resort guests, and don't really care about bringing in outside business, preferring those people go to Downtown Disney.

I should have said "on my next visit to the Boardwalk as a guest that is staying there....I will do such and such if told I have to valet."

You bring up a good point about the other things offered at the Boardwalk. Although I have stayed there many times, I have no idea what goes on in the "clubs" (too old and tired for that). The unfortunate thing about BoardWalk parking is....if you ARE staying there, and self parking is taken up by people supposedly visiting the night spots...what is the answer? As previously stated, the overflow parking across the street took care of this. If you wanted to park at the BoardWalk to roam the bars, you were directed to park across the street. Sounds fair to me. You are not asked to pay. Although you WERE given the option to valet park. Not really sure what is going on now though, except the overflow parking is now designated for CM's and apparently construction equipment. Hopefully this is a temporary thing and will work out after the renovations at BW are completed.

Although, I can tell you by the laughter and activity that I can hear when sitting on my BoardWalk view deck, there is a lot of business going on up and down the boards. I get a real kick out of the kids interacting with the magicians and other "acts" on the boards....along with the applause and laughter from the older crowds.

 

[freediverdude]

I have never been to the Boardwalk at night time like that, maybe I should stay there sometime. I had a chance to stay there for 5 nights for less points than my 3 nights at the Poly, but since this will be my first DVC stay, I really wanted to stay at my home resort. Still it was tempting and hard to give that up, especially hearing that normally those standard view rooms are hard to get.

 

[deedisneydream97]

I have never been to the Boardwalk at night time like that, maybe I should stay there sometime. I had a chance to stay there for 5 nights for less points than my 3 nights at the Poly, but since this will be my first DVC stay, I really wanted to stay at my home resort. Still it was tempting and hard to give that up, especially hearing that normally those standard view rooms are hard to get.

Apologies to the OP for getting off topic. The standard view at BW will not give you a view of the BoardWalk from your deck, but it is a short walk from standard view rooms to the boardwalk. A while back we did not have enough points to do a BW view but did appreciate the bargain of standard view rooms. We would carry our wine and snacks to the veranda to watch the crowds and enjoy. I never really minded the "standard view" at BW. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the comings and goings at the bus stop and the driveway (those valets surely do earn their tips). The other standard view (tennis courts) could also offer a nice view of the tennis courts and the boats coming and going from DHS (but also have a lot of trees blocking the view...but one can't complain, because it is, after all, a standard view). We have since added on via resale and now have enough points for the more "pointy" view.

The standard view rooms are hard to come by during Food and Wine, Thanksgiving and Christmas (mostly the studios go quickly...they are a bargain). But honestly, being at any resort using my DVC is 100 times better than __________ (fill in the blank). Enjoy your DVC! We have never been sorry.

 

[freediverdude]

Apologies to the OP for getting off topic. The standard view at BW will not give you a view of the BoardWalk from your deck, but it is a short walk from standard view rooms to the boardwalk. A while back we did not have enough points to do a BW view but did appreciate the bargain of standard view rooms. We would carry our wine and snacks to the veranda to watch the crowds and enjoy. I never really minded the "standard view" at BW. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the comings and goings at the bus stop and the driveway (those valets surely do earn their tips). The other standard view (tennis courts) could also offer a nice view of the tennis courts and the boats coming and going from DHS (but also have a lot of trees blocking the view...but one can't complain, because it is, after all, a standard view). We have since added on via resale and now have enough points for the more "pointy" view.

The standard view rooms are hard to come by during Food and Wine, Thanksgiving and Christmas (mostly the studios go quickly...they are a bargain). But honestly, being at any resort using my DVC is 100 times better than __________ (fill in the blank). Enjoy your DVC! We have never been sorry.

Yes sorry for getting off topic. But thank you for your post! Maybe the first time at Boardwalk I might try for Boardwalk view then. But you're right, any room there would be better than being at work or home doing chores! I don't care that much about going during Food and Wine or Christmas week, so I won't be competing for that. I like late spring (usually May) or late Aug/early Sept. Sounds like Boardwalk is your home

 

[deedisneydream97]

So book your home resort for when you want to go so you have a place to stay, and then try to get BW at 7 months. May is usually easier...and you can either stay longer in a standard or maybe the same amount of time with BWV. Don't waste points for preferred in my opinion. BW is one of many homes. They are all great in their own way.

 

[tjkraz]

Maybe this is what they are getting ready for?

As a result of DVC member feedback, in an effort to reduce the parking issues at BWV as a DVC hotel guest you can park for $12 per day, BWI guests can park for free.

Bill

Parking facilities are included in the Condominium Association land lease and upkeep is funded by member dues.

So, no.

 

[disneynutz]

Parking facilities are included in the Condominium Association land lease and upkeep is funded by member dues.

So, no.

So why is there a parking issue at BWV?

Bill

 

[tjkraz]

So why is there a parking issue at BWV?

Bill

Obviously because demand exceeds supply. The fact that the situation gets much worse around Food & Wine Fest says a lot about the nature of the vehicle traffic at BWV/BWI.

 

[disneynutz]

Obviously because demand exceeds supply. The fact that the situation gets much worse around Food & Wine Fest says a lot about the nature of the vehicle traffic at BWV/BWI.

So as DVC owners staying at BWV, we aren't getting what we pay for when we can't park at the resort.

Bill

 

[tjkraz]

So as DVC owners staying at BWV, we aren't getting what we pay for when we can't park at the resort.

Bill

IF BoardWalk resort guests are being denied parking entirely or are forced to pay for valet, then I would agree with that statement.

In all of my personal experiences, BW's response to overwhelming demand is traditionally to better police the non resort guests and turn away people who do not have a documented reason to park at the resort.

 

[wdrl]

Parking facilities are included in the Condominium Association land lease and upkeep is funded by member dues.

So as DVC owners staying at BWV, we aren't getting what we pay for when we can't park at the resort.

Bill

I don't know the specifics of BWV's leasehold and Master Declaration, but at VGF the leasehold and Master Declaration included 147 parking spaces. This number of spaces is identical to the number of villas located at VGF: 147. One would think that on most days not every villa will have a guest who will be parking a car. However, its possible some days there may be some villas will have multiple vehicles, resulting in the number of vehicles exceeding the number of allotted parking spaces.

Keep in mind that guests checking out have parking privileges for the entire day, while the guests checking in that same day also have parking privileges. Because of this overlap, its possible the number of registered guests on a specific day may exceed the number of allotted parking spaces for a few hours.

 

[disneynutz]

I don't know the specifics of BWV's leasehold and Master Declaration, but at VGF the leasehold and Master Declaration included 147 parking spaces. This number of spaces is identical to the number of villas located at VGF: 147. One would think that on most days not every villa will have a guest who will be parking a car. However, its possible some days there may be some villas will have multiple vehicles, resulting in the number of vehicles exceeding the number of allotted parking spaces.

Keep in mind that guests checking out have parking privileges for the entire day, while the guests checking in that same day also have parking privileges. Because of this overlap, its possible the number of registered guests on a specific day may exceed the number of allotted parking spaces for a few hours.

And if employees, diners, pool hoppers, people going to a park, people staying at the main resort, and convention attendees take up parking spaces, the number of available spaces for DVC stays may be reduced even more.

Bill

 

[n2mm]

They should start charging for non guest, then have the guest get ESPN, jelly rolls, big river grill, etc, to validate/comp the parking fee. As a bwv owner who stays there the last two weeks of October every year, parking has become very stressful. We have come back with groceries and have had trouble parking. It's not fair to the guest staying there. I only park at other resorts if I'm dining there.

 

[ParrotBill]

I am an "owner" at BWV too. If a convention, or F&W scofflaws, has filled up parking, then I expect the Hotel Manager will valet me at no charge. Simple as that. When it's close to full and we have stuff to unload we just drive up to the curb and unload there before I go back to park.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I wonder if this will effect how popular/unpopular BWV is for DVC guests. I know that for us, a major reason for not wanting to stay at BWV is the hassle with parking. And yet, just a few years ago, it seems, valet parking was free for all DVC guests. What's funny is that over at BCV we've never had a problem parking there, whether we were staying there or just visiting. But BWV, no way are we even going to try that and risk the hassle there.

 

[spiceycat]

I am an "owner" at BWV too. If a convention, or F&W scofflaws, has filled up parking, then I expect the Hotel Manager will valet me at no charge. Simple as that. When it's close to full and we have stuff to unload we just drive up to the curb and unload there before I go back to park.

well that works if there is more than one of you - I am single and travel alone - this would be impossible for me. I also own at Bwv and have for years.

the new management views conventions as much more important than his guests.

 

[ParrotBill]

well that works if there is more than one of you - I am single and travel alone - this would be impossible for me. I also own at Bwv and have for years.

the new management views conventions as much more important than his guests.

I know it means a few dollars in tip, but feel free to have bell services take your luggage off your hands while you go park. If I go grocery shopping by myself I will do that to avoid multiple trips with small bags. And I agree with you that when there is a convention present they seem to give it more attention!

 

[spiceycat]

I know it means a few dollars in tip, but feel free to have bell services take your luggage off your hands while you go park. If I go grocery shopping by myself I will do that to avoid multiple trips with small bags. And I agree with you that when there is a convention present they seem to give it more attention!

great advice - problem is I am cheap!

 

[disneynutz]

I know it means a few dollars in tip, but feel free to have bell services take your luggage off your hands while you go park. If I go grocery shopping by myself I will do that to avoid multiple trips with small bags. And I agree with you that when there is a convention present they seem to give it more attention!

Here is some info that you may not be aware of. The people who unload your car are not Disney CM's, they work for the Valet company. They pass your luggage and groceries off to Bell Services. They both expect a tip.

Bill

 

[deedisneydream97]

well that works if there is more than one of you - I am single and travel alone - this would be impossible for me. I also own at Bwv and have for years.

great advice - problem is I am cheap!

LOL, we are cheap too (to a certain point). We always bring one or two of our rolling suitcases when we do a grocery run and fill them in the parking lot and then walk back to our room.

I don't have a problem when they want to keep the parking lot closer to the convention rooms clear during an event....but it is a big parking lot, and I feel they only need half of it. The other lot by the tennis courts is bigger than one thinks, although much of it is for valet and handicapped.

From what I have observed, bell services will wheel their trolley right up to your trunk and unload....nobody else is allowed to touch it. Valet is the only one to touch the car. I have never seen valet unload someone's car. Isn't it funny how we all see different things?