park at epcot hotels & walk to epcot

[dksm1120]

Has anyone ever parked at an Epcot hotel and walked to the World Showcase area without staying at the hotels? We plan to stay at Wilderness Lodge and want to cut down on the walking through Epcot, Future World. Do they police the parking lots? We're thinking of parking at Disney's Boardwalk or Yacht & beach club resorts? Is this a waste of energy and we should just take the bus from Wilderness Lodge?

 

[Kimberle]

You will only be given a 3 hour parking pass.

 

[Kelly&John]

I am a person who stays at The Boardwalk and often finds it difficult to find a parking spot because the lots are full. I would appreciate guests of other hotels use their appropriate transportation.

Kelly

 

[clkelley]

Actually, at the Boardwalk there is a public lot because the Boardwalk is considered a "public entertainment venue".

It is a considerable distance from the Boardwalk area and will probably be just as much of a walk from there as it would be from the monorail station through Future World.

Carol

 

[Lewisc]

The bus or parking lot tram will get you to the main entrance of EPCOT. The walk from a resort parking lot to the International Gateway (or even to the boat dock) will probbly be just as long as the walk through FW.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by clkelley
Actually, at the Boardwalk there is a public lot because the Boardwalk is considered a "public entertainment venue".

It is a considerable distance from the Boardwalk area and will probably be just as much of a walk from there as it would be from the monorail station through Future World.

Carol

while that may be true, there is a VERY large sign indicating that parking to enter Epcot is not allowed. I would be nice if people had some consideration for the guests at Boardwalk and parked in the parks' parking lots.

 

[ducklite]

Anymore they are pretty much telling non-BW guests and those who do'nt have a PS that they have to park across the street. Good thing But that will make the walk just as long as if you parked in the Epcot lot. I heard from a BW manager after writing a letter complaining about the parking issues after my last trip that they will be implementing a three hour parking system to those who aren't staying at the BW, or aren't attending a convention there very shortly. The three hours will not be enforced after 9:00pm, so that people can enjoy the various entertainment venues.

Anne

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by ducklite
Anymore they are pretty much telling non-BW guests and those who do'nt have a PS that they have to park across the street. Good thing But that will make the walk just as long as if you parked in the Epcot lot. I heard from a BW manager after writing a letter complaining about the parking issues after my last trip that they will be implementing a three hour parking system to those who aren't staying at the BW, or aren't attending a convention there very shortly. The three hours will not be enforced after 9:00pm, so that people can enjoy the various entertainment venues.

Anne

So happy to hear this! I wrote a letter after my December 2002 trip complaining about it, too, but all I got in response was a phone call - the jist of that was "too bad, so sad, nothing we can do. Why don't you valet? It's free".

However, I did notice on this last trip (12/03), that the security CMS were turning away non-BW hotel guests in the morning, and directing them to the overflow lot across the street. (It's quite a hike to EPCOT from that lot, BTW). Guess, even Disney figures that there's almost no reason to park in the BW lots in the morning (other than going to EPCOT for the day, LOL).

Anyway, Im glad to see Disney is at least attempting to do something for the BWV/BWI hotel guests. Have often wished they would just reserve a portion of the self-parking for hotel guests. That wouldn't be all that hard to do.

I sure agree that self-parking (even in slow season) has been a problem due to all those who park there to go to EPCOT. I know I've felt a little frustrated watching the lot empty out right after Illuminations when I've had to park across the street or valet because the lot was full at 5 pm when we returned from our day's activities.

 

[georgina]

We have had breakfast at Cape May a couple of times, in July and August. We parked at the Beach Club lot, and were not given any kind of time limited parking pass. We didn't spend all day there, but we did explore the Boardwalk area some after breakfast. The beach Club lot was not very full either time, but I don't know what happens in the evening.

 

[johare]

Originally posted by dksm1120
Has anyone ever parked at an Epcot hotel and walked to the World Showcase area without staying at the hotels? We plan to stay at Wilderness Lodge and want to cut down on the walking through Epcot, Future World. Do they police the parking lots? We're thinking of parking at Disney's Boardwalk or Yacht & beach club resorts? Is this a waste of energy and we should just take the bus from Wilderness Lodge?

We've parked at the Swan hotel dozens of times to take the boat over to Epcot or MGM and never had any problems at all. You aren't even stopped on the way into the parking lots like you are at the Disney owned resorts. Boardwalk has been having people park further away, but I've read that they have a pretty good deal on valet parking.

 

[ksc37]

We've eaten an early dinner at the Cape May Cafe on a couple of occasions, then walked to the World Showcase for the evening & illuminations. No questions were asked when we drove by security at the Beach Club, and no 3 hour pass was issued. They just waved us through.

I would imagine if it were earlier in the day, that may have been different. Also, we always travel during value season, so maybe that makes a difference.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by johare
We've parked at the Swan hotel dozens of times to take the boat over to Epcot or MGM and never had any problems at all. You aren't even stopped on the way into the parking lots like you are at the Disney owned resorts. Boardwalk has been having people park further away, but I've read that they have a pretty good deal on valet parking.

Yep, great deal on valet, 6.00 plus tip. So, you save a dollar on the valet over the parks, but, most will tip, so, which is better?
Also, if you are an onsite guest, parking at the parks is free, so, why not just park at the parks and save the 6.00?