Parking at Boardwalk for visit to Epcot?

[KTSMOM]

My DH and I are visiting DW for one day in April. We were thinking about parking at the Boardwalk and walking over to Epcot and then when Epcot closes walking back to the Bordwalk and enjoying some time there. Can I park at Boardwalk if we aren't staying there?

 

[Eljay]

If you have a reservation at one of the Epcot resort area restaurants, you can tell the security guard at the entrance and they will usually give you a 3 hour permit to place on your dash. If you stay longer, you risk getting towed.

 

[cvjw]

My family has done this before so that we did not have to fight for a spot on the bus after Illuminations. We found out that it was a very long walk back to the car after the fireworks, as we were parked across the road from the Boardwalk. We decided to never try that again, we just wait in line for the bus.

 

[wdwoldtimer]

Most of the time they don't tow you. But when you get back to your car, all the windows will be smashed, tires slashed and someone will have defecated on your dashboard. DVC Members frown on non-members taking up their self-park spots.

 

[BuzzNutt]

We did this but parked at the Yacht Beach Resort across from the Boardwalk. No one even blinked at us and we were able to park valet.

 

[bicker]

Disney's resorts parking is for overnight guests of the resort, and other guests who are currently using the facilities (such as restaurants) of that specific resort. Respecting this rule is especially essential at the BoardWalk since so many of the resort's guests are DVC members who carry heavy grocery bags into their villas.

 

[Eljay]

Most of the time they don't tow you. But when you get back to your car, all the windows will be smashed, tires slashed and someone will have defecated on your dashboard. DVC Members frown on non-members taking up their self-park spots.

Well, I hope they at least have the courtesy to aim for the 3 hr. parking pass on the dashboard!!!

If you bypass self-park and pay for valet, I don't think there's a problem.

 

[WVMomof3]

We have never been to the Boardwalk area before. I am hoping we will have time this trip. Where do you park if you just want to walk around the area, but do not have reservations at one of the restaurants?

 

[KTSMOM]

Most of the time they don't tow you. But when you get back to your car, all the windows will be smashed, tires slashed and someone will have defecated on your dashboard. DVC Members frown on non-members taking up their self-park spots.

Wow..that's some serious fine! Good thing we will have a rental car!

I was just thinking last time we stayed on site we finished Epcot and then went to the Boardwalk for some fun at ESPN club and then we just took the bus back to the hotel. Wanted to do the same thing this time, except we are staying off site since we are there for a work conference. Could I take a bus from Boardwalk back to the Epcot parking lot later that evening??

 

[dani0622]

We have never been to the Boardwalk area before. I am hoping we will have time this trip. Where do you park if you just want to walk around the area, but do not have reservations at one of the restaurants?

We did this last year, just wanted to walk around boardwalk. No ADR's at any restaurants. We told the parking guard what we were doing and they said ok no problem. We only stayed for about an hour or so though.

 

[Eljay]

Wow..that's some serious fine! Good thing we will have a rental car!
Could I take a bus from Boardwalk back to the Epcot parking lot later that evening??

No, there are no busses between the Epcot resorts and Epcot. I wish there was a bus. I have taken a cab from the Boardwalk to the Epcot lot, though.

Another option is to park at MGM, take the boat back & forth to the Boardwalk or a bus. The boat is very romantic & relaxing. I believe that they run for 1 hour after park closing.

You can always valet at one of the resorts.
DVC members, is that a no-no?

 

[DisFlan]

Well, yes, some DVC people get out of joint about parking at BW. What I've found interesting is, that by the time you get out of Epcot and back to where you want to go, parking at BW doesn't actually save you all that much time.

I'm afraid that as more and more Epcot-bound non-guests try to use the BW lot, the hammer is going to fall on even the 3 hr. passes. Which will make getting in more inconvenient for non-guests who just want to dine or play on the Boardwalk. I guess the best solution is that if you're going to Epcot, either park in the Epcot lot or take a bus. If you plan to actually use and enjoy the Boardwalk, then by all means, park there.

As for valet parking, that's up to you. But even that lot can fill up at times.

Picture this: It's a busy time of year. It may be hot. It may be raining, and your feet probably hurt. You're a DVC member or BW resort guest. You pull into BW dead tired (and maybe have groceries) and parking is full. You have to go ALL THE WAY down and across the street to (maybe) find a spot - which feels roughly about as far away as AKL. Remember, there aren't any shuttles here - you have to walk all the way up that hill to your own resort. Because Epcot people are filling the lots. How would you feel about it?

DisFlan

 

[DebbieB]

We have never been to the Boardwalk area before. I am hoping we will have time this trip. Where do you park if you just want to walk around the area, but do not have reservations at one of the restaurants?

There is an unguarded lot across the street from the regular Boardwalk lot. Depending on how full the regular lot is, the guard may direct you over there. As you are driving on the street towards the Boardwalk entrance on the left, if you see a sign that says "parking" with an arrow pointing straight, that means park in the unguarded lot on the right a little way down the road.

 

[Deb & Bill]

All the deluxe resorts have signs at the entrance to the resort that states they cannot provide parking for theme park guests. Leave the resort parking places to the resort guests or those using the services of the resort (like dining facilities). You could park at Epcot and then drive over to the BW afterwards to take advantage of the BW shopping, dining, etc.

 

[Buttercup Roberts]

We always stay on property, always have a rental car, and always do some things in the Boardwalk area in conjunction with ducking into Epcot for an hour or two for Illuminations and dinner or a pastry.

Sometimes we eat at Beaches & Cream, sometimes I want a treat from the Boardwalk Bakery, and sometimes we buy stuff from the gift shop/grocery store on the boardwalk, but we always also go see Illuminations.

All we've ever done is pull up to the guard shack, show 'em our room key, and they don't even ask us what we're coming to do or why. We park in the far left corner of the lot and take a hike up the hill to the resort, there's always tons of parking open.

I think if they care, they'll say no, but any time we've gone, they don't. There's plenty of parking and they want you to come spend money there.

 

[bicker]

Unfortunately, no, we cannot rely on our host saying "no" to us. Their objective is to make us happy, and to a great extent that involves avoiding negative confrontations, so to a great extent they rely on our integrity and consideration of others with regard to use and/or abuse of their leniency.

 

[wdwoldtimer]

I usually don't bother renting a car...if you fly me down there when you go, I'll sell you my parking permit.

 

[cleo]

The Boardwalk Resort does, in fact, have parking specifically for those who are not staying at the resort. They don't expect everyone who wants to shop and dine there to be a Resort guest. If you would like to enjoy an evening at the Boardwalk just tell the gate attendant what your plans are and they will direct you to one of two parking lots. One is not far from their security booth (a LONG walk to the Boardwalk) and the other, as someone already mentioned, is across the street from the resort itself (still a LONG walk).

You aren't 'taking away parking from a DVC member' in that instance, you are using the parking provided for those guests who want to enjoy (read: spend money at) the Boardwalk. No need to feel guilty. They planned it that way and you're entitled to use those lots.

HOWEVER (and this is a big 'however') those lots are NOT intended for use instead of theme park parking lots. You are allowed a few hours use, but you DO risk being towed if you try to use it as an alternative parking location (read: you're trying to scam on the parking fee). In that instance, you're asking for a big, fat, whompin' towing fee and more inconvenience than you can shake a wand at.