Parking at Boardwalk

[sharona]

On the WDW website Boardwalk section it says:

Transportation to and from Disney's BoardWalk is available via bus and boat throughout Walt Disney World Resort, and is complimentary for Walt Disney World Resort hotel Guests. For Park Guests choosing to drive, complimentary self-parking is also available. Disney's BoardWalk is walking distance to the International Gateway to Epcot theme park.

We were thinking of going to Boardwalk area on one of our non park nights to check it out. Is this accurate? Where is the self parking? Is there enough to go around or will this be a fool's errand? Are we better off parking at DHS and walking or taking the boat over? If so, is it worth it?

TIA

 

[WDSearcher]

Self parking is a lot across the street from the main Boardwalk lot, behind the Hess Station. But if you're going to Boardwalk ONLY to enjoy the Boardwalk restaurants, shops, etc., then you can park in the main Boardwalk lot.

If you're planning to park at Boardwalk self-parking because you're starting your day at Epcot and ending it at Boardwalk, then you can park in the self-parking area and it's a fairly short walk to the resort and then to the boat (or another short walk) to the park.

 

[sharona]

Just looking for something different to do after dinner on our Sea World day. No WDW park ticket allotted for that day and I don't really want to go to DTD.

Thanks for the info.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

For guests not staying at the Boardwalk Inn/Villas and want to go there because they have an ADR or to look around, they have seperate parking lot for those not staying there which is to the left of the guard shack. This way the main parking lot can be reserved for guests who are staying there.

 

[DSLRuser]

You do not have to park across the street. During some busy times you may be asked, but I have never been asked too.

They will make you park in the lot farthest away from the lobby, maybe a 300 yard walk. There are steps leading down to the boardwalk proper. From here you can walk around the boardwalk, and yes, even go to the international gateway for a visit to epcot.

Don't let the gloom and doom people scare you. I have never had a problem parking at the boardwalk and entering epcot for a visit. I do take time to visit the boardwalk at some point durnbg my visit.

Some people on these boards take the "parking is for resort guests only" theme way to far. The boardwalk is an attraction itself. You have to be allowed to park there and experience it. And the international gateway is just a natural extent ion.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Some people on these boards take the "parking is for resort guests only" theme way to far. The boardwalk is an attraction itself. You have to be allowed to park there and experience it. And the international gateway is just a natural extent ion.

Actually the Boardwalk Inn/Villas will always be known as a resort, not an attraction. Yes they do have restaurants and the acts along the Boardwalk, however all the other Deluxe Resorts have restaurants and are not considered attractions. So that's why guests staying there should be allowed to park in the lot close to the main entrance and those who are not staying there should be made to park in the seperate lot farther away. Besides that how come during the Food & Wine Festival or Flower & Garden Show at Epcot the Boardwalk restricts parking to those who are staying there or with confirmed ADR's. It's because they don't want people parking there and going to Epcot, so obviously WDW cares more about the people staying there during that time and not those who want to visit for a few hours.

 

[phorsenuf]

Actually the Boardwalk Inn/Villas will always be known as a resort, not an attraction. Yes they do have restaurants and the acts along the Boardwalk, however all the other Deluxe Resorts have restaurants and are not considered attractions. So that's why guests staying there should be allowed to park in the lot close to the main entrance and those who are not staying there should be made to park in the seperate lot farther away. Besides that how come during the Food & Wine Festival or Flower & Garden Show at Epcot the Boardwalk restricts parking to those who are staying there or with confirmed ADR's. It's because they don't want people parking there and going to Epcot, so obviously WDW cares more about the people staying there during that time and not those who want to visit for a few hours.

I am so done with you and your 34,xxx posts. News flash. You don't know everything and you are not the king of Disney.

The board walk is an attraction. It is advertised as such.

The Boardwalk is our favorite Resort. What's nice about there is not only is it a resort but also an entertainment district. It's even labeled at such on Disney's website. (http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/entertainment/?resultSet=65&page=0) There is more then just restaurants there. There's the Atlantic Dance Hall, Jellyrolls and ESPN Club. Those are entertainment places. Do other resorts have those types of draw?
I've never seen them restrict who and who cannot park there any time of the year, and I'm willing to bet I've been more times then you. They even have an overflow parking area, why do you suppose that it. I can't think of any others that do, can you. So they must have that for a reason.

 

[sfbank]

Just in general most people that are not actually staying at the resort park in the overflow parking by the Hess station. If you are really that hard up to pay for parking or choose not to that is your choice but at least have a little respect for people who do need to find a place to park overnight. I think that is always the argument. Maybe that is why I will never be rich, I can't justify sneaking around trying to avoid paying extra fees to save a few dollars.

 

[sharona]

Just in general most people that are not actually staying at the resort park in the overflow parking by the Hess station. If you are really that hard up to pay for parking or choose not to that is your choice but at least have a little respect for people who do need to find a place to park overnight. I think that is always the argument. Maybe that is why I will never be rich, I can't justify sneaking around trying to avoid paying extra fees to save a few dollars.

Did you even read my original question? Or the rest of the responses? This thread is not about paying vs. not paying. I am not "sneaking around" nor am I trying to avoid paying to park or park at BW and go to Epcot or park overnight (or even late at night). I'm staying at a different WDW resort so I already get free parking at Epcot. I asked about available public parking to visit the Boardwalk. Your response is totally out of line with the conversation taking place.

I suspect there's a different reason that you will never be "rich".

 

[nascargirl]

I have to agree with sfbank. We stay at the BWI 3x a yr and it amazes me that so many cars that are parked in the guest lot do not have parking permits. We hate to leave the resort at night in our rental because of parking in no man's land when we return. On the rare occasions that we stay off property we always park in the overflow parking behind the Hess Station. We are not guests of the resort so why should we be aloud to park there. Certain times of the year they do have an extra guard out by the parking lot directly across from the convention center. When we have gone resort hopping in our rental car we are always ask to state our business at the guard shack of the resort we are visiting and then we are given a 3 hr parking permit.

 

[sfbank]

Sharona-Wow-thanks for the cheap shot. The post was not directed at you. I posted right after the one was removed about parking and then using the back entrance for EPCOT. I said that in general most people use the overflow parking, not where guests park who are staying there. Why you assumed my post alone was directed at you I don't know. It was a general statement if you had read it. That is why it started out "Just in general." Oh well, enough fighting.

 

[SDSorority]

Self parking is a lot across the street from the main Boardwalk lot, behind the Hess Station. But if you're going to Boardwalk ONLY to enjoy the Boardwalk restaurants, shops, etc., then you can park in the main Boardwalk lot.

If you're planning to park at Boardwalk self-parking because you're starting your day at Epcot and ending it at Boardwalk, then you can park in the self-parking area and it's a fairly short walk to the resort and then to the boat (or another short walk) to the park.

We did this last trip and it was wonderful

 

[Kurby]

For guests not staying at the Boardwalk Inn/Villas and want to go there because they have an ADR or to look around, they have seperate parking lot for those not staying there which is to the left of the guard shack. This way the main parking lot can be reserved for guests who are staying there.

to the left?? interesting.

we've been 3 times during our last 2 trips last July and the May before and each time we were directed to the lot to the right of the guard house.

wonder if it was the time of day or if it just depends on who's in the guard house.




eta - or maybe i'm thinking of the beach club parking? nevermind - i think i lost my mind

 

[phorsenuf]

to the left?? interesting.

we've been 3 times during our last 2 trips last July and the May before and each time we were directed to the lot to the right of the guard house.

wonder if it was the time of day or if it just depends on who's in the guard house.

There is also overflow parking across the way from where the buses turn in. We parked there one time during Food and Wine when we needed to run into EPCOT to grab some perfume from France. So the Boardwalk actually has 2 or 3 overflow parking lots. I doubt they are all meant for guests of the resort.

 

[sharona]

Sharona-Wow-thanks for the cheap shot. The post was not directed at you. I posted right after the one was removed about parking and then using the back entrance for EPCOT. I said that in general most people use the overflow parking, not where guests park who are staying there. Why you assumed my post alone was directed at you I don't know. It was a general statement if you had read it. That is why it started out "Just in general." Oh well, enough fighting.

Sorry. You're right, it was a cheap shot and unnecessary. I didn't realize there was a removed post but that doesn't excuse my rude response. You do need to own the fact that your calling out someone as "hard up" and insinuating that they would be "sneaking around" to avoid paying to park was uncalled for and really just looking for trouble.

It's annoying that every single question about parking has to turn into a "debate" with people pushing their own agendas and making assumptions about the motives of others instead of answering the question or staying out of it.

Thanks to those that answered my question about the availability of public parking at Boardwalk and/or provided their personal experiences with visiting the area.

 

[sfbank]

Agreed. I just see too many on here fight about stupid things and if we all looked out for each other it would be a happier place. That was sappy, yes. Ok, I need my vacation-ha! You have a good trip and enjoy the Boardwalk. It is a fun place. We love staying there and can't way to be back. At least we are in double digits.

 

[ccgirl]

We have gone to visit the Boardwalk or to the ESPN club. We just went right to the gate and told him what we were there for. I believe he said it was 3 hours we could stay for.

Have fun!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

There is also overflow parking across the way from where the buses turn in. We parked there one time during Food and Wine when we needed to run into EPCOT to grab some perfume from France. So the Boardwalk actually has 2 or 3 overflow parking lots. I doubt they are all meant for guests of the resort.

No those parking lots aren't for guests staying at the Inn or Villas, just for the guests who are not staying there. Plus can you imagine telling them on some nights you might need to park across the street behind the Hess station because of those who are there to eat or look around, that doesn't sound like good business.

 

[phorsenuf]

No those parking lots aren't for guests staying at the Inn or Villas, just for the guests who are not staying there. Plus can you imagine telling them on some nights you might need to park across the street behind the Hess station because of those who are there to eat or look around, that doesn't sound like good business.

Well if it was a problem for Disney I'm sure they would handle it on their own. But until they do, people are free to go and park there as they please.

ETA: I was talking mainly about the lot across from where the buses enter near the convention center. I thought the lot behind Hess was mostly for employees anyways. I do know the one I was referring to has signage for it being additional Boardwalk parking.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Well if it was a problem for Disney I'm sure they would handle it on their own. But until they do, people are free to go and park there as they please.

ETA: I was talking mainly about the lot across from where the buses enter near the convention center. I thought the lot behind Hess was mostly for employees anyways. I do know the one I was referring to has signage for it being additional Boardwalk parking.

Well a few years ago when we went there on New Years Eve they were directing all cars who were not guests of the Boardwalk Inn/Villas to park behind the Hess. This way the main lot would only be for guests staying there. Plus they also gave us a 3 hour parking pass with the time we arrived and the time it would expire at. So during times like that and other holidays that parking lot will be used to keep the main lot open to people staying there.