Parking at Boardwalk?

[10drum]

We are staying at the csr in April and would like to go to Epcot for dinner and then walk to BW for maybe Atlantic dance. Can we park at the boardwalk and walk to epcot?

I know they will let you park at the Poly or CR for just a couple of hours to eat, but not for an extended time (to keep people from parking there an going to the MK).

 

[Snoozan]

I believe the 3 hour parking rule applies to the BW as well. You have to go thru a security gate and it's here they would give you the pass.

 

[ducklite]

Actually I think that they might have imposed a parking fee, even for WDW resort guests at the BW.

I know as a DVC member there it gets VERY difficult to find a parking space there because of all of the visitors...the worst is watching the streams of people leaving after Illuminations, and many you can tell have been there all day because they are "loaded for bear".

I've always been of the mindset that they should charge non-resort guests even if they are WDW resort guests for parking at some of the resorts where this has been an ongoing problem, CR and BW are two of the worst. If a person presents a receipt showing that they had dinner at a BW restaurant (the bakery doesn't count!), the fee would refunded. Otherwise they would pay $6 if they arrive before 9:00pm.

Anne

 

[kilee]

We were at the Boardwalk twice last week. Both times we went to look around, watch the entertainment, and rent surrey bikes. One night before doing this we took the boat to the Beach's and Cream for dinner. We stayed off site and only went to the Boardwalk because the parking was free. Each day we went to a park though, we paid at the park's lot.
I think to alleviate some of the hassle to the guests staying at the Boardwalk, they should have separate parking areas. I think if you were to charge everyone before a certain time, it would hurt business.
There was no time limit on how long you could stay. We were waved right in one night and the other they asked to see ID. That was it though. Neither night did they give us a slip or anything.
The parking is scarce there and not meant to handle the flow of Epcot.

 

[gepetto]

I don't think the parking fee would work. People are still going to park there for the convenience of getting Epcot whether they have to pay $6 or not. I know how frustrating it is to pay almost $400/night at CR and not be able to find a parking space only to stand on the balcony and watch the lot empty out after MK closes. The only way to stop this is to start towing after the 3 hour time limit.

 

[supamaki]

you can park there at night with no worries, it's during the day that they worry abouyt people parking there and going to the parks. Just tell them what you're doing, and you'll be fine. I've done it a bunch of times.

 

[Eeyore2U]

There is a lot across the street from the Boardwalk that should be used by non resort guests.

 

[Dixie Luvr 98]

Since the BoardWalk in marketed as an entertainment area, it creates a unique problem that other resorts don't have. Disney encourages people to visit the area with no stipulation that you must buy a meal there. It really looks like there needs to be seperate parking area for resort guests.
Many times I have seen people get off the Friendships at the BoardWalk and head for their cars in the parking lot while resort guests have to pay for valet or hike across a four-lane highway.

 

[Gillian]

If you plan to end your evening at the Boardwalk, I don't see why you shouldn't be able to park there. That's what they have parking lots for! You'll only be at Epcot for a short time, and it would be a major PIA to park there, walk to the World Showcase, eat, walk back to your car and then drive over to the boardwalk, just to take up a spot there anyway.

I don't know if you'd be able to get transportation back to Epcot after your night out if you left your car there & walked to the boardwalk.

It would be nice if BW guests had their own lot. Then they wouldn't have anything to complain about.

I do have a problem with a fee before 9 pm except if you are eating dinner. The boardwalk has entertainment other than eating dinner. It was designed that way! What if you want a relaxing walk? or an evening out AFTER dinner (like the OP)? Or you write about beer and need to check out the offerings but don't want to suffer through dinner at Big River Grille (like DH )?

Or what if you really, really NEED a cookie?

 

[LvsTnk]

It is a big problem, and is handled in different ways according to the crowds.

They sometimes just have to shut the lot down, or you have to park across the street. If crowds are light they are much more willing to let things go.

Good Luck

 

[10drum]

Thanks for the replies.

Supamaki, I think I'll try your way, we'll be getting there about 6 or 7pm, but if the band is good at Atlantic Dance, we may close it down.

 

[DebbieB]

Originally posted by Dixie Luvr 98
Since the BoardWalk in marketed as an entertainment area, it creates a unique problem that other resorts don't have. Disney encourages people to visit the area with no stipulation that you must buy a meal there. It really looks like there needs to be seperate parking area for resort guests.

I attended the Boardwalk DVC Annual meeting in December 2002 and personally spoke to the Boardwalk Manager about this subject. He basically gave the above answer, that the Boardwalk is an entertainment area. I suggested a separate lot or area in the lot for resort guests and he said they did not have the room for that but the guards are supposed to direct non resorts guests to the lot across the street if the main lot is getting full. I suggested that non-WDW resort guests should automaticaly park across the street. I noticed most of the cars in the lot had no resort parking permit, BW or other. Someone who attended last December's meeting said that they are thinking of opening some spaces in the valet lot that are not usually used.

It is frustrating when you are staying there and are forced to valet park because the lot is full of non-WDW resort guests. We had a room facing the parking lot last December and there was a steady stream of people parking in the morning and leaving after Illuminations. Only Spoodles is open for breakfast so you know most of those people in the morning are heading for Epcot.