Parking Changes at Boardwalk

[DenLo]

There is an article posted today on the DVCNews about changes to the parking lots and who is allowed access to them for the Boardwalk Inn and Villas. I'm post the article, put to see the article with photos please use this link: http://www.dvcnews.com/index.php/news-resorts-83/1094-parking-changes-at-boardwalk

Parking Changes at BoardWalk
WRITTEN BY TIM KRASNIEWSKI | NOVEMBER 02, 2009

With the elimination of complimentary valet parking for Disney Vacation Club members, one issue that occasionally arises is overcrowding of the Self Parking lots. Disney's BoardWalk Inn and Villas is attempting to address this by rerouting resort traffic during high demand periods.

Below is an overhead view of the three BoardWalk parking lots--one is reserved for use by valet parkers and guests with handicapped permits, while the other two are available to resort guests and others visiting the area. The lot outlined in BLUE is closest to the resort itself and most frequently used by visitors. Vehicles would typically enter the blue lot at the location of the GREEN dot and exit at the YELLOW dot.



During high-demand periods--particularly on weekends--the resort is being more particularly about where visitors are permitted to park. Signs located on Epcot Resorts Boulevard--visible before guests even approach the Resort Entrance (guard shack)--clearly state that the blue lot is accessible ONLY to registered guests at the BoardWalk Inn or Villas. Proof of a confirmed reservation must be provided before vehicles will be permitted to enter at this point.

Additionally, the usual entrance to the blue lot (green dot) is being barricaded (see photo.) Both incoming and outgoing traffic is being re-routed to the yellow dot. The yellow entrance is then staffed by a member of the security staff who again verifies that the guest is staying at the BoardWalk (room key or parking permit) before allowing the guest to enter the blue lot.

Other resort traffic is being routed directly to the RED lot on the other side of Epcot Resorts Blvd. This traffic would include guests with dining reservations at the BoardWalk, guests who wish to visit the BoardWalk shops, etc. Availability of this lot is strictly on a first-come, first-served basis. Security personnel are also posted at the red and ORANGE (valet) lots to ensure guests are adhering to current policies.

As stated, this procedure is only being implemented during high-demand periods when the resort expects demand for the blue lot to exceed capacity. When this process is in place, signs are clearly posted on Epcot Resorts Blvd on approach to the resort. During lower-demand periods the blue lot is available to visitors not staying at the BoardWalk and the green entrance point is open for traffic.

 

[DenLo]

I think I placed this thread on the wrong board. I believe it should be on the Mousecellaneous board. If you would move I would appreciate it. Thanks.

 

[n2mm]

Yep...we were there Oct. 17 -24 and this is exactly how the parking lot worked. From Thurs-Sun the resort lot was restricted to showing proof you were staying there.

 

[kaelarad]

HOOORAAAH! My main concern with no more complimentary parking was availability to park close to the resort. And also with the increase parking fees, more people trying to park at resorts to avoid paying.

When we arrived last year the week before Christmas, the Blue lot was full and we had to go to the red lot. We were not happy that we had the long walk, especially after 14 hours in the car.

Cheers to the Boardwalk staff for taking care of its resort quests!!!!!

 

[Golden Rose]

We were there at the BWV the week of the 17th, too, and we never had any trouble finding parking in the self-parking lot. When we got back in the evening from dinner at another resort, DH usually just dropped us off, then parked in the self-parking lot. He said there was a friendly security guard there at all times he went by, and they were being very careful about reserving the lot for BW guests.

 

[zumfelde]

This is a great policy, but it should be in effect at ALL times It would be less confusing if it was enforced all the time.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I think this parking problem they obviously have will be one big reason why the Boardwalk area will never take the place of Pleasure Island--as some suggested it might.

 

[Uncleromulus]

A question--TIW has free valet parking when you dine at a WDW restaurant. If someone were to go --let's say--to the Flying Fish for dinner on one of those crowded, parking restricted nights--would they even let you in to GET to valet parking????

 

[DebbieB]

A question--TIW has free valet parking when you dine at a WDW restaurant. If someone were to go --let's say--to the Flying Fish for dinner on one of those crowded, parking restricted nights--would they even let you in to GET to valet parking????

Yes, tell them you are using valet parking and they will let you through. That's why they block the entrance from the main driveway so that people can't say they are valeting and then slip into self-park when it's crowded. They put a guard at the side entrance to check parking passes.

 

[Debi]

Hooray! I'm so glad to see this. Now, if only this would become a year-round change instead of during high-demand periods, I'd be a happy camper. I had to circle the lot for 10 minutes on a Friday night in August (pre-free dining) to find a place to park. During non-peak time, I find that unacceptable that a resort guest (me) had such a hard time finding a place to park. This is definately a step in the right direction!

 

[DenLo]

I would think that Disney will be able to determine well in advance a high demand period. I can see why that would not wish to pay for extra employees to enforce this parking restriction when the parks are not crowded. However, if the blue lot fills up because DVC members or CRO resort guests are parking there to go to Epcot then surely it would be noticed that this lot has more traffic than the number of guest warrant and Disney might rethink it's policy. Since they have taken this first step it appears hope is on the horizon.

 

[Brian Noble]

It will be interesting to see if this reduces guest spending on the Boardwalk restaurants/shops. If it does, it will be interesting to see what Disney tries next.

 

[Inkmahm]

I'm very glad to hear this. We own at BWV and I was dreading parking there without our normal valet service. We'll be there next at the end of January when I think it is a fairly slow time so I may not see the restrictions in place. I don't care as long as I have a place to park that isn't across the street.

 

[spiceycat]

It will be interesting to see if this reduces guest spending on the Boardwalk restaurants/shops. If it does, it will be interesting to see what Disney tries next.

they are not saying guests can't park. they are just moving them to the outside parking area = where they should have been in the first place. (my opinion)

so don't think it will effective it at all.

besides Disney makes more room on the hotels than the restuarants.

 

[spiceycat]

finally - this is a long time in coming.

glad Disney is finally doing something about it. Nothing is more upsetting than to go somewhere in your car and find that all parking lot is full - when you have a HC person in the car with you.

so it was really hard on mother - so stopped staying at BWV until mother went in the nursing home.

it is especially irratating when the full parking is all but empty at around 11 pm.

that is just not fair to BW guests.

 

[Brian Noble]

they are not saying guests can't park. they are just moving them to the outside parking area = where they should have been in the first place. (my opinion)

so don't think it will effective it at all.

besides Disney makes more room on the hotels than the restuarants.

Sure, I understand that. But, some people will find that too much of a bother to, well, bother. The hotel has been full more or less all the time---even when parking wasn't exclusive.

Just random speculation, but if there is a material drop in $/sq. ft. on the Boardwalk, some sharp-pencil person will notice. And, nothing good can come of that.

 

[Belle & Ariel]

Wouldn't it be cheaper to install a gate that opened when you put your room key in it instead of paying a guard? I would see doing this on the blue lot and leaving the red lot open to day guests. I could even see giving 3 or 4 hours of free parking at the red lot and then charging $10, or having tickets validated. This would be enough to keep theme park guests from parking there for the day.
I am very glad they are keeping the close lot available for us. BWV is my home resort.

 

[photobob]

Wouldn't it be cheaper to install a gate that opened when you put your room key in it instead of paying a guard? I would see doing this on the blue lot and leaving the red lot open to day guests. I could even see giving 3 or 4 hours of free parking at the red lot and then charging $10, or having tickets validated. This would be enough to keep theme park guests from parking there for the day.
I am very glad they are keeping the close lot available for us. BWV is my home resort.

You can't go without a guard since you must go inside that gate to check in. They could if they moved the gate to the entrance of the parking lot.

I think the new rules seem very reasonable. I think though they should keep the parking lot closest to the resort for resort guests only and use the overflow lot for those visiting Boardwalk.

 

[spiceycat]

when I was not staying at BWV then NEVER parked in that lot - even when I could - always parked in the second lot - just because it happened to me too many times.

nothing is worst than coming back to your room say at 8:00pm and the entire parking lot is full - not with BW hotel/villa guests - but guests who are going to Epcot.....

it happened alot - when Spicey was alive and when to visit him.

really think it was a big problem and hopefully this will stop it.

the second lot is not that far and it is much fairer for guests who stay at BW to be able to park in their parking lot.

it was like you are staying at the Polyn and find the parking lot full and must therefore go park in the TTC lot.

 

[DebbieB]

You can't go without a guard since you must go inside that gate to check in. They could if they moved the gate to the entrance of the parking lot.

I think the new rules seem very reasonable. I think though they should keep the parking lot closest to the resort for resort guests only and use the overflow lot for those visiting Boardwalk.

She's talking about the second guard at the blue lot when the main blue lot entrance is blocked. You have to go around to the side (yellow dot), there's a guard there checking to be sure you are a resort guest. I think the keyed gate is a great idea.