Parking for Epcot's International Gateway?

[Twende]

On a Friday night after a dinner at RainForest we are thinking of catching Illuminations. Is there a parking lot near the International Gateway?

By the time we would arrive Future World would be closed/closing and I thought it would be fun to come in through the contries instead. Last year we walked that area and used the boats to go between Dis/MGM and Epcot but I never paid attention to auto parking areas. We will have a member of our party in a wheel chair, if that makes any difference.

Also where is the best place to view this show? Suppose arrival time at 7:30 PM and one in a wheel chair who would not see much if a crowd was in front of them.

 

[civileng68]

The only other real area to park is at the Boardwalk (3 hour limit for non disney resort guests) and take the boat to the Gateway.

 

[Baloo]

With one of your party in a wheelchair handicap parking in the lot is waaay closer than anything near the IG entrance.

There are several special viewing areas for wheelchairs for Illuminations.These areas are roped off.
1. The Plaza area...the area between FW and WS...In front of Disney Traders and Port of Entry shops.
2.Mexico by San Angel Inn restaurant.
3.Italy by the godola dock..
4.United Kingdom I think it's down on this little area that juts out into the water.

Just ask a CM and they'll guide you to a good spot!

 

[LoveMickey]

When we parked at the Boardwalk once, we had to hike to the resort. Our parking space was out by the road, near the gated entrance into the Boardwalk.

Maybe with Handicapped parking you could get closer, you should call the Boardwalk and ask.

If you cannot get close up parking, use the main entrance to Epcot.

 

[Twende]

Thanks for the ideas and thanks Baloo for ideas for viewing Illuminations.

It is my Dad's favorite show and he is already asking about when we are going to get to see it.

I was thinking of driving to the Beach Club Resort and parking there. I wanted to show it to my parents anyway! And then taking the walkway to the IG of Epcot. That would bring us out near where we could see Illuminations without having to fight crowds in Future World.

Plus after the show I thought it might be easier to get out the IG and back to our car at BC. I was also thinking of stopping at Beaches and Cream after the show for some ice cream. Would they still be open?

Give me your input. Would this work?

 

[SueM in MN]

Handicapped parking for BW and BC/YC are not very close to the resort (but closer than the regular parking). If you have a handicapped parking permit, another option is to use Valet Parking. Because the handicapped spots are far away (and they don't have a lot of them), people with handicapped permit are allowed to valet park without charge (tips to the valet are still appreciated though).

 

[Leota]

Resort parking is supposed to be for resort guests, tho - You can get a pass for eating there or if you are staying there, but not to park & go to the Parks....
Just a heads up that that may cause you some problems if you plan on parking there....

Best bet is reserved parking for Handicapped at Epcot's entrance. Even tho the attractions in FW are considered closed (M:S & TT are open late), the Park itself is open.

There is no IG parking.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

Handicap parking for YC is right in front of the resort. Very easy. We stayed there in Nov and used it.
Park there. Take the boat or walk over to Epcot. Then you can come back, eat at B&C on your way back and walk right through the resort and your car is almost right outside the front door. Also, With Handicap parking you get free valet service

 

[UKPhil]

Heard somewhere that there is another parking lot across the road from Boardwalk entry gate (near a gas station?). Can anyone confirm this?

 

[kilee]

If you are not staying at a particular resort, you'll have limited time to park there. Essentially it's enough for a meal. If you're planning on eating on the Boardwalk, you probably won't have enough time on your parking pass to go to Epcot for Illuminations as well. Even though FW closes at 7pm--the shops and rides like TT are still in fact open until 9pm.

 

[Mymatisse]

If you are not eating in the boardwalk area I would definitely forgo parking there and just park at the main Epcot entrance. The Handicapped parking at the main entrance is a lot closer than parking at the boardwalk and walking/taking boat to the international gateway.