Parking near Boardwalk or Beach Club?

[jnbishop]

Hello everyone!

I'm trying to plan ahead for our trip this fall... We'll be at WDW for a full week - visiting the parks for six days w/park hopper passes.

This week I've been planning our basic itinerary - where we'll go which day, etc. - and have made a few ADRs.

There is one day where I'm thinking we'd rest/sleep in... Hit Hollywood Studios for just a few hours - and then go to EPCOT to view Illuminations.

This trip we are staying "off-property" - and so I hadn't thought about where we might park...

I was reading online and saw that some people have walked out the back entrance of EPCOT - and that there may be parking near the Boardwalk or Beach Club resorts?

That seems perfect! Would kind of "split" the difference between the parks - and it seems like a much easier exit at night.

Has anyone done this? Ever heard of it? Could it really work?

Please let me know. Many thanks!

blessings,
nicole

 

[bigredcoach]

There are a couple things you can do. You can park at the Beach Club if you tell them that you are staying on the property at another resort and you want to eat there. Bring your old cards from previous stays, My family did this and we were able to use extra magic hours even though we were not actually staying on the property this time, also we were able to park for free at all the parks since they just look to see if you have a card. I know some people may not think is is right, but with the money Disney is charging you I try to save money as much as possible.

 

[jnbishop]

Hi there -

Do you mean an old key card (credit card type) for the room we rented before at POR? I don't have them anymore... It's been over two years - and I have no idea where we put them- we might've just thrown them away.

All Disney looks at is your hotel key card? To park at any of the parks? Really? I thought they would give you some kind of pass to hang on your rearview mirror or something?

Please lmk. Thanks!

 

[FreeTime]

I disagree with parking at a resort if you are not staying there or not visiting it to eat there, tour the Boardwalk, etc. It is very frustrating to those guests staying there when they cannot find a parking spot.

To the OP, the Boardwalk has signs up that says for guests staying there or visiting the Boardwalk, No parking for Epcot guests.

Thanks

 

[jnbishop]

The website where I got advice about going out the back entrance to EPCOT after Illuminations suggested catching a cab back to your accommodations from the Boardwalk or Beach Club resorts... That just isn't really an option for us - as we'll have to drive to get there - and we'll have our five young children with us... Another site I read/saw said something about paying to valet park at one of the resorts - that it might cost a little more than parking at the "park" that day - but that it would be worth saving the hassle during the mass exodus... and then another tip I saw said something about a free parking lot across the street or near one of the two resorts between EPCOT and HS. Just trying to see what is feasible - and fair for sure... Many thanks!

 

[jnbishop]

Here were the tips I read online and wanted to research a bit more... Thoughts?


TIP for HS/EPCOT parking -
If you are spending time in another park and want to watch the fireworks from Illuminations in Epcot, drive to the Boardwalk. If you are not driving, take the bus there. Park in the visitor parking area and walk to the World Showcase entrance. (Don't worry, it's a pretty short walk). When you get into the park, head for the Bridge near France. Even if you don't get a spot on the railing, you can see most of the show because you are slightly elevated. When the fireworks are over, head back to the Boardwalk and you will beat all the crowds heading back to the Epcot parking lot and monorail. Grab a snack on the Boardwalk. The Beach Club has a great Ice Cream Shop called "Beaches and Cream"...awesome!!! Try the kitchen sink or the Reese's Pieces Sundae. Thanks to Sam for this tip!

There is a free lot across the street from the entrance to Boardwalk next to the Hess station. They can park there for as long as they want.

 

[Detailor]

I disagree with parking at a resort if you are not staying there or not visiting it to eat there, tour the Boardwalk, etc. It is very frustrating to those guests staying there when they cannot find a parking spot.

To the OP, the Boardwalk has signs up that says for guests staying there or visiting the Boardwalk, No parking for Epcot guests.

Thanks

I agree with this entirely. The parking at BoardWalk and/or Beach Club/Yacht Club is for guests who are staying at those resorts. Or, in the case of the BoardWalk parking area, people who are shopping at the stores or eating at one of the restaurants at BoardWalk and certainly not for people who are trying to avoid a theme park parking charge. I don't think that it would be fair to those guests and visitors to park there for that reason. And the parking area that's across the street from the BoardWalk complex is used the same way - it's an overflow area for guests and visitors not for people who want to go to a theme park.

The suggestion that theme park-goers take a bus or cab to/from BoardWalk when going to Epcot or Hollywood Studios is fine but please don't use the parking facilities for that.

Dick Taylor

 

[jnbishop]

Hi again -

Thanks for your insight and input...

My goal here isn't to find free parking at all...or to avoid paying for something we should rightfully pay for... We'll be at EPCOT early that morning anyway - so we'll have already paid our "daily" parking lot fee - so could park again at any WDW park that same day.

I'm really just trying to figure out the best place to park so that we can do HS in the afternoon - and then just go over to EPCOT for Illuminations - and then home for the night. I'm just not sure where the best place would be - that would help us avoid a ton of walking with five tired kids under the age of 8.

Thanks so much!

blessings,
nicole

 

[wiserabbit]

Since you want to bounce back and forth between Epcot and DHS - I say park at Epcot - take the boat to DHS and then boat back to Epcot for Illuminations - it's a relaxing way to get between the two parks...you catch the boat from the Boardwalk area just outside the International Gateway entrance at the back of World Showcase....best of both "worlds"....

 

[mrsdrake625]

Since you don't mind sleeping in or going later, and since you have park hoppers, you could try this:

1) Park at EPCOT for the day.
2) Walk through the park - from the front entrance to the "back" entrance, called the International Gateway. The Gateway dumps you out near the Yacht/Beach club and Boardwalk areas.
3) Take a Disney boat from the YC/BC area to HS studios - fun for the kids, and you get to see some neat boardwalk scenery too.
4) Enjoy HS!
5) Return by same boat to the YC/BC area, grab a bite to eat if needed, etc.
6) Re-enter EPCOT through the international gateway to watch Illuminations.
7) Exit EPCOT to your car, which is parked in the EPCOT lot.

* there is also a walkway from HS to the back area of the boardwalk, if you don't want to do the boat.


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Could this work for you?

 

[spiceycat]

you both have him and his kids walking a heck of a lot.

would park at HS - then take the boat - the boat is much closer to the parking at HS. just check the hours for HS - remember you have an hour after the park is closed to get back to it.

or do what is suggested - you can look in the gift shops. You don't have to buy anything - so the legal sign.

have been told that is for the CM's at BW - but their managers say it is for anyone going to the BW. the one near the bc will only let in CM's - so they are very different area.

It is fun at night - your kids might enjoy BW more than the fireworks - my brother certain does.

assuming you are coming from US 192 - take the epcot resorts exit then once you are pass BW take the left turn at the light - (BW is one side of the street Hess is on the other) - after you pass Hess - there is another traffic light - the parking lot is on the right at this traffic light.

I have an annual pass so could park at the parks - but this is great place to park and legal if you stop at the gift shops or restuarants at BW. Also own at BWV.

now what gets me mad is people who are there for the fireworks and Epcot - parking in the lot for the BWV or BWI - this is a separate lot and is placed closer to the resorts. the security guards are surpose to be telling them to turn around and park in the outside lot - but that completely depends upon the guard. during food/wine festavial is the only time that this rule seems to be enforced. Nothing is more irrating to get back with your groceries only to find the parking lot full - and have to park in the outside area.... think next time that happens might ask the security guards to help me...

this still happens and boy you know it - when before the 9pm fireworks the lot was full - by 10pm it is pretty close to empty.

 

[jnbishop]

Hello everyone - thanks for your tips! I've written them down and will definitely use your advice when we are at WDW this fall. Many thanks!

blessings,
nicole

 

[RabFlmom]

Hi again -

Thanks for your insight and input...

My goal here isn't to find free parking at all...or to avoid paying for something we should rightfully pay for... We'll be at EPCOT early that morning anyway - so we'll have already paid our "daily" parking lot fee - so could park again at any WDW park that same day.

I'm really just trying to figure out the best place to park so that we can do HS in the afternoon - and then just go over to EPCOT for Illuminations - and then home for the night. I'm just not sure where the best place would be - that would help us avoid a ton of walking with five tired kids under the age of 8.

Thanks so much!

blessings,
nicole

When we go to HS in the morning, we park in their lot, then take the boat over to EPCOT to spend the evening sometimes. Then you boat it back to the parking lot at HS after Illuminations. Sometimes there is a long wait for the boat, though; so it still is time consuming. We were at Epcot on Sunday. Crowds were smaller than most times we are there, but the walk to car way out in the parking lot(arrived about 5PM) was quicker than the first shuttle going out to the parking lot after Illuminations. Usually quicker to walk since parking lots are so close there and only take the shuttle if someone in your party has difficulty walking short distances.

 

[chskover]

Just came back from Disney. They must have gotten wind of people using old cards for EMH, because they were checking the dates on our cards.

 

[jctwizzer]

You can use valet parking at Boardwalk or Beach Club....think the cost is $14 or $15, plus tip.....an option....on the road to Boardwalk on the right side past the Hess Station, there used to be a self parking lot.....if that's still in use you could park there....we've done it several times.....