parking question at Epcot resorts

[CocosMeme]

We are staying at AKV in Nov, but are going to Epcot World Showcase for an afternoon on one of our days. Can we park at Boardwalk or Beachclub and walk through the back entrance instead of going all the way through Epcot Future World? We have AP's and TIW card, but our dinner reservation is at Teppan Edo that night and we want to stay for Illuminations. I hate walking all the way back through Epcot after that if I can avoid it.

 

[spiceycat]

well you are not surpose too. there are signs.

 

[erionm]

You can park there to visit the resort, but not for theme park access unless you are staying at that resort.

 

[Hopefully]

If you park at the Epcot area resorts in order to visit Epcot, you are using space that the guests of that resort are paying for, for their stay.
This is not allowed, for this reason.
Can you get away with it, maybe.
Should you, no

 

[vicki_c]

Use the valet parking at the resort and it shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Deb & Bill]

DVC has always asked members not to use valet parking at a resort to visit the theme parks. You really should park in the theme park parking lot. You won't have to pay to park since you are staying onsite anyway.

 

[vicki_c]

I'm all about the parking rules - but I don't see what DVC has to do with valet parking and whether you can use it to visit a theme park. It's up to the discretion of the valet staff at the resort and we normally tell them if we plan on being gone an extended period of time and it's never been a problem.

I never heard DVC asks us not to - nor would I care if I did, since DVC doesn't run the valet service.

 

[CocosMeme]

Thanks for the response. We are both rule followers! We may arrive via bus and go back to the resort by taxi. DH has issues with walking due to PAD and he is prone to leg swelling and aching. We usually rent an ECV for the day, but since we are only coming for a short time did not want to pay that much for a rental.

 

[spiceycat]

you can generally get a free wheelchair at your resort. just ask bell services.

 

[jco_direwolf]

I'm all about the parking rules - but I don't see what DVC has to do with valet parking and whether you can use it to visit a theme park.

And since DVC doesn't give it's members free Valet anymore it really doesn't' make any difference at all. If I pay for the Valet I'm going to use it for what I want.

There is no reason you can't now to use the Valet to visit EPCOT. You are paying for it (it's not like a paying guest won't get a spot because of your vehicle, there is a valet lot), it's more expensive than even the daily parking at EPCOT, it doesn't SEEM to me to be any closer than the regular EPCOT parking.

So why wouldn't they want me to park there? The company that they outsourced valet to would like me to do it I'm sure.

 

[IhavePDD]

You can also park at or take the bus to DHS and take the Friendship boat over to Epcot. As your walking towards the gate for DHS the boat launch is to your right of the entrance. The boat stops at the Swan and Dolphin then Y&BC then lands at the launch in Epcot right near France. I would allow probably about 45 min to an hour to travel that way. Might take a bit longer time wise but saves a TON of walking all the way from the front of Epcot. We did this the last trip, had the samething with someone that does not walk alot well and it worked great. Plus you get to see some of the resorts you may not otherwise get to see.

 

[goofy4tink]

I have asked at several different resort valet stands to see if you can pay to valet park and then go to a park for the day. I have been told, by every single one, that yes, that is allowed. And that was at BW as well...in fact the first place I asked.
As already mentioned, now that DVC doesn't get free valet, I can't imagine why they would care if you were valet parked. It's being paid for, you have every right to do what you want once you pay.

 

[cvjw]

It's not like the valet lots are full. When we were at BWV in June, the valet lot was like a ghost town.

 

[CocosMeme]

Thanks for all the good tips. I had not thought about valet or parking at HS. Both good ideas!

 

[DenLo]

Thanks for the response. We are both rule followers! We may arrive via bus and go back to the resort by taxi. DH has issues with walking due to PAD and he is prone to leg swelling and aching. We usually rent an ECV for the day, but since we are only coming for a short time did not want to pay that much for a rental.

If you have a handicap placard you can still do valet parking for free. Considering your DH's leg problems I go that route and park with valet services at either BWV or BC.

 

[cdmickey]

And maybe yet another thought. Drive to DHS, park there, take the boat to the International Gateway (and most of your walking should be minimal). You'll need some time for this, but if it's a relaxing trip through some of Disney's best themed areas, you are golden.