Parking Question

[Jonathan Friedman]

We are staying at AKL in a DVC rental in September. We are having breakfast one morning at Boardwalk and one morning at Contemporary, with reservations. We will be driving our own car. Is there an issue leaving the car at the hotel and walking to Epcot and MK? I’m assuming with lower capacity parking lots at hotels won’t be filled? Thoughts?

 

[ucf_knight]

It shouldn’t be an issue. I did this New Year’s Eve after dinner at the wave and walked to magic with no problem.

 

[Marionnette]

We are staying at AKL in a DVC rental in September. We are having breakfast one morning at Boardwalk and one morning at Contemporary, with reservations. We will be driving our own car. Is there an issue leaving the car at the hotel and walking to Epcot and MK? I’m assuming with lower capacity parking lots at hotels won’t be filled? Thoughts?

In normal times, you would not be able to do this. With the reduced occupancy and the fact that you’re an onsite guest, I don’t know if they would currently enforce any time limitations.

 

[siren0119]

I don't believe the Swolphin have the same parking restrictions as the Disney properties.

Before the pandemic, it was absolutely not allowed to use your dinner reservation to get free parking for the parks. Now - it's hard to say but I would clarify that before you go, or at least plan for having to use the regular park lots and hope for some pixie dust.

 

[Dave006]

I don't believe the Swolphin have the same parking restrictions as the Disney properties.

No they don't but the Swan / Dolphin charge you to park. It is $27 per day. Swan / Dolphin guests are able to leave and return for no additional fee. Day guests must pay $27 to exit with no return privileges.

Dave

 

[LovesTimone]

We are staying at AKL in a DVC rental in September. We are having breakfast one morning at Boardwalk and one morning at Contemporary, with reservations. We will be driving our own car. Is there an issue leaving the car at the hotel and walking to Epcot and MK? I’m assuming with lower capacity parking lots at hotels won’t be filled? Thoughts?

Your not suppose to leave your vehicle in a resort parking area, to head off to the parks. Not unless of course it is the resort where you are staying at. Normally it is 2 hours or so... I know once we had ADR for Calli Grill for our anniversary, and we had to ask the hostess to call down to security so that they did not tow our car, and she did it for us. They were almost a hour behind seating times...

You have lots of other options...

For the Contemporary you can get on a bus for MK, and then just walk over to the Contemporary...

The Boardwalk is a bit more challenging, you could ride a bus to Epcot and walk through and out the back gate to the Boardwalk... You could pick a park, then wait for a bus to the resort where your ADR's is for breakfast, or any resort on the boardwalk and walk to the resort for breakfast..

You can use Uber/Lyft and go directly over to the resort that you are having breakfast at... then just use the buses to get to the park your going to be visiting that day... and to get back to your resort at the end of the night...

For me I personally would not take a chance on leaving my car and then at the end of the day, when your tired, you find out that your car is no longer where you left it, and then your faced with how to get your car back, and the towing bill will be outrageous...and the hassle of it all... not fun...

 

[Marionnette]

Your not suppose to leave your vehicle in a resort parking area, to head off to the parks. Not unless of course it is the resort where you are staying at. Normally it is 2 hours or so... I know once we had ADR for Calli Grill for our anniversary, and we had to ask the hostess to call down to security so that they did not tow our car, and she did it for us. They were almost a hour behind seating times...

You have lots of other options...

For the Contemporary you can get on a bus for MK, and then just walk over to the Contemporary...

The Boardwalk is a bit more challenging, you could ride a bus to Epcot and walk through and out the back gate to the Boardwalk... You could pick a park, then wait for a bus to the resort where your ADR's is for breakfast, or any resort on the boardwalk and walk to the resort for breakfast..

You can use Uber/Lyft and go directly over to the resort that you are having breakfast at... then just use the buses to get to the park your going to be visiting that day... and to get back to your resort at the end of the night...

For me I personally would not take a chance on leaving my car and then at the end of the day, when your tired, you find out that your car is no longer where you left it, and then your faced with how to get your car back, and the towing bill will be outrageous...and the hassle of it all... not fun...

OP could also park at HS and take the Skyliner to Epcot, then walk to the Boardwalk.

 

[Jonathan Friedman]

OP could also park at HS and take the Skyliner to Epcot, then walk to the Boardwalk.

That’s a great idea! Couldn’t I park at HS and walk to Boardwalk?

 

[Dave006]

Yes free parking at HS and about 9/10ths of a mile walk to BW from the HS.

Dave

 

[LovesTimone]

OP could also park at HS and take the Skyliner to Epcot, then walk to the Boardwalk.

Good point I always forget about the highway in the sky...

 

[Marionnette]

That’s a great idea! Couldn’t I park at HS and walk to Boardwalk?

Yes. Or take a boat (if they’re operating).

 

[Jonathan Friedman]

Good point I always forget about the highway in the sky...

We actually don’t mind a nice walk so we may just walk it from HS. That said, we will try to park at Boardwalk and be honest. Given the crowds they may just say ok.

 

[DWillowBay]

OP could also park at HS and take the Skyliner to Epcot, then walk to the Boardwalk.

Or.... Park at HS and walk to the Boardwalk. Easy walk. Beautiful walk. (10 / 15 mins.)

 

[rwdavis2]

Just curious, has WDW ever towed a car after the supposed time limit? I've never actually seen a first hand account.

 

[kaytieeldr]

The Boardwalk is a bit more challenging, you could ride a bus to Epcot and walk through and out the back gate to the Boardwalk...

Why waste a park ticket and reservation to get to a resort when there are options?

We actually don’t mind a nice walk so we may just walk it from HS. That said, we will try to park at Boardwalk and be honest. Given the crowds they may just say ok.

Yay!!! for honesty! They probably will say okay.

 

[Deb & Bill]

The parking area for BWV is rather small and the resort may have more guests staying there come September. We always drive and I know the few times we have stayed there parking was a real pain. It's always nice to leave the parking places for the guests staying at that resort.

 

[DSLRuser]

If you have dinning at Boardwalk...feel free to park there. Been doing it for 20 years with no issues.

I would not advise doing this without a dining reservation. That is pushing the limits, even for me.

 

[MikeRx]

This thread is our exact quandary for October. We are staying at CCV and have a 7:35am breakfast at Trattoria al Forno and would like to park at the BW and walk back to DHS after breakfast. We are leaving for the airport around 2:45p so it won't be all day. We will be honest with them when we arrive and see what they say. I'd hate to move the car and have to deal with the line to get into the DHS parking lot pre-opening if we don't have to. We like the walk to DHS from the Epcot area resorts. Thanks for posting Jonathan and to all of you for your honest responses.
Mike