Parking Rules for Visiting Boardwalk Area

[emma'smom]

We want to take my parents to visit the Boardwalk area one evening during out trip. We will need to drive over from Wilderness Lodge as my mother will be using a scooter (and she will have her handicapped parking pass in the car) and we won't be using the shuttle bus at all. We may stop for a pizza at the Spoodles window, but we won't have restaurant reservations for that evening. What is the best way to assure that we can park for a few hours to walk/scoot around the Boardwalk area since we aren't staying at the BW? Will they give us a problem with parking without having an official reservation at a BW restaurant?

 

[eeyoreiscool]

You can use the valet parking there and with a handicap parking pass it will be free. When we go, we just tell the guard that were are there to eat and they wave us through and never look to see if we have ADR's or not.

 

[Connears]

It depends on who is at the guard gate and when you are going. We have been asked for adr# at Poly and Contemp for dining while we were there for xmas the last 3 years(we have been staying at OKW), we were waved thru at WL and BC without having to stop, maybe because they are dvc too. Boardwalk is a popular area, but if you valet, I think you will be fine, like previous post said, tell them you would like to eat, but do not have adr, it may be fine.
Connears

 

[kaysmommie]

We parked at the big over flow parking lot there in October when we visited BWI. The guard told us too. Or you could valet if you want to have a closer walk.

 

[disnut8]

You'll be fine. The Baordwalk has to have parking available for visitors since they want people to come for an evening. Plus, ESPN Club and Big River Grille don't take reservations. And Jellyrolls and Atlantic Dance Hall are also there.

As mentioned, there is a big overflow lot for day visitors to park in. Or you can valet. If you self park, you can drive up to the lobby area and drop off your mother and then go park.

 

[LuvsTinker]

We've visited BW often during our stays and parking is free when you show your resort key from another Disney resort.

You do not need ressie for dining.