Parking ??? while spending time at the Boardwalk

[TheMorgans]

We are staying off site on this trip because the girls wanted to stay in a condo this time. On our last day we will be having a late breakfast at the Beach Club and then spending some time at the Boardwalk. We have never been to the Boardwalk so I am not sure about the parking situation. I understand that I will have a limited time to park at the Beach Club, but what about at the Boardwalk.

Can I park there for several hours and not have my car towed or put in the Disney Jail????

 

[BradyBz12]

Parking passes at resorts (especially MK and EP resorts) are usually for 3 hours. That's mostly to ensure that people aren't trying to skirt the (now) $14 parking fee at the parks, and also filling up the resort lots so that there isn't enough room for the guests at that resort.

If it were me and I thought my entire visit to BC/BW would be more than 3 hours, I would probably park at BW and walk over to BC for breakfast.

Tell the guard at the gate what you're doing and how long you expect to be there and you really shouldn't have a problem. We have never had a problem parking at BW to go watch a game at ESPN (usually 4-5 hours, sometimes longer). The only thing is that they may park you in the overflow lot, which is a little bit of a walk up to the BW resort, but at least your car will be there when you get out.

 

[bradisgoofy]

This is a sore subject and I know I'm going to get beat up for it but...I am a DVC owner and my home resort is BWV. This resort has the least amount of parking spaces and on top of that we have to share it with BWI and convention goers. I know how tough it is to get a parking spot (especially handicap) at this location so "technically", no, non guests may not park at a resort where they are not guests. And although I've seen it written many times about the "3 hour pass" I've never seen it in writing in WDW paperwork. And I'm sorry Brady to pick on you in particular (especially since you are a fellow Fort Fiend), but for someone to say they park at BWV for 4-5 hours to watch a game, really bugs me. Now don't for a minute think I'm silly enough to think all those people packed in the ESPN Club for a guest appearance or a big game all came from the Epcot Resorts but, please don't say it will be okay to go park at BWV even though you are not a guest or have an ADR.

Okay, I'm off the soap box, let the beatings begin.

 

[JellyRolls_Ed]

Since the Boardwalk is an attraction in itself, it is perfectly acceptable for visitors to park in the lot. The guard at the gate will direct you to the overflow lot in most cases, but you also have the option to use valet parking. Valet parking is just $10, and well worth it.

I use it every month when I visit, and, yes, I'll watch a game at ESPN, perhaps have dinner at a restaurant, and then visit Jellyrolls. I've even used it when visiting Epcot and then hitting Jellyrolls when the park closes. I'm not bypassing park parking fees - I have an Annual Pass and park for free at the theme parks.

I've also stayed at the Boardwalk Inn and Villas, and parking is at a premium. Most times, you have a good hike to get to your room. But valet parking is available for hotel guests as well. You just have to know what you're getting into when you stay at the BW.

 

[BradyBz12]

No worries, Brad - no beatings!

I'll just tell you my experience.

I've always been told that resort guests are welcome and encouraged to visit other resorts, and we've always told the guard at whatever resort we're visiting exactly why we're there and for how long.

At most resorts it's just dinner, and therefore the 3 hour pass usually comes into play. But yes, going over to ESPN for a game does usually entail a longer stay. However we have always told them that and shown them our FW parking pass and KTTW card - so they definitely know we aren't resort guests.

They always put us in the little lot way out by the road (just behind the guard shack), and it was my understanding that this was actually a visitor lot - although I could be wrong about that.

FWIW, BW is the one resort we've visited that has never issued us a parking pass with a time limit - we always get them at the Poly and Contemp (and of course abide by them).

We've never intended to take up spots meant for the guests staying at another resort, and if I'd ever been told "sorry, you can't park here that long unless you're actually staying here" we'd have made other arrangements to get there without our car.

If Disney does not want non-resort guests parking at BW for more than a set amount of time, then they should be clearly stating this and/or issuing parking passes like the other resorts, or just plain turning folks away. And if/when they do that, we will absolutely abide by the rules.

We're the last folks out there looking to "game" the system in any way or inconvenience other guests.

 

[RMulieri]

I have no issue with people dining at those resorts or staying on the BW a few hours.I get really annoyed with the people ( and they know who they are) that park at BC /YC/BW and then go over to Epcot to avoid the themepark parking $$$ .It makes it hard for those of us that are paying the $300-400 or more nightly to stay at those resorts to find a place to park.At one point I had to PAY to valet park at my own resort because there was NO self parking left..

 

[seashoreCM]

I.At one point I had to PAY to valet park at my own resort because there was NO self parking left..

It's time to build more parking spaces and/or perhaps a garage. Boardwalk being an entertainment destination as well as a resort should have larger parking facilities accordingly.

The resort should reimburse the parking fee and tip, and perhaps a little more for the time spent looking for a space.

Are you expected to pay a cover charge or buy drinks when going to the ESPN club to watch a game? (As opposed to going back to your resort?) If so some linkage to a parking fee or validated parking scheme could be implemented.

Back in the real world, a commuter rail parking lot should be considered full for planning purposes when 97%-98% of the spaces are taken since it takes a long time to find one of the remaining spaces and commuters after some experience tend to drive downtown again rather than even come to the commuter rail station.

 

[Halle]

Valet parking is now $12.00 for DVC members and I believe $14.00 for all others.

 

[TheTexasKid]

Valet parking is now $12.00 for DVC members and I believe $14.00 for all others.

Just returned on January 5, 2010, from spending a week at the Boardwalk Resort, and the sign at the valet station in front of the Boardwalk, when I left, said: "Valet Parking $12.00." And I saw no differentation made for DVC members and non-DVC members.

 

[bradisgoofy]

Check this out

 

[Traveliz]

Let the guard know and they will direct you to self park within the Boardwalk, across the street or you can opt to valet park.

I have taken to valet parking at the Boardwalk because I don't want to have to worry about using the across the street self parking lot.

Liz

 

[seashoreCM]

The guard probably has some kind of crowd calendar or a memo from his boss handed out at the start of his shift to tell him whether to hand out 3 hour passes or turn people away or direct people to the overflow lot etc.

 

[LSchrow]

..... please don't say it will be okay to go park at BWV even though you are not a guest or have an ADR.

Okay, I'm off the soap box, let the beatings begin.

no beatings from here, but rather a big thank you. we've also had to play find a parking spot (with over $40K invested in DVC). it's no fun to come "home" with multiple bags of groceries, and having to walk from the furthest end of the self-park lot, through the drunk & cursing hordes of BW visitors during the F&FW, just to get to our resort

the lot across the street is for visitors (as well as cast, from my understanding) and should be used by anyone not staying at the resort (if not using valet).

 

[BradyBz12]

FWIW the place that we're always directed to park when we're visiting the Boardwalk is highlighted in pink...

It's closed off from the rest of the valet area (which has never been even close to full when we've been there). We're usually there in Nov/early Dec and we've never been sent to park in any of the self-park areas reserved for resort guests.