Resort Parking

[love2go2disney2]

We are planning our first big family vacation to WDW at the end of November. We are staying at All star music. We are debating to rent a car or not. IF we would like to eat at the boardwalk and then head to Epcot, are we able to park at the Boardwalk resort ? Does it cost? How does this work? We would like to go Wilderness Lodge and eat, and then head to go Magic Kingdom? Is this feasible?

Thanks
Carolyn

 

[dansdad]

We are planning our first big family vacation to WDW at the end of November. We are staying at All star music. We are debating to rent a car or not. IF we would like to eat at the boardwalk and then head to Epcot, are we able to park at the Boardwalk resort ? Does it cost? How does this work? We would like to go Wilderness Lodge and eat, and then head to go Magic Kingdom? Is this feasible?

Thanks
Carolyn

If you pay for Valet, then yes you could leave your car and go to a park. If not, you're going to have to move your car after you eat.

 

[Beer Me]

If you pay for Valet, then yes you could leave your car and go to a park. If not, you're going to have to move your car after you eat.

I have done exactly what OP asked about. Stayed at all stars, ate at WL and went to MK afterwards. I explained to the guard what we were doing and he invited us to park there and take the boat over. I think Contemporary, Polynesian and Boardwalk can be more strict but not so much at other resorts but I would definitely be honest and ask first.

 

[dansdad]

I have done exactly what OP asked about. Stayed at all stars, ate at WL and went to MK afterwards. I explained to the guard what we were doing and he invited us to park there and take the boat over. I think Contemporary, Polynesian and Boardwalk can be more strict but not so much at other resorts but I would definitely be honest and ask first.

As of March 1st Wilderness started cracking down on this practice. There's even new signage stating parking is reserved for registered guests.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Boardwalk is very strict about it, because parking is a hot mess there. Valet is $25+tip, even if you are staying elsewhere on site.

I believe with the opening of Copper Creek and the increased occupancy of the Wilderness Lodge grounds, they will enforce there as well. It was one thing when only half the Lodge was occupied. No more.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you are staying at the All Stars resort, you can park for free at the theme parks. So park at Epcot, walk back through the park to the International Gateway and eat at the Boardwalk. Then head back to Epcot, enjoy the park and head to your car when you want to leave.

You might be able to park at the Boardwalk while you are eating there, but you'll have to move your car. It could be towed if you aren't back in three hours.

 

[Beer Me]

I've also parked at Boardwalk. Didn't even have an ADR. Just told them we wanted to look around. Scanned my mb (maybe it makes a difference if you are staying somewhere else on site?) and told us to have a nice time.

I have no doubt parking restrictions are being enforced more often. Situations where guests can't find parking are not acceptable. But I find that hard to believe that there is universal strict enforcement of time limits. Parking lots are not always full.

I would never try to be sneaky about it but it can't hurt to ask. Just explain to the guard what you are trying to do ( "hi, we want to go to MK after our meal. Will we need to move our car?") then you will get your answer. Honestly I think Disney tries hard to be accommodating.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Boardwalk NEEDS universal strict enforcement. It's a mess.

 

[Hopefully]

We are planning our first big family vacation to WDW at the end of November. We are staying at All star music. We are debating to rent a car or not. IF we would like to eat at the boardwalk and then head to Epcot, are we able to park at the Boardwalk resort ? Does it cost? How does this work? We would like to go Wilderness Lodge and eat, and then head to go Magic Kingdom? Is this feasible?

Thanks
Carolyn

The "official" answer is no you can not do this unless you pay $25 + tip to Valet Park. Resort parking lots are neither designed nor large enough for theme park parking. It certainly is unfair to guests paying high nightly rates to be unable to find parking upon returning to their resort

I've also parked at Boardwalk. Didn't even have an ADR. Just told them we wanted to look around. Scanned my mb (maybe it makes a difference if you are staying somewhere else on site?) and told us to have a nice time.

I have no doubt parking restrictions are being enforced more often. Situations where guests can't find parking are not acceptable. But I find that hard to believe that there is universal strict enforcement of time limits. Parking lots are not always full.

I would never try to be sneaky about it but it can't hurt to ask. Just explain to the guard what you are trying to do ( "hi, we want to go to MK after our meal. Will we need to move our car?") then you will get your answer. Honestly I think Disney tries hard to be accommodating.

There will ALWAYS be a report of an exception. I agree you certainly can ask but I don't believe that you can count on being allowed to park.

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

You are technically allowed a three hour period to shop, dine, etc. However, if parking is overflowed, you still may not be allowed to park there if you are a non-resort guests, even with an ADR.

They can, will, and have towed cars of non-resort guests before who have overstayed their welcome.

So the short answer is, you cannot park at any resort and then go to a park, unless it is the resort you are staying at.

 

[Doug S]

I would skip the car rental and either take the DHS bus and then walk to Boardwalk (it's a hike, but peaceful) or take an Uber/Lyft directly to Boardwalk. I did the latter to get to Flying Fish for dinner on my last trip.

 

[Beer Me]

There will ALWAYS be a report of an exception. I agree you certainly can ask but I don't believe that you can count on being allowed to park.

Agree. You should not count on it but it certainly doesn't hurt to ask.

At CR with a chef Mickey's breakfast ADR we were told there was a 3 hour limit and of course did not stay longer. At WL and BC we were explicitly told it was ok to stay if we went to parks after our adr. At Boardwalk it was already like 7pm maybe that's why they didn't care why we were there. And just for completeness of deluxe resorts I have driven to, at AKL no one cares at all why or how long you park your car there.

I absolutely do not advocate trying to abuse the system, but often there is ample parking and the attendant will let you stay. If it's too crowded I expect them to direct me to other options (valet, ttc, etc).

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Well, sure. Very few people are parking at AKL for the park proximity...

 

[katherine52478]

I usually take cabs when resort hopping. It is about $8-12 and is much faster and easier. They will call one for you at any valet desk/bell hop stand. I heard great things about Uber in Orlando as well.