Valet parking at boardwalk for Epcot

[TNDisneyNut]

What's everyone's opinion about valet parking at Boardwalk while visiting Epcot for the day aside from the obvious extra cost? We will be staying at AKL but thinking this May help avoid the last minute exodus crowd or am I fooling myself? Can you enter this way to Future World in the morning?

 

[eangel12]

I don't think it will save you any time! The walk to the back gate at Epcot is not short. We stayed at BC and didn't think it was all that great. BW is even further. I was pregnant and overheated though so that might account for my perspective!!

 

[TNDisneyNut]

I don't think it will save you any time! The walk to the back gate at Epcot is not short. We stayed at BC and didn't think it was all that great. BW is even further. I was pregnant and overheated though so that might account for my perspective!!

Thank you! I wondered. I've never been to the boardwalk area for some reason. After all the trips, we may just go see it regardless but it would be nice if it was a time saver too!

 

[OKW Lover]

What's everyone's opinion about valet parking at Boardwalk while visiting Epcot for the day aside from the obvious extra cost? We will be staying at AKL but thinking this May help avoid the last minute exodus crowd or am I fooling myself? Can you enter this way to Future World in the morning?

You may not be able to get into Boardwalk to use their valet unless you have a good reason to be at the resort. They do not want guests to park there just to go to Epcot.

 

[Polydweller]

Thank you! I wondered. I've never been to the boardwalk area for some reason. After all the trips, we may just go see it regardless but it would be nice if it was a time saver too!

No time saver at all. You can see the configuration on google maps satellite views. It's not short and doesn't really miss the exodus issues.

 

[TNDisneyNut]

No time saver at all. You can see the configuration on google maps satellite views. It's not short and doesn't really miss the exodus issues.

Thanks for the advice! Both points make sense!

 

[KrazeeK120]

You may not be able to get into Boardwalk to use their valet unless you have a good reason to be at the resort. They do not want guests to park there just to go to Epcot.

Not true. You can valet park your car at any resort for the whole day for whatever reason you want.

As other posters noted, however, it is not likely to save OP much (if any) time.

 

[snoopy5386]

I would do it at the Beach Club instead. If you watch Illuminations near the International Gateway you can be back to your car in less than 10 minutes.

 

[DebbieB]

Not true. You can valet park your car at any resort for the whole day for whatever reason you want.

As other posters noted, however, it is not likely to save OP much (if any) time.

Sometimes they do restrict valet parking if the lot is full. Not very often, mostly on holidays, but it happens.

 

[TNDisneyNut]

I would do it at the Beach Club instead. If you watch Illuminations near the International Gateway you can be back to your car in less than 10 minutes.

Even though we will have cars on our trip (8 of us with a toddler) going, we usually just take the bus, but I was hoping driving to the Boardwalk area and exiting through IG would be easier than the lines for the bus at the main entrance to Epcot after Illuminations plus maybe a nicer walk but, again, I've never been the boardwalk area. Thanks for all the advice!

 

[KrazeeK120]

Sometimes they do restrict valet parking if the lot is full. Not very often, mostly on holidays, but it happens.

OK, true. But that is more the exception than the rule. The other poster made it sound like you could never do this.

 

[TNDisneyNut]

I would do it at the Beach Club instead. If you watch Illuminations near the International Gateway you can be back to your car in less than 10 minutes.

That sounds like a plan! Thanks!

 

[LSchrow]

Even though we will have cars on our trip (8 of us with a toddler) going, we usually just take the bus, but I was hoping driving to the Boardwalk area and exiting through IG would be easier than the lines for the bus at the main entrance to Epcot after Illuminations plus maybe a nicer walk but, again, I've never been the boardwalk area. Thanks for all the advice!

it really is a much nicer walk to the BW than the shoulder-to-shoulder mass exodus after Illuminations (we won't stay for wishes unless at a MK resort, or Illuminations/F! unless at an epcot resort - vacation is supposed to be stress-free ).
just try to watch Illuminations from any area to the right of IG (france) thru mexico. you can wait a few minutes, relax....then stroll thru WS (gorgeous with no/low crowds, lights twinkling ), back to the BW, maybe have some ice cream, play a carny game, & watch the performers, ....get the car from valet.
it's a totally different experience than ending a lovely evening squished in a pushing/shoving crowd, then waiting....waiting....waiting...to get your car

 

[sharadoc]

The nice thing about parking at Boardwalk is having something to do after Epcot closes. There is Seashore Sweets for candy, ice cream and other treats; or the Boardwalk Bakery for baked treats; or the Screen Door is a nice gift shop. Then you can grab a drink outside at Big River Grille, or inside the ESPN club. You can kill some time and enjoy the area before driving back to your resort.

 

[roselark]

Does valet parking have specific hours? I am wondering how early I can arrive. I am attending an event in September and might not be able to stay at one of the EPCOT resorts, but I want to enter through the International Gateway and I want to be there to line up really early. This may alleviate my concerns about staying at a value resort.

 

[DebbieB]

Does valet parking have specific hours? I am wondering how early I can arrive. I am attending an event in September and might not be able to stay at one of the EPCOT resorts, but I want to enter through the International Gateway and I want to be there to line up really early. This may alleviate my concerns about staying at a value resort.

It's 24 hours

 

[TNDisneyNut]

it really is a much nicer walk to the BW than the shoulder-to-shoulder mass exodus after Illuminations (we won't stay for wishes unless at a MK resort, or Illuminations/F! unless at an epcot resort - vacation is supposed to be stress-free ).
just try to watch Illuminations from any area to the right of IG (france) thru mexico. you can wait a few minutes, relax....then stroll thru WS (gorgeous with no/low crowds, lights twinkling ), back to the BW, maybe have some ice cream, play a carny game, & watch the performers, ....get the car from valet.
it's a totally different experience than ending a lovely evening squished in a pushing/shoving crowd, then waiting....waiting....waiting...to get your car

Now that's what I'm talking about! Thank you!