Visiting the Boardwalk

[Cochise]

During our trips to Orlando we always ensure we pay a visit to the Boardwalk, take a stroll along, wlk round the lake and visit Beaches and Cream. However I was just listening to the podcast and they appear to be restricting the parking at the Boardwalk and the Yacht club to people who wave legitimate business with the resorts during the Food and Wine festival. I have contacted the Swan and Dolphin to check what their policy is on visitors and will we be allowed to park on their property for a couple of hours. Anyone have any other ideas? We do not have Disney tickets and therefore no right to use any transport.
Thanks

 

[Disneymad]

Personally, I wouldn't worry and just turn up as you normally would - Boardwalk is officially considered an 'entertainment complex' and has additional overflow parking available specifically for that reason so visiting the BW is 'legitimate business', as is going to Beaches and Cream to dine. Security will probably ask a couple of questions more than normal but I'd be absolutely amazed if they turned you away.

Swan and Dolphin may allow you however I'll warn you now they charge to park at their resort (even if staying there) so it'll cost you a few quid.

 

[wayneg]

Just had a look on Googlemaps streetview, looks like you just drive into the overflow, no security at all. Anyone used it? do you have to use intercom to gain entry or is it open to anyone?
We have never had a problem in the main carpark, never used the overflow. Even Xmas when the parks are packed solid, I expected to be turned away from GF as they had a sign out saying extra restrictions were in force but they still let us in as normal.
I would expect in the remote chance you were refused at BW you would get in at BC or YC.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

We have used the overflow a few times in the past. You could drive straight in there and didn't need a pass or anything - it is on the same side as the Hess gas station.

We went to the Yacht club on Christmas Day to get ice-cream and the security guard was fine. Didn't even give us a 3hr restriction. I hope you will be ok too.

The only other thing you could do is leave the car at DTD and catch the bus to the hotel from there.

 

[wayneg]

We went to the Yacht club on Christmas Day to get ice-cream and the security guard was fine. Didn't even give us a 3hr restriction. I hope you will be ok too.

Its a few years since they gave out the 3 hour passes. Not sure how they keep track now.

 

[popsynic]

Disney want you to come and spend money at their boardwalk, at their 'beaches and cream', at their shops, bars, restaraunts etc - they most definiteley are not going to turn you away, if you tell them you are visiting to spend money.

In fact, not having Disney tickets is sort of a gaurantee to the guard that you are not there just to get free parking, and to go into EPCOT. With no tickets, it must mean that you are there to spend money at the boardwalk and the surrounding resorts. So If I was the guard, i'd be valet parking your car for you!!!!

If all else fails, and the resorts car parks of BW, BC or YC are full - then as others have said, their is boardwalk overflow parking across the street. No guard on that car park as far as I can remember.

 

[Cochise]

thanks for the replies, wouldn't normally be worried but the podcast read it as an official press release it seemed. Straight into that overflow me thinks. Will have a gander at maps.

 

[Tony Toon]

We always visit Boardwalk and park at the Beach Club. When we stop at the gate we tell the guard we are planning to eat at Beaches and Cream. Only been refused entry once - New Years Eve - when we were told parking was for Hotel Guests only, so we had to go to the main Epcot parking lot. DH has a blue disabled parking pass as well, but that made no difference.

Mrs TT

 

[wickesy]

We're at the Boardwalk now and security have been checking our room key and Boardwalk parking pass both at the gate AND at the entrance to the car park so you will definitely not get in the main car park if you are not staying here. You will be fine in the overflow car park though.

 

[popsynic]

We're at the Boardwalk now and security have been checking our room key and Boardwalk parking pass both at the gate AND at the entrance to the car park so you will definitely not get in the main car park if you are not staying here. You will be fine in the overflow car park though.

Is this just at Boardwalk resort? Presume they are allowing people to park at Beach Club that want to use that resorts facilities, bars, etc?

 

[wilma-bride]

Is this just at Boardwalk resort? Presume they are allowing people to park at Beach Club that want to use that resorts facilities, bars, etc?

During the F&WF I wouldn't have thought you would be able to park at the Beach club without a reservation at one of the restaurants. As somebody else said, there is 'overflow' parking for the Boardwalk and I would imagine that is probably where you will be instructed to park.

 

[dixonsontour]

Last October we had a reservation at the yachtsman steakhouse on a saturday evening and wanted to park there.

It was jam packed and they were really strict as obviously people were trying to park there for free for F $ W at Epcot.

We had to give adr number and they phoned restaurant to check I think? I know we were ages at securiyty not just waved through. We were staying onsite so had a free parking pass so weren't trying to park on the cheap just near where we were eating. DH hunted for a space for ages. It was absolutely packed.

Our adr was 5.40pm so this was early evening.