Where are these people going? - BWV

[castleri]

Last night while sitting on my SV balcony at BWV I watched several hundred people walk down the sidewalk towards the parking lots - didn't watch to see exactly where they went and then got curious. They were in groups of 2-10 it seemed with waves of them every 15 minutes or so for about an hour or more- EPCOT had closed at 9 and the people started coming about 9:15. I can only assume they came over on the boats and then headed out to the parking lot. I can't believe they were all at the BW eating or watching the performers as there weren't that many on the whole boardwalk when I got off the first boat to leave after the fireworks ended. Is there somewhere else they could be going besides the parking lot? I just wondered how many could be parking in the lots to get to EPCOT and how that impacts the ability of BW guests to park in the self parking lots. There has been a lot of talk about people parking at DTD to avoid paying to park but I never saw anything about using the EPCOT resorts to do the same.

 

[CarolMN]

Yes, they were going to the parking lots.

People parking at the EPCOT resorts to go to EPCOT has been a problem for many years. It has been maddening to see this nightly parade (we often book SV) after Illuminations, when we had trouble finding a place to park earlier that afternoon. There is almost always plenty of room after Illuminations.

It is especially bad during Food & Wine, although Disney does seem to put more effort into managing the problem at that time.

 

[goofy4tink]

Drives me nuts every time I see that. There was one time I actually followed a bunch of them out..right down to the parking lot. It amazed me to see how many of them got into cars parked in the closest spots in the lot. They must have parked there much earlier in the day, and then headed to a park. Then, they watch IllumiNations and head to their cars and leave for the night. Makes it hard for those who are staying at BWV/BWI and have cars. They take a car to a park in the morning and then when they return later in the afternoon, there aren't any closer spots left. They end up parking in the far reaches of the lot. I wish that they would change the system for parking at the resorts that have immediate park access. You either show a room key, for that resort, when going through, or you get a parking receipt that allows you to park there for a few hours. If you exceed that time, you have to pay a fee. That would stop a lot of the abuse.

 

[jekjones1558]

Is there a problem at BCV as well? I don't read about this issue at BCV but that is just as close if not closer than BWV for access to Epcot.

 

[fishermouse]

We often go to TBC to take a bus to DTD after Illuminations, there are ususlly lots of others doing the same

 

[vandy]

Have they changed the parking rules at BWV? When we were there last year, we went to dinner at ESPN and only DVC members staying at a DVC resort on that day could enter the lot. They checked our resort parking pass and our DVC membership card. Either the rules have been relaxed, or those people parking in the lot and going to Epcot are DVC members.

 

[Sammie]

Is there a problem at BCV as well? I don't read about this issue at BCV but that is just as close if not closer than BWV for access to Epcot.

Due to the pool at BC, they monitor the situation better at the gate. They are pretty good about asking specifically what you are there for. Of course I know people lie, but at least they try.

At BW, due to the entertainment situation, it is much harder. They really need a dedicated lot for BW Inn and BWV guests.

 

[twinklebug]

Apparently so far Disney hasn't felt there's enough of a financial loss or safety concern from allowing this behavior to continue to bother doing anything to fix it. I wonder what it will take for them to take the problem seriously.

We stayed at BWV once (and I loved it) but I have refused to go back so far due to the multiple stops and bus crowding, particularly at the end of the day. I realize the buses will be crowded despite the parked visitors so there was no way to tell what taking them out of the picture would have done for the experience. Maybe most of them take the boats or walk anyway.

 

[Sammie]

Apparently so far Disney hasn't felt there's enough of a financial loss or safety concern from allowing this behavior to continue to bother doing anything about it. I wonder what it will take for them to take the problem seriously.

We stayed at BWV once (and I loved it) but I have refused to go back so far due to the multiple stops and bus crowding, particularly at the end of the day. I realize the buses will be crowded despite the parked visitors so there was no way to tell what taking them out of the picture would have done for the experience. Maybe most of them take the boats or walk anyway.

Complaints similar to what BLT got that warranted them to make improvements there based on member feedback.

 

[stefsko]

hate that

 

[DebbieB]

Have they changed the parking rules at BWV? When we were there last year, we went to dinner at ESPN and only DVC members staying at a DVC resort on that day could enter the lot. They checked our resort parking pass and our DVC membership card. Either the rules have been relaxed, or those people parking in the lot and going to Epcot are DVC members.

They are more strict different times of the year. Typically during the Food & Wine Festival weekends. Other times it is pretty much open. I was furious last December when we arrived on a Saturday afternoon and I could not find a space, had to go round and round waiting for someone to pull out. They should be making non-BW resort guests park across the street in the overflow lot. The main entrance was blocked and there was a sign to cross the street to park but no guard posted at the side entrance so people were just parking in the main lot.

You'll see the same thing in reverse in the morning, people parking and then walking out of the lot towards the Boardwalk. Find it hard to believe they were all having breakfast at Spoodles (whatever it is called now).

 

[fishermouse]

Probably the best idea was having people visiting the BW area for clubs etc. park in the overflow lot only and have a time limit. This leaves the main area for BWV/BWI guests. Having them get parking tickets stamped would require more overhead and still have people parking in an area that should be reserved for hotel guest.

 

[DizGirl20]

I am a bit confused by this... whenever we visit another resort for dining reservations, it seems like the security officers give us the 5th degree before they let us in the parking lot. And am I dreaming (and I can not recall which location it was at) - but don't they put a time limit on the parking pass you have to display on your dashboard? Then again if this is the case I've never heard of anyone getting fined or towed. We only park at other resorts for a few hours of dining... I guess people lie?

 

[twinklebug]

I think most of the offenders might be locals with Florida resident passes. When visiting my parents in Clermont I met several of their neighbors down at their clubhouse and one of the first things said to me was when I drive over to EPCOT or MGM I should park at the Boardwalk and take their boat over. It's so much more convenient than the regular parking and free. I tried to scoff them off by telling them I don't want to because as a pass holder I have free parking and that those spots are meant for boardwalk guests. But some older folk think their way is the only way and they justified it by saying "Oh yes, we're just one car" "we all travel together" "we walk through the resort so it's meant to be used this way" and so on.

These folk all had Florida resident passes, but made out parking fees to be evil. Does Disney not extend the free parking privilege to the FL passes? If not, then I think If I were them, this might be one of the first things I'd change to try to cut down on improper usage of both the DTD and BW parking areas.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I think there's a seasonal Florida pass that does not include free parking. My DF who lives in Florida has mentioned that he likes to park in the extra BW parking lot. He says its open to the public. This is the one that is across the street from the BW complex.

 

[Chellymouse]

We have the same problem at SSR. People will either park at DTD, walk to SSR and catch a bus or they will tell the people at SSR they are "checking in" park their car and catch a bus to a park. As someone else mentioned, Disney must not be too concerned about it because it seems to happen frequently and while there is quite a bit of parking at SSR, it is for the people staying there not people trying to "save" a few bucks.

 

[spiceycat]

I think there's a seasonal Florida pass that does not include free parking. My DF who lives in Florida has mentioned that he likes to park in the extra BW parking lot. He says its open to the public. This is the one that is across the street from the BW complex.

well in march they were definitely only letting in BW guests. they were sending others away. don't know if sending them to that parking lot - or back to EPcot.

going back next week - so will try to remember to find this post and report what happens then.

 

[Sammie]

We have the same problem at SSR. People will either park at DTD, walk to SSR and catch a bus or they will tell the people at SSR they are "checking in" park their car and catch a bus to a park. As someone else mentioned, Disney must not be too concerned about it because it seems to happen frequently and while there is quite a bit of parking at SSR, it is for the people staying there not people trying to "save" a few bucks.

I know the walking over from DD happens but the telling them they are checking in, can't see how that happens.

We always have to present our driver's license when we check in and they have a list of guests checking in that day.

 

[spiceycat]

I know the walking over from DD happens but the telling them they are checking in, can't see how that happens.

We always have to present our driver's license when we check in and they have a list of guests checking that day.

they are probably saying they are looking at buying DVC and want to see the models.

it is well know that they are at SSR.

 

[Sammie]

they are probably saying they are looking at buying DVC and want to see the models.

it is well know that they are at SSR.

Oh I am sure there are many things they do say to get past the guard, I just don't think saying they are checking in would be one that would work.