where can I park free for boardwalk?

[MIALIAS]

staying off site for a few nights but want to take the family to the boardwalk for the evening...

Can I self park at boardwalk or beach club for free?

 

[erionm]

Ultimately it will depend on how busy the resort is when you go there. If it's very busy, the guard may make you go elsewhere to park. As for BWV, there is an overflow lot across the street (behind the Hess Station).

 

[DizBub]

The earlier you go to try to park the better. During F&W I seriously doubt you will be able to park there at all.

We were staying at BWV last year and the parking situation was ridiculous. Crazy long lines to get back into the resort and 9 out of 10 cars were turned away. It took forever because everybody argued with the guard. I felt really sorry for him but it comes with the job.

If you have a TIW card you can get free valet parking. Valet lots are usually empty.

 

[BillPA]

The earlier you go to try to park the better. During F&W I seriously doubt you will be able to park there at all.

We were staying at BWV last year and the parking situation was ridiculous. Crazy long lines to get back into the resort and 9 out of 10 cars were turned away. It took forever because everybody argued with the guard. I felt really sorry for him but it comes with the job.

If you have a TIW card you can get free valet parking. Valet lots are usually empty.

To get free parking w/TIW you must show a receipt that you ate while there and that you stayed for 3 hours or less.

 

[n2mm]

I agree with others. We stay at bwv in October every year and parking is crazy here during F&W. From Thursday to Sunday the parking is extremely tight. We have two levels of guards to pass to get into the lot. One at the kiosk and another at the parking lot entrance. The line to get into bwv is very long. We actually come in the back way pass yacht and beach just so we don't get stuck in the guard check line. If you want a better chance in parking there I would try Monday to Wednesday as things are a little lighter. We like to park near the tennis court area. They put up bars at one entrance so that you have to pass the guards to get in and out. I'm happy that they do this because it's a pita when we come back with groceries and can't find a place to park our car.

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

I agree with others. We stay at bwv in October every year and parking is crazy here during F&W. From Thursday to Sunday the parking is extremely tight. We have two levels of guards to pass to get into the lot. One at the kiosk and another at the parking lot entrance. The line to get into bwv is very long. We actually come in the back way pass yacht and beach just so we don't get stuck in the guard check line. If you want a better chance in parking there I would try Monday to Wednesday as things are a little lighter. We like to park near the tennis court area. They put up bars at one entrance so that you have to pass the guards to get in and out. I'm happy that they do this because it's a pita when we come back with groceries and can't find a place to park our car.

We stayed for a week last year at BC in October & the guards were very vigilant about checking to make sure that you were staying At YC or BC or had reservations at one of the hotels. They were turning everyone else away. Parking at the boardwalk resorts is very tight just for the guests alone.

 

[MIALIAS]

what about beach club?

we are planning on arriving after 4pm so would that be better?

 

[bumbershoot]

To get free parking w/TIW you must show a receipt that you ate while there and that you stayed for 3 hours or less.

That you ate at a TIW-taking place in that area AND used the TIW discount.

 

[hakepb]

what about beach club?

we are planning on arriving after 4pm so would that be better?

Probably worse.

More locals will be trying to park at an EPCOT area resort for an evening so they have free parking and a shorter walk into the EPCOT Food and Wine festival. Because Disney knows too many guests try to do that, they are extra vigilant and will probably stop you, too.

It might help if you have a printed confirmation for an ADR.

You could try parking at DTD and taking a bus to BW. (Although I hear DTD is a mess)

 

[n2mm]

what about beach club? we are planning on arriving after 4pm so would that be better?

We tried to park at bcv during F&W to eat at beaches and cream and was turned away. They said only if you had a confirmed adr. We are TIW cardholders and was going to valet park, but afraid we might not be able to get in to eat, so we parked at Epcot and walked to the bcv.

 

[DizBub]

To get free parking w/TIW you must show a receipt that you ate while there and that you stayed for 3 hours or less.

I should have clarified....guess in my mind it's a given. Sometimes people forget this is even an option. We did. We had an ADR at Captain's Grille and were turned away since the free parking lot was full. As we were about to leave I remembered we had TIW and they gladly let us pass.

Don't forget to tip the valet!

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

staying off site for a few nights but want to take the family to the boardwalk for the evening...

Can I self park at boardwalk or beach club for free?

They'll give you a 3-hour parking pass if you have a dining reservation.

 

[Sammie]

If you are going during Food and Wine you will need a dining reservation to park at the Beach Club and at the BW, you will probably have to go to over flow lot behind the Hess station and even then you might not be allowed.

Parking is really tight during Food and Wine at both locations.

 

[fwm]

I agree with others. We stay at bwv in October every year and parking is crazy here during F&W. From Thursday to Sunday the parking is extremely tight. We have two levels of guards to pass to get into the lot. One at the kiosk and another at the parking lot entrance. The line to get into bwv is very long. We actually come in the back way pass yacht and beach just so we don't get stuck in the guard check line. If you want a better chance in parking there I would try Monday to Wednesday as things are a little lighter. We like to park near the tennis court area. They put up bars at one entrance so that you have to pass the guards to get in and out. I'm happy that they do this because it's a pita when we come back with groceries and can't find a place to park our car.

Does the room key/magic band work to open the gate at the Boardwalk entrance located near the convention center?

 

[n2mm]

Does the room key/magic band work to open the gate at the Boardwalk entrance located near the convention center?

Not that I know of. We just come in that direction so we can turn right to go through the guest entrance because the non guest entrance is normally filled and an additional line out in the road waiting to come through the gate.