Where should/can I park?

[#1Disfann]

Hi. Now that I am down to 23 days the mad rush of changing and second guessing everything is on!

My question is this..... We are sharing an Illuminations cruise (thanks to this board) that leaves from the boardwalk. We plan to go to Epcot about 4:00 for some touring and dinner before the cruise. I'm not sure what to do about transportation.

If we use Disney transportation to Epcot then walk to the Boardwalk for the cruise, wouldn't we have to walk back to Epcot to board our bus to CBR. Would they even let me back in at this point? We will have a rental car so I thought it would be best to drive to and park at the Boardwalk then walk into Epcot, tour & eat, walk back to Boardwalk for cruise then after the cruise get into my car which would be parked at the Boardwalk. I am not sure how long I can park at the Boardwalk though. It seems like I read that you can only park for up to 2 hours at a resort (other than your own), like if you are there for dinner. So what's the scoop? Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks!

 

[songbert]

If you don't want to use your car, you can take a bus from BW to DTD and get a bus back to CBR. The DTD bus stops (Marketplace and PI) are now the "hubs" for getting from one resort to another.

Driving your car would probably be a lot faster! Hopefully someone will know how long you can park your car at the BW.....

 

[GlennandAnn]

Hi Disfann, and welcome to the DIS. I don't know of a time limit for parking your car at the BW. Before I get flamed for this, I KNOW that you are NOT supposed to park at BW and then go to Epcot, but let's face it, a lot of people do it. We've never been asked how much time we will be spending at the resort when we have parked there before. The only place this has happened to us is at the Poly. Good luck with your dilemma, and have a fab trip!!

Ann

 

[#1Disfann]

So I suppose if I was asked I could be vauge and say I was going to explore the resort, have dinner and then catch the cruise, right? I don't have to mention that I will be eating dinner in Epcot. What if we "were" going to eat at the Flying Fish and then changed our minds after looking over the menu? I'm sure people have done this in the past. Actually, I am going to look over my itinerary and may just use the bus to go to DTD after Illuminations since I didn't want to wait til Friday or Saturday as I figured those days would be packed. Thanks for your input!!

 

[Vinnie The Pooh]

I read in Mouse Savers latest news letter, you can park at the BW and receive a 3 hour parking permit. It looks like this may be the case at all of the WDW resorts. Here is the link

http://www.mousesavers.com/freestuff.html

 

[Deb & Bill]

This is only my opinion, but since you are taking a cruise leaving from the Boardwalk, you should be able to park at the Boardwalk. Or valet park, pay the $6 + tip, and don't worry about it. Or you can park in the lot outside the BW parking area (don't go through the guard shack and turn right instead of left into the parking lot.

 

[Mickiethepooh]

Unless you have a dinner res at or are staying at the Boardwalk, Beach club or Yacht club and that Res is on their list, you are not parking there period. and permits are issued for two hours if you do have a res. and they do check and they do tow.

you could park at MGM and take the boat to BW then take it back again or walk the paths back again. Or just park at Epcot, you can always walk back out to parking lot after closing

 

[#1Disfann]

Mickiethepooh - You said "park at Epcot and walk back to the parking lot". When I am done with the cruise and we are let off at the Boardwalk park hours will officially be over. Are you saying that if I tell them at the gateway that my car is in the main lot that they will let me in to walk back? I thought I had read that that was not possible. Oh, the stupid things we obsess about!! Thanks!

 

[MycatlovesEeyore]

You CANNOT enter EPCOT after your cruise. Your best options IMHO are to either park at MGM and take the Friendship Boats to Epcot and BW OR valet park at the BW and have your car there when you get ready to leave after the cruise. Either way you won't be "stretching" any rules.

 

[Dznefreek]

Unless you have a dinner res at or are staying at the Boardwalk, Beach club or Yacht club and that Res is on their list, you are not parking there period. and permits are issued for two hours if you do have a res. and they do check and they do tow.

Not true. You can go to BW/YC/BC and park at BW anytime. They do not issue 2 hour permits. If they do I have never rec'd. one in all the years I have been going there (since opening) to shop, eat, etc. In fact you can turn on to Epcot Resorts Blvd., pass the the BW entrance and park in the lot on the right at the traffic light. This is the overflow parking for BW.