Where To Tell Family To Park?

[Madi100]

On our first night in Florida, we are meeting my cousing and her family for supper and then going to the Illuminations Cruise together. Where do I tell them to park? Such a silly minor detail, but Disney transportation can be confusing at times.

We are doing a quick supper. We will either eat at our resort (only if transporation is easy for them) or Downtown Disney at McDonald's. Since it will be our first night, we want simple for supper. I guess we could eat someplace on the Boardwalk (isn't that close to the Yacht Club?). Anyway, we are staying at Pop Century. We will take a bus to Downtown Disney and then catch a bus to the Yacht Club. However, after Illuminations, I don't think that I want to try to take a bus to Downtown Disney and then a different one to our resort. So, I'm thinking of going with a taxi.

So, where is the best place for my family to park? I don't want to tell them our resort because then they'd have to take the bus back to the resort by themselves. Can they park at the Yacht Club?

 

[seashoreCM]

Buses run from Epcot (and other parks) direct to the resorts until everyone not intentionally straggling has been picked up.

For those driving, park at the park you will be at last. If a park is your second to last activity, drive from there to your last, non-park, activity.

So if you and your relatives will be watching Illuminations, they should park at Epcot.

Anyone, day guest or resort guest, driving to a resort other than their own may be limited to 3 hours of parking depending on anticipated crowding. Boardwalk is more liberal because there are activities there that people spend more than 3 hours at.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[BCV23]

I suggest that your relatives just park at the Yacht Club. They should have no trouble doing so since you have an Illuminations cruise booked there. They may get the three hour pass but that should be plenty of time to have a casual bite to eat and go on the cruise.

Yes, the Boardwalk is near the Yacht Club. The Swan and Dolphin are around the same lake, too, so you could eat at one of their casual spots as well. Beaches and Cream at the Y&B Clubs is a favorite of many on these boards although allow plenty of time as it is small and usually crowded.

I would be leery of parking at the Epcot lot for an Illuminations cruise as I don't know if they would be allowed back through Epcot once it is closed??

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

I'm guessing that you will be taking a bus from Pop Century to Downtown Disney... stopping there, eating dinner, and then heading over to the Yacht Club? If so, that's fine. However, if you choose to have dinner on the Boardwalk, I'd recommend using the Disney-MGM Studios as a transfer point. The boat from the Studios to the Boardwalk will take about 20 minutes or so, but people tend to enjoy it. (BTW, if time is an issue, a cab would be 5 minutes, and less than $10 with tip to the Epcot Resort Area)

Coming back... if the Studios is still open, or has recently closed , see if the cruise captain (pilot?) will take you over there to catch the bus. Buses run one hour after the park closes.

If the Studios is closed, another alternative would be a Cab from the Boardwalk. There will usually be one or two waiting, otherwise they're only 5 mins away. The cab ride to Pop will be 5 minutes, and should be under $10 including tip.

By the way, if you're looking for a quick, simple place to eat, check out the food court at Pop Century. They will be serving a lot of "Comfort Food." I've only seen previews so far, but the "TV Dinners" actually look pretty good.

Here's a picture of one:
http://hotels.about.com/library/photos/wdw_pop/blpop-09.htm

And desert, a tye-dyed cheesecake:
http://hotels.about.com/library/photos/wdw_pop/blpop-10.htm



Oh yeah... getting back to the whole reason of the post... where the relatives should park. Well, that all depends on what point they'll be joining you. If you're having dinner at PC, have them park there. Then, when you head over to YC, you can either join them in thier car, or take a cab while they drive over. If you choose to have dinner at the Boardwalk, just have them meet you over there.

 

[Madi100]

Thanks for those photos, Tyler. I think we'll either eat downtown Disney or the Yacht Club. We will be eating at the Pop Century plenty of times. Wow, I love those food pictures. How clever. Pop Century sure sounds like more than a value resort.

It won't work for them to park at Epcot because we aren't going into Epcot at all. The cruise doesn't require admission.

Thanks for the suggestions!