Visiting Boardwalk as a day visitor

florida girl · 11 Oct 18, 06:59 AM

We always like to visit the Boardwalk for an afternoon and always spend money whilst we are there we have been doing this for the last 20 years but not on this visit. We turned up at the gate to be told no entry unless you are a hotel guest or can show proof of a dining reservation even though the car parks were empty but we could pay $33 to valet park 😲 I don’t think so. They are getting so greedy. Next thing you know they’ll be charging to park at Disney Springs.

**arielrocks** · 11 Oct 18, 07:29 AM

Originally Posted by florida girl

We always like to visit the Boardwalk for an afternoon and always spend money whilst we are there we have been doing this for the last 20 years but not on this visit. We turned up at the gate to be told no entry unless you are a hotel guest or can show proof of a dining reservation even though the car parks were empty but we could pay $33 to valet park 😲 I don’t think so. They are getting so greedy. Next thing you know they’ll be charging to park at Disney Springs.

Sadly it’s because lots of people were parking there and walking to Epcot to avoid parking charges. When we stayed there a few years ago trying to find a parking space was a nightmare so I’m glad they are cracking down on it. If I’m a guest at a hotel I should be able to park without too much of an issue.

piglet100 · 11 Oct 18, 07:58 AM

It's a tricky one as they market boardwalk as a destination for the evening, but it's hard to get to it! I guess Uber is an option?
Could park at DHS or Epcot and walk but then limited by the park hours.

Burgmeister · 11 Oct 18, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by piglet100

It's a tricky one as they market boardwalk as a destination for the evening, but it's hard to get to it! I guess Uber is an option?
Could park at DHS or Epcot and walk but then limited by the park hours.

You could get also get the Friendship. The parking at DHS stays open way past park closing time and the Friendships will take you there if you ask (or you could walk)

**mick** · 11 Oct 18, 09:25 AM

In the 14+ years I've been on here I've constantly seen replies on this (and all resorts) ranging from "We just rocked up asking if we can have a look round and they've let us park" up to "You can only park for 3 hours with an ADR"

I guarantee that if you searched on here you'll see that range. Naturally everyone who had the first experience will tell us but they won't say they were turned away.

To add to this Boardwalk is a busy convention centre and parking is always at a premium and sometimes residents struggle.

We visit every holiday. Just park up at DS and catch the free WDW bus. You have the option at DS to get a bus to there or S&D or Y&BC and get the boat or walk over.

Mick

duchy · 11 Oct 18, 09:51 AM

I don't think it's greedy to put your guests who have paid up to £500 a night before day trippers who might spend $100 once a year. It seems like good business sense to me. If I've paid that much for a room I expect to be able to park (even more so now the resort parking charges are happening for some guests)
As for the empty BW car park. I don't think I ever saw lots of spaces during our entire stay there in September.
DS or the studios both offer parking if you don't want to pay to park one way or another but yes just because you were fortunate in the past the rules were bent for you doesn't mean Disney are wrong. There is also free parking just as you approach the BW hotel enterance according to a local friend who parked there when they visited us but I didn't actually see where.
Anyway if going to the BW dinner at Trattoria Al Forno is a must so with a reservation the whole situation becomes moot.
Oh nearly forgot one friend was told she couldn't park until the guy saw her Magic Band , apparently Dr Who magic bands will get you into the free parking.

BarryandCaron · 11 Oct 18, 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by Burgmeister

You could get also get the Friendship. The parking at DHS stays open way past park closing time and the Friendships will take you there if you ask (or you could walk)

When we were staying at BCV last month, the last friendship boat back from DHS was 9pm.

duchy · 11 Oct 18, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by BarryandCaron

When we were staying at BCV last month, the last friendship boat back from DHS was 9pm.

Yes an hour after closing is correct although nothing to stop you walking back it isn't far. It's a nice walk at night and lit.
I believe BW valet is free to guests who have a disabled parking pass too.

**Quensabob** · 11 Oct 18, 10:02 AM

On Friday we didn't have an issue,we turned up at the gatehouse explained we just want to have a look around and the guard just smiled asked for ID and let us in!

**mick** · 11 Oct 18, 10:11 AM

Originally Posted by florida girl

We always like to visit the Boardwalk for an afternoon and always spend money whilst we are there we have been doing this for the last 20 years but not on this visit. We turned up at the gate to be told no entry unless you are a hotel guest or can show proof of a dining reservation even though the car parks were empty but we could pay $33 to valet park 😲 I don’t think so. They are getting so greedy. Next thing you know they’ll be charging to park at Disney Springs.

Originally Posted by Quensabob

On Friday we didn't have an issue,we turned up at the gatehouse explained we just want to have a look around and the guard just smiled asked for ID and let us in!

So there you go.

The two extremes that I mentioned earlier posted already.

Mick

11 Oct 18, 09:25 AM	#5
	11 Oct 18, 09:25 AM mick VIP Dibber ✓Premium Member
mick VIP Dibber Join Date: Apr 04 Location: Rugby mick's Reviews Hotel Reviews: 1	In the 14+ years I've been on here I've constantly seen replies on this (and all resorts) ranging from "We just rocked up asking if we can have a look round and they've let us park" up to "You can only park for 3 hours with an ADR" I guarantee that if you searched on here you'll see that range. Naturally everyone who had the first experience will tell us but they won't say they were turned away. To add to this Boardwalk is a busy convention centre and parking is always at a premium and sometimes residents struggle. We visit every holiday. Just park up at DS and catch the free WDW bus. You have the option at DS to get a bus to there or S&D or Y&BC and get the boat or walk over. Mick __________________

11 Oct 18, 09:51 AM	#6
	11 Oct 18, 09:51 AM duchy Imagineer
duchy Imagineer Join Date: May 04 Location: Kent	I don't think it's greedy to put your guests who have paid up to £500 a night before day trippers who might spend $100 once a year. It seems like good business sense to me. If I've paid that much for a room I expect to be able to park (even more so now the resort parking charges are happening for some guests) As for the empty BW car park. I don't think I ever saw lots of spaces during our entire stay there in September. DS or the studios both offer parking if you don't want to pay to park one way or another but yes just because you were fortunate in the past the rules were bent for you doesn't mean Disney are wrong. There is also free parking just as you approach the BW hotel enterance according to a local friend who parked there when they visited us but I didn't actually see where. Anyway if going to the BW dinner at Trattoria Al Forno is a must so with a reservation the whole situation becomes moot. Oh nearly forgot one friend was told she couldn't park until the guy saw her Magic Band , apparently Dr Who magic bands will get you into the free parking. Edited at 09:57 AM.