Can I still park at Boardwalk, Poly, Contemporary if I am not staying there?

[lat]

It seems that there are some changes to the parking policy since we last visited.

We always resort hop to check out the gift shops, trade pins, and just walk around. We would park at the resort while doing that.

Is this no longer allowed?

 

[danielocha30]

they do let you in for resort visits. Poly might be at full capacity and they will only let guests and people with ADR. Be ready to show ID and be honest and tell them your intentions

 

[supersnoop]

Parking at near-park resorts is typically restricted to those with confirmed reservations at the resort; room or dining reservations. At Poly, you’ll likely be redirected to the TTC parking lot. At Boardwalk, they might direct you to an overflow parking lot across the street or send you to Hollywood Studios where you can walk or catch the boat.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

Boardwalk is pretty strict about it. Otherwise, they would become free satellite parking for Epcot. You need a dining ressie or a meeting at the convention center to park there.

 

[Barbydoll8]

The last few times we were at either (within the past 90 days) both had signs at the guard station that stated that parking was for hotel guest staying or with dining reservations and they checked.

 

[crisi]

It is allowed when there is room - as it has been for years and years. Right now, the construction of the skyway seems to be impacting the overflow lot at BWV, I wouldn't plan on that lot being open. I would not ever count on parking at the Contemporary or Poly or BWV or Grand Floridian. All will frequently close to non resort guests without an ADR - and all have done so for the past 20 years - when the lot gets full. Too many people use those lots to get to the theme parks and avoid either the fees or hassle of the big lots. Resort hop using a cab or Disney transportation - or plan on paying for a valet if you get turned down.

 

[drbrjb01]

Take an Uber

 

[marcyleecorgan]

I would say that @crisi has the most realistic answer right now

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

As Crisi stated it is when there is room and that really hasn't changed from previous years. The thing is you won't know until you arrive.

 

[pineapplepalms]

I agree - we've always tried to park at various resorts for ADRs, salon/spa appointments, or just to visit with the understanding that we may not be allowed to park there if they're too busy. We've had great luck with it and there are usually plenty of parking spots when we go. As long as you're flexible and okay with parking elsewhere if it doesn't work out, there's no harm in trying.

 

[crisi]

ALMOST ALWAYS an ADR or Spa Appointment will get you into the lot. Often you can go in to look around, but especially at those near park resorts, they will often only allow registered guests or people holding ADRs or attending conventions at the resort in. During F&W at the Boardwalk, you should never expect to park without using valet unless you are a registered guest - there have been reports here of being turned away even with an ADR at that time of year from the BWV parking lot - you are told you can valet.

 

[Dano1182]

I miss the days of free valet parking at all resorts.
We never had a problem parking while visiting other resorts.
That being said
I second uber.
We used it last time and it was very good and cheaper than the taxis.

 

[lat]

Never used Uber around disney resorts, will check it out. Thanks

 

[Judique]

Never used Uber around disney resorts, will check it out. Thanks

have you tried the new Minnie Vans? They are super cute!

 

[BillPA]

Minnie vans are $20 from/to anywhere on property each way. They hold 7 people, price is per van not per person. Book via Lyft app.

 

[CarolMN]

Loved the Minnie Vans! Used them twice in our last trip. But given the recent price increase, I no longer consider them a reasonable option.

 

[BillPA]

Carol, is the $20 the current price or has it gone up since November? Thanks

 

[pineapplepalms]

Carol, is the $20 the current price or has it gone up since November? Thanks

Minnie Vans went up to $25 last month.

Still a great option for those of us who need a car seat for the little ones! On our upcoming trip we plan to not rent a car for once and use Disney transportation, and we'll likely use the Minnie Vans a handful of times. Overall it will still come out much cheaper than a car rental for 10 days.

 

[bumbershoot]

Since our first trip December 2010 parking at those resorts has been subject to how full they are. People have been turned away at times and not at other times.

We have personally never had an issue. We have also never been told of a 3 hour time limit (while others have), we have been welcomed in with “of course you can park!” (just the other weekend at BW) and have even had multiple CMs tell us that we are welcome to park all day and take the monorail to MK (at Poly a bit further back in years, but closing in on xmastime...and it was their response to me asking how to get from there to the TTC to go to MK).

Others during the same 7+ years have had very different experiences.

I will say that the poly thing felt uncomfortable, and the next time we had a meal at a resort (contemporary) then wanted to go to a park we just paid for valet all day and felt good about that decision.

 

[JPdvcstore]

It seems that there are some changes to the parking policy since we last visited.

We always resort hop to check out the gift shops, trade pins, and just walk around. We would park at the resort while doing that.

Is this no longer allowed?

I have not had a problem parking at the resorts, but I can see where issues will start to come up with construction and lack of parking in the next few months for places like Boardwalk. I would suggest making a dinner or lunch reservation at the resort, and getting an Uber driver might be the easiest thing to do. Or you could park at a place like Wilderness Lodge and take the boat to MK and then get on the monorail and resort hop. Good luck and enjoy.