Ferry Boat to MGM

[JackJack]

We would like to have breakfast at Spoodles then take the boat to MGM for Fantasmic. Can we leave the car parked at the Boardwalk while we do that?
We are worried about being visitors to the Boardwalk resort while leaving the car and going to the park. :veryconfu

 

[tigsmom]

They have Boardwalk visitor's parking not just Inn parking... its a different lot. We have parked there many times to visit the Boardwalk and have never had a problem.

 

[natalia1681]

I'm pretty sure that's okay to do, since you went to a restaurant at the Boardwalk and weren't just trying to steal their parking:lol::lol::wave:

Also, I have a follow up question. I know that you can walk from Epcot to the Boardwalk hotels, but can you walk from MGM to the Boardwalk hotels, or do you have to take the boats?

 

[marypoppins68]

Yes, you can walk from MGM to Boardwalk. You can walk between MGM and Epcot. It's usually faster to walk than to take the boats.

 

[JPVonDrake]

We would like to have breakfast at Spoodles then take the boat to MGM for Fantasmic. Can we leave the car parked at the Boardwalk while we do that?
We are worried about being visitors to the Boardwalk resort while leaving the car and going to the park. :veryconfu

Officially, unless you are a Guest at that specific Resort, no you cannot leave your car in a Resort's parking lot while visiting a theme park after your meal.

When you arrive at the Resort's entrance, you license plate number will be photographed or recorded by security, and you will be given a 3 hour parking permit. If you car is not removed from the lot after the 3 hour period it is subject to being towed at the owner's expense.

I would advise you park at the Disney-MGM Studios, and take the boat over to the Boardwalk for your meal, and then take the boat back to the park.

 

[tigsmom]

Officially, unless you are a Guest at that specific Resort, no you cannot leave your car in a Resort's parking lot while visiting a theme park after your meal.

When you arrive at the Resort's entrance, you license plate number will be photographed or recorded by security, and you will be given a 3 hour parking permit. If you car is not removed from the lot after the 3 hour period it is subject to being towed at the owner's expense.

I would advise you park at the Disney-MGM Studios, and take the boat over to the Boardwalk for your meal, and then take the boat back to the park.

Security directed us to a lot used for visitors to the boardwalk area that was separate from the Inn guests. We were not given any time frame to leave just the instructions to enjoy ourselves. This has happened on 3 separate occasions. When we stayed at the Boardwalk Inn we were directed to a smaller lot.

 

[CSUFSteve]

Security directed us to a lot used for visitors to the boardwalk area that was separate from the Inn guests. We were not given any time frame to leave just the instructions to enjoy ourselves. This has happened on 3 separate occasions. When we stayed at the Boardwalk Inn we were directed to a smaller lot.

That may be but I'd follow JPVonDrake's advice just to be safe. I have had Security get y with me for wanting ONLY to dine at the Resort without being a Resort guest. I was actually re-routed, told to Park at a theme park and take transport over. He was emphatic that only that Resort's guests were allowed to Park in the parking lot. Maybe this has changed, but I wouldn't risk it again. Who wants their car towed at Disney?

And I'd agree with another poster that it's often faster to walk between the Parks than wait for a boat, especially if they really are making the full circuit loop between Epcot, Yacht/Beach, Boardwalk, Swan/Dolphin, and MGM vs a separate loop for Epcot and MGM. It's a very long loop when you have somewhere you need to be! And when you walk, there's a pretty awesome view of ToT from the highway bridge. And looking back, a pretty awesome view of Swan/Dolphin/Yacht/Beach.

That said, it is a scenic boat ride at around sunset too.

 

[tigsmom]

That may be but I'd follow JPVonDrake's advice just to be safe. I have had Security get y with me for wanting ONLY to dine at the Resort without being a Resort guest. I was actually re-routed, told to Park at a theme park and take transport over. He was emphatic that only that Resort's guests were allowed to Park in the parking lot. Maybe this has changed, but I wouldn't risk it again. Who wants their car towed at Disney?

And I'd agree with another poster that it's often faster to walk between the Parks than wait for a boat, especially if they really are making the full circuit loop between Epcot, Yacht/Beach, Boardwalk, Swan/Dolphin, and MGM vs a separate loop for Epcot and MGM. It's a very long loop when you have somewhere you need to be! And when you walk, there's a pretty awesome view of ToT from the highway bridge. And looking back, a pretty awesome view of Swan/Dolphin/Yacht/Beach.

That said, it is a scenic boat ride at around sunset too.

We dine at different resorts and have never had a problem parking at them! We always have our parking pass on the dash, have ressies (they check their list) and have always been treated with respect. It has never been suggested to us that we park elsewhere and double back.

While its quicker to walk (we've done that too) the OP stated they wanted to take the boat, which is a very relaxing ride. We stayed at the Boardwalk last August and the parking valets were a little ticked off because they moved their lot to allow more boardwalk visitor parking. They expect people to park there to visit and not to just stay at the resort. You can't have an attraction area (as the boardwalk is aimed) without allowing for non Boardwalk Inn guest parking. I'll stand by my original post.

 

[JimboJones123]

The problem arises when you do go to the resort -- especially for breakfast as the parks are opening -- parking can be much more inclined to give you the 3 hour pass. Then you are stuck either parking at the MGM lot and being late, or just leaving and driving to the MGM lot after breakfast. This happened to us at the contemp for Chef Mickeys and at Ohana at poly. Both times we were forced to be late for our reservations to park the car at the TTC and monorail in. This is not a mistake that you want to be stuck with. The boat ride can be really slow sometimes, and just walking can put you back anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour. You never know when they are going to throw out the 3 hour pass at you, so why risk it. We don't anymore, after falling on our faces twice. Although this was only 2 of the 5 times, it's still 40% of the time, so we just make sure to park at the right spots if we are going to be there for more than 3 hours.

 

[shoppingnut]

Since I have the dining card, I will use the valet to park my car for free. You will never have a problem when you tell the guard at the gate you will be using the valet.

 

[autigger]

I hadn't thought of the valet before. Is this the best way to insure that you won't have any parking hassles? This may really be worth the extra few bucks.

My family has a trip planed in September and we are arriving mid/late afternoon. After getting settled in, we have reservations for dinner at Chef Mickey's. We thought that we may want to see Spectromagic after dinner or maybe just ride around on the monorail. We do not intend use the Contemporary Resort parking for a full days fun at the Magic Kingdom, just an hour or so. Is this OK?

 

[shoppingnut]

I hadn't thought of the valet before. Is this the best way to insure that you won't have any parking hassles? This may really be worth the extra few bucks.

My family has a trip planed in September and we are arriving mid/late afternoon. After getting settled in, we have reservations for dinner at Chef Mickey's. We thought that we may want to see Spectromagic after dinner or maybe just ride around on the monorail. We do not intend use the Contemporary Resort parking for a full days fun at the Magic Kingdom, just an hour or so. Is this OK?

Yes, when you get to the guard house, tell them you have ressie's at Chef Mickey's and you are going to use the valet to park. It is well worth paying $6 for the convenience and not having to worry about your car being towed. There is not a limit on time when you are paying the $6, so you are free to enjoy yourself after dinner.

I know with the dining card there is a few hour limit to park free with the valet.

 

[autigger]

Shoppingnut: Thank you for the advice. Great tip! This is exactly what I will do for our first evening.

Just out of curiosity, would this tip work if I had a breakfast reservation and left my car all day?