I've never heard of the "must play at least $20 rule" to get the free parking in the casino's garage, as we always spend five or six hours playing at the casino, so that "rule", if it's real, doesn't affect us. But you don't have to pay more then $5.00 in any case, even without the players card, to exit the parking garage. There are payment machines in the casino's main entrance lobby near the garage elevators where you can pay the $5.00 (or $10.00 at busy times) in advance before you get to your car to exit the garage. Also same payment machines on the fifth level and either the seventh or eighth level of the garage as you exit the elevators. The card readers at the gates seem to often be finicky, as many times I've had to insert my or my wife's players card three or four times before the gates opened. Don't understand why the gate attendant tried to charge you $20 when leaving.
If you've used the parking entrance off of Fallsview Ave. just AFTER the main casino entrance (and not the parking entrance on Murray, or the main casino entrance), there's the fifth level walkway across to the Hilton or the elevators down to the casino and attached hotel. See my explanation on post #133 of this thread. There are three gated lanes from this garage, with an attendant to help if the gates don't open.
Easiest way to walk to the ES from the casino parking is to take the elevators down to the main casino level, make a left in the lobby to exit the casino towards Fallsview Ave., then a left on Fallsview (you'll walk under the walkway to the Hilton) then about a long half-block to the ES. Shouldn't be a problem if you're used to walking farther with your rollaboard but it's slightly uphill along Fallsview at that point.
OT- Trip to the Hilton last week, they were renovating several floors in the South Tower, so we didn't get the usual room we'd requested. Corner room higher up was fine though. So possibly some of the dated furnishings will eventually all be replaced. Still comfortable now but very 1980's style. North Tower, for now, is your best bet for the newer layout.
bj-21.