Question - I don't understand the monorail hours. I just read on the DIS rehabs posting that the monorail hours will be reduced in September (for several months?) and the resort monorail to MK will begin @ 8:30 and the Express monorail will not open until 9 a.m. The Epcot monorail will not open until 9 a.m.
Does this mean the first monorail from GF to MK will begin at 8:30 a.m. or 9 a.m.? Not sure what the difference is between the resort monorail and the Express Monorail!
Also, what time do you need to leave GF to get to MK at RD? By ferry or by monorail? Not sure how fast these things move - and for some reason I always forget to calculate in travel times!
I am aware that monorail hours have been reduced in the past - any advice on the best way to get to EPCOT from GF?
THANKS for any insights!
Express monorail goes from TTC to MK only. Resort monorail goes in the opposite direction, and stops at every stop: MK, CR, TTC, Poly, GF to MK. the resort monorail is supposed to be basically for resort guests (and those dining at the resorts). Where the Express monorail is mainly for folks who parked in the MK parking lots (and some Poly guests, since the TTC is closer to their room, and the express monorail makes less stops...though it is also more crowded).
The Epcot monorail goes from the TTC to Epcot. From GF, you need to get to the TTC to take it (normally via monorail or in off-hours bus).
Yes, the monorail you want to take to MK starts at 8:30am. this is plenty of time to get to MK, as it is the next stop. Assuming no delays, the monorail should only takes about 2 minutes to get to MK.
From GF, there is also a boat you can take to MK. It usually takes a bit longer than the monorail. Much depends on the timing. If you time it just right, I think the trip is under ten minutes. But there is a wait between when the boats show up at the resorts. Also, the boat often stops at both GF and Poly (maybe not during the morning rush)...whereas monorails at rush hour are more frequent.
To get to Epcot, you would take the monorail to the TTC, then transfer to the Epcot monorail. I disagree that taking a taxi to BC is the fastest. If you do that, you'll still need to walk from the BC to Epcot (or take the slow boat). You'll also be entering the back entrance, which is always slow. They also sometimes delay opening that gate later than the front gate.
As to how much time, the answer always varies a bit...the Epcot monorails are maybe seven minutes apart, and the ride from the TTC is about ten minutes long. (plus taking the resort monorail) If you are trying to arrive for park opening, and the resort is offering a bus - that's going to be your best option. Before 9am, GF will run a bus directly from GF to Epcot, and it will be faster than the double monorail. Maybe allow half an hour.
Remember also that at all parks, it takes time to get through the bag search and turnstiles. also, some days they let guests through the gates early. They can't go on rides, they just go to a holding area.
We usually aim to avoid arriving before 9am. We also usually get a rental car these days. With a car, we can pretty reliably go from our resort parking lot to any park gate in 15minutes or less - and back again.
It looks like guests will enjoy this addition to the Poly...
popping in to say hi! Our holiday is coming to an end
leaving on 3rd.
and I freq. come in August, but it's been hotter then usual. I think they've been breaking 10 yr records!
.
it's a good thing it's summer and clothing is light. And there's only 2 of us!!!
We will definitely make the walk from GF to Poly for one in October!
I've always found the GF CMs very accommodating.
.
.
. 
....thinking ahead to the next trip is always a good way to beat the post Disney blues 
. 
. 
.
.
. 
