a few questions about upcoming trip

[goldilocks_63]

I'm going to BCV the day after Thanksgiving, YEA, and wanted to know:

1. What is the best way to get from BCV to Grand Floridian (GF), because we may not have a rental car. FYI - we have Annual Passes, so could we go from Epcot to monorial? to what MK and then GF, or do we need to go to the transportation center first. I'm trying to figure out how much time we need because we signed up DD (5 1/2)for Grand Adventures in Cooking one day, and the girl Tea another day.

2. If we use a car service. I heard Tiffany Towncars is good, and lets you get a grocery stop. Anybody use it, the cost??, and Tiffany's phone number?

3. If we ship groceries to BCV, what is the address for BCV? Can't seem to find it.

and
4. Is it a realistic alternative to just take Mears to BCV, and then take a taxi to Winn Dixie, and then does the cabbie wait, or can I call then on my cell phone when I'm done.

Opinions and suggestions appreciated,

Thanks, Goldi.

This trip, we're doing more non-park activities for our little one. Let you know how it goes.

 

[PamOKW]

I'll handle some of the questions. To get from BCV to GF using Disney transportation, allow 1 to 1 1/2 hours. You could also take a cab which will cut your travel time to about 15-20 minutes.

Your options are -- 1) Take the bus from BCV to MK. Then either take the monorail or boat to the GF (best choice).

2) Head over to MGM and take the bus to the GF

3) Walk all the way through Epcot, take the monorail to the TTC and then the other monorail to the GF.


It's realistic to take a cab to the grocery store after check-in. You could ask the cab company what they would charge for waiting and then decided whether you'd rather just call for a return ride. The doormen at the BC can probably advise you about "good" cabs. The bellman at OKW got my brother's family a cab to the airport that was the highlight of my brother's trip.

The address for the BCV is Disney's Beach Club Villas, 1900 N. Epcot Resorts Boulevard, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830. Be sure to indicate your name and date of arrival on the label.

 

[RobDoc]

Most of the towncar companies will make the grocery stop- and will likely be more comfortable/cost effective than a cab. One of our site sponsors is <a href="http://www.FLTours.com">FL Tours</a> and I can vouch for their reliability. For discussion of transportation in general, including towncar vs. taxi, try our Transportation Board.

 

[Disney Enthusiast]

The general rule of thumb for getting from one hotel to another is to head to one of the parks, then catch transportation from the park to the destination hotel.

I have a question, though. Is the Boardwalk considered an attraction/park type facility as well or is it only a "resort hotel". I thought I was able to hitch a bus from the Boardwalk to other hotels, but this may have been years ago. Could you get a bus from the Boardwalk Inn to other hotels, or was this only in the past? If that is the case, goldilocks could take the boat over to the BW or walk, and then catch a bus to the GF. I'd be interested to know. But beware, another thread discusses the poor bus system from the BW and that may not be a good idea. So going thru the MK is probably the best bet.

And doesn't the monorail go directly from the MK to the GF? But leaving the GF it goes thru the Poly and Contemporary and is a much longer ride so the boat would be the better option going home? Or is it vice versa? So confusing.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by Disney Enthusiast
The general rule of thumb for getting from one hotel to another is to head to one of the parks, then catch transportation from the park to the destination hotel.

I have a question, though. Is the Boardwalk considered an attraction/park type facility as well or is it only a "resort hotel". I thought I was able to hitch a bus from the Boardwalk to other hotels, but this may have been years ago. Could you get a bus from the Boardwalk Inn to other hotels, or was this only in the past? If that is the case, goldilocks could take the boat over to the BW or walk, and then catch a bus to the GF. I'd be interested to know. But beware, another thread discusses the poor bus system from the BW and that may not be a good idea. So going thru the MK is probably the best bet.

There is no direct bus service from the Boardwalk to any of the hotels. At one time, there was evening service between the CSR and the Boardwalk, but that was discontinued some time ago. As you've alreadty stated, to get from one hotel to another hotel you will need to use one of the major parks or Downtown Disney as a "transfer point".

And doesn't the monorail go directly from the MK to the GF? But leaving the GF it goes thru the Poly and Contemporary and is a much longer ride so the boat would be the better option going home? Or is it vice versa? So confusing.

The monorail route goes from the MK to the Contemporary to the TTC to the Poly to the GF to the MK.

 

[Disney Enthusiast]

Thank CarolMN for the info. I thought there was bus service to BW a long time ago. It does sort of seem like a destination point (like DTD) w/ all of their restaurants and such... I am surprised they don't provide transportation there, but I thank you for telling me they don't. And thanks for clarifying the monorail route for me... I was curious about that. Have a great day!

 

[crisi]

We stayed at the BWV and the kids did the Pirate Cruise out of the GF. We took a cab. I think it was about $12 and took 15 minutes.

We took a towncar and made a grocery stop, but I'm trying to figure out better ways to do this. Grocery shopping on my vacation isn't my idea of a good time (and I think we ended up in Florida's worst grocery store - either that or Florida has significantly worse grocery stores than I'm used to - then again - for you other Minnesotans - I'm a Byerly's and Simon Delivers shopper). I think a combination of shipping groceries and paying the Disney store prices for perishables is a better idea for us.

 

[goldilocks_63]

Use a towncar service for pickup / dropoff, and stop on the way to get groceries.

As for the GF, sounds like the best bet is to go to the MK, and monorail it over, and on the way back, I may just cab it.

Thanks everyone for your help,

I appreciate it.

Looking forward to a non-park, relaxing vacation. We're exhausted, and need a break!

More when we get back on how it worked out.

FYI - BCV 1 bedroom (Nov. 28 - Dec. 6) and

OWK - 2 Bedroom (Feb. Pres. Weekend) with DH, DD (5 1/2) me, and step-Dad (Just had quadruple bypass 3 weeks ago! Hope he can make it) and my Mom.

Mom still wants to go, so I'm hoping Step-Dad will be able to go by February.

I've called MS and asked for a ground floor and / or elevator for Feb. Any other tips for the less mobile? Step-Dad just wants to read, and get out of the snow (ie Chicago).

 

[dianeschlicht]

I've called MS and asked for a ground floor and / or elevator for Feb. Any other tips for the less mobile? Step-Dad just wants to read, and get out of the snow (ie Chicago).

Yes! I was ill our last trip and will probably need it our January trip as well. I called MS and got the numbers of some off site medical supply places that rent ECVs (Electric carts). I believe the one I called was CARE, and they had it waiting for me at OKW when we arrived. It was $150 for the week and WELL worth it! They even came and replaced it when the the first one I had broke!