A few transportation questions

[sydprincess]

My family is going to be driving for the first time at WDW and I have been reading nightmare stories about the length of wait time for picking up a rental from Alamo. Does anyone happen to know what we could expect on a Friday afternoon pickup time, and also, can anything be done to speed up the process of getting our car?

Second question is the length of time it takes to get from POR to DTD by the boat. Does 30 minutes one way sound correct? What time in the morning does the boat start running?

Finally, if we have a 8:20 seating for Cinderella's Royal Table, what time would you suggest we leave from POR if we're driving and planning on parking in the MK lot? Are we able to access the lot that early in the morning?

Thanks so much!

 

[palmtreegirl]

Originally posted by sydprincess
My family is going to be driving for the first time at WDW and I have been reading nightmare stories about the length of wait time for picking up a rental from Alamo. Does anyone happen to know what we could expect on a Friday afternoon pickup time, and also, can anything be done to speed up the process of getting our car?

The last time we rented a car I believe we arrived on a Saturday morning and waited about an hour, I'm not sure how Fridays will be. But I bet if you go in thinking it will be about an hour that would be good, this way if it's shorter you'll be happy.

Here's a great link with info about rental cars that might help you-
Mousesavers, car rental info

Second question is the length of time it takes to get from POR to DTD by the boat. Does 30 minutes one way sound correct? What time in the morning does the boat start running?

The boat runs from 4pm to 11pm so in the morning you'd have to take a bus. But the boats to the French Quarter section of the POR does start running at 9am. I remember the trip- being about 20 minutes or so.

Finally, if we have a 8:20 seating for Cinderella's Royal Table, what time would you suggest we leave from POR if we're driving and planning on parking in the MK lot? Are we able to access the lot that early in the morning?

Thanks so much!

You have to park at the Transportation and Ticket center and then take the monrail over. I think you should leave about 45minutes to an hour early just to be safe.

Hope that answered all your questions!

 

[sydprincess]

So the boat to DTD does not begin running until 4? We 'd have to drive there before 1pm? That's too bad.

As for the early parking for a Character breakfast, once inside the parking lot, do you need additional transportation to get to the monorail, and is that transportation even running before 8?

Thanks for the link. Very good info!

 

[palmtreegirl]

Originally posted by sydprincess
So the boat to DTD does not begin running until 4? We 'd have to drive there before 1pm? That's too bad.

As for the early parking for a Character breakfast, once inside the parking lot, do you need additional transportation to get to the monorail, and is that transportation even running before 8?

Thanks for the link. Very good info!

Yes, until 4pm you either have to drive or take a bus to DTD.

Once you're inside the parking lot, that early you should be right up front and you can walk right to the monorail. It will be open that early, because they start the character breakfasts at 8am at the Magic Kingdom.

Here's another great web site with all sorts of info-

All Ears

 

[kilee]

In 11/03 we arrived at MCO in the late morning on a Thursday-- we waited just about an hour at the Alamo counter.


A week and a half ago we arrived in the early afternoon on a Tuesday and we waited no more than 5 minutes. Which was a HUGE shock!!