Back and forth from DHS and Epcot before/after hours

[Karpkg]

In September we're planning to be at Hollywood Studios during the day, and ideally catch a water taxi over to Epcot for dinner then come back. Problem is, HS closes at 7pm and the ressies are 7:05 at epcot.

1. Really just wanted to take the water taxi. How late do the water taxis run? Would the car be ok in a closed park? If not by water taxi, would a bus be able to take us back to a closed park for the car? (Park hopping is not as simple as I thought it would be)

2. Didn't want to move the car but that is my last option.

3. Actually thought of starting off early in the day at Epcot, literally "drop" the car off there, take the bus to DHS, have fun, then return back. Do buses run that early going from Epcot to DHS?

 

[francie57]

If the boats aren't running from Epcot to DHS, you have a few choices. You could take the boat to the BW and then walk the path behind the BW to the Studios, or you could just walk the entire thing. We stay at the BW every trip and always walk to and from the Studios. You shouldn't have any trouble leaving your car in the lot since I'm sure there will be other cars that do the same thing. I think the boats run about an hour after park closing so walking may be the option. It isn't a bad walk, about 10 to 15 min. depending on how fast you walk. The path run along the waterway that the boats travel on and you would come right up at the parking lots.

 

[joelkfla]

The boats do stop running to DHS about 1 hour after DHS closes, but the park-to-park bus runs until Epcot is clear of guests.

If you're dining in World Showcase, you may want to take the boat to BW or the Swan and walk the rest of the way, as walking to the bus stops at the front of the park would probably be just about as far.

If you're nearer to the front of the park (ie, Coral Seas) you might want to take the bus.

In the morning, I think the park-to-park bus starts 1 hour before Epcot opens, so you could also do option 3. A lot of people like to leave their car at the park they'll be finishing the day at, to ease their getaway.

 

[LydJoyMic]

The boat takes a good 45 mins to an hour to go from HS to Epcot and the boats only come every 20 mins or so.

One problem my husband and I had last time we tried to do something similar is that we had parked at HS and the park had closed once we got back to the park so the trams were no longer running. Let's just say it was quite a walk...lol.

You could park at Epcot and make your way to HS and back to Epcot. The good thing would be that the tram would take you straight to your car. However the buses and the boat sometimes can be quite time consuming. The buses can end up with delays and can be quite frustrating especially if you are traveling with young kids that want to be on rides.

Another option is to try and park at the boardwalk. (tell them you are looking at the resort if they ask). You can then walk in the morning to the Studios (it really is not that long of a walk) then take the bus or boat to Epcot. (make sure to leave a good hour of travel time before your res time.) That way by the time you make it to the front of the park, most guests will be gone and you won't have to fight crowds for a bus back to the boardwalk. You can also just walk back to the boardwalk. The only downside to this idea is walking back to your car once at the boardwalk when you will probably be quite tired.

Btw during the summer the boats and buses can be REALLY crowded where you may not even have a seat on the bus. And buses come every 15-20 mins.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Another option is to try and park at the boardwalk. (tell them you are looking at the resort if they ask).

Please don't. Please don't lie for convenience, and please don't use parking spaces intended for use by Guests staying at any given resort.

 

[goofy4tink]

The boat takes a good 45 mins to an hour to go from HS to Epcot and the boats only come every 20 mins or so.

One problem my husband and I had last time we tried to do something similar is that we had parked at HS and the park had closed once we got back to the park so the trams were no longer running. Let's just say it was quite a walk...lol.

You could park at Epcot and make your way to HS and back to Epcot. The good thing would be that the tram would take you straight to your car. However the buses and the boat sometimes can be quite time consuming. The buses can end up with delays and can be quite frustrating especially if you are traveling with young kids that want to be on rides.

Another option is to try and park at the boardwalk. (tell them you are looking at the resort if they ask). You can then walk in the morning to the Studios (it really is not that long of a walk) then take the bus or boat to Epcot. (make sure to leave a good hour of travel time before your res time.) That way by the time you make it to the front of the park, most guests will be gone and you won't have to fight crowds for a bus back to the boardwalk. You can also just walk back to the boardwalk. The only downside to this idea is walking back to your car once at the boardwalk when you will probably be quite tired.

Btw during the summer the boats and buses can be REALLY crowded where you may not even have a seat on the bus. And buses come every 15-20 mins.

Please don't advise people to park where they are not entitled to park. Parking for non-resort activities is way across the street from BW, behind the Hess Station. That is quite a hike. And it just isn't fair to have non-resort guests taking up prime parking spots from those who pay to stay at that resort.
Also...the time from Epot to DHS is 25 mins..period...by boat. You can walk it in less time that though. I left Epcot's Intl Gateway just as the boat was getting ready to leave. We wanted to ride the boat, but they told us they had already closed the doors!! But, there would be another boat in about 15 or so mins. Ah, no..not waiting. Told them we would walk and beat them to DHS. We got to BW about 20 seconds after the boat did, but then didn't see the boat again until we were headed to bag check as the boat came around the bend, headed into DHS. Took us about 20 mins to make the walk, the boat takes 25 with the stops it has to make.


If the OP doesn't want to move the car, they have a few options.
1. leave the car at DHS and then walk there after they leave Epcot.
2. take the bus from the front of Epcot over to DHS.
3. pay to valet park at BW early in the day and then walk/boat over to DHS and then walk/boat to Epcot later. Return to BW and get your car.

 

[francie57]

Please don't take the park at the Boardwalk advise, unless you are willing to pay for valet. As a paying guest at the Boardwalk, it is hard enough to park without people trying to get around parking at the parks and having to pay the park fee. The parking lots at the Boardwalk are a mess because of this and as a paying guest we end up valet parking just so we don't have to deal with this. If you must park at the resort, use the lot across the street behind the Hess station and walk. At that point it would be quicker to park at the park and just walk between the two parks.

 

[Karpkg]

Thanks for the advice everyone!

I was hoping since our ressies were right near the international gateway we'd be okay to take the water taxi but since it'd be late and can't guarantee taking the water taxi back, we'll probably either start off at Epcot and go from there, or just go back to the car and drive over to Epcot.

I'd done the walk before by myself when we stayed at BWI during Star Wars Weekend and it's a nice walk. But add 2 kids age 7 and 6 already tired...I'm already envisioning myself carrying one of them on my back, lol, I think we'll stick with getting the car or going by bus.

Again everyone, thanks!

 

[LydJoyMic]

Sorry, I wasn't trying to start any weird thing. When I have parked at a resort it has been to view the resort mainly and one time I have left my car there. I can see how that came off wrong and you're right it's probably not the best idea. I would never advise anyone to make a habit out of doing that by any means.

 

[jamstew]

The boat takes a good 45 mins to an hour to go from HS to Epcot

Maybe I'm missing something, but unless you're adding 20 minute wait time or talking round trip, this just isn't right. DHS to EP from dock to dock is 30 minutes max.

 

[LydJoyMic]

Every time I have taken the boat on a busy day it has taken at least 40 mins to get from Epcot to HS. Especially if the boat has been full. That is just my own experience. For the record though I used to live like 2 mins down the road and have been at all times of the year and have had serveral friends that were CM at Epcot who have had the same experience. Everyone always tells me if it takes 30 you are lucky. I guess it depends on how slow guests exit the boat on the other stops. I'm not saying it's not possible... Just saying that I have seen it take much longer.

 

[goofy4tink]

A normal run, from DHS to Epcot, is going to be about 25 mins. That takes into account normal loading and unloading. But, if it's very busy, it may take longer to unload and then reload the boat. I have never been on a boat that stands at the resort for more than a few mins though. The longest ride I have had was about 30 mins...Epcot to DHS.

 

[aubriee]

Maybe I'm missing something, but unless you're adding 20 minute wait time or talking round trip, this just isn't right. DHS to EP from dock to dock is 30 minutes max.

A normal run, from DHS to Epcot, is going to be about 25 mins. That takes into account normal loading and unloading. But, if it's very busy, it may take longer to unload and then reload the boat. I have never been on a boat that stands at the resort for more than a few mins though. The longest ride I have had was about 30 mins...Epcot to DHS.

I go to WDW several times a year (usually May, Sept. Oct, Dec, and Jan) and this is my experience as well. I've never been on that boat more than 30 minutes and usually use it several times every trip to go from DS to Epcot. In fact usually the boat captain himself will say something like "This boat will be making three steps along the way at Swan & Dolphin, then Yacht/Beach Club, then Boardwalk before we dock at Epcot. We'll have you at Epcot in about 25 minutes".