Best way from OKW to PI? Boat info, too?

[lenshanem]

We're going to Fultons and then PI one night. What would be best?
Driving ourselves
Boat
Bus (If bus, how good is service for OKW for PI?)

And for the boat -

Does it drop off near Fulton's or near PI? (We plan on Adventurers Club and Comedy Warehouse only after dinner.)

Where in OKW is the boat?

Does it run certain hours?

How often?

How long is the ride?

Does it run back late at night?

Thanks!

 

[colleen costello]

Shan, you catch the boat near the main Hospitality House area. The canal that runs through OKW empties out past Saratoga Springs at Downtown Disney. It stops close to the Rainforest Cafe and whatever is around it. Not too far to Fulton's (that's the Empress Lily nowadays, right?)

Service always started around noon and ran until around 9:30 at night. It ran on the half hour or so. So it works out OK to ride the ferry to DD and then get a bus or even a cab home. If you are sober you could even walk it -- it's really not very far. The buses park in one of the parking lot that straddles the two sections of DD/PI, kind of centrally located. One night we waited a while for a bus and just as we were about to catch a cab, the bus arrived.

The ferry used to be a pontoon boat that seated around 12 passengers. Now the ferry is a bit larger and seats a few more; not sure if the hours are the same or not. The schedule is posted right at the dock.

You can easily drive to DD but if you go in the evening it's very busy and you have to circle to find a spot. We drive only if we have my Mom with us as she has a handicapped placard. Even if you decide not to take the ferry that evening, it's a nice ride that your girls will enjoy just for the fun of it.

 

[Chuck S]

Depending on the season, the boat service ends between 9 and 10 pm, usually. It is a good option as a way to PI, and then take the bus "home". Driving is good, too, but the parking is such a hassle there at night that I really prefer Disney transport.

The OKW dock is located near the main pool, along the Turtle Crawl boardwalk. It will drop you off either at Westside near Bongo's (probably the best stop for PI) or near Rainforest Cafe. Many years ago, prior to Westside opening, it stopped at the small dock attached to Fulton's.

The actual boatride is about 15-20 minutes and I think they run every 1/2 hour (again, depends on the season)

 

[Deb & Bill]

The old boat used to shut down when it got cold. Like, if it was 40 degrees, it wouldn't operate. So it might operate in the afternoon, but not in the evening. Don't know if the new boat will be like that.

 

[Tootsietoo]

We just returned from OKW and took the boat to PI twice. It ran on the hour until 4:00, then on the half hour. It stopped at SSR. I don't remember the starting and stopping times. It stopped when lightning was sighted, which was quite often. The bus ran every 20 minutes.

 

[lenshanem]

colleen, we changed our ressie for October from PC to OKW. It will be just hubby and me.


I thought this would be a good opportunity to finally try the Adventurers Club. We've only been once before years ago and walked out quickly. We just didn't know enough to stick around.

We have a PS at Fulton's at 6:10. Maybe we'll take the boat over and plan on the bus back "home."

I know if I have one glass of wine I'm usually pretty giddy!



Sooo, for Fulton's we should stop at the Westside dock or the one by Rainforest?

 

[StephenKay]

Hi there,

My DW & DD had always favoured the buses until this year when we decided to ride the boat one night on the way back from DD, the boat had blankets as is was a little cool but the trip was excellent. Boats are great.

 

[RobDoc]

The DVC Ferry now runs from 11:00am until 11:00pm every day (weather permitting). From 11:00am until 4:00pm it runs on the hour from OKW and runs every 30 minutes from 4:00pm - 11:00pm. The boat runs to the Rainforest Cafe marina- and it's an easy walk from that dock to PI and Fulton's. It also makes a stop at SSR.

A bus would definitely be in order to get back to OKW from PI after 11:00pm. They run every 20 minutes from the PI bus stop.

Enjoy!

<img src="http://disneydoc.homestead.com/files/ssrmay04_002.jpg">

 

[RweTHEREyet]

The boat ride is really very pleasant. Take the boat over and ride the bus back. The boat ride really beats dealing with the busy parking lot at DTD, which seems to stay packed all the time now. We take the boat ride whenever our schedule/itinerary permits.

 

[DrTomorrow]

ITA - Boat to PI, Bus back to OKW. There have been a few times leaving PI at night that the line for the boat back has been greater than the capacity of the boat, and had to wait a few cycles.

Have fun at the AC - make sure to go in the Library and to see the shows in the other rooms!

 

[Disney Doll]

The boat is a cute, fun way to get to DD. You'll probably boat over and bus back, because the boat stops runnig aorund 9-ish...maybe earlier during less busy times. There's usually info posted at the boat dock about the schedule. There is also a path to walk to DD from OKW, which starts over near the Southpoint area. My DBIL has walked it, and while it is nice during the day and early evening, at night it is quite dark and secluded, so he wouldn't recommend walking it at night.

The AC is a great spot! Make sure you go to the shows in the library, and don't be afraid to join in! You'll have more fun that way!

Probably Fulton's is closer to the Ranforest than to the Westside boat stop.

Have a ball!

 

[lenshanem]

Thanks everyone. So if it runs every thirty minutes, should we estimate it arriving on the half hour?

How long should we estimate for the boat ride?
(Our PS at Fulton's is at 6:10.)


I think we'll do the boat ride, then bus.


On a side note, does everyone think that is a good PS time if we plan on AC and Comedy Warehouse afterward?

 

[RobDoc]

You can easily ride the 5:30 Ferry and make a 6:10 PS. Be sure to be at the marina early though, as the boat does have a limit (it's now 34 people). The boat ride is about 20 minutes and a 10 minute walk to Fultons.

Enjoy!