Best Way To Get Back To The Grand Floridian From MK/Epcot?

[manooly]

Just like the title asks.....what is the best/easiest way to get back to the Grand Floridian after a busy day at the Magic Kingdom or Epcot? This is assuming that the monorail and the resort boats are crazy crowded after the fireworks. We do not mind walking either. We are used to the Beach club area and would like to walk the 1.5 miles back from Hollywood Studios. I just like avoiding the crazy crowds when I can and take my time walking back. We will be going in mid August. I'm looking for an easier way than sitting in line waiting for the monorail or resort boats. Do buses back to the Grand Floridian exist at the Magic Kingdom and Epcot? Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks for your time!

- manooly

 

[Deb & Bill]

You could take the ferry boat back to the TTC from the MK and walk back to the GF. It's a relatively nice walk through the Polynesian. From Epcot, you best way is the monorail. If you don't want to wait on the monorail, call and Uber or take a cab. But even with a long line at the Epcot monorail station, it doesn't take long to get on a monorail.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

You cannot walk to VGF from either Epcot or the MK. There are no walking paths. There are also no buses unless there are issues shutting down boats/monorails.

From Epcot, you either have to take the monorail, or call a cab.

From MK, you have the options of a monorail or a boat; the cabs are less convenient there. If you get off at the Poly you can walk from there, but by that time you're already on a boat/monorail, and it's emptying out anyway.

 

[danikoski]

Epcot you could exit out the IG and walk or boat to DHS and catch a bus back to GF there.
My experience with the MK boats to the resorts is, even after fireworks, they move pretty efficiently. And I would choose the boats over the monorail anytime I could. One of the things we do after fireworks or Illuminations is just hang back and slowly stroll out. Sometimes we just sit and people watch for a little bit. It actually can be very relaxing. Then, by the time you get to the transportation, the crowds have cleared out some.

 

[BriLovesDisney]

I would take the monorail.

 

[loves to dive]

If you don't want the boats or monorail, as others have pointed out, you are out of luck from MK. We always take the boat, GF is the first stop and they run pretty often and fast. From Epcot, you are stuck with the monorail unless you want to walk out the IG and boat or walk to HS and bus from there or Uber it. It's why we don't stay at monorail resorts, we love Epcot and I hate the monorail and being forced to use it from Epcot gets me.

 

[buzznina]

If you don't want the boats or monorail, as others have pointed out, you are out of luck from MK. We always take the boat, GF is the first stop and they run pretty often and fast. From Epcot, you are stuck with the monorail unless you want to walk out the IG and boat or walk to HS and bus from there or Uber it. It's why we don't stay at monorail resorts, we love Epcot and I hate the monorail and being forced to use it from Epcot gets me.

GF is our favorite resort but, like you, we really dislike using the monorail to and from Epcot. Our last trip on average it took 90 minutes either way, and this was not at closing. The last trip we got off at TTC and walked, rather then go wait for the 2nd monorail.
OP - the best thing is to not leave the park after fireworks. We no longer do that anymore and it is amazing how 30-45 minutes of roaming around, sitting and eating a snack or shopping, can make when you go out to transportation.

 

[Sue M]

Monorail from Epcot. At TTC you have your choice of going on Resort monorail or walking path thru Poly, along lake to GF. Depending on how your feet are holding up!
From MK we usually take the resort boat. GF is first stop.

Park closing after fireworks are awful transportation times. If you can, position yourselves close to park exit to get out fast ahead of the hoard. Or just grab a bench and people watch or walk around the shops till the crowds have dispersed. Busses run an hour after parks close, and the shops stay open squeezing that last dime out of you!

 

[cobright]

If we leave the park at closing we almost always get an Uber. For about the cost of a turkey leg we get picked up with little to no wait, and no standing in line.

 

[spiceycat]

disney now has the Minnie van - so ask at GF before you leave - the price of this - and compare it to UBER - now Florida has problems with some Uber drivers - so be sure who you are getting before you get into anyone car.

the Minnie van is not a cheap option.

the only walking path from the MK is to the CR/BLT. It is a very nice and well lite path.

the monorail is generally the easiest route - and no cost to you. Are you worried about the monorail?

 

[Wood Nymph]

We hated trying to take the monorail from Epcot to Gf because the lines were long. We ended up walking to the Beach Club and taking a taxi from there. It was worth it to us because it saved us so much time.