Best way to hit rope-drop at MK

[rideswithchrist]

The ONLY time we plan on rope-dropping will be the kid's very first day at MK, which will probably be a Monday.
I know transportation takes a bit longer from FW...

What is the best way to get 3 kids (with a double stroller) to MK by drop or 30 mins before?

After that, we are 11 am people LOL.
We will do 2 days at MK, but not in order probably.

 

[ilovedisneymm]

The best way to MK is to take the boat from FW to MK.
It is about a 20 minute boat ride including loading/unloading time.
The parks often open 15 minutes so if you want to be through security by 845 (ish) rope drop, I suggest being at the docks by 815/820 (or earlier). Monday's are typically very busy for MK and we avoid that park on Mondays for that reason. But it also depends on when you are coming down.

We also homeschool Welcome to the camping side!

The ONLY time we plan on rope-dropping will be the kid's very first day at MK, which will probably be a Monday.
I know transportation takes a bit longer from FW...

What is the best way to get 3 kids (with a double stroller) to MK by drop or 30 mins before?

After that, we are 11 am people LOL.
We will do 2 days at MK, but not in order probably.

 

[rideswithchrist]

I love Homeschool vacations in the off season

That is not super early which is great!
I know that arriving on Sunday, and Monday being the first park- there is no way I can talk DH out of not doing MK first, even with it being a busier park overall.

For Epcot, would it be faster (and COOLER ) to take the boat to the contemporary and then the Monorail?

 

[ilovedisneymm]

Well I can understand that. We have to do MK first too! The last two years we arrived on Sunday and hit MK until the wee hours. I think taking a boat to Contemporary then Epoct would be quicker IF the resort boat is at the dock and waiting. We take the bus to Epcot from FW or drive.

 

[Chief Powhatan]

From my experience, the quickest way to get from the Fort to Magic Kingdom in the morning for rope drop is to drive your own car to TTC.

If that is not an option - as much as it pains me to say this - the buses are the next best option.

I love riding the boats to Magic Kingdom. However the direct boat from the Fort to the Magic Kingdom does not start running until 30 minutes before park opening. You can take the boat to the Contemporary (which starts running around 6:30) and then monorail from the Contemporary to Magic Kingdom.

However if you take the bus to MK, you can always come back on the boat, when time is not such an issue.

I love the Magic Kingdom morning show, so it is definitely worth getting there early for.

 

[bama_ed]

For February the parks probably open at the stated times. During busy periods (9 or 10 on the crowd calendars) they open several minutes before the official time.

Two boat lines run from the Fort marina/dock. The big boat on the left side starts leaving about 40 minutes before the stated opening and will get you to the turnstiles about 15 minutes before opening. The right side of the dock runs boat similar to the size of Jungle Cruise (different sitting arrangements) that starts about 630am and runs to Wilderness Lodge, to the Contemp, then back to the Fort. Take it and walk from the Contemp dock to the Magic Kingdom to get there if you insist on being there 30 minutes before rope drop. Or take that short monorail hop. We've done the walk and it wasn't bad at all.

You can also drive/park/monorail as others say.

We've done the boat to the Contemp to pick up the monorails and ride to EPCOT. It took us 40 minutes once the boat arrived at the Fort dock.

Good luck!

Bama Ed

 

[rideswithchrist]

Hmm, much to con cider.
Parking is $17 right? May be worth it for one day to drive

 

[ilovedisneymm]

I think your parking is free (resort guest).

Hmm, much to con cider.
Parking is $17 right? May be worth it for one day to drive

 

[sirenia88]

Parking is free to resort guests. However, I believe all internal transport starts 30 or 45 minutes before park openings. The OP should be able to make it to the rope drop in plenty of time..

 

[articfox676]

Don't know of a bus direct from the Fort the MK. Driving to MK means another connection from TTC (boat or monorail) and there are serious back ups for park opening.

 

[2goofycampers]

We take the first boat and make rope drop every time.

 

[wearegoingtoDisney]

We take the first boat and make rope drop every time.

What time do you get the "first boat" and do make it in time to see the show at rope drop? Also we are a large party how many can fit on the first boat?
Thanks!

 

[jbrostek]

Dis Water Transportation

Routes: There are 4 routes available in the Magic Kingdom area, each designated by a colored flag. Each route operates 30 min prior to park opening including Extra Magic hours until 1.5 hours after park close. The boats may cease operation due to inclement weather. If there is lightning in the area, launches are shut down and boats are shuffled. Expect longer than normal wait times on all 4 routes.

Green Flag Launch: The green route carries guests from the Magic Kingdom to Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. This is a heavily traveled route due to the Hoop De Doo Revue and Mickey's Backyard BBQ being at this resort, along with the fact that guests staying at the resort can only get to the Magic Kingdom by boat. This route typically runs two cruisers which are both capable of accommodating ECVs and wheelchairs without a required transfer. Travel time from Magic Kingdom to Ft. Wilderness is approximately 13 minutes once underway. Wait time between boats is typically 10-20 minutes.

 

[2goofycampers]

What time do you get the "first boat" and do make it in time to see the show at rope drop? Also we are a large party how many can fit on the first boat?
Thanks!

We are there 15 minutes before the first boat is suppose to arrive.