Best way to MGM from Epcot

[laurie31]

We're planning to hop to MGM after our ice cream social at Epcot. I presume the best way from Epcot to MGM is out through the international gateway, then boat to MGM. Is this faster than going out the main entrance and taking the bus? Inquiring minds (and tired feet) want to know TIA!

Laurie

 

[GoldenOldie]

Originally posted by laurie31
...Is this faster than going out the main entrance and taking the bus?...

Probably not since you would have to walk all the way back to World Showcase, go out the International Gateway, wait for and then catch the boat, then have to sit through stops at the BW, YC/BC, and Swan/Dolphin before getting to MGM.

Your best bet since you will already be near the front of the park is to walk out to the bus. Less walking and much less time involved getting to MGM.

 

[laurie31]

Ooh, thanks! I'm so glad I asked! I didn't realize the boat made all those stops before getting to MGM...

Thanks again!

Laurie

 

[pumpkinboy]

Even with the stops, it is a pleasant ride, much more pleasant than herding onto a bus and then off again. And I really do find it faster. Plus I don't have any problem going over to the Int'l gateway when I am already at Epcot; we just plan to end up on that side at the end of our Epcot touring, and float on over to MGM. My kids LOVE the boat.

 

[K9pal]

I would vote for the boat as well. Even with the other stops, it's a very pleasant ride. And they only stop long enough to load and unload passengers, really very quick.

 

[laurie31]

Thanks for your opinions We will not be in THAT big a hurry, I just wondered which was best. Originally I'd thought we might make the parade at MGM, but it's been moved up to 4pm, and I don't want to rush at the ice cream social, so as long as we get to MGM in time to get good seats for Fantasmic, I'll be happy
(We are spending most of Sunday at MGM and were originally planning for Fantasmic that night, but we're doing MNSSHP instead We'll be back at Epcot for 3 other days on our trip, so we'll see Illuminations one of those days)

I hadn't thought about enjoying the ride vs seeing it as a way to just get from Point A to Point B. Duh I think my kids would enjoy the boat - they've never been on one! Thanks again! It sounds like it will be the boat for us after all

Laurie

 

[erikthewise]

If you're healthy, the weather is reasonable, and you're in World Showcase, the fastest (and my favorite) way from Epcot to MGM is to walk. There is a walking path that begins at the end of the Boardwalk near the Swan. You can take a shortcut through BWV to save a little time.

It's about 1 1/4 miles from the International Gate to MGM entrance. About 20-30 minutes for most people. (As little as 15 minutes for fast walkers!)

The boat is best for a lazy, unhurried trip. You can easily wait 15-20 minutes for a boat, and then it makes 3 stops on the way to MGM (BW, YC, S/D). If I started walking at the same time you left in a boat, I'd be waiting for you at the dock.

If you're in Future World at the time, or if anyone is not up to the hike, going out the main entrance and catching a bus is probably the best bet.

 

[zurgswife]

I also vote for walking....that is the quickest and a wonderful walk...

 

[pumpkinboy]

Imagine those tired little legs! "Mom! I'm tired. Dad, can you give me a piggyback ride?..." (shivers) Sure the walk is fine with two healthy adults (I love it, when both kids are in strollers), but after you've been on your feet all day at Epcot already, a nice relaxing boat ride will save those little legs for more fun at MGM. Sure it might be faster to walk, but at what cost? You're on vacation. For your children's happiness and your own piece of mind, relax a little in between; if it takes a little longer, big deal, it's only three stops, then MGM. I think the boat ride was one of my son's (age 5) favorite parts of our last trip 1/03, esp when we sat up near the driver. Have a great time

We'll be there less than a week later celebrating big guy's 6th birthday! fun fun!

 

[erikthewise]

Pumpkinboy,

Agreed. My post was aimed at other readers more than OP. "Best" way means different things to different people. I would not recommend the walk for young children or for those who already have "tired feet". The boat ride is great if you're not in a hurry, and sometimes you just can't be (even if you want to).

 

[K9pal]

Just my 2 cents about Fantasmic - we went on a Thursday 2 weeks ago. Got there an hour early, which really was TOO early. We could have arrived 30 minutes before show time and still had good seats. We sat to the right of center stage, but I think most all seats are pretty good.

 

[Gary M]

The boat ride from the International Gateway to MGM takes 25 minutes. This is travel time and not waiting time. After walking all over WDW, I think the boats are a great way to relax and enjoy the views.

 

[laurie31]

Gary M- that's just what I needed to know - I can now be sure that there's no way we can get to MGM for the parade, so we will try to catch it another day. We will be at the Land for the Ice Cream social at 3pm. So I'm sure it will be 4:30-5ish when we get to MGM. We are meeting my sister and her family for Fantasmic (and hopefully have time for some other things first ) K9pal - I was also planning to get to Fantasmic an hour early. Nice to know maybe I don't need to - would much rather ride RNR once more!

And the walk does sound nice. DH and I alone would likely choose that - but we have been walking in the evenings with the girls and they still get tired before we've gone 1 mile. It would take us 30-45 minutes to walk that far with them. And DH has a herniated disc and isn't allowed to pick them up We do have a stroller for the younger one. We plan to rent as needed for the older one, and Epcot is one of the parks we are sure we will want one for her. We couldn't take a rented stroller with us though. We will have spent the day in WS (after PSB) so I think they will be tired of walking. Or I guess I mean *we* will - didn't I just say they'd be in strollers - LOL

Thanks again! I'm really enjoying reading everyone's ideas! And it seems that "best," like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder I think we may still do the boats. We will be riding the buses most everywhere else, so the boat will be a nice change.

Laurie

 

[erikthewise]

Laurie,

Just so you know, there are double strollers for rent at Epcot (and no doubt at other parks). We rented one for our two boys a couple years ago when they were 8 and 5. It was kind of pricey at $15, but it worked out really well. You only have one stroller to push and if one child is walking there's lots of storage room. Epcot is BIG and even school-age children can hit the wall there. (In our case we had spent the morning at AK so they were already tired.)