Boat between EPCOT and HS

[ktlm]

We've done that boat and walk multiple times. Our rule is that if we see the boat pulling away, or can see it has just left, we walk. If it is at the dock, or we see it coming, we take the boat. If we don't see it anywhere, then it just kind of depends on whether someone is too tired to walk or we are in a hurry. One time, they closed the gate for the boat just as we were walking up. We walked and the boat was getting there just as we were. So, I would say it depends on whether you want a rest and a boat ride. Timing wise, the ride and walk are about the same not counting the wait time. The boat stops at Swan/Dolphin; Boardwalk; and YC/BC. Also, last time we were in a little bit of a hurry going from DHS to EPCOT, so we took the boat until it got to BW and then walked the rest of the way. We beat the boat by a ways that time since it stops at YC/BC after and the walking distance from BW to EPCOT is pretty short- so that is another option.

 

[gatorlisa]

I like the boat. We do so much walking during a Disney day that the 25 minutes or so on the boat is a great rest for the feet. Our last three trips we have done a HS/Epcot hop at least once and used the boat each time. We are usually pretty lucky with our timing and rarely have to wait more than 5 minutes for a boat to arrive if it's not already there, and have never experienced a crowd large enough to prevent everyone in the line from boarding. Since you do have a hard time of 2:00, I would recommend planning to exit HS by 12:45, 1 at the latest, to give you time to walk to the dock, possibly wait on a boat, ride the boat, get through security and enter Epcot at the IG and then walk to the restaurant.

 

[mrzrich]

I want to add that while you must account for going through the tapstile and security at Epcot, the international gateway entrance is no where near as crowded as the main entrance, so this process is usually a breeze

 

[mjkacmom]

The boat is so slow and hot. We went in June and figured it would be fifteen minutes. Ugh it took a half hour to get from HS to EP and there was no wind....it was so hot stuffy and slow we were not happy campers....bus for us now when we go in june

Why didn't you get off at one of the stops? Short walk from the hotels.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

We have been to WDW many times and last October was the first time we have ever taken the boat between Epcot and DHS. It was absolutely miserable...it was standing room only and it was so slow and hot that we got off at the first stop and walked the rest of the way. Since you'll be there in June when it's hot and crowded, and the walk mid day will be hot as well, I'd recommend uber or the bus!

I second the miserable, AC-does-nothing, get-me-off-this-thing-before-I-die nature of the Epcot-DHS Friendship boat in summer. Once and never again.

 

[amberpi]

The walk is speedy and mostly shaded. Its a really lovely walk.

 

[Rivergirl2005]

Why didn't you get off at one of the stops? Short walk from the hotels.

Great question....honestly we didn't know we could do that, walk from some of the resorts to Epcot, ...it was a first and def a last