Boat from Epcot to MGM?

[lfama]

The little boat that stops at Epcot goes to MGM, right? What would be the fastest way be of getting to MGM from Epcot - the boat, walking, or bus? And, if anyone knows, approximately how long does the boat ride take? Thanks!!!

 

[Okiemom]

I did not know you could walk it. I found a site, can't remember where, that told travel times, and it said the boat was around 37 minutes, bus 13. The boat stops at a couple of hotels too, that is the reason. But it sounds like a nice way to travel. I am going to be traveling between the 2 parks too.

 

[stinkerbelle]

we've taken the boat from MGM to EPCOT
we got off at the first hotel stop - the swan/dolphin...and walked to EPCOT
we beat the boat

that's probably your quickest...unless you are in future world..then just take the bus (we've done that too...but it's been a LONG wait too)

 

[oogieboogie]

the boat from Epcot goes to Boardwalk, BC/YC, S/D then MGM. It takes about 30 minutes with all the stops.

You can walk from Epcot to MGM thru the Boardwalk and down the path to MGM. It's probably faster if you sprint but much more tiring.

If you're really in a rush, you could walk partway to one of the hotels and see if you can catch an earlier boat that's still docked there.

 

[kmebee]

The website the prev. poster may be thinking of is one I'm using for our trip
www.ourlaughingplace.com

 

[hiwaygal]

The Friendships leave from the International Gateway at Epcot and go to the Boardwalk, the Yacht/Beach Club, the Swan/Dolphin, then to MGM (in that order, the trip back is exactly reverse). The total trip takes about 25 minutes or so.

You can walk from Epcot's International Gateway to MGM...I would guess that's at least a mile and a half (give or take). And I would guess it takes about the same amount of time as the boat. Unless you walk fast or have really long legs. It's not a bad walk, but when you are tired from walking through all the parks...

I don't know about the buses, though 'cause we were staying at the Boardwalk and just didn't need to take them to MGM or Epcot...we either walked or got on the boat!

 

[buzz2400]

We do the boat and it does take about 30 minutes. I would not advise taking the boat towards closing time. 4th of July, we parked our car at mgm took boat over to epcot and captain said last boat leaves 1/2 hour after closing. Well sorcery was cancelled because of bad weather and illuminations was delayed and when we finally got on boat, the captain said they were only going to stop at hotels. there were a few more people who needed to get back to mgm so they did bring us back there and we got on the last tram out. We will never do that again. Also a few things to point out if you are trying to decide if you want to take bus or boat. boat is not really air conditioned and you end up by france in epcot. if you take bus, it is air conditioned and you end up at the front of epcot.

 

[JDietz40]

The boat is a good way to sit and relax for a little while since you are going to do plenty of walking in the parks anyway.



John

 

[Demon Llama]

The boat is slow..don't take it if you're in a bit of a hurry. If you're not under time constrainsts, then it's a a very nice boat ride.

 

[goofy's friends]

We did this and thought it was perfect. We have 3 kids though and the walk would have been hard. If you are in World Showcase, the time it would take to walk out the front of Epcot and wait for a bus would be longer than the 30 min. or so that the boat took.

 

[Okiemom]

The boat is sounding better all the time. Question, where do you get on it at MGM? Also, would you have to go through security again in Epcot when you take the boat? Do they check your bags at the boat dock?

 

[hiwaygal]

The boat is sounding better all the time. Question, where do you get on it at MGM? Also, would you have to go through security again in Epcot when you take the boat? Do they check your bags at the boat dock?

The boat docks just outside the main gate of MGM.

I'm pretty sure you will have to go through security again in Epcot (as the boat dock is outside the gate).

 

[buzz2400]

Yes you will have to go through security when you get to epcot. Also you will be required to have a ticket to get in. One of our trips there were two young men who came over by the boat and thought they could get in without tickets.

The boat at mgm is at the docks to the right of the main gate. Look for the water and you will see the dock.

 

[Geoff_M]

If you don't have small kids, and the weather isn't hot, I'd walk. We've done it and with a normal walking pace it was shorting than taking the boat. It's even quicker if you also have to wait for the boat the arrive.

 

[betterlatethannever]

... boat is not really air conditioned and you end up by france in epcot. if you take bus, it is air conditioned and you end up at the front of epcot.

The boat IS air conditioned. The problem is the passengers like to open the windows to take pictures etc.

Ed

 

[Okiemom]

Thanks for all the great info. We would be leaving MGM and going to Epcot just to eat at LeCellier for lunch. So, by looking at the map, the boat lets you off at France, so that would only be a couple of countries away, so shouldn't be too much a walk.

Since we are going at Thanksgiving Holidays, and it will be very busy, do they run several boats? I am guessing the boat does not hold very many people. Could I be waiting for a spot on a boat? There will be six of us.

 

[WDWguru]

They do run several boats and I've never seen it fill completely up with people aside from closing time at Epcot or MGM, even during Christmas/NYE week. If you're going over at lunch, you'll likely have your choice of seats inside or even on the bench outside in the back of the boat. We always sit there if it's pleasant outside.

Give yourself 45 minutes from the time you leave MGM's front gate to the time you want to be walking up to Le Cellier and you'll be fine taking the boat (the ride isn't more than 25-30 minutes, but that will give you extra time if you have to wait for a boat to arrive). As you leave MGM, the boat dock is to the far left. When you get off at Epcot, just head to the right and you'll see the International Gateway entrance. There are a few security tables set up there and it always moves quickly. Once inside, head left, walk past the UK and most of Canada. Just as the main path turns right toward Future World, you'll see the garden path entrance to Le Cellier.

 

[PolyAddict]

Not to be a thread stealer, but

I will be at MGM on Thanksgiving morning and we have a 3:45 meal in Japan.

If I leave MGM by 3, should we be ok to take the boat?

Anyone know which direction Japan is in once we get in a International Gateway?

Thanks

 

[egoldber]

I will be at MGM on Thanksgiving morning and we have a 3:45 meal in Japan.

If I leave MGM by 3, should we be ok to take the boat?

Anyone know which direction Japan is in once we get in a International Gateway?

I think that 45 minutes would be cutting it tight. You would be OK if the boat was waiting as you left MGM, but if you have to wait for the boat or (worst case) you just miss the boat, you're better off walking. I would leave at least an hour.

And Japan is to the right as you come up the walk from the IG.

 

[Snowy]

I think that 45 minutes would be cutting it tight. You would be OK if the boat was waiting as you left MGM, but if you have to wait for the boat or (worst case) you just miss the boat, you're better off walking. I would leave at least an hour.

And Japan is to the right as you come up the walk from the IG.

I completely agree about cutting it close with 45 minutes. We were there last week and did not leave MGM at closing time. We left about 2 hours prior to closing time on an EMH night. There were tons of people in line and we waited a LONG time for a boat. If you take the boat, I highly recommend walking from the first hotel stop to Epcot. The walk is not long at all and you end up right at the World Showcase entrance.

Also, the two times we took the boat, neither had air conditioning running inside and it was very hot because all of the windows were closed.