Boat from HS to Epcot???

[dryomama]

I have read the various threads about the Friendship Cruises between HS and Epcot and I know they aren't very fast.

However we are thinking about taking the boat from HS to Epcot in the late morning.....

What do all you experts think about that plan??

Thanks for the input!
DrYomama

 

[Jestocost]

It's a fine plan. The boat ride is very nice and relaxing (can be hot), if not speedy.

 

[Hoopfamily]

I have read the various threads about the Friendship Cruises between HS and Epcot and I know they aren't very fast.

However we are thinking about taking the boat from HS to Epcot in the late morning.....

What do all you experts think about that plan??

Thanks for the input!
DrYomama

Good luck. Plan at least 1 hour for the trip, and 1 1/2 if u just miss it. It is relaxing though.

 

[gkrykewy]

It's faster to walk.

 

[KrazeeK120]

It depends on what you are trying to accomplish.

If you're looking for a speedy trip, it most definitely will not suit your needs. It would be faster to walk.

However, if you're looking to kick back and relax, this is a great way to do so as it is a lovely way to see the Epcot area.

 

[dryomama]

Well, the plan is to go to HS for a while in the morning and head over to Epcot. We are going to decide our route based on what the weather does that day. If the weather (mostly temp, as we are delicate flowers) allows, we will do the boat\walk and head to the WS first. If it is too nasty, we will go for a cool bus ride and head to FW and skip WS. We aren't so worried about time but mainly preserving ourselves for the rest of the day!!

Thanks again for the help!

 

[goofy4tink]

If there is a boat, loading, at the dock, and you are able to get right on board, you will be in Epcot within 30 mins.
But, if the boat is just leaving the dock, or you don't see one coming down the canal??? You could face an up to 20 min wait for the boat to get there. So, it could take close to an hour to get to Epcot.
Depends on where you want to be upon arrival at Epcot. IF you want to start at the front of the park, take the bus. But, if you want to start in WS, use the boat. Then you can work your way, against the crowds, to the front of the park at the end of the day...taking the bus back to your resort.

 

[dryomama]

sounds like a plan!

thanks again all!

 

[DCTooTall]

One other thing that might be worth mentioning.

As others have pointed out, it can be a slow trip because of all the stops, so Walking is definitely much faster even if it puts more wear and tear on your feet.

You can however take advantage of "the best of both worlds" by doing a combination of the 2.

The route runs (If I recall), EPCOT-Boardwalk-Yacht/Beach Club- Swolphin- MGM..... and then the reverse on the way from MGM to EPCOT.

From EPCOT, if you miss the boat leaving, You can try to walk to the Yacht Club or Swolphin stops and you may be able to catch up to the boat due to the time it takes for it to make the Boardwalk Stop. From MGM, If you exit the boat at either the Swolphin stop or Yacht Club stop you can then easily walk to EPCOT and beat the boat. Either one saves you the hike from the Crescent lake resorts to MGM.

 

[itsMichelle]

I was just down there and my mother and I planned on taking the boats from HS to Epcot. Well we did get lucky and a boat was loading at the dock as we got there BUT once we were on the captain announced it would be 25 minutes from there to get to Epcot.
So we got off the boat at the second stop (Yacht/Beach Club) and walked the rest of the way. We beat the boat, by a lot.
If you don't mind waiting then stay on the boat, but otherwise I do think it's faster to do the best of both worlds method and walk from Yacht/Beach to Epcot. It's a very pleasant walk as well

 

[goofy4tink]

I was just down there and my mother and I planned on taking the boats from HS to Epcot. Well we did get lucky and a boat was loading at the dock as we got there BUT once we were on the captain announced it would be 25 minutes from there to get to Epcot.
So we got off the boat at the second stop (Yacht/Beach Club) and walked the rest of the way. We beat the boat, by a lot.
If you don't mind waiting then stay on the boat, but otherwise I do think it's faster to do the best of both worlds method and walk from Yacht/Beach to Epcot. It's a very pleasant walk as well

It routinely takes about 25 mins from DHS to Epcot. I walk it in 20 mins. I have left the boat dock, at the same time as the boat was leaving, and got to BW about a minute after the boat did. BUT.....the last I saw of the boat was as it left the dock, headed over to YC/BC. Next time I saw it??? It was rounding the bend, heading to the DHS dock, as I got to DHS bag check...beat it by about 5 mins.

Getting off at the YC/BC dock will save you a little time as you mentioned.

 

[dryomama]

We will see how the youngest is doing as far as the heat goes and if we are feeling like school bread or Soarin first!

Thanks so much for the info, guys. I don't know how we'd Disney without ya!!


DrYomama

 

[Paging Tom Morrow]

Great plan.

That being said, if you start to get a little jumpy, feel free to get off at Yacht and Beach and walk the rest of the way, it'll save you a few minutes.

Edit: Guess I should have read other responses before posting!