I *love* the launch! It's a very relaxing ride, and usually pretty quick.
It runs MK-GF-Poly-MK, so you'll always have one stop less on the launch than on the monorail when traveling between the Poly and the MK. (The resort monorail goes MK-Contemp-TTC-Poly-GF-MK.)
I love the feel of the breeze on my face on a warm day, and I agree about the great photo ops. The monorail *might* be a little faster, but the boat is much more relaxing.