Boat launch from MGM to Epcot?

[knovak]

I believe I read there is a boat launch from MGM to Epcot - Is that true?

If so does it take you to the Boardwalk area and the entrance to World Showcase? We want to have an early lunch at Beaches & Cream say 11:30 and then head to Epcot. Thought my girls would enjoy the boat ride over - or would we better off taking a bus. We still have to take a bus to a theme park to get to the Boardwalk don't we?

Thanks for your help.

 

[jellydisney]

Yes there is a boat launch. It stops at the Swan and Dolphin, then the Yacht and Beach Club, then the Boardwalk, and finally Epcot.

The boat is much better than a bus if you want to hit Beaches and Cream before Epcot. The bus would drop you off at the front of the park, and then you'd have to walk all the way to the International Gateway.

 

[ophie]

It's a great, relaxing ride! A nice way to take a break between parks. Great photo opportunities on the ride. Just beware gum on the curbs as you wait for the boat. My cousin sat in it just last week. While you wait though, the ducks and turtles provide good entertainment. The whole ride takes about a half hour.

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

You are correct that you need to take a bus to a theme park first. I suggest you take the bus to the Studios. From there you can catch the Friendship boat to the Beach/Yacht clubs, which is where you will find Beaches n Cream. Note you do not have to enter the Studios. From where the bus leaves you off just follow the crowds towards the entrance of the Studios but just keep walking straight. You will see the boat loading area a little past the main entrance.
It's a nice, relaxing but slow ride. The boat will stop at the Swan/Dolphin, Boardwalk, and Beach/Yacht clubs. The boat continues on to Epcot.
You may want to schedule a visit to the Studios for that morning and then go on to eat and then continue on to Epcot. It makes it easier when you plan for a theme park and then continue on instead of just going from your resort to another resort or area like the boardwalk.

 

[3xthecharm]

If you are coming from BC, you do not need to take a bus to a park first to get to BW. If you are already at BC you can take a boat to BW, Epcot (WS), and MGM. You could also take a very short walk from BC to Epcot. There is a walking trail.

 

[tc]

The boat takes from 20 to 30 minutes to make it all the way to Epcot. So, plan on about 20 minutes to make it to the Yacht/Beach Club. You can also walk, which we love to do. The path is near where off-property resort busses pick up their guests. Either walk or boat is far better than taking a bus.

 

[WillCAD]

Like eeryone has said, the Friend Ship launch from MGM to Epcot is a wonderful, relaxing, beautiful ride across Crescent Lake, stopping at the Y&B Clubs, Boardwalk, and Swan & Dolphin. It's one of my favorite activities at WDW and I try to take the ride at least once per trip.

During busy times of the year, the boat route is often split into two loops instead of one. One loop runs Epcot-Y&BC-Boardwalk, and the other runs Boardwalk-S&D-MGM. To get all the way from Epcot to MGM or vise-versa, you might have to change boats, but the CMs make it very clear so you never have to worry about getting on the wrong boat.

You will enjoy this ride immensely!

 

[knovak]

Thanks to everyone for your help!

 

[betterlatethannever]

During busy times of the year, the boat route is often split into two loops instead of one. One loop runs Epcot-Y&BC-Boardwalk, and the other runs Boardwalk-S&D-MGM. To get all the way from Epcot to MGM or vise-versa, you might have to change boats, but the CMs make it very clear so you never have to worry about getting on the wrong boat.

You will enjoy this ride immensely!

I've heard others mention this, but in all my trips I have never seen this arrnagement. In June of 2000, there were 6 boats operating at once (never before or since have I seen so many at once) and they didn't do the split route.

Ed