Boat Question @ VWL

[pbharris4]

I just added pts @ VWL a few months ago, but have never stayed there. I know there is a boat that takes you to MK. How late and how often does it run? We'll be going to MK for the day, but DH will take DD (3) back mid day for a nap (we're staying at BCV & OKW). He'll be bringing her back to meet us for dinner at Kona. I'm trying to figure out a way (easiest for him and DD with the bigger stroller) to leave & come back w/o having to go to MK parking lot and take the tram, fold up the stroller, etc. I was thinking that he could park at VWL & take the boat to MK and it might be easier since he won't have me to help, BUT if it breaks rules or isn't allowed I wouldn't do it. Don't want to be towed! Being DVC and staying at a DVC resort could we use valet parking at VWL? Thanks for any advice you can give me!

 

[jarestel]

The WL-FW-MK boats run continuously all day from just before MK opening to an hour or so after closing. Using the valet parking at the WL sounds like a fine idea.

Have a great trip!

 

[mamatojon]

We did this exact thing our last day of our trip, we wanted to show my MIL VWL, the lobby, etc, and then head out to MK for the rest of the day. I don't think it's against any rules, they knew we weren't staying there and we said we were headed off to MK, no one batted an eye so that's good enough for me. I would think if it were an issue someone would have said something.

FWIW, after the long day at MK, my MIL and I and the kids decided to just hop on a bus back to SSR but my husband still had to go back to VWL to get the car and then drive back to SSR. He still beat us back, that bus takes awhile to get back to SSR!

 

[pbharris4]

Thank you! Yes, we rode that SSR bus last and it did seem to take forever! In your opinion..would it be easier to park at TTC and hop the tram (w/ a just turned 3 yo) and then walk to the Poly. (My DH will be doing this by himself.) Or would it be easier for him and DD to park at VWL, hop the boat and then get on Monorail to the Poly? Dinner is at Kona. We'll be returning to the park after dinner. Thanks for any input!!!

 

[spiceycat]

if you have dinner at the Polyn - while not just park at the Polyn.

if you have a dinner reservations you will receive at least a 3 hour parking permit - if not longer....

give him the adr number to tell to the guard...(I received a 7 hour pass last time I did this)

 

[pbharris4]

REALLY???? I thought they only gave out 3 hr parking passes? We'll be going back to MK after dinner. (We'll be there all day, but DH's taking DD(3) back for a nap midday & then coming back). I'm afraid my car will get towed if I parked at the Poly. It's the Thursday before July4th too so.....a 3 hr pass would not work, if that's what they give out even if I give the ADR#. It good to know I have other options. Thanks!

 

[mamatojon]

Thank you! Yes, we rode that SSR bus last and it did seem to take forever! In your opinion..would it be easier to park at TTC and hop the tram (w/ a just turned 3 yo) and then walk to the Poly. (My DH will be doing this by himself.) Or would it be easier for him and DD to park at VWL, hop the boat and then get on Monorail to the Poly? Dinner is at Kona. We'll be returning to the park after dinner. Thanks for any input!!!

How about you use the busses on this particular day. If I were you I'd avoid anything that requires your DH to deal with folding a stroller and dealing with the child alone. Not that he isn't capable, LOL, I'm sure he is - I've done it though and it is such a bear to wrangle that stuff and deal with a child all by yourself. If you took the bus in the am when it was time to go back for nap your DH could just leave the stroller with you (you could just park it somewhere in fantasyland or something) and then he could bus back to the resort pretty easily and then bus back to MK when naptime was over. You could then all monorail over to Poly for dinner.

Between the options you listed I'd choose the second one, just because it would be an easier journey coming back, more fun for your daughter. And I like the boat and hate the TTC. LOL.

 

[MiaSRN62]

REALLY???? I thought they only gave out 3 hr parking passes? We'll be going back to MK after dinner.

We did this with the MK and Contemporary this past August. Had dinner at the Concourse steakhouse. The Contemp guard gave us a parking pass but did not specify the amount of time we had (they have in the past though). We've also had dinner at the Whispering Canyon at WL and boated over to the MK afterward.
Enjoy your meal at Kona......we discovered we liked this place this past summer. It was our first meal there in over 10 years of visits to WDW.

 

[corinnak]

Parking considerations aside, and appologies if I am bringing up something that is common knowledge, but I wanted to mention that you have to fold the stroller for some of the boats as well. It's only the Friendship launches that you can drive your stroller right onto - We rode the smaller launches about half the time we rode the MK/WL/FW loop about two weeks ago, and then we had to fold up that stroller and haul it into the boat, cause there is a big step down and not much space! Maybe he'd be okay with waiting for one of the bigger boats though? Anyhow, another consideration to throw into the mix. Good luck!

 

[pbharris4]

I didn't realize there were so many choices. I'll have to email this thread to my DH and see what he will feel comfortable with. I thought about the bus and keeping the stroller with me, but I don't want to leave it somewhere unless it's secure like a big locker or somewhere where it would be looked after. Thanks for all the ideas..I sincerely appreciate it!

Pam

 

[pbharris4]

Ohh just thought of something..what if I paid for valet at the Poly? Is there a time limit? That way..he can get her out of the car at the check in, they park the car, and he meets me at Kona at 5:30 and then around 10:30-11pm when we leave we get the car back? Of course, I don't know how that would work if they give me a 3 hr pass even with the ADR#.

Thanks...for helping. It seems something rather minute but we've never had a "toddler" meltdown and I don't want to start this year.

 

[MiaSRN62]

what if I paid for valet at the Poly? Is there a time limit? That way..he can get her out of the car at the check in, they park the car, and he meets me at Kona at 5:30 and then around 10:30-11pm when we leave we get the car back?

We, personally, have never been given a time limit with valet parking. We used valet at the Poly a few years ago to pool hop. We were staying at OKW (prior to sandcastle slide) and my kids wanted to play at the Poly pool with the new volcano slide. We valet parked at about 11 am and stayed there for lunch and swimming until about 5 pm. The length of time parked was never an issue.

 

[pbharris4]

I think we may go with that then! I'll write down the other ideas and bring them with me, just in case. Thanks!!!