Boat to MK?

I'm pretty sure it's like all the other transportation--one hour after parks close. You could ride the monorail as well:cool1:
 
If they're running two boats, it's about every 10 - 15 minutes. If they only have one boat, then it's about every 20 - 30 minutes. The loop is MK - GF - Poly - MK.
 

I'm pretty sure it's like all the other transportation--one hour after parks close. You could ride the monorail as well:cool1:

The above is incorrect. The Gold flag motor launches serving the MK, GF and Poly make their last trip from the MK 45 minutes after the MK closes. If you expect they'll be in service 1 hour after the MK closes you will literally 'miss the boat' as they will be out of service.
 
In our experience, there are usually 3 boats running. You can't see all three at once because of the islands.
 
In our experience, there are usually 3 boats running. You can't see all three at once because of the islands.

Then your experience is rather rare and definitely NOT "usually" as you say. Sometimes 3 launches have been used during high guest traffic/heavy closings only but for only a short time - There are only 2 gold flag motor launches normally running between the MK, GF and Poly.

Do not count on 3 launches on the Gold at any other times other than those rare occasions for heavy closings of the MK.
 
Do you drive one of those boats? We've had over 40 stays at WDW and a part of those stays is usually at either the Polynesian or GF. In the early days, all but two were exclusively at the Polynesian. Of course in the 80s the boat routes were different anyway.

Anyway, we rarely go during the holiday season nor in the summer. Our experiences are not usually at closing either. Most often we ride the boat back to the resort midday.

Anyway, we'll be back very soon and I'll be watching for those three boats.;)

BTW, is there some reason for what seems to be hostility in your post? And do you by chance pilot the boats on the MGM/Epcot resorts/Epcot most of the time? I can only comment on my experiences and what is usual in those. We're all here to have fun and share what we know of WDW. :confused3

I do agree with you though not to count on the boats. Occasionally they don't run at all and they also don't start early in the am like the resort monorail. I also remember a couple years ago when only one was running and we asked the captain why. He replied that someone hadn't shown up for work.
 
Do you drive one of those boats? We've had over 40 stays at WDW and a part of those stays is usually at either the Polynesian or GF. In the early days, all but two were exclusively at the Polynesian. Of course in the 80s the boat routes were different anyway.

Anyway, we rarely go during the holiday season nor in the summer. Our experiences are not usually at closing either. Most often we ride the boat back to the resort midday.

Anyway, we'll be back very soon and I'll be watching for those three boats.;)

BTW, is there some reason for what seems to be hostility in your post? And do you by chance pilot the boats on the MGM/Epcot resorts/Epcot most of the time? I can only comment on my experiences and what is usual in those. We're all here to have fun and share what we know of WDW. :confused3

I do agree with you though not to count on the boats. Occasionally they don't run at all and they also don't start early in the am like the resort monorail. I also remember a couple years ago when only one was running and we asked the captain why. He replied that someone hadn't shown up for work.

Yes, I pilot the WDW watercraft ferry boats, motor launches and motor crusiers but not the Friendships. Perhaps you were referring to the 3 Green flag motor cruisers serving the MK, WL and the FWC.

Of course you're always welcome to wait and see 3 launches on the Gold route to the GF and Poly...and, you may also find it will be a very long wait. It is possible, of course, that one of the 3 launches you saw was being used for training and, in that case, not in service and not carrying guests.

Your posting seems like disinformation on the disboards. There was no hostility intended.

The Gold flag motor launches run from 0830 until the last leaves the MK 45 minutes after the MK closes.
 
Glad there was no hostility. :flower3:

No, not the green ones as we've never stayed at WL and it's been over 20 years since our 2 stays at FW. I would have no clue how many of those boats are running.

No, I won't sit around watching for 3 boats. From the Polynesian it is easy to see them come and go although as I said you can't see all three at once. Can't remember if I've ever noticed it at the GF. Anyway, you'll see one on one leg and as it disappears another appears on the other leg with still a third nearing the Polynesian.

Could it be that you only drive the Gold flag boats at night? Or perhaps it is training boats but I've seen it often enough that it seems unlikely.

At any rate, you have a great job!
 
Oh, and I forgot. A year or so ago, there was obviously a new pilot on one boat. It was a very windy day and he was having trouble docking. By the time we left the MK another boat was approaching and by the time we docked at the GF, there were two in sight behind us. I felt sorry for him but I imagine he's a pro by now.
 
See below. No, I pilot all of the ferry boats, motor cruisers, and motor launches that serve the MK and resorts on 7 Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake and have since 1998.

Glad there was no hostility. :flower3:

No, not the green ones as we've never stayed at WL and it's been over 20 years since our 2 stays at FW. I would have no clue how many of those boats are running.

No, I won't sit around watching for 3 boats. From the Polynesian it is easy to see them come and go although as I said you can't see all three at once. Can't remember if I've ever noticed it at the GF. Anyway, you'll see one on one leg and as it disappears another appears on the other leg with still a third nearing the Polynesian.

Could it be that you only drive the Gold flag boats at night? Or perhaps it is training boats but I've seen it often enough that it seems unlikely.

At any rate, you have a great job!
 












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