Boats

[momto3gsds]

I've always used the busses for transportation but this time I'd like to use the boats here and there. I just can't find a lot of information on them and where they take you and am hoping some of you can verify what I think is true and offer other suggestions

First off, due to my medical condition, walking long distances is off so any warnings would be appreciated.

One trip I'd like to take is from Epcot to Disney Studios. I think I would catch the boat from International Gateway in Epcot and I believe it will take me pretty close to the entry to the Studios. Is this correct?

I'd also like to take the boat from the Magic Kingdom to the Grand Floridian so I can go have a drink on the second floor of the GF. Is there a long walk involved in this? I read somewhere that there's a nice place there to relax. All I know is its on the second floor, does anyone know if its outside or if theres a view of anything?

What other boat rides would you recommend? I won't always have to be going somewhere but am thinking it would be a great way to relax.

Thanks

 

[joelkfla]

IMO, the most relaxing boat rides are from DTD to OKW or Port Orleans. The boats are open air with a canopy, and go down a tree-lined canal. The OKW dock is very close to the Hospitality House bus stop.

The ride to Port Orleans starts out the same as OKW, but then goes down another canal, making it a longer ride. It passes the Tree House Villas and then goes through part of a golf course. There are docks at both FQ & Riverside; I think they are a little bit farther from the bus stops (South depot at Riverside) and main buildings, but not by much.

The bus stops at DTD are at the opposite end from where the OKW boat docks, normally about a 3/4 mi. walk, but perhaps longer now due to the Disney Springs construction. The PO boats dock at PI. which is about half as far from the bus stops. There's also a water taxi that ferries between the 2 docks at DTD.

The DTD Marketplace dock (close to the bus stops) is under reconstruction as part of the Disney Springs development. I haven't seen an opening date, but it looks like it's nearing completion. Once it's open, some of the resort boats may move to that location, and the water taxi will go to all 3 docks.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've always used the busses for transportation but this time I'd like to use the boats here and there. I just can't find a lot of information on them and where they take you and am hoping some of you can verify what I think is true and offer other suggestions

First off, due to my medical condition, walking long distances is off so any warnings would be appreciated.

One trip I'd like to take is from Epcot to Disney Studios. I think I would catch the boat from International Gateway in Epcot and I believe it will take me pretty close to the entry to the Studios. Is this correct?

I'd also like to take the boat from the Magic Kingdom to the Grand Floridian so I can go have a drink on the second floor of the GF. Is there a long walk involved in this? I read somewhere that there's a nice place there to relax. All I know is its on the second floor, does anyone know if its outside or if theres a view of anything?

What other boat rides would you recommend? I won't always have to be going somewhere but am thinking it would be a great way to relax.

Thanks

I guess a 'long walk' is relative! The walk from the boat dock to the bag check area at DHS isn't long, per se, but it certainly isn't short either. And the walk from the boat dock at the GF is a fairly long walk to the GF itself. It's always longer than I think it is. You might be better off taking the monorail since it takes you right to the second floor of the GF!

As already mentioned, the boat ride from POR to DTD is very nice...peaceful and relaxing.

 

[Spoiledraf]

I've always used the busses for transportation but this time I'd like to use the boats here and there. I just can't find a lot of information on them and where they take you and am hoping some of you can verify what I think is true and offer other suggestions

First off, due to my medical condition, walking long distances is off so any warnings would be appreciated.

One trip I'd like to take is from Epcot to Disney Studios. I think I would catch the boat from International Gateway in Epcot and I believe it will take me pretty close to the entry to the Studios. Is this correct?

I'd also like to take the boat from the Magic Kingdom to the Grand Floridian so I can go have a drink on the second floor of the GF. Is there a long walk involved in this? I read somewhere that there's a nice place there to relax. All I know is its on the second floor, does anyone know if its outside or if theres a view of anything?

What other boat rides would you recommend? I won't always have to be going somewhere but am thinking it would be a great way to relax.

Thanks

First question to me is what is a LONG walk? Considering we walk 6-7 milesa day in the parks, is the length of a football field a long walk? the boat ride from MK to GF is a nice quick ride and can be quicker than the monorail. It's the first stop in a loop with the Poly and most people seem to overlook it when returning. The walk isn't that long. Maybe a couple hundred yards. It's a nice little stroll thru a beautiful resort. It will give you an opportunity to take in the gorgeous lobby of the Grand Floridian. The bar on the second floor is in Citricos. there is an elevator of course. And although we have never dined there I believe it looks out over the boat docks and central pool area. If you can do the walk,take the boat. It will be fun.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

I've always used the busses for transportation but this time I'd like to use the boats here and there. I just can't find a lot of information on them and where they take you and am hoping some of you can verify what I think is true and offer other suggestions

First off, due to my medical condition, walking long distances is off so any warnings would be appreciated.

One trip I'd like to take is from Epcot to Disney Studios. I think I would catch the boat from International Gateway in Epcot and I believe it will take me pretty close to the entry to the Studios. Is this correct?

We like the boat ride between Epcot's International Gateway and Hollywood Studios. Our first trip we had no idea this route existed, and it is a nice trip. There is very little extra walking involved on either end, since the Epcot IG dock is just outside the gate and the HS dock is right next to where the buses drop you of fin front of the park.

Our favorite boat trips are on Bay Lake, as there is a loop that runs between the Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge, and Fort Wilderness Campground. There are also separate boats from Fort Wilderness or Wilderness Lodge over to Magic Kingdom, and there you get to cross the water bridge where the lake goes over the roadway, which is neat.

As others have mentioned, the DTD-Port Orleans boats are nice too. We love riding the boats at WDW.

 

[momto3gsds]

Thank you all so much for taking the time to respond and sharing your experiences.

Your right, a 'long walk' doesn't exactly describe much. I guess anything over the length of a football field would be considered a long walk to me. I have Stage 4 Lung Cancer but am in ok shape (again, I guess the 'ok shape' doesn't describe much, I'm sorry).

I can walk. I walk slowly and stop here and there to rest. I want to save as much energy I have for walking in the parks but was hoping some of these little boat rides might be restful and its something I had never done before. I don't want to put myself in a position where the dock is a mile away from where my destination would be. Do you think some of these longer boat rides would let me just stay on the boat and ride round trip? That might be a good option for me.