Can we make it to Epcot RD from Kona?

[minoh]

We have an ADR at 7:30 at Kona Cafe. I really wanted to try their breakfast, we all think it sounds so good. We planned for Kona on our Epcot morning and need to get to Soarin' right after rope drop. Is there any chance we'll make it? Does Kona take a long time?

How long is the trip from Kona to Epcot?

 

[ErinsMommy]

IMO 7:30 is early enough to beat whatever crowds will be at Kona, you can then walk to the TTC (i was told it was about a 5-10 minute walk from Poly) and take the monorail straight to Epcot, once on the monorail you'll be at Epcot in about 10-15 minutes?

 

[minoh]

Wonderful! I was hoping it would give us enough time. It's good to hear we can walk to the TTC as I wasn't sure about the time it would take on the monorail over there. Thanks

 

[eeyoresmom]

Sorry but I don't think it's reasonable. At least not enjoyable. Even if you were finished eating ,paying etc. at 8:15 ( and that's not a given)you still have to walk to ttc, probably wait for monorail, monorail over, get through security and turnstiles at close to park opening when it's very busy and you will be at the back of the crowd for rope drop. That's IF everything goes perfectly. If Kona is important I would adjust your expectation to just waiting in the standby line for Soarin. I'm assuming you can't get a fp because you chose another Tier 1? When we plan on doing TT or Soarin at rope drop we arrive at Epcot by 8:30 at the latest.

 

[minoh]

Sorry but I don't think it's reasonable. At least not enjoyable. Even if you were finished eating ,paying etc. at 8:15 ( and that's not a given)you still have to walk to ttc, probably wait for monorail, monorail over, get through security and turnstiles at close to park opening when it's very busy and you will be at the back of the crowd for rope drop. That's IF everything goes perfectly. If Kona is important I would adjust your expectation to just waiting in the standby line for Soarin. I'm assuming you can't get a fp because you chose another Tier 1?

Well that's ok. We definitely don't want to stress about it or have to rush too much. We'll just have to make do with a wait once we reach Soarin'. We've already booked FEA as a Tier 1. It's too bad that Disney only let's you choose 1 and it was hard to pick the priority. But I think the FEA standby waits are just too prohibitive.

 

[eeyoresmom]

I agree. We are going in March and probably won't get to do TT at all because of the tiering ( or should I say "tearing")

 

[rg35]

I agree. We are going in March and probably won't get to do TT at all because of the tiering ( or should I say "tearing")

It shouldn't be a problem. Test track at RD, Soarin right after. The 3rd theater has cut down on Soarin waits. I would definitely not choose Soarin at RD over TT, unless you plan on doing Test Track single rider (which is another option).

 

[minoh]

It's better knowing that we'll be late and have to wait in line than rush and be disappointed, as least. I think we'll be skipping TT altogether, too, because the kids don't seem all that interested and I really don't want to waste time during our only Epcot day if they're not even keen to ride it.

 

[minoh]

It shouldn't be a problem. Test track at RD, Soarin right after. The 3rd theater has cut down on Soarin waits. I would definitely not choose Soarin at RD over TT, unless you plan on doing Test Track single rider (which is another option).

My kids watched TT POVs and didn't think it looked all that fun, and kind of loud. Based on the fact that so many people love it, I'm sure it's a great ride.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

We have an ADR at 7:30 at Kona Cafe. I really wanted to try their breakfast, we all think it sounds so good. We planned for Kona on our Epcot morning and need to get to Soarin' right after rope drop. Is there any chance we'll make it? Does Kona take a long time?

How long is the trip from Kona to Epcot?

if making Rope Drop is very important, here's what I'd do:

- Show up for your ADR early. Think, like 7:10-7:15am. They may not be able to seat you, but if there's a table open and no one ahead of you, there may be some pixie dust.
- When you get the check, request an Uber or Lyft to either EPCOT or Beach Club/BW
Note: you may have a hard time getting into BC. You can always say you're getting dropped off for an ADR but they may check.
- Walk from BC to International Gateway or get dropped off at EPCOT

I know it would cost money, but it's the best, sure-fire way to get there and have any control over it. The TTC is free and will get you there in time (I'd think) but keep in mind you'll be dealing with crowds going to MK and EPCOT. Other way around, you'll have the car waiting for you by the time you finish at Kona, hop in and go directly.

 

[eeyoresmom]

Thanks. This is what we usually do but can't rope drop on Epcot days this trip. We'll be arriving around 11am both days so will most likely skip TT this trip.

 

[Micca]

I think it's too tight time-wise, but sounds like you've got a good attitude about waiting for Soarin'

 

[minoh]

if making Rope Drop is very important, here's what I'd do:

- Show up for your ADR early. Think, like 7:10-7:15am. They may not be able to seat you, but if there's a table open and no one ahead of you, there may be some pixie dust.
- When you get the check, request an Uber or Lyft to either EPCOT or Beach Club/BW
Note: you may have a hard time getting into BC. You can always say you're getting dropped off for an ADR but they may check.
- Walk from BC to International Gateway or get dropped off at EPCOT

I know it would cost money, but it's the best, sure-fire way to get there and have any control over it. The TTC is free and will get you there in time (I'd think) but keep in mind you'll be dealing with crowds going to MK and EPCOT. Other way around, you'll have the car waiting for you by the time you finish at Kona, hop in and go directly.

Do they seat folks early when the restaurant opens at 7:30? I wasn't sure about how early we could arrive.

I have to admit that I've never used Uber or Lyft Is it just like calling a cab? Do you call in advance or just when you need the ride?

 

[eeyoresmom]

I don't know about uber or lyft but I wouldn't get dropped off at the Beach Club, Yacht Club or Boardwalk. If you do that you will have to enter Epcot through the IG and that will set you back another 10 minutes at least.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

Do they seat folks early when the restaurant opens at 7:30? I wasn't sure about how early we could arrive.

I have to admit that I've never used Uber or Lyft Is it just like calling a cab? Do you call in advance or just when you need the ride?

eeyoresmom brings up a good point, now that I think of it.

I was just trying to think of some outside-the-box ideas.

Are you just there for one day? Any chance you can shift your plans around a bit? Maybe do MK on your Kona day? Being that we never stay at Poly (or any of the MK resorts) we usually reserve Kona for a day when we don't have to be anywhere else.

As for your question about the restaurant - no, they probably won't seat you. I was assuming they opened at 7.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I'm a huge WDW uber fan, but, in your case, I would stick with the monorail. As others said, get to Kona early, aim to get out by 8:15 am, walk to TTC (should be there by 8:30 am), monorail direct (no car traffic!) to EP. You should be there by 9 am. You may miss RD by 15 minutes (bag check in FW can take a while and the RD lines build at that entrance in EP), but since you said you are ok waiting standby at Soarin'. You'll be fine. With uber, you will have to deal with any traffic and any car lines to get through the EP gates and then still have to go through bag check and the tapstiles. Monorail is a direct shot over to EP.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Kona will not seat early.

A 7:30 breakfast and the monorail will not get you there for RD. Monorail hours being what they are, monorail might not even run until 9.

 

[maxiesmom]

Sorry but I don't think it's reasonable. At least not enjoyable. Even if you were finished eating ,paying etc. at 8:15 ( and that's not a given)you still have to walk to ttc, probably wait for monorail, monorail over, get through security and turnstiles at close to park opening when it's very busy and you will be at the back of the crowd for rope drop. That's IF everything goes perfectly. If Kona is important I would adjust your expectation to just waiting in the standby line for Soarin. I'm assuming you can't get a fp because you chose another Tier 1? When we plan on doing TT or Soarin at rope drop we arrive at Epcot by 8:30 at the latest.

I agree with this. Sorry OP.

 

[minoh]

We could switch it so that Kona is on our HS morning. We have FPs booked for our morning rides so that could work better. Is it easier to get to HS than Epcot from Kona?

I had initially booked Captain's Grille for our Epcot morning but then it was pointed out to me that it will be hard to get to CG from CR for a 7:30 reservation. I really don't know how we would get there. Perhaps we should just stick with The Wave for our Epcot morning, even though we're eating dinner there the night before. Haha, it's tricky figuring all of this out. I just don't have a sense of the transportation/getting around side of things at all.

 

[steviethegreat]

I had initially booked Captain's Grille for our Epcot morning but then it was pointed out to me that it will be hard to get to CG from CR for a 7:30 reservation. I really don't know how we would get there. Perhaps we should just stick with The Wave for our Epcot morning, even though we're eating dinner there the night before. Haha, it's tricky figuring all of this out. I just don't have a sense of the transportation/getting around side of things at all.

Have you considered using an Uber? That's my plan for getting around Disney. I'm pretty sure they have Uber drivers hanging around because there's a pretty big demand for them. That's my plan, anyway.