Could have been a disaster!

[moonburst37]

A huge thanks to all those on this board in helping me become as knowledgeable as a veteran! We avoided a huge disaster after the 10/15 Wishes. The crowds were high and it was chaos after the fireworks, even CM's were edgy and a bit panicked at the number of people packed at the hub and unable to move in any direction. Once we got out the herds were unreal, they extended the park hours just in an attempt to get people to move to other areas of the park and cut down on the rush to the ferry/rail. Lines for any exit was over an hour, prolly 2 just to get on the rail. But after assessing the situation and remembering some great posts about transportation options I quickly had our family on the walkway to the Contemporary Resort, where we leisurely found ourselves a completely open car on the rail and beat the masses back to the parking lot! I had CM's tell me it was a GENIUS plan, and that the last car on the monorail is ALWAYS left open for guests at the Contemporary to get on. I even had a few other families overhear my plans and tell me they were following me. So a huge thanks to DIS for equipping me with the knowledge!

 

[bobbiwoz]

It is great that you remembered the tip! I do not always remember.

 

[UrsulaTime]

Nice thinking! Sounds like it would have been terrible otherwise...an hour to leave the park?! Anyway, where exactly is the walkway to the Contemporary? Thanks in advance.

 

[kandb]

A huge thanks to all those on this board in helping me become as knowledgeable as a veteran! We avoided a huge disaster after the 10/15 Wishes. The crowds were high and it was chaos after the fireworks, even CM's were edgy and a bit panicked at the number of people packed at the hub and unable to move in any direction. Once we got out the herds were unreal, they extended the park hours just in an attempt to get people to move to other areas of the park and cut down on the rush to the ferry/rail. Lines for any exit was over an hour, prolly 2 just to get on the rail. But after assessing the situation and remembering some great posts about transportation options I quickly had our family on the walkway to the Contemporary Resort, where we leisurely found ourselves a completely open car on the rail and beat the masses back to the parking lot! I had CM's tell me it was a GENIUS plan, and that the last car on the monorail is ALWAYS left open for guests at the Contemporary to get on. I even had a few other families overhear my plans and tell me they were following me. So a huge thanks to DIS for equipping me with the knowledge!

Are you saying it would take 1 hour just to get out of the park and 2 hours just to get onto the monorail? Wow, no wonder I never stay til closing.

 

[Malibustyle23]

Why in the world was it so busy on 10/15?!!!

 

[CAS239]

Why in the world was it so busy on 10/15?!!!

No matter the day, really anytime you leave directly after Wishes the crowds are insane, usually. It's not uncommon to have ferry and monorail have lines with hundreds of people in them. Which is why we try to never leave right after Wishes

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

I saw waits on the app today for Pirates that were over 100 minutes. Not sure if those were real...but they were on the app.

 

[HopperFan]

Did you know they often have buses going from depot to TTC? We used them two weeks ago when the crowds to monorail were backed into the turnstile and the ferry terminal was queued and spilling out to walkway (with the ferry just making it way back). We walked up, got right on the bus and left quickly. Guaranteed we were almost in bed by time some of those folks made it across the bay.

 

[VegasLiving]

Wow, that is a great tip! I will have to remember that for next time.

 

[CAS239]

Did you know they often have buses going from depot to TTC? We used them two weeks ago when the crowds to monorail were backed into the turnstile and the ferry terminal was queued and spilling out to walkway (with the ferry just making it way back). We walked up, got right on the bus and left quickly. Guaranteed we were almost in bed by time some of those folks made it across the bay.

This is only during certain occasions. I believe only when the monorails are down, unless they made a rare exception. @Robo can provide the correct info on that.

I've went and checked plenty of times to see if there was a bus to TTC when ferry and monorail were insane and they never had a bus when both were operating.

 

[HopperFan]

This is only during certain occasions. I believe only when the monorails are down, unless they made a rare exception. @Robo can provide the correct info on that.

I've went and checked plenty of times to see if there was a bus to TTC when ferry and monorail were insane and they never had a bus when both were operating.

Monorail and ferry were running both times I used the bus to return to the TTC two weeks ago. DS has also used the bus many times. (Whether it's true or not a CM said it is because there are folks who have issues with boats or being trapped in the monorail.)

I also rode the bus to the MK in the morning but it was for a pre-park opening ADR.

 

[VegasLiving]

The express monorail @ Epcot broke down around 6:30pm on 10/15....nightmarish crowds trying to get off and get to the ferry. If you were on that ferry, I was the one with the screaming, hungry 5 month old. We were actually going to try to get back to MK for the parade/Wishes that night, but didn't because we didn't get back to our hotel until 9:30 that night due to the transportation delays and glitches....I guess I'm glad we didn't with crowds like that!

 

[Accident]

Anyway, where exactly is the walkway to the Contemporary? Thanks in advance.

Head to the resort buses and keep left. It's a sidewalk that follows the monorail track to the street. There will be a sign.

 

[Robo]

Head to the resort buses and keep left. It's a sidewalk that follows the monorail track to the street. There will be a sign.

 

[cjparker0110]

Why in the world was it so busy on 10/15?!!!

No matter the day, really anytime you leave directly after Wishes the crowds are insane, usually. It's not uncommon to have ferry and monorail have lines with hundreds of people in them. Which is why we try to never leave right after Wishes

I can remember even back in the day before the insane crowds when if you left right after the fireworks (I don't think they were called Wishes at that point, but could be wrong) you had a long wait for the monorail. I bet we waited 45 minutes to an hour easily in the 80s and early 90s if we made that mistake...and we were going back to the CR! Not TTC like so many others. I don't think my parents knew about the walkway or we would have taken it.

 

[moonburst37]

Yes, they had the ferry, rail AND every bus was called in. The bus line was just as bad. I think it had to do with it being one of the only night that didn't have a party.

 

[UrsulaTime]

Head to the resort buses and keep left. It's a sidewalk that follows the monorail track to the street. There will be a sign.

I have a feeling this information might come in handy when I brave the crowds the evening of 11/14 (one of the only non-party nighttime entertainment nights). Thanks very much!

 

[Robo]

I have a feeling this information might come in handy when I brave the crowds the evening of 11/14 (one of the only non-party nighttime entertainment nights). Thanks very much!

Sounds like a plan!
You're welcome.

BTW, tio get to the CR monorail station, you want to go to the 4th floor and then
ride the escalator (or separate elevator) up to the platform in the center of the concourse.

 

[DisneyOma]

The express monorail @ Epcot broke down around 6:30pm on 10/15....nightmarish crowds trying to get off and get to the ferry. If you were on that ferry, I was the one with the screaming, hungry 5 month old. We were actually going to try to get back to MK for the parade/Wishes that night, but didn't because we didn't get back to our hotel until 9:30 that night due to the transportation delays and glitches....I guess I'm glad we didn't with crowds like that!

Why would the express to EPCOT at EPCOT have anything to do with the ferry? There's no ferry at EPCOT, is there? The EPCOT monorail does not loop around to MK or the resorts.

 

[UrsulaTime]

BTW, tio get to the CR monorail station, you want to go to the 4th floor and then
ride the escalator (or separate elevator) up to the platform in the center of the concourse.

I'm actually staying at AoA and I was planning on getting a cab from the Contemporary if the bus lines are too long after the fireworks and parade. Will I need to get to the CR monorail station for that?