Could have been a disaster!

[Robo]

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?

Nope.
Cabs will be at entrance level.

 

[Reimagineer]

We did this twice last week (10/11 and 10/14) leaving MK after Wishes and it worked really well. The walk to CR is 15-20 min and almost peaceful. We did have an empty car waiting on the 11th but on the 14th the we and the monorail CM were surprised to find that last car full. No big deal - we squeezed in where we could and overall still a much faster way to get back to the TTA.

 

[Robo]

We did this twice last week (10/11 and 10/14) leaving MK after Wishes and it worked really well. The walk to CR is 15-20 min and almost peaceful. We did have an empty car waiting on the 11th but on the 14th the we and the monorail CM were surprised to find that last car full. No big deal - we squeezed in where we could and overall still a much faster way to get back to the TTA.

It might go even better if you headed to the TTC.

(Otherwise, you'd still be in Tomorrowland.)

 

[Reimagineer]

It might go even better if you headed to the TTC.

(Otherwise, you'd still be in Tomorrowland.)

Oops! where's the autocorrect for these acronyms

 

[MNDisneyMommy]

Walking to the Contemporary and then taking a cab from there might not save you much time (although it might save you grief). My in-laws were watching the kids for us Thursday. We were bar-hopping around the monorail and we watched fireworks from TOW and then went back to our room in BLT and my in-laws went to the Contemporary lobby and asked for a cab. Took over 45 minutes for them to get one. Just an FYI for the folks saying walk there and take a cab!

Also, that night we were trying to get on the monorail as the park was closing for Halloween party - and yes, the last car was empty for resort guests.

Now - we were at Wishes that Wednesday - and yes, the crowds were nuts and I was so very happy we were staying at BLT and could walk!

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Walking to the Contemporary and then taking a cab from there might not save you much time (although it might save you grief). My in-laws were watching the kids for us Thursday. We were bar-hopping around the monorail and we watched fireworks from TOW and then went back to our room in BLT and my in-laws went to the Contemporary lobby and asked for a cab. Took over 45 minutes for them to get one. Just an FYI for the folks saying walk there and take a cab!

Also, that night we were trying to get on the monorail as the park was closing for Halloween party - and yes, the last car was empty for resort guests.

Now - we were at Wishes that Wednesday - and yes, the crowds were nuts and I was so very happy we were staying at BLT and could walk!

This could be because of some road construction by the Contemporary right now. We noticed a sign today on World Drive saying the road is closed at the Contemporary.

 

[VegasLiving]

Sorry, meant to say the monorail broke down at TTC. Had to take ferry back to MK and then hop on monorail back to Grand Floridian but it was so extremely crowded due to TWO groups of people (mine and the one in front of me who were forced off the monorail) trying to get back. We left Epcot at 6:30 and didn't end up back to the Grand Floridian until 9:30pm.

 

[mummabear]

the last car was empty for resort guests.

For all resort guests or just Contemporary resort guests? (Or anyone getting on a Contemporary)

 

[smidgy]

Sorry, meant to say the monorail broke down at TTC. Had to take ferry back to MK and then hop on monorail back to Grand Floridian but it was so extremely crowded due to TWO groups of people (mine and the one in front of me who were forced off the monorail) trying to get back. We left Epcot at 6:30 and didn't end up back to the Grand Floridian until 9:30pm.

did you know you can walk from the TTC to both the poly and the grand Floridian? for future reference.

 

[Robo]

did you know you can walk from the TTC to both the poly and the grand Floridian? for future reference.

Although the GF is not exactly "closely" to TTC, the distance can be walked.

 

[smidgy]

well, they left epcot at 6:30. . we don't know what time they got to the TTC, but it seems the tie up was at the TTC> at that point they had a choice of the monorail to GF, or walking. while it is a bit of a walk, I think they would have gotten to GF much sooner than 9:30. (of course they probably didn't know that at the time)

 

[VegasLiving]

We had a screaming five month old and a three year old with us....Don't know if walking would have been better or worse. I tell you what, all those stops from MK to Grand Floridian felt like years after the whole TTC monorail break down/cram everyone onto a ferry shoulder to shoulder with a crying baby and tired toddler. Plus, the first party of the journey from Epcot to TTC is actually pretty long! But no, I didn't really know it was walkable; I definitely will remember that for next time! The first time at WDW is always a learning experience for how do it better the next time.

 

[smidgy]

I assuem you had strollers. I would think they would be happier being pushed on a walk then crammed on a ferry. and you cuold stop at Capt/ cooks at Poly to eat. maybe watch the fireworks from the beach there

 

[Planogirl]

If the buses to the TTC are running, where do you catch them?

 

[NedsTJ]

We had a screaming five month old and a three year old with us....Don't know if walking would have been better or worse. I tell you what, all those stops from MK to Grand Floridian felt like years after the whole TTC monorail break down/cram everyone onto a ferry shoulder to shoulder with a crying baby and tired toddler. Plus, the first party of the journey from Epcot to TTC is actually pretty long! But no, I didn't really know it was walkable; I definitely will remember that for next time! The first time at WDW is always a learning experience for how do it better the next time.

If you're talking about October 16th (and I think you mentioned that earlier?), the Epcot Monorail was down for most of the day, starting mid afternoon I think. One of the guide rails on side buckled/broke which shut the line down. I think I found out thru a twitter feed. As we were heading to F&W that night, we knew to take the Bus from GF to Epcot. It was still down when we left Epcot (around 7-8pm?) They had busses running from Epcot to the TTC. They brought in normal tour busses to help handle the crowd, which was nice as our stroller went underneath. From the TTC we boarded the monorail back to the Grand. I think the total trip was 1.5 hrs if we include wait time for the bus and until we were back in the room. I'm not sure why they told you to take the Ferry to the MK? They should have put you onto the Resort Monorail right at the TTC. That sucks, sorry for your experience...I've been there with a 3yo and infant (now a 5 and 2)!

 

[VegasLiving]

If you're talking about October 16th (and I think you mentioned that earlier?), the Epcot Monorail was down for most of the day, starting mid afternoon I think. One of the guide rails on side buckled/broke which shut the line down. I think I found out thru a twitter feed. As we were heading to F&W that night, we knew to take the Bus from GF to Epcot. It was still down when we left Epcot (around 7-8pm?) They had busses running from Epcot to the TTC. They brought in normal tour busses to help handle the crowd, which was nice as our stroller went underneath. From the TTC we boarded the monorail back to the Grand. I think the total trip was 1.5 hrs if we include wait time for the bus and until we were back in the room. I'm not sure why they told you to take the Ferry to the MK? They should have put you onto the Resort Monorail right at the TTC. That sucks, sorry for your experience...I've been there with a 3yo and infant (now a 5 and 2)!

I feel like I hijacked this thread with my monorail debacle. Sorry, everyone! But, it's like Disney therapy on these boards. NedsTJ, my breakdown day was Weds the 14th.I made it from Epcot to the TTC. It was the resort monorail at TTC that broke down, so they told the mass (two monorails worth of people) to go to the ferry. We had waited a good 15 minutes at the TTC for them to declare the full train in front of us broken. I wish we had the foresight to see that the monorail was not leaving and just head back down to the ferry at a leisurely pace (and maybe I would have gotten a seat to feed my baby!), but we didn't. We waited hoping the monorail was going to go and then almost got run over by all the people RUNNING to the ferry when they told everyone to leave the monorail station.

Our plan was then to take the ferry from MK direct to Grand Floridian. When we got to the GF ferry, he told us we had to take our baby and toddler out and fold our double stroller. I get it, those are the rules (although I didn't know that at the time). At that point, after a full day of touring, I was so tired, and my kids were in such a TERRIBLE mood, I just couldn't stomach the thought of going through the hassle and I just give my husband a defeated look. We look up and thankfully the resort monorail was working again! So here we go again on the now working resort monorail, just starting from Magic Kingdom, saying hi to the TTC again, and then finally back around to the Grand Floridian!! Oy vey!

But now I have learned we could have just walked back to the GF. Hehe, such "newbies."

Also, it's very stressful when you are on the monorail and they tell you they have to shut it down and repower it. It just makes me nervous and a little bit claustrophobic.

All that being said, I just can't wait to plan our next trip! It was a wonderful time overall.