Drive or boat

[maxiesmom]

My family is staying at the Swan in October. For the first time in forever we are renting a car, and plan on driving to the Animal Kingdom. Walking or boating to Epcot and busing to the Magic Kingdom. But which is the easiest way to get to the Disney Studios? Driving or boating?

 

[KrazeeK120]

The fastest and easiest way to get from the Epcot area resorts to both Epcot and DHS is walking.

Edit - I'm making the assumption that there aren't mobility issues in your party. If so, disregard the above and take the boat.

 

[maxiesmom]

The fastest and easiest way to get from the Epcot area resorts to both Epcot and DHS is walking.

That would work, except we have the car as we also will have my 77 year old dad along. So walking to DS is out this trip. Going to save his legs for the "have to" walks.

 

[KrazeeK120]

That would work, except we have the car as we also will have my 77 year old dad along. So walking to DS is out this trip. Going to save his legs for the "have to" walks.

Gotcha. I'd also boat to Epcot in this case then and not walk.

 

[mickeynut1]

My family is staying at the Swan in October. For the first time in forever we are renting a car, and plan on driving to the Animal Kingdom. Walking or boating to Epcot and busing to the Magic Kingdom. But which is the easiest way to get to the Disney Studios? Driving or boating?

I'd take the boat. I think it'd be easier/faster to hop on a boat rather than drive and park .

 

[stinkpickle]

Agreed. Take the boat.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

I would take a cab from MK - the buses at night were horrible. We called the MinnieVan when we wanted to leave MK - it was great because it picked up where the buses were but no wait for us. The boats ran fine for us except it is raining (or lightning in the area) then the boats stop running.

We would drive to AK, EPCOT and HS when not staying in the Epcot area. You can tell them that you have an elderly parent in the car and they would let you park close up.

 

[loves to dive]

Given your circumstances, boating to HS would be best. Swan/Dolphin is the last stop before there so it's a short ride and it's the first stop on the way back.

 

[magical-me]

The fastest and easiest way to get from the Epcot area resorts to both Epcot and DHS is walking.

Edit - I'm making the assumption that there aren't mobility issues in your party. If so, disregard the above and take the boat.

I like the walk tbh. It's so pretty. Plus it's nice to see people going about their day lol

 

[PlainJane]

Given your circumstances, boating to HS would be best. Swan/Dolphin is the last stop before there so it's a short ride and it's the first stop on the way back.

I second the above.

Unless I'm with my mom, who has a handicap tag, I have always had to use the tram at DHS. This happened even when I was there at opening. The other three parks we were able to park VERY close to the entrance, when we arrived for park opening, but not at DHS. Even when parked in the handicap lot it can be a bit precarious trying to cross the street. You have to watch out for vehicles in any of the theme park parking lots, but it seems a lot worse at DHS.

I just can't see how a direct boat wouldn't be faster than driving and then having to take a tram.

 

[goofylaw]

I would have to agree with many above, walking is the fastest way to both parks. However, with your circumstances, the easier option between driving and the boats is to go with the boats. Less getting in and out of a vehicle both yours and the tram. Just a word of advice, the boats are not air conditioned and on hot days, they have virtually no air movement.

 

[Disneylover99]

I detest the walk. I'd boat to both parks.

 

[Clare Voince]

I always use the boat, even if I have to wait and it takes longer. I need to save my feet for the parks, and I love the relaxing boat rides. One thing to keep in mind is that they don't run the boats if there's lightning. I learned that the hard way. I was not happy having to walk back to my resort from the International Gateway.

 

[DJFan88]

The boat is super easy from the Swan

 

[Epcot82Guy]

I've stayed at the Swan many times, and I agree. For Studios, I always boat unless there is a really long line or I just missed it.

I always walk to Epcot. If that's not an option, I take the Boat to the Yacht & Beach Club stop to cut out half the walk and walk from there.

If traveling to Studios from Epcot, I typically walk to Yacht & Beach Club and pick up the reverse boat there as well.

The boats run Studios - Swan/Dolphin - Y&B Club - Boardwalk - Epcot. So, using the Y&B stop helps shave off the extra Boardwalk stop time. But, the whole process from when the boat leaves Epcot and docks at Studios typically only takes 15-20 minutes, depending on crowd size/wheelchair assistance/etc.

With all of this - one caveat... If you are planning on only doing a partial day at Studios (since it's a half-day park currently **cough cough** PARDON ME!) where you would be driving somewhere directly after, I may suggest driving in that situation. But, if you're returning to the Swan-Dolphin complex or using Disney transport, boating is the way to go!

 

[hedberg1661]

For the first time in forever

I see what you did there...

renting a car, and plan on driving to the Animal Kingdom

Is renting a car a must? How about Uber? Obviously, it depends on the size of your party but an Uber or Minnie Van may be cheaper.

But which is the easiest way to get to the Disney Studios? Driving or boating?

Boat by far.

 

[maxiesmom]

Thanks everyone! Boat it is!!!