Emerald Island Questions

[Al and Kate's Mom]

We are renting a home in EI for our October trip. What hints, tips or tricks can you share with us? TIA

 

[TinkTink78]

We are staying here in October again too!! This time a townhouse. Last time about 5 years ago in a huge house.

Great location. Plenty of stores and restaurants and even an easy way onto Disney property next to Animal kingdom lodge/animal kingdom park.

What specific questions do you have maybe I can try and help answer them

 

[sueliz]

We are staying in Emerald Island in December and was wondering how long do you give yourself to make rope drop at each of the parks?

 

[TinkTink78]

I would say 45-60minutes for MK and half hour for AK. Just a thought.

 

[sueliz]

thanks!

 

[Shea&Van]

Hi there,

We are staying at EI in November and when I inquired about the length of time to get from our rental villa to the gates of MK I was told 30 minutes tops. I'm hoping that's an accurate estimate.

We stayed at WH last time and I don't recall ever being in the car more than 15-20 mins to get to the parks.

But, perhaps, we are just crazy-fast drivers with great luck with traffic signals?

Anyone else have experience with the drive from EI to MK and/or the other parks?

Supposedly, it's less than three miles to WDW, right?

Any insight or recent experiences would be greatly appreciated!

 

[conniehar90]

It will take 10/15 to AK and 15/20 to all other parks. What you have to remember is that you have to walk/tram to the gates once you park. It takes awhile. We leave about 45 minutes before opening for AK and 60 minutes before the other parks. MK takes a bit longer because you have to take a monorail or ferry and DHS and EP open 15-30 minutes early now to avoid the Toy Story/ Soarin rush.

You want to be standing in line at the turnstiles 15 minutes before opening.

 

[sympatico]

It's not the distance or the drive time that chews up the minutes it's the parking at MK and taking the tram or walking to the monorail and waiting for that then through bag check etc. We allowed 45 min to MK for rope drop from Windsor Hills and we were just getting through bag check when the characters came in on the train. Just to get to the parking lot it's only 15 min for MK and Epcot, 10-12ish to DHS and less than 10 to AK from Em Is using Sherberth (for AK.).
Sometimes when owners say they're home is only 10 min from Disney it means Disney property not necessarily the parks.