Epcot to HS hopping question :)

[Amunet]

We will be visiting on September 12th (Monday).
I was hoping that we could hop to HS via boat for the afternoon so DBF may experience Star Tours, Star Wars Photo for visa members (yes I have) and maybe Character palooza. If we could do Toy Story & RnR too, that'd be awesome but not going to try to pack too much in.
Then hop back to Epcot to explore the WS.

Planning on RD straight to TT then Nemo & Land. Then after breakfast maybe a behind the seeds tour.

ADRs: (will not be changed)
Garden Grill 9:40am
Tokyo Dining 7:30pm (watch Illusions from here).

So then, my question is: Would the above be feasible?
How long do the boats take? We would NOT want to walk since we will be walking all day.

Our main focus IS Epcot. However, DBF has never been to WDW and is a Star Wars fan. We will not have any other day for HS. Characters are important but we will be seeing a lot on the cruise prior. Lol food is most important, hence why the ADRs are firm.
Please keep your answer to this day only.

 

[buzzrelly]

We will be visiting on September 12th (Monday).
I was hoping that we could hop to HS via boat for the afternoon so DBF may experience Star Tours, Star Wars Photo for visa members (yes I have) and maybe Character palooza. If we could do Toy Story & RnR too, that'd be awesome but not going to try to pack too much in.
Then hop back to Epcot to explore the WS.

Planning on RD straight to TT then Nemo & Land. Then after breakfast maybe a behind the seeds tour.

ADRs: (will not be changed)
Garden Grill 9:40am
Tokyo Dining 7:30pm (watch Illusions from here).

So then, my question is: Would the above be feasible?
How long do the boats take? We would NOT want to walk since we will be walking all day.

Our main focus IS Epcot. However, DBF has never been to WDW and is a Star Wars fan. We will not have any other day for HS. Characters are important but we will be seeing a lot on the cruise prior. Lol food is most important, hence why the ADRs are firm.
Please keep your answer to this day only.

I would plan on the boat taking 1 hour each way. They come every 20 minutes, but when we were there last month, we had JUST missed one so we had to wait another 20 minutes for the next one. The boat ride itself takes a long time (approximately 30 minutes or so) because it stops at the Swan/Dolphin, The Yacht Club, and The Boardwalk and THEN goes to Epcot. We totally underestimated this in April and were late to our ADR and then completely missed a FP. In light of this, I would walk out of EPCOT by 1 or 1:30, at the latest.

Since you are getting to EPCOT at RD, I would make your FP for DHS and make them for Star Tours, and either RnRC or TSM (your choice).

Also, just so you are aware, I believe the Chase Visa meet & Greet ends at 4, so make sure you get there before then, otherwise you'll have to wait in the regular line. I missed that deadline too and waited, but it wasn't too long…maybe 20 minutes or so.

Leave DHS by 6 pm to ensure you get back to your ADR in plenty of time.

I'm not going to lie, this will be a really tight squeeze. It is doable, I think, but you won't have time to stop and smell any roses, so to speak.

And one final thing, I don't think you can see Illuminations well from inside Teppan Edo?? Someone will correct me of I'm wrong. But I thought the 2 countries you can watch from are UK (Rose & Crown), and Mexico.

Have fun!

 

[Robo]

I don't think you can see Illuminations well from inside Teppan Edo??

Correct.
Inside Teppan Edo is not a place to see IllumiNations.

But, I assume the OP, Amunet, could be outside in the Japan area for IllumiNations.

 

[buzzrelly]

Correct.
TE is not a place to see IllumiNations from INSIDE.

Thanks! I knew you'd know

 

[GPC0321]

I'm going to throw this out there. I know you said your ADRs aren't going to change, but if he's a big Star Wars fan, it is really, REALLY worth your while to try and stay in HS for Symphony in the Stars, the Star Wars fireworks. Seriously, they're the best fireworks on the property, and an absolute must for any Star Wars fan.

Doesn't really answer your question, but just to give you something to think about. Of all the fireworks at WDW, those are the ones not to miss, IMO.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Another option, especially wise if you're in Future World: bus from Epcot to DHS, then boat back to International Gateway.

 

[laura_<3]

I'm going to throw this out there. I know you said your ADRs aren't going to change, but if he's a big Star Wars fan, it is really, REALLY worth your while to try and stay in HS for Symphony in the Stars, the Star Wars fireworks. Seriously, they're the best fireworks on the property, and an absolute must for any Star Wars fan.

Doesn't really answer your question, but just to give you something to think about. Of all the fireworks at WDW, those are the ones not to miss, IMO.

I agree, the fireworks really are amazing!

 

[kayteekt]

Another option, especially wise if you're in Future World: bus from Epcot to DHS, then boat back to International Gateway.

I would def do this.

 

[wdwfanva]

You can also walk between the two parks. DW and I do it all the time and it only takes 15-20 minutes at a normal pace (we're in our 60's). we really enjoy the walk .

 

[Amunet]

Thank you all!

Yes, you can watch Illuminations from Tokyo Dining windows when eating (they pipe in music). Once I get on my laptop, I can post the photo I took ^_^

I'll reply more once I get on my laptop

Edit: Tokyo Dining and Teppan Edo are different restaurants but in the same building. PP is correct that you cannot see from Teppan Edo, but you CAN see from Tokyo Dining window tables

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I have to agree with others. Symphony in the Stars is far superior to Illuminations. If food is important, maybe consider an ADR at HBD instead and staying for Symphony. Food at HBD and Symphony fireworks trumps Tokyo Dining and Illuminations any day.

 

[AngiTN]

Yes, another saying if you can only do 1 evening show do Symphony in the Stars for certain. It is the best fireworks display Disney offers at this time and will only get better when they add in the projection aspects.

There is always a slight possibility you can do both but it depends on what time SitS is. Sometimes it's is early enough to watch it and walk to Epcot to catch Illuminations.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Beginning in June, the new SW fireworks show will have projections on the Chinese Theater, lasers, and less pyro bursts. Reportedly, they are reducing the fireworks portion because of the AK animals being "onstage" into the night due to later AK hours.

You would have to plan to stake out a place in front of the Chinese Theater for the best viewing of the SW projection/fireworks show.

 

[GPC0321]

Reportedly, they are reducing the fireworks portion because of the AK animals being "onstage" into the night due to later AK hours.

Really?? That kind of sucks. I love the animals, and certainly understand not wanting to stress them out and wanting AK visitors to have the best experience possible in the evening over there, but dang. Those fireworks are one of the coolest things in WDW to me.