Ever gone off-site after only doing on-site?

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by angbuz
do you know if we could utilize the monorail at all (thought my 5 yr old would love to ride it)?

Welcome! These boards are a tremendous resource for WDW info.

Yes, you can ride the monorail. In fact, to get to the Magic Kingdom, you MUST ride either the monorail or the ferry boat if you are coming from offsite.

Steve

 

[spiceycat]

on your first day there - get a meal at the Polyn (I like the Kona Cafe) you will be given a 3 to 4 hour pass - then let the little one ride the monrail - also go get on the monrail to Epcot (for variety for the adults) - yes kids love this - it is a ride not transportation for them....make sure the CM at the monrail know you are riding the monrail. ALso at the Epoct monrail - there is a chance that you can ride upfront - your kids will really go wild for this.....just ask the CM.

I have stayed both off site and on - for WDW - I disagree - WDW resorts can be beat - if your little one is tired at the MK - if you are staying out-site taking your car - then you have to walk to the monrail or ferry to the T/TC then you ride their tram to your car - this along can take around 40 minutes if you are luck - if you aren't (and once I wasn't) try 2 hours....

if you are staying on-site you either get on the monrail, boat or bus at the MK - the wait for any of these transportation should only be around 20 minutes if that. The problem is the price of these extras....if WDW was better at kepting their value resort - value priced....but the family owned resorts in Kissimmee can't compete now and if WDW did kept their prices lower - more of them would close.

you can find a hotel/motel in Kissimmee for around $20 to $300 a night - your choice where and what you pay. the new Gaylord and Ritz Carlton are in Kissimmee not Orlando or Lake Buena Vista (where WDW is).

now if you are interested in something beside WDW - don't waste your money and stay on-site - there are much cheaper hotels with better access to Seaworld and US/IOA....not to mention the other things that there are to do in Kissimmee/Orlando area....(including Tampa)

hey just be glad Esiner was talked out of one scheme - only allow WDW on site guest to park hop - yea....sometimes....everyone else would only be sold a day ticket....

 

[Gillian]

Originally posted by angbuz
We will be renting a car if we stay off-site and I know that we have to pay for parking at the theme parks, do you know if we could utilize the monorail at all (thought my 5 yr old would love to ride it)? I'm trying to do as much research as possible b4 we go on May 15th but again, i'm new to all of this and any information i
get is very helpful. Thanks!

Welcome to the DIS!!

Sure you can ride the monorail!! When going from the parking lot to the Magic Kingdom or from epcot to the Mk. You can even ask to ride up in the very front. When you get to the waiting area, just ask a cast member if you can ride in the front. You may have to wait a bit, but it's worth it!

In my opinion, the best ride is from the ticket and transportation center to Epcot. Normally to go to Epcot by car you would park in the epcot lot and walk, but if you were going from the MK to epcot you take 2 monorails. first from MK to TTC, then TTC to epcot. Get off at TTC, walk to the Epcot monorail and ask the CM if you can go up front!

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by spiceycat
if your little one is tired at the MK - if you are staying out-site taking your car - then you have to walk to the monrail or ferry to the T/TC then you ride their tram to your car - this along can take around 40 minutes if you are luck - if you aren't (and once I wasn't) try 2 hours....

This may be true during peak seasons. Fortunately, we only go during less crowded times and it has never taken anywhere near 40 minutes to get from MK gate to our car - usually in the 15-20 minute range. So time of your visit may be a factor to consider.

Steve

 

[Gretchen]

We stayed off site, Jan 18 - 24 at the Sheraton Vistana Resort. It was 40 mins to the MK gate from the Vistana parking lot. We drove to the TTC, parked, rode the tram to the ferry/monorail. Rode the ferry/monorail to MK. 40 mins. On the reverse, in the evening, it was the most scary scene trying to get back on the Ferry. Like a cattle yard! took at least 30 mins to get to the TTC. This was at the end of the night tho...off season.
Epcot was only about 5-10 mins to the parking lot. We had hopper passes, and rode WDW transportation no problem.
Remeber, if you have AAA, you can park in the diamond lot. This was nice at Epcot-closer and we could walk and not fold up the stroller.
I agree with Steve, the magic is what you make it-but there is something to say about Disney Hospitality, I do miss it, but enjoy the extra room.

Oh, and about riding up front-we did this, it's a blast! Do they still put you up front at the Resorts?
Gretchen