Fastest way to get from Dolphin to Grand Floridian?

[JessHooper]

Does anyone know the fastest way to get from Dolphin to Grand Floridian? We're doing our wedding at the Dolphin but the reception/dinner is at the Grand Floridian Cafe, but we don't want to take the bus because it takes 45 minutes to wait in between buses. (at least this is what we were told by the Swan/Dolphin resorts) Is there a boat or something? I've never been to Disney so I have no idea. Thanks everyone!

 

[scootert]

Going from resort to resort is one of the more challenging things at WDW. Getting to and from the parks is fairly easy, but there are not direct buses from one resort to another. The times given to you by the Swan/Dolphin sound about right.

You could:

1) go to the Transportation Center and catch the monorail to the Grand Floridian

2) Catch a bus to the Magic Kingdom and then take either the monorail or a bus from the Magic Kingdom back to the Grand Floridian

or 3)Take the boat over to MGM and catch a bus to the Grand Floridian from there.

I'm assuming you'll still be in your gown, so going through Epcot to catch the monorail won't be an option. You could see about maybe taking cabs to the front of Epcot and taking the monorail from there to the Transportation Center, then transferring over to the resort monorail (short walk between monorail systems).

Hope this helps -- good luck with your planning..

 

[groomtb]

how much time do you think you'll have to get there?
is everyone going in their formal wears? if yes and time is not on your side. I highly suggest you to spend the extra and take a taxi/towncar one way to GF. time to travel on a car is only about 5 ~10mins.
buses and boats runs on a 15~25 interval from the Dolphin. so you're taking the chance of either catching them right on time, or simply just missed them.

DO NOT TAKE THE BOAT TO EPCOT thinking you can catch any transportation there. It takes you to their side entrance and as far as I was told that time, must have tix to get in, can't even let you pass through to the front gate. I don't believe there's a way to get around it.

non-stop boat to MGM then bus to Transportation Center then monorail (get off and get on another side towards the ferry boat) to GF is one way. (joyride on the boat to Epcot is kind of fun)

bus to downtown disney then to bus GF is another.
sort of repeating what scootert said...

 

[Fantasia Sam]

I have to agree with about getting a town car or taxi. The thing with The Dolphin though is that they don't have taxis in a rank they are all town cars and they charge a lot more sometimes than usual taxis so agree a price before you get in. Usually a taxi from Epcot resort to a MK resort can be about .... urghh I'm trying to remember what I usually pay.... approx $20 anyway.

Usually if I just want a yellow cab when I'm staying at The Dolphin I walk to the Yacht Club and pick one up there or if I'm at the Swan I walk to The Boardwalk and pick one up there.

 

[groomtb]

very true Sam...I didn't recall seeing taxi along the entrance area also, just few town cars that seems to be on standby.
Jess if you two have to pay for the entire party then yes it'll be a costly ride for 20 people... each fits like 4 people...5 taxi/towncar X $20 X 2(roundtrip) = OMG

tell the guests they'll go on the Trio Transportation Tour: take a romantic boat ride to MGM, take some "I was there" pictures at the MGM entrance, bus ride to transportation center, scenery ride on the monorail to Poly->GF.

NOTE !!! Check the LAST RUN for the boats from MGM. It runs like only 1 hour after the park closes. only way to get back to Swan/Dolphin after that is to go downtown Disney and catch the bus. one looong journey. so plan ahead and accordingly

 

[JessHooper]

Thanks everyone. We'll probably pay to get everyone to the GF by towncar and have them get home from there since they aren't all staying at our hotel. Most of them are staying at the Contemporary and Value resorts. That should work. My hubby and I will just take the towncar back to the Dolphin.