Ferry from MGM to Epcot??

[bianca66]

I read in the Birnbaum's Guide that there is a ferry connecting Epcot and MGM Studios. Is this right, and how convenient is it to use for park-hopping? On our last full day in Orlando, I'm thinking of having lunch at Epcot World Showcase and then going over to MGM for the Fantasmic show - that is, if we can use the ferry. I suppose we could always drive, too. (We're renting a car). Also, should we park our car at MGM first, because Epcot closes earlier? Thanks in advance if anyone knows about this.

 

[Star Wars Guy]

It runs between MGM, Swan/Dolphin, Boardwalk, Yacht/Beach Club, and Epcot. You could use it to get between those parks if you wanted to. If you're staying at a Disney resort, you could catch the bus to one of the parks, use the ferry to park hop, and catch a bus back to your resort.

 

[michaelwilliammidd]

Yes there is a ferry boat that is available for you to use. It is a fairly quick trip over to Epcot from MGM and is an enjoyable ride as well. You would probably be best to park at MGM if your starting your day there, then take the boat to Epcot for lunch, very convienent if you are dining in world showcase as it drops you at the back entrance to the park, and then take the boat back to MGM for the evening.

 

[freediverdude]

Well yes there is a ferry service that goes back and forth between MGM and Epcot, but it is slow and stops at several hotels along the way. If you use it, I would allow close to an hour if there is no boat sitting there when you walk up, or if you walk up and walk right on a boat, the trip takes about a half hour. I'm not sure how late the boat will stop at Epcot though, if MGM is open much later, it might only be for an hour after Epcot closes. Maybe someone else knows the exact times for sure.

 

[pennyfan01]

Yes the ferry ride is available and enjoyable. Here is my tip, park at the Boardwalk (Free if you are just visiting the Boardwalk) and then either ferry or walk to Epcot's back gate for lunch and ferry over to MGM for Fantasmic....ferry back to the Boardwalk after Fantasmic and head to your car after enjoying the Boardwalk activities and an ice cream cone

 

[QuickGold]

The ferry is best option if when you leave the Studios you see the boat pulling in or waiting. It does make stops at the hotels along the way. It's probably the best option if you want to go straight to World Showcase (perhaps for dinner ressie) and again, it's waiting for you.

 

[Gary M]

The boat ride should take about 25 to 30 minutes. If you just miss a boat, the wait for the next one should be 15 to 20 minutes. This has been my experience of taking the trip many times. I did time the trip once and it took 24 minutes. This was during the slower season.

 

[spiceycat]

it was much slower this May - I beat the boat to BW.

You can definitely walk this route faster than taking the boat.

but if you have the time go for the boat.

I would say with stops at BC/YC, BW and D/S - have at least 45 to 60 minutes for the boat ride.

Oh the boat ride is much,much slower than before. I don't know if someone had an accident or what - but you can easily outwalk the boat now.

 

[Stitch Inside]

"You can definitely walk this route faster than taking the boat.

but if you have the time go for the boat.

I would say with stops at BC/YC, BW and D/S - have at least 45 to 60 minutes for the boat ride.

Oh the boat ride is much,much slower than before. I don't know if someone had an accident or what - but you can easily outwalk the boat now."

That's what I thought.

 

[GIOny]

Yes the ferry ride is available and enjoyable. Here is my tip, park at the Boardwalk (Free if you are just visiting the Boardwalk) and then either ferry or walk to Epcot's back gate for lunch and ferry over to MGM for Fantasmic....ferry back to the Boardwalk after Fantasmic and head to your car after enjoying the Boardwalk activities and an ice cream cone

I'm not sure but I think the Boardwalk may have that 3 hour limit on parking for non-hotel guests. I would check this out before you pick this option.

 

[CPer'sMom]

Oh the boat ride is much,much slower than before. I don't know if someone had an accident or what - but you can easily outwalk the boat now.

The Friendship Boats run-time is the same as it's always been; sometimes it's a bit slower when they have a new captain on board who is still training, but that doesn't usually affect the times too much. Crowd level also affects the timing - the more people loading/unloading, the longer they must sit at the dock. And when guests don't follow signs and instructions from the captains, the boats can't dock and must wait until (as an example) everyone is behind the chain in the waiting area.

The plan is for the Friendship boat to leave Epcot, stop at the hotels & MGM and return to Epcot in an hour ~~ 30 minute trip to MGM and 30 minute trip back to Epcot's dock.

Yes, you can sometimes walk faster than the FBs. But when it's hot and humid or if you just want to relax, the boat ride is a great alternative.

 

[spiceycat]

Sorry but you are wrong.

the captain was the same I have had lots of time. and all the boats and I mean all the boats were going much, much slower.

I was there in May.

 

[CPer'sMom]

Sorry but you are wrong.

the captain was the same I have had lots of time. and all the boats and I mean all the boats were going much, much slower.

I was there in May.

Okay, so you were on a slow boat.
But, I really do know what I'm talking about ~~ my daughter IS a Friendship Boat captain

(I was just there in May too)

 

[bianca66]

Wow, thanks for all of your quick answers!! Very helpful. So, we can walk from Epcot to MGM? What is the route for that, and is it very long? Thanks again.

 

[Greg K.]

Follow the signs from MGM, from the front entrance, toward the boat dock, to the path that points you to the Board Walk. It runs parallel to the waterway. Once you get to the Board Walk, cut through to the Board Walk itself, walking along the wooden planks (the lake will be on your left, the hotel on your right) and go up the slope, over the bridge, to the path that leads to the BC (to the left) or to the International Gateway (to the right).

The entire walk should take you, gate to gate, a half hour or so, depending on your pace. Be forewarned: in the Florida heat, it can be tedious and tiring, and there isn't a whole lot of shade.

 

[CPer'sMom]

Greg ~

great directions

 

[Gary M]

bianca66, I have never walked between Epcot and MGM, but have taken the boat probably over 100 times. As I said above, I did time the boat a few times and the fastest time was 24 minutes, but never more than 30 minutes.. We go to WDW duirng the slower times and my information is based on that. I know when riding the boat we pass the people walking on the path going in our direction. We were on the boat from MGM to Epcot during the marathon and the runners were on the path beside us and I thought it was funny we were going faster than the marathon people. These may have been the slow runners, who knows. I know with the 3 resort stops the people walking may beat the boat. When this subject is brought up on these threads you have people that say walking is the only way to go, while others say the boat is the best way.

I have never seen a reply from a person who timed the walk, it's always a guess. I walk at the YMCA 45 minutes a day at a good pace, 5 days per week and with that and all the walking at WDW, I find the boat ride nice and refreshing. In warm or hot weather, I think the walk would be uncomfortable.

I will plan on walking the MGM to Epcot path during our Dec. trip and time it. I walk at a good pace fast pace. I'll then have an answer that isn't a guess.

 

[bianca66]

First off, you all are so, so helpful, I cannot thank you enough. This helps loads with my vacation planning, knowing ahead of time how to get from one place to another...
I have one more question (ok, I may have more later, but one for now - ) Are there seats on the ferry, or do you have to stand? We are from Northern Illinois, and not used to the heat, though we're in good shape, physically... also have a young child with us, so I'm thinking the boat ride, if we can sit, might be a relaxing break in between the parks. We're also staying off-site, and it'd be nice to go by some of the resorts and see what they look like. Thanks again.

 

[GIOny]

There are seats, you can sit up towards the front which is enclosed and a small part of the back which you are out in the open, both areas have seats. It's a really nice ride, very scenic and relaxing. Save your energy for the parks.

 

[CPer'sMom]

Are there seats on the ferry, or do you have to stand? I'm thinking the boat ride, if we can sit, might be a relaxing break in between the parks. We're also staying off-site, and it'd be nice to go by some of the resorts and see what they look like. Thanks again.

Yes, the Friendship Boats have bench seating for many guests. There
are most always seats available. Normally the only time they have people standing is at the end of the night when the park is closed and there are large crowds wanting to take the boats. Then the captains try to get as many people on board as safely possible.

The boats are definitely a nice relaxing way to travel between the parks. You'll get a good view of the Yacht & Beach Club resorts, the Boardwalk resorts and the Swan & Dophin hotels on the way.