Free Transport in Disney?

[Drew45]

Are the buses around Disney World free?
Is the Monorail Free?
How about the boats?
I am not staying at a Disney resort.
How long does it take to get from the Dolphin Hotel back to the Magic Kingdom?

Background -- -
After a day in Magic Kingdom we want to get out for dinner.
I am planning dinner at Garden Grove at Dolphin Hotel. I am thinking the transportation is like this:?:
Magic Kingdom to Epcot by Monorail (just to take picture, sorry)
Epcot to Dolphin by boat (I read they connect)
Dolphin back to Magic Kingdom by … (how long?)
See 9:00PM parade and 10:00PM fireworks from Main Street

 

[MICKEEP]

Yes, all transportation is free.

Yes there is a boat from Epcot to DO but the boat is located at the International Gateway. Meaning that when you get off the monorail from TTC/MK you will have to enter Epcot and walk all the way thru the park to France in order to board the boat. You will need Park Hoppers for this plus allow yourself enough time for all your walking.

The bus to MK from DO is only about 15 minutes. DO is the last stop after BW & SW, so the bus goes directly from DO to MK. I would leave DO no later than 7:30 in case you just miss a bus as you get to the Bus stop and it allows you time to enter MK and get a spot to watch the parade.

 

[backyardponder]

Definately take the bus from MK to Dolphin.

If you don't want to rush to get back for parade and fireworks, consider an evening on the Boardwalk, which is right next to the Dolphin. There's lots of street performers. Also, if your group is adult (over 21) only, check out Jellyrolls which is on the Boardwalk. It is a dueling piano bar with fantastic entertainment. They actually have 4 piano players who alternate 1 hour sets...it is non-stop. There is a $10 cover to get in...worth every penny of it. After you leave, the easiest thing to do is to catch a cab to go where ever you want to go.

 

[goofy4tink]

If you take the monorail from MK to Epcot, and you want to get to the S/D from there, you are going to have to go through Epcot, which will require a park pass. If you have a pass that allows park hopping, then fine. Otherwise it's not going to work.
You could ride the monorail through Epcot and then get off at the Epcot entrance. You could get a bus to DHS from there, and then either walk or boat to the S/D from DHS. This method won't need park hopping ability since you won't actually enter a park.
Then, you can eat dinner, and then head back to MK. But....it will take up a chunk of time. 10 mins or so wait for the monorail to Epcot to arrive (could be shorter but plan on longer), then 15 mins to Epcot. Then a possible wait for the DHS bus to come and then 8 mins or so to get there. It will take about 20 mins (depending on walking pace) to get from the buses to the S/D area along the walking path. If you decide to take the boat, there could be a wait of up to 20 mins. If you see a boat coming down the canal then the wait is going to be much shorter. Once on the boat it takes about 15 mins to get to the S/D..the first stop.

 

[TaraPA]

As everyone else posted, there are several ways to get there! Your fastest option returning to MK is the bus. From The Dolphin it's a direct drive - no other resort stops. It's 20 min. tops.

Are you aware that Garden Grove is at The Swan, not The Dolphin? They're right next door to each other, but just wanted to clarify. If you take the bus to MK from The Swan after your meal, you will have 1 stop - at The Dolphin, before MK.

 

[Drew45]

Thanks for all the help on the transportation methods. I am finally getting my head around this (even dreamed about it a bit).
My dinner reservation is at 6:30 PM at Swan.

I realize now that it would be much easier to get from MK to Swan directly by bus than by going past the Epcot Entrance. But me and my travel partner want to see a little more around Disney World. I'll keep both options in mind (direct bus MK to Swan / monorail to Epcot).

So here is our plan for this little excursion out of MK and back:

Ride the monorail from MK through Epcot and then get off at the Epcot entrance. (4:30 PM) Takes 10 min waiting + 15 min ride.

Bus to DHS (Hollywood Studio) from there, and then either walk or boat to the S/D from DHS. (5:15 PM)
Waiting for bus+ 10 min + 20 min waiting for boat + 15 min boat
(Too bad nothing direct from Epcot entrance to S/D (Swan) but this seems OK)

Dinner 6:30
Yacht & Beach Clubs, and the Boardwalk, all near the Swan
(before or after dinner depending on running early or late)

Return to MK by bus (8:00 departure from Swan)
Wait for bus + 20 minutes ride (45 minutes top)

Parade starts at 9:00 PM
Fireworks at 10:00 and another parade at 11:00 PM if miss first.