From HS to Epcot

[CaryHaven]

We were hoping to watch a little bit of the Osborne lights before heading to Epcot WS for dinner. We normally drive. What is the best way time-wise to get there? If it's taking the bus, we may just forego driving that day, because I don't want to have to get all the way back to HS to get the car to get to the hotel. I've heard the boat takes forever.

 

[mesaboy2]

We were hoping to watch a little bit of the Osborne lights before heading to Epcot WS for dinner. We normally drive. What is the best way time-wise to get there? If it's taking the bus, we may just forego driving that day, because I don't want to have to get all the way back to HS to get the car to get to the hotel. I've heard the boat takes forever.

The boat takes approximately 25 minutes once aboard, and the bus about 10-15. But the bus takes you to the front and FW where you will face more walking to WS, while the boat to WS directly.

I'd call it a wash.

 

[Hopefully]

We took the boat from HS to Epcot yesterday. As Mesaboy2 said, I timed it and it was exactly 25 minutes. I would take the bus to HS in the morning and then the boat to Epcot for an ADR. It is a pleasant ride

 

[disney world dreamer]

i wouldn't bother to take your car.

i wouldn't take the bus cuz that takes you to the front of epcot when you want to be in the world showcase.
you'll want to either walk or take the boat so you can enter through the international gateway.
personally i enjoy the boat. it makes stops at epcot resorts but it doesn't take "forever".
generally it takes 20-25 minutes to take the boat.
it takes a good 20 minutes to walk and walking uses more energy.

 

[rinnythepooh]

If you take the boat, you may want to get off at the Beach Club and walk to the IG. It could save you some time because after the Beach Club stop the boat stops at Boardwalk before dropping people off at the IG. We like to walk from HS to EPCOT.

 

[disnut8]

If we are driving, we park the car at the park where we are going to do our last bit of the night.

The boat between Epcot and the Studios doesn't take "forever" and there are stops along the way to get out and walk. That's what we usually do on the way to and from each park. Someone suggested getting off the the Yacht/Beach Club which we've done. You can also get off at the Boardwalk as well.

It isn't mentioned often but there is a bus from the Studios to Epcot (front entrance). If you go towards the walking trail, the bus stop will be one of the first you encounter.

 

[Sugart]

You could always drive to HS then drive and park at the boardwalk and then walk to Epcot. It would prob be the same amount of time as the boat and you would have your car.

 

[DebbieB]

You could always drive to HS then drive and park at the boardwalk and then walk to Epcot. It would prob be the same amount of time as the boat and you would have your car.

Theme park parking is not allowed at Boardwalk, there is a sign out front. It's very frustrating to be staying there and not be able to find a space because people are using it for Epcot.

 

[CaryHaven]

I've gone over it with my husband. I think we'll just take the boat. It would be nice to be dropped off at the IG, or at least the Beach Club. I dread carrying two strollers on the bus though (since we'll just take the bus instead of driving that day.)

 

[matheke]

I am not saying the PP are wrong but it all depends on what time you are going to see the lights, what time the park closes and what time and where you are planning to eat at EPCOT.

I have seen the line for the boat at or near closing time and it can take a long time to get to EPCOT especially if you have to wait for the second or third boat to arrive you could be looking at 45 minutes or more just to get on a boat.

 

[CaryHaven]

I am not saying the PP are wrong but it all depends on what time you are going to see the lights, what time the park closes and what time and where you are planning to eat at EPCOT.

I have seen the line for the boat at or near closing time and it can take a long time to get to EPCOT especially if you have to wait for the second or third boat to arrive you could be looking at 45 minutes or more just to get on a boat.

Good gracious, what a wait. Reminds me of the monorail after Wishes on a packed night. It would be around 7 that we'd head toward Epcot, maybe 7:15. I've never been to HS before, so I'm not sure, but I would think most people would be staying for Fantasmic or whatever evening entertainment that's going on? I hope??? lol

 

[teller80]

I've also seen an enormous line to get on the boat to Epcot, so we decided to walk. And it was quite a stroll.

So, if the choice was:

1. walk

2. take the bus and walk to World Showcase (and back to the front to the monorail)

Would we end up walking the same distance?

 

[Robo]

Since I evidently don't really understand the question, here's a map of the routes.

 

[Robo]

Good gracious, what a wait. Reminds me of the monorail after Wishes on a packed night. It would be around 7 that we'd head toward Epcot, maybe 7:15. I've never been to HS before, so I'm not sure, but I would think most people would be staying for Fantasmic or whatever evening entertainment that's going on? I hope??? lol

EDIT: On Nov. 12, the 6:30 Fantasmic! will be letting out at 7PM, so I'd be AT the BOAT DOCK by no later than 6:55PM.

If you can't make the dock by then, I'd surely walk from DHS.

 

[cleophus12]

I actually really love the walk especially in the evenings. Very pleasant.

 

[teller80]

#2 would be more walking than #1

I think I should rephrase. To get to the International Gateway from HS, would it be easier to:

1. walk

2. take the bus to the front of Epcot and walk.

I looked on google pedometer. To walk from HS to IG was 1.17 miles, to walk from the front of Epcot to IG was .58 miles.

 

[CaryHaven]

I'd not sweat the boat wait-time at 7PM.

But, in all of this conversation, I don't see a DATE posted.

Please, when asking a timing question... post the date so that we can look up the important times
of events, openings, and closures.

Sorry! It's Nov 12th.

 

[Robo]

Sorry! It's Nov 12th.

On Nov. 12, the 6:30 Fantasmic! will be letting out at 7PM, so I'd be AT the BOAT DOCK by no later than 6:55PM.

If you can't make the dock by then, I'd surely walk from DHS.