Getting back/forth from BWV for dinner at other resorts

[Disney Enthusiast]

Hi. I need some advice. We are doing Disney Transportation only this trip and I have a 2 yr old and 4 mo old so this is a tricky situation for me. I used to just jump in the car and drive to another resort for dinner, but obviously that is not the case this time. Because of the small children, I can not take a taxi, due to lack of carseats or I would do that w/o hesitation. I am staying at the BWV and need to know the fastest way to get to the following locations. I know I have the option of going to another park, or the TTC, or DTD and then to the other resort via 2 buses or monorail, but I don't know the fastest routes. I know the EPCOT monorail seems too far to catch. What about MGM? Am I close enough to briskly walk there w/ the kids in the stroller, then catch a bus at the entrance to the intended resort? Is that my best option? Thanks so much for helping me out. I have scheduled mostly early dinners betw. 5 and 6 so most parks will be open when we return except for AKL. I'd love to try Jiko's but might want to wait til next year when we have a car if it's too cumbersome because the AK closes early. The rest of the locations are character breakfasts or shows because then I can eat a full meal while DS watches the show.

I need the easiest way to get to these places:

1. Poly (early PM)
2. Hoop de Doo at Fort Wilderness (early PM)
3. AKL (early PM)
4. Contemporary (late AM)

 

[jennymouse]

Originally posted by Disney Enthusiast
I need the easiest way to get to these places:

1. Poly (early PM)
2. Hoop de Doo at Fort Wilderness (early PM)
3. AKL (early PM)
4. Contemporary (late AM)

I looks like you already know your options. And, yes, I think MGM transfer if it's still open is your best bet. I would take the boat to MGM from BWV if it were me with two little ones, but you can certainly walk if you choose. I'm concerned that MGM may be closed after dinner, so you'd either have to transfer at DTD or take the bus to Epcot and walk through the gateway.

I'm in a simular situation with Dad in the scooter, but he can do some walking so I'm hoping he can leave the scooter behind when we just go out for dinners. But, we'll probably do taxi's sometimes too when we can leave the scooter behind. I try to schedule PS's around where we'll be to reduce the transportation hassells a bit. We're dining at Calf Grill & Artist Point while we're staying at WL the first two nights. Then, I've either got PS's in Epcot or in the BWV/BCV area after we move to BCV. Except for one dinner at Liberty Tree on that Tuesday night to see Wishes. We ought to compair PS's to see if we're going to be dining together!

 

[Disney Enthusiast]

Thanks Jennymouse for responding to my questions. It is so difficult now that I have kids.... one of which needs a nap during the day or I'll get nasty looks from the other diners. Before kids, I did the same thing... would eat where I am. Now it doesn't matter cuz I have to get him back for a 2 hour nap anyway.

I made the early PS's (like 5ish) which is really early for us to be eating, but I figured I could still catch the boat from the Hoop de Doo at 7 pm to the MK, then bus it back to BWV. But I am so afraid that will be cutting really far into my day's activities. If I have to allow an hour to get there, and I have to be there a 1/2 hour early, and he needs a 2 hour nap before we go..... I am looking at him going down at 1:30, which leaves little time in the parks. I'm not sure I want that. But if I schedule the 7 pm dinner which ends around 9, I have to walk to the other end of the Campground to catch the bus, then to DTD, then home. We'll be looking at 10 pm and for a 2 yr old, that is getting somewhat late. What do you think? Go for the late seating and get home really late, or early seating and miss some attractions... I just don't know.

Here's another question for you....... Do you know how far a walk it is to MGM? If it's as far as the International Gateway....that's not a bad walk w/ a stroller, if it's as far as the main entrance to EPCOT.... that's too much for us and we're taking the boat trip. Never walked there so I don't know.

That is funny about our PS's. We made one for the LTT dinner too .... but on Saturday to also step out and watch Spectro and Wishes! So funny! I'm trying a lot of character meals and shows so the little guy is entertained while we EAT.

I'm still thinking of scheduling the 7 pm though. He does really well in the later evening.... starts to quiet down for bed a bit. How long do you think I need to plan for travel during these slower times? Thanks so much for all your advice. Coordinating the logistics w/ a parent or child in tow is tough.

 

[Disney Enthusiast]

I just changed my seating for the Hoop de Doo for 7:00 PM. I know I have to take a bus now to get back to the BWV because the MK boat will be done for the evening. Anyone know how many buses and where I catch them. I don't have to walk to the entrance do I?

 

[futomara]

From Hoop-Dee-Doo, there are buses to the main bus stop at Fort Wilderness, so no, you do not have to walk to the main bus stop. From there. I think you'll probably need to take a bus to DD and then to BWV from there.

 

[crisi]

I'm no fan of a rental car, but I'd reconsider it if I were you.

You are planning a lot of trips where buses are difficult to take. And if no carseat in a cab concerns you, you will not be thrilled standing while you hold a four month old on a bus. (Generally, someone will give up a seat, but I've seen a parent or two with baby in a Baby Bjorn strapped to their chest, holding a stroller with one hand and hanging on for dear life with the other. Often this happens when the seats are full of parents with small children themselves - i.e. I'd give up my seat, but my two year old is already on my lap and its no safer for her to stand than you.)

Me, I put my kids in a cab - at least now that they are a little older - and put the lap belt on them with the shoulder harness behind them. Not sure I'd do that with a baby.

(Edited: Another option is to limit your trips. I'd skip Ft. Wilderness - buses are hard enough with kids without transfering at DTD at 9:00 at night. Likewise AKL. There will be other trips).

 

[sotoalf]

I am almost certain that buses are available to take guests back to their respective hotels after Hoop Dee Doo - WITHOUT a transfer required at DTD. It's the only time when direct buses are offered.

 

[valeriekc]

We always take path to MGM as the boat is SUPER SLOOOOOW and it only takes us around 10-12 minutes. However we tend to move fast. We do push the stroller though. I would estimate it takes most folks around 15 minutes to make the walk.
I think the walk is just a little bit further than the walk to the international gateway.
Looks like everyone else is helping on the other questions.
All I can say is I would almost take a cab to Ft. Wilderness for the Hoop de Doo as that will be the longest investment of time for you. Both ways.
Good Luck!

 

[jennymouse]

I've never walked from BWV to MGM but it looked long to me, but after a day in the parks I'm not to keen on a lot more walking. That's just me, though. Others do it all the time.

When we went to the Hoop dee doo in October 2002 there wasn't a bus to take us back to the resort. There was a bus to the main bus stop of FW where we got the bus to DTD then on to AKL. I had been worried and dreading it, but it ended up not being bad at all. I remember we got a good fun driver and that sort of made the time go by fast. Plus everyone was a little tipsy from the beer & sangrias and just coming from hoop so it was a lively bus.

If little buzzy is good to go after a nap, I'd do later PS's. If he seems cranky or something you could always just grab counter service as a last resort. You might play it by ear. I'm going to agree with crisi, you might want to consider a rental car this trip just to make things a bit easier.

I'll be interested to hear how your baby girl does. When we go back in June we'll have my new grandbaby who'll be 7mos then. Plus, my 9yo granddaughter is bringing two friends. We're going to plan some PS's but we'll be utilizing the kitchen for some meals.

 

[Disney Enthusiast]

Wow. You have all been soooo helpful! Thank you all very much! I so appreciate all of your suggestions.

futomara: That is what I was remembering..... something to that nature. I am sure I can follow the crowd as everyone will be heading for the buses at that time. Thank Goodness I don't have to walk thru that dark campground though. That would have been difficult.

crisi: Rental car? My DH says no, not this trip. We are even doing Mears transportation to the resort. I am thinking DS will think of the buses as attractions because they are new to him. He'll just be happy to be getting attn from us. We are going again in Dec or Jan and DH said I can rent then. So I have canceled some of my high hopes for PS at other resorts. No AKL this trip... no CG this trip.... I am hoping next time. We are only doing early seatings for dinner or breakfasts where we can bus it to the MK or walk it to MGM, then Monorail or Bus it to the resort. I would take and pay for a cab in minute, but I read that the taxi cabs won't pick you up if you have small children and no carseats... so I figured that is not even an option. And the day we are going to CM, we are going for a late BF and are hanging out to go boating, so will be there anyway. And the day we are going to the Poly, we will be in the MK, so we can jump the monorail to the ceremonial house really easily. But I can't see trying to get to Narcoosee's or CG or AKL which are places I love to visit, just not this trip. So I kept HdeD, but that is only 1 night in 8 that we have to mess around. The next day is a lazy day, so hopefully I can pull this off. Thank you for your suggestions! I am hoping when I have a rental car next time, I can hop over to another resort and dine then. Or if I really want Jiko's, I can always get take out via cab while the DH babysits....... Ha ha.

sotoalf: Thanks for responding to my question. I will keep a lookout for those buses. Hopefully you are right.... but if not, I won't let it ruin my time. But I will still look for it.

valeriekc: I am a really fast walker too. I put those kids in their stroller and I go at hyperspeed. I welcome the walk since I will be holed up for 2 hours w/ DS taking naps, and I still need to lose that baby weight.... Ha Ha. Just further than the Gateway is just fine w/ me. And I may be close to the MGM walkway too.... so I might even be closer. We are spending a lot of time in MGM due to the Playhouse and Buzzy Meets, so walking will be a good option for us. My DS will enjoy riding the boats, but they are so slow, and after the 3rd or 4th trip, Mommy will be going nuts stopping off at all the other resorts first. Maybe when I'm really tired at the end of the day, I'll take the boat. Thank you for giving me the logistics of the walkway to MGM. Never took that path and had no idea. With all of my dining PS's, I will need the walking.

jennymouse: You are such a Dear to keep track of my post and give me suggestions. Thank you. I told crisi I thought the taxis were not even an option due to the law, and the DH says no this time to the rental car. So I cut back a bit. I figured no DTD restaurants since I will most likely be staying at SSR next time and will do them then. And I cut out some of the resorts for dining. I will be getting take out at YS, Spoodles, maybe FF, and I have PS at Marrakesh and Biergarten so I can just walk back to the resort. I also have a breakfast at CMC. The other days we will be doing counter service or the bakeries and such. I am sure baby girl will be fine. As long as I hold her, she never gets upset. So if she starts to get fussy, I'll just pick her up. DS went to WDW at 8 mos. and we ate at the CG and all over the world, carting him around, and he had a grand time because he was getting attention. Just slept during dinners and shows and woke up during our strolls. Kids that age are perfect for WDW because they just go w/ the flow. She's up late anyway for feedings so I am sure the late nights won't get to her. And after DS's naps, he is running strong again. Well, thank you again for answering my post. I'll let you know how it turns out. And I guess you are leaving soon too. Hope you have safe travels and a wonderful time w/ your Dad and I will see you there!!!

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR POSTS.