Getting to GF from Boardwalk area without using car seats

[2019TripIdeas]

While we are on our trip later this month, the grandparents will be watching my kids for a few days while my husband and I are off doing Non-Disney things. The grandparents do NOT have park tickets yet, and though the kiddos are likely to still have a day left on their tickets, I think it would be easier all around if they didn't have to go into a park.

We're staying at Boardwalk. They booked a character meal at Grand Floridian for the kids. We will not have carseats and kids are 5, 3, and 2 (all well within the size of needing a carseat, legally). In theory, I'm thinking we could get the MinnieVan with 2 carseats and then my oldest could bring along a MiFold to ride in but technically I think she's still under the legal US limits for those.

They booked it originally thinking they could walk to Epcot, take the monorail from Epcot, transfer at TTC to resort line and get off at GF (and do the same in reverse to get back to Boardwalk). I just realized when looking at a map that this won't work, as without park tickets it looks like there is no way to get to the front of Epcot to get the monorail.

Can anyone explain any alternatives here? Is there a bus between Boardwalk and Epcot that would let them out near to where they'd get monorail without needing to go through the gates? An easy way to walk to Hollywood Studios from Boardwalk and from there get a bus to GF without having to go through gates?

To add to this, they don't feel capable of folding and unfolding a double stroller, so that makes me think the walk to Epcot/monorail/bus scenarios might've been challenging with the 2 year old regardless. If there's a bus within easy walking distance that drops them at GF, they'll probably go stroller-less.

Also to add- I've offered to try to book them the easier/closer character meal at Beach Club but as of right now, no reservations for times they wanted and they are set on the idea of taking them to Grand Floridian or Polynesian only- which I'm guessing is no easier to get to.

 

[TinkLoverSam]

Walk / Boat to Hollywood Studios, get the GF bus from there - probably the easiest way without carseats

 

[lanejudy]

Or bus from Boardwalk to MK and monorail to GF. I don't know if it would be any faster or slower than PP's suggestion above to go via DHS, might depend on how fast the crew walks.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[kboo]

In addition to the above, could take skyliner to HS and then a bus to GF. One issue is that double strollers need to be folded on the skyliner (singles can stay open) and all strollers need to be folded on the buses.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

Or bus from Boardwalk to MK and monorail to GF.

This is what I would recommend.

 

[2019TripIdeas]

Thanks all! Didn't even think through the Boat to Hollywood Studios option, and I guess I can throw both that and the Bus to MK/Monorail to GF option out to them and see which they'd prefer (I think the stroller folding business will probably be the kicker regardless and they may opt to go without the stroller either way).

Would either of those options involve a lot less walking if they did go without the stroller just for this outing? Kids and grandparents are all good walkers and while I wouldn't attempt a park without a stroller for the 2 year old, I'm thinking this outing is probably do-able for him.

Breakfast reservation is at 10:30 at GF so I'm guessing that in either scenario they'd probably want to be out of Boardwalk by 9ish?

 

[starry_solo]

Boardwalk to MK to monorail to GF may involve less walking than boat to HS to GF

 

[kboo]

Boardwalk to MK to monorail to GF may involve less walking than boat to HS to GF

The downsides are that GF is the last stop on the monorail resort loop and it can take a while. If you’re going to end up taking a bus for part of the trip anyway, I’d suggest skyliner or boat to HS and then bus to GF. Check the boat route - I’d take the boat to HS if it’s the second stop from BW but not if it has to go to Beach club first. Then you’d be better off taking the skyliner.

 

[loves to dive]

There is also the option to boat from MK directly to GF, it is technically not direct but the first stop going is GF. They would have to walk from the bus stop to the boat dock, which is just a tad closer than the monorail.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Would they consider booking Topolino's Terrace at the Riviera instead if available? Then they just need to take the Skyliner one stop from the EP IG station.

 

[Brett Wyman]

In addition to the above, could take skyliner to HS and then a bus to GF. One issue is that double strollers need to be folded on the skyliner (singles can stay open) and all strollers need to be folded on the buses.

***Double side by sides do but not tandem doubles.

 

[kboo]

Would they consider booking Topolino's Terrace at the Riviera instead if available? Then they just need to take the Skyliner one stop from the EP IG station.

Just remember that Topolino's is a character meal at breakfast only, and you order off the menu. If they're going to 1900 PF - the characters for brunch are different from the characters at dinner, but it's all a buffet, which might be easier for kids aged 5, 3 and 2.

***Double side by sides do but not tandem doubles.

Yes, correct. Sorry about that! We were just using a side by side and it was so annoying.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Just remember that Topolino's is a character meal at breakfast only, and you order off the menu. If they're going to 1900 PF - the characters for brunch are different from the characters at dinner, but it's all a buffet, which might be easier for kids aged 5, 3 and 2.


Yes, correct. Sorry about that! We were just using a side by side and it was so annoying.

OP has a breakfast ADR, but thanks for the clarification! Buffets, IMHO, are not easy with young children, especially if you have three of them. A sit down, table service character meal where the server brings the children their food is far easier. Otherwise, it's a ton of plate balancing and babysitting children at a table while one adult goes and gets the food. Personally, I can't imagine wrangling three young children with strollers, taking them across WDW property using WDW transportation and then doing a buffet (I could barely manage this with only one of my own when I traveled alone with DS when he was a toddler), but, to each his own!

 

[kboo]

OP has a breakfast ADR, but thanks for the clarification! Buffets, IMHO, are not easy with young children, especially if you have three of them. A sit down, table service character meal where the server brings the children their food is far easier. Otherwise, it's a ton of plate balancing and babysitting children at a table while one adult goes and gets the food. Personally, I can't imagine wrangling three young children with strollers, taking them across WDW property using WDW transportation and then doing a buffet (I could barely manage this with only one of my own when I traveled alone with DS when he was a toddler), but, to each his own!

I get that - Topolino's has fewer options, though, because it is menu-based. The food on the whole is better, but if you have picky eaters it is harder. I guess there is always the pastry basket ...

https://allears.net/dining/menu/topolinos-terrace/child-breakfast/

 

[kboo]

To add to this, they don't feel capable of folding and unfolding a double stroller, so that makes me think the walk to Epcot/monorail/bus scenarios might've been challenging with the 2 year old regardless. If there's a bus within easy walking distance that drops them at GF, they'll probably go stroller-less.

Also to add- I've offered to try to book them the easier/closer character meal at Beach Club but as of right now, no reservations for times they wanted and they are set on the idea of taking them to Grand Floridian or Polynesian only- which I'm guessing is no easier to get to.

Just saw this update - Skyliner to HS and then bus to GF is probably the least walking, but it's still a fair amount of walking:

BW to Int'l Gateway Skyliner, transfer at CBR, HS. The HS Skyliner to GF bus is a short walk, and then there's a walk from the GF bus stop to 1900 PF. It might be worth it to suck it up and take a Minnie Van. FWIW - I just remembered - I think the Minnie Vans have 2 boosters and a car seat so you should be ok. We used 2 boosters with our kids last week and there was definitely an extra car seat in the back!

Edited:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/minnie-van-service/
The airport service says they have up to 3 car seats, even though the resort service says only 2. So I bet if you call ahead they can accommodate you. I surely was NOT hallucinating last week, as I talked to the driver, surprised because I thought they only had 2 seats. May be worth checking out and save yourself the transit headache!

 

[2019TripIdeas]

The airport service says they have up to 3 car seats, even though the resort service says only 2. So I bet if you call ahead they can accommodate you. I surely was NOT hallucinating last week, as I talked to the driver, surprised because I thought they only had 2 seats. May be worth checking out and save yourself the transit headache!

So helpful to know this, thank you.

I am thinking the whole scenario would be so much easier would be so much easier if they'd do an Epcot resort area character meal, but they're deadset on GF or Poly, so 1900 Park Fare it is. To those who mentioned the buffet scenario, I hear you. Our kids aren't the slightest picky really, but we do have one with an allergy which seems easier to handle at a sit down meal vs. buffet with 3 children.

 

[TOBS2010]

I am surprised that no one has suggested this. Why not get two Minnie Vans or one Minnie Van and one Family Uber? Family Ubers will have at least one carseat--so I would send one adult with two kids in the Minnie Van and the other adult in another minnie van or family Uber. It will cost more than the free transportation, but gets your door to door service between the two hotels. Also in my experience the Disney employees driving the Minnie Vans are super helpful and would likely assist with opening and closing strollers if they decide to bring a stroller and need it. Dinner at 1900 Park Fare is one of our favorites, I think you will enjoy it!