Hollywood Studios to Swan and return later. Times needed

[neuend1]

I will be dining at the Garden Grove on Wednesday, April 13 at 5 pm. I am wondering at what time the last Friendship boat leaves from the Swan to go to Hollywood Studios (HS). HS closes at 7 pm on 4/13/2011 and I am wondering if it is possible to take a boat back as I would be leaving my car in the parking lot after visiting the park for that day.

Here is what I plan to do: Go to Hollywood Studios (HS) for the day. Leave at around 3:30-4pm and take boat over to the Swan for my dinner ressie at 5 pm. Eat dinner. Leave about 6-6:30 pm and take boat back to HS.

So I need to know what time the last boat goes to Hollywood Studios (HS).

Thank You for any help you can give.

 

[figment_jii]

When I was there in December, they said that the last boat from the Studio leaves an hour after the park closes. So I would guess that means the last boat from the Swan to the Studio probably leaves about 45 minutes after the park closes.

The Friendship boats make a circuit of DHS -> Swan/Dolphin -> Yacht/Beach -> Boardwalk -> Epcot, so the Swan is the last stop before heading to DHS and the first stop leaving DHS. I think the whole route takes about 30 minutes (give or take depending on crowds, etc.).

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

You can also walk from Hollywood Studios to the Swan, so by doing that you don't need to worry about making the last boat.

 

[neuend1]

You can also walk from Hollywood Studios to the Swan, so by doing that you don't need to worry about making the last boat.

I forgot to mention that I am handicapped. I can walk but not far. I use a walker or an ECV (in the parks). Have degenerative arthritis in my right ankle very bad - the joint is almost fused together. So walking is out for me! Oh, for the good old days when I was young and could run and leap tall buildings in a single bound (at least I felt as if I could)!

 

[elainesj]

I would recommend just getting in your car and driving over to the swan for dinner. Like someone pointed out, the boat could take about half an hour each way - driving should be MUCH faster!

 

[figment_jii]

In general, based on the time line you gave, I would guess you'll be fine. If your dinner is at 5:00 pm and DHS doesn't close until 7:00 pm, then you'd need to be having a dinner that lasts over 2.5 hours to even come close to the time when the boats end.

If you did not want to deal with driving your car from DHS, then there are also taxis that will take you from the Swan to DHS (probably not the most economically efficient option, but an option nonetheless).

 

[francie57]

Do you rent your ECV for the entire time you are at Disney? If you do, you could use it to get to the Swan. When we stayed at the BWVs last Aug. we saw several ECVs using the walking path to get from the Epcot resorts to the Studios and back.

 

[neuend1]

The last time we went to the Garden Grove, we drove to the Swan. However, I thought the parking fees were too high and this time I do not want to drive there. I wanted to be more adventurous and either take the boat or the bus to the Swan to see what that is like. We decided that since we are going to Hollywood Studios anyway during our vacation, that we could do both the park and the dinner on the same day. That is why I was asking about the boat times. Want to try something new in the transportation department! Besides, I just love the boat ride!

 

[goofy4tink]

You'll be just fine. The boats will run for at least an hour after DHS closes for the night. So, if it closes at 7, the boats will be running until 8ish. Your dinner is at 5, so no problem getting on a boat.

Yes, parking at the S/D is steep...about $13-15 or so. That's the big reason I won't stay there if I have a rental car.

 

[neuend1]

Yes, parking at the S/D is steep...about $13-15 or so. That's the big reason I won't stay there if I have a rental car.

Your choices at the Swan is self-park for $13? at a lot that is far away for handicapped people like me. Valet parking is usually $15? but handicapped people get can it for $13 (big whoop) but then you also have to figure the tip in.

No, I would rather spend my money on something else and use my time for getting there. I have more time than money!