Hopping between EP and HS

[MischaOz]

It will be or first time park hopping this Dec (yay)! Any tips/strategies for hopping between HS and EP, and how long this takes? Thanks!!

 

[yooperfan]

We often plan an early morning at HS and the catch the boats to the international gate of Epcot. We have a late lunch in WOrld Showcase, then take the boat across to the front of Epcot to catch some rides.

 

[Robo]

It will be or first time park hopping this Dec (yay)! Any tips/strategies for hopping between HS and EP, and how long this takes? Thanks!!

If you want to go to the front gates (and Future World) of Epcot from DHS, there is a DHS to Epcot bus.
Once boarded and underway, that bus ride is about 10 minutes.

If you want to go to Epcot's International Gateway and World Showcase from DHS, there is a Friendship boat, or you can walk.
(Both of those methods will take about a half-hour.)

 

[mjkacmom]

It's a 20 minute walk.

 

[Spork24]

It's a 20 minute walk.

Yes, depending on your pace it's 10 to 15 min faster to walk than to take the boat. The boat is a nice chance to relax a bit in the middle of the day.

 

[disnut8]

Yes, depending on your pace it's 10 to 15 min faster to walk than to take the boat. The boat is a nice chance to relax a bit in the middle of the day.

Just remember the boat first docks at the Swan/Dolphin, then the Yacht/Beach Club and then the Boardwalk before arriving at Epcot. So you can do a combination of walking and boating by taking the boat from the Studios and then getting off at one of the other stops and walking to Epcot.

 

[Spork24]

Just remember the boat first docks at the Swan/Dolphin, then the Yacht/Beach Club and then the Boardwalk before arriving at Epcot. So you can do a combination of walking and boating by taking the boat from the Studios and then getting off at one of the other stops and walking to Epcot.

That's a good point. Personally, I don't like to do that as it seems like waiting on the boat to be a waste at that point. I usually fully commit to riding or walking. Just my personal preference.

 

[crazycatlady]

Would getting off at the Yacht/Beach Club be the best option if someone wanted to get off early for the shortest walk?

 

[Robo]

Would getting off at the Yacht/Beach Club be the best option if someone wanted to get off early for the shortest walk?

You could.
But, having done so as a test, I recommend that you just stay on the boat at that point.

 

[ktlm]

You can see the boat dock on the left right as you exit International Gateway. If we are starting to walk towards it and watch the boat pull away or if the line looks really long, then we just walk it. It takes 20 minutes to walk. It takes about the same time by boat. We watched the boat pull away and started walking instead of waiting for the next one, and we got to DHS at just about the same time that the boat we missed got there. We watched it pulling in as we walked by.

 

[tlmadden73]

Strategy: .. I guess it depends on your plan. I love the boat ride and hop as often as I can when I go just to take the fun ride.

I'd say it takes about 30 minutes (depending on how long you have to wait for next ride).
I usually use it FROM DHS to Epcot. Well worth the hopper if your day is done at DHS (and don't plan to see Fantasmic) and you want to go over to Epcot for dinner in the World Showcase or to see Illuminations.

Make some fun out of it too .. stop at one of the resorts along the way to explore or grab a meal. (I ate at Beaches & Cream last trip at the Beach Club resort and it was a pretty fun place (shockingly a lot smaller than I expected for a Disney restaurant).

 

[mi*vida*loca]

We did the boat. It took about 25 minutes. It was a nice relaxing break. Each time a boat was pulling up or already waiting there.

 

[wdwfanva]

DW and I love to walk to/from EP and HS. it's a relaxing walk and gives you a chance to get away from some of the crowds. In the past, we've seen lots of wildlife.

 

[nkereina]

We're two able-bodied adults and found the walk to be a touch long for our liking, especially in the heat. The boat was much more relaxing, and we'd allow 30 minutes to get there by boat if you have to be somewhere at a certain time.

 

[disnut8]

That's a good point. Personally, I don't like to do that as it seems like waiting on the boat to be a waste at that point. I usually fully commit to riding or walking. Just my personal preference.

Well, getting off at the Swan/Dolphin and then walking over to the Boardwalk and the pizza window for, *cough*, a sangria and a beer is a great way to hop between Epcot and the Studios!