Is it a problem getting from the Poly to Epcot for RD?

[nikjd68]

If you want to get to EP 45 minutes before RD, can you take the resort monorail to the EP monorail?

 

[Soarin4us]

If you're able, it's an easy walk to the Epcot monorail --between .2 & .4 miles depending on your longhouse

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I agree with Soarin4us. It's quicker to walk to TTC from Poly than taking the resort monorail and then switching.

 

[nikjd68]

If you're able, it's an easy walk to the Epcot monorail --between .2 & .4 miles depending on your longhouse

Our SOP in previous trips to the Poly (before the renovation) was to walk to the TTC. But I hear the EP monorail doesn't start until 8:30 these days, so you can't get to EP by RD. Is that true?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

It is often not possible to use the monorail for Epcot rope drop, let alone breakfast.

The resort monorail does not serve Epcot, just the resort loop, TTC and MK. You must take the monorail from TTC. This often does not start until 8:30 or 9:00. If it starts at 8:30 and starts on time, you will not make rope drop and will be behind the main rush to high-queue attractions. It does not always start on time.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Resort and Epcot Monorail hours change frequently, day to day and often week to week, so there's no "one size fits all" answer to your question.

If you are considering taking the monorail while there, make sure to pick up a current Times Guide in the resort lobby. That's the only way to stay current on the actual monorail operating hours for your days. The Times Guide is published weekly.

This website often posts the weekly Times Guide as well, it's worth a bookmark: http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/p/weekly-walt-disney-world-times-guides.html

As you can see... the start times this past week for the Epcot line were:

Epcot Monorail Line
Sun/Tues/Wed/Fri/Sat - 8AM
Mon - 9AM
Thurs - 7:30AM (this is an Epcot AM EMH morning)

As others have suggested, from Poly it's often easier to walk to the TTC than take the Resort Monorail line around and transfer. Using this past week as a guide, taking the Epcot Monorail to make it there for RD or earlier would have been a valid option every day but Monday. If you're trying to be at Epcot 45 minutes early for a standard 9AM opening, I'd be circling being at the TTC right at 8 or shortly thereafter. Obviously I'm assuming no mechanical or operational delays with that advice.

BUT, monorail hours can and will change, so you can't always depend on the past. The Times Guide is critical to help guide your options while there.

Just FYI (and you may know this), but they start letting people in the gates at Epcot quite a bit before 9AM. You're then held at points further in the park until the real opening time.

 

[Farro]

@GADisneyDad14 So if the monorail is not an option for an Epcot am EMH, do you suggest just calling an Uber? Or are the buses available? Thanks!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

@GADisneyDad14 So if the monorail is not an option for an Epcot am EMH, do you suggest just calling an Uber? Or are the buses available? Thanks!

I could be proven wrong by this statement but to me it 'seems' that these days the Epcot monorail has had pretty consistent 7:30AM opening times for Epcot AM EMH's. Disney does tend to make their various transportation options available to support EMHs. Although YMMV.

If the monorail isn't open or otherwise not available (eg, a mechanical delay, etc), there are "supposed" to be busses from Poly (and GF, and CR) that go to Epcot.

But my personal vote would be uber or taxi. It's just so cheap/quick/stress-free. I have taken a taxi to a few Epcot PPO ADRs (even when the monorail was an option) just because it's easier and I can control my own destiny (so to say) vs leaving it to Disney transportation.

Hope that helps!

 

[Farro]

I have a feeling we will be using Uber a few times this trip just to make life easier!

 

[cassie58]

Resort and Epcot Monorail hours change frequently, day to day and often week to week, so there's no "one size fits all" answer to your question.

If you are considering taking the monorail while there, make sure to pick up a current Times Guide in the resort lobby. That's the only way to stay current on the actual monorail operating hours for your days. The Times Guide is published weekly.

This website often posts the weekly Times Guide as well, it's worth a bookmark: http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/p/weekly-walt-disney-world-times-guides.html

As you can see... the start times this past week for the Epcot line were:

Epcot Monorail Line
Sun/Tues/Wed/Fri/Sat - 8AM
Mon - 9AM
Thurs - 7:30AM (this is an Epcot AM EMH morning)

As others have suggested, from Poly it's often easier to walk to the TTC than take the Resort Monorail line around and transfer. Using this past week as a guide, taking the Epcot Monorail to make it there for RD or earlier would have been a valid option every day but Monday. If you're trying to be at Epcot 45 minutes early for a standard 9AM opening, I'd be circling being at the TTC right at 8 or shortly thereafter. Obviously I'm assuming no mechanical or operational delays with that advice.

BUT, monorail hours can and will change, so you can't always depend on the past. The Times Guide is critical to help guide your options while there.

Just FYI (and you may know this), but they start letting people in the gates at Epcot quite a bit before 9AM. You're then held at points further in the park until the real opening time.

.

This is great advice! I helped my cousin plan his first trip last fall staying at the Poly, and used this link, and told him to check the Times Guide as well. The schedule was different almost every day at that point, as they were doing refurb during the night. Depending on when they had to be at MK or Epcot, and for early brft it was something they had to keep an eye on, and they even had to be bussed to/from MK when the monorail was not running later in the day a few times due to breakdowns.