Is there a place to get a free peek at WDW from night before the adventure begins?

[Hermosa11]

I am curious; on Sunday before our week's adventure begins, I would like to roam maybe to Contemporary? or some other resort (am staying off sight) and find somewhere so we can take a look see at WDW (or Epcot's spere) to start getting really really excited? I know the Garden Grill in the Contemporary has fantastic view, but don't plan on spending mega mula for the view. Just wanted a quick look to get that feeling started!!!

 

[Minky]

Hi

Go to the Polynesian....grab a lite snack or drink and go out on the beach for a minute and soak it all in....great view of the castle...THEN get on the Monorail at the Poly and just rode ot through the Grand Floridian and the Contemporary....you can get out at the GF which is even closer and get even more excited
Then go back to your hotel and not be bale to sleep cos youre SO excited about the next day

 

[Minky]

And I PROMISE to check my typing from NOW ON!

 

[Joyfulsnuff]

Go to the ticket and transportation center and ride the epcot monorail. You get a relaxing ride and it goes right through the park so you get to look at many of the attractions right below you. It really builds the anticipation for my family!

 

[donnajon]

Go to any of the hotels on the lake around the Magic Kingdom and around 9pm catch the electric water parade. It's free. Just ask at the hotel what time the parade is scheduled to pass by their particular beach. Our first night we are planning on eating dinner with Cinderella at 1900 Park Fare and afterwards catching the parade.

 

[Hermosa11]

I don't plan on using my Hopper tix that day, so how can I take a monorail ride with DH and DS without proof of park entrance?

I hear that the Polynesian has a nice beach , but I did not know you can take in a nice view of the castle! whoo hoo!

you know, it does not take much for me to get a little thrilled of the trip to come. I will go for a walk /jog and just plan each day/minute! of the soon to be trip and anticipate it all.........
okay, okay, back to reality, I gotta hit the sack and go to work tomorrow...........heeee
thanks!

 

[ladyjayhawk]

We did everything that was suggested by the previous posters on our first night and it was awesome! You do not need to use your ticket to ride the monorail, we were not asked to show our tickets or any other kind of ID. You just hop on and find a seat. Be sure to ask to ride in the front, it has the best view and you can ask the driver all the questions you've ever had about how those monorails work.

We first went to the Poly to explore, then we rode the monorail to the Grand Floridian. Here we watched the Electric Water Pagent (a must see!) from the boat dock, then hopped back on to go to the Contemporary. From here we went to the TTC and switched to the Epcot monorail. You get an incredible view of the sphere and many of the other attractions while on this loop. After that, we headed back to the Poly. Somewhere along the way, we also saw the fireworks over the Magic Kingdom. It was the best way to start our vacation (all free!) and my family wants to do the exact same thing next time we go. Have a great time!

 

[zurgswife]

In all my trips I have never been asked for proof of a ticket or resort ID to ride any of the WDW transportation. I wouldn't worry about it and have a great evening..

 

[threeboysmom]

We always ride the monorail as our first night tradition. Our favorite is the Epcot loop since it takes you on a little tour inside the Epcot park before going back to the entrance and stopping. You can catch the Epcot monorail from the Ticket & Transportation Center. I'd ride the resort monorail loop first, stopping off at any of the resorts that you may want to explore/eat at, then get off at the T&TC and switch to the Epcot monorail. My kids LOVE this almost as much as going into the parks themselves.

 

[Hermosa11]

thanks so much. My plan is already in place. ! woo hoo.
Just cannot wait. And I LOVE riding the monorail!
Thanks again for the suggestions.

 

[welovedisneyx4]

Everyone else has already said this, but I just wanted to agree and tell you that all the previous posters know what they are talking about. We had a great time riding the monarail and we got to ride in front and you aren't in a hurry to get to the parks or totally tired from being in the parks all day.

 

[floridagirrl2]

I agree that your family will love the monrail ride! I also want to suggest the Boardwalk (the area that has several Disney resorts-Yacht Club, Beach Club, Swan, Dolphin) and restaurants and stores, right on the water and right outside Epcot's World Showcase. It's free, and there's lots of things to do and see. I've heard you can see some of Illuminations from the Boardwalk, but have never been there at that time so don't know for sure.

 

[WendyWorld]

If you park at the TTC and say you go in at about 8 at night do you have to pay to park? Also what time to the monorails stop running around?

 

[Scotfan]

You can stand on the bridge between the boardwalk ant the Y&B club and see some of Illuminations, 've done that but am going to do the monorail loop another time.
There is a viewing place at the contemporary so you can see wishes I believe too.

 

[tboss]

Where is the TTC for monorail? Will it be easy to find?

 

[Kate-n-sam]

Originally posted by tboss
Where is the TTC for monorail? Will it be easy to find?

Follow the signs to the MK. The TTC is the parking lot for the MK as well as the main boarding area for the monorails.

 

[Kate-n-sam]

Originally posted by Hermosa11
I don't plan on using my Hopper tix that day, so how can I take a monorail ride with DH and DS without proof of park entrance?

Just keep your tickets with you. Sometimes there is someone at the entrance to the monorail/ferry area who wants you to flash your tickets. They have no way of telling if they've been used that day, nor will they scan them at all. I believe they just check to make sure you have them you don't get all the way to the MK and have no tickets. MK tickets are purchased before the monorail/ferry. Like a previous poster said, I've never had to show my tickets to use any transportation.

 

[Robo]

Originally posted by tboss
Where is the TTC for monorail? Will it be easy to find?

TTC is adjacent to the "Parking Lot" for MK.
It just the "normal place" where "everyone" gets on the monorail to MK from the parking lot (who is not staying on-property). You can choose to go to MK, Epcot or the "MK Resorts" (Poly, GF, Contemp.) by going up the appropriate ramp.

HOWEVER... you will have to PAY to PARK (MK Parking Lot) if you go to TTC directly.
If you visit one of the 3 MK resorts for a "snack" (whatever that may mean) you should be allowed to park free in one of their lots (tell the guard you are there for a restaurant) and then you can board the monorail at that hotel. You can get on or off at any stop... and the TTC (Transportation and Ticket Center) is clearly announced. If you want to change to the Epcot monorail, that's where you exit (and DON'T forget where you PARKED!!)

AND... if its not too late (just ask a CM) you can ride any of the Boat transportation between any of the MK resorts... MK itself is where you can change boats to ride over to Ft. Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge. Nice relaxing boat-rides and you'll want to see the Wilderness Lodge Atrium... the BEST!!
Only caution is to not do this too near CLOSING time at MK... too much activity to try to "navigate" at that time.

 

[Michael623]

The Port Orleans to DTD boat can be fun too. And of course the free parking and pin trading doesn't hurt.

 

[McCall]

Originally posted by Robo
TTC is adjacent to the "Parking Lot" for MK.
It just the "normal place" where "everyone" gets on the monorail to MK from the parking lot (who is not staying on-property). You can choose to go to MK, Epcot or the "MK Resorts" (Poly, GF, Contemp.) by going up the appropriate ramp.

HOWEVER... you will have to PAY to PARK (MK Parking Lot) if you go to TTC directly.
If you visit one of the 3 MK resorts for a "snack" (whatever that may mean) you should be allowed to park free in one of their lots (tell the guard you are there for a restaurant) and then you can board the monorail at that hotel. You can get on or off at any stop... and the TTC (Transportation and Ticket Center) is clearly announced. If you want to change to the Epcot monorail, that's where you exit (and DON'T forget where you PARKED!!)

AND... if its not too late (just ask a CM) you can ride any of the Boat transportation between any of the MK resorts... MK itself is where you can change boats to ride over to Ft. Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge. Nice relaxing boat-rides and you'll want to see the Wilderness Lodge Atrium... the BEST!!
Only caution is to not do this too near CLOSING time at MK... too much activity to try to "navigate" at that time.

You will Not be allowed to park at the resorts Unless you are listed on the guards clipboard with a Priority seating at that resort you are then given a 3 hour parking pass.