monorail or ferry at rd

[sharona]

Parking at ttc for 9am rd. Rail or ferry? What is Minnie parking lot? TIA

 

[SmallWorld71]

Well, back in my off-site days, we liked to take the ferry. But, if we saw that a ferry had just left (and they were not running two) then we would jump in line for the monorail. I think it's just a matter of personal preference. We liked the view approaching the MK from the ferry. Then, to get our monorail fix, we would take it when we were leaving.

The MK parking lot is huge so all the sections are named to help you find your car at the end of a long day. Not sure where the Minnie section is located. If you arrive early enough to get to the MK for rope drop, you may be able to walk to the monorail or ferry. Otherwise, you will just get on a tram which will take you to the end of the parking lot. It's a lot easier than it sounds.

 

[sharona]

Thanks. DD has never been on the monorail or the ferry so maybe we'll take one over and the other back. I haven't been on either in about 30 years so I'm looking forward to it a bit too. We'll have our car on our first day to MK and just want to have a clue about where/when since we took buses last time and want to see how the other half lives.

I was reading a thread (not sure if DIS or somewhere else) where someone commented that they were loving the Minnie lot and walking to TTC at RD. We'll have to get there a bit early and see what we find.

Do the ferry and the 'rail both start running at 8 for a 9am RD?

 

[SmallWorld71]

Do the ferry and the 'rail both start running at 8 for a 9am RD?

I think so. But, it's been a while. Hopefully someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

On our last trip, we were easily able to park and walk to the TTC. We always got there about 8:30 for a 9 RD. If you're close, it's faster and easier to walk than to take a tram, especially if you have strollers you'd have to fold for the tram.
The monorail and ferry were both running, with the exception of one day the monorail was down. Not sure if this depends on time of year or what, but that was what was happening in May.

 

[Mecha Figment]

my suggestion is to take the monorail in the morning, and if your staying all day take the Ferry back. especially if you see the line que is up for the monorail. The ferry holds a lot more people then the monorails do and the wait even though it seems like a lot of people is a lot shorter since they usually run all three boats at night.

 

[Kren]

Did monorail yesterday for RD and ferry coming back. Observations:
If you get there really early, the monorail directly to MK is not running yet. At least it wasn't yesterday at 7 a.m.

So we had to take the monorail to the resorts, which meant two stops first, which meant resort guests getting on and filling up the monorail, which meant we weren't first anymore

Ferry going back - longer walk to get to the ferry which could be an issue for tired kids (and moms). I thought my kids would fall asleep on the ferry and I'd have to drag them by their pin lanyards to the car.

 

[sharona]

Thanks all for the info.

One other monorail question - is it going to or from Epcot where you get the loop around FW (or both)?

 

[mamalovesdis]

Are there any maps of the parking lots? Im not going to have a clue where to park.

 

[Bullseye]

Minnie is the closest lot to TTC. You have to get there fairly early to get Minnie parking. You can actually walk from Minnie to ferry/monorail if you want. It's basically right across the street and under a tunnel to TTC.

We usually do the monorial but occasionally we do the ferry. The ferry feels a lot less confining than monorail.

You don't have to worry about where your going to park because parking attendants are going to guide you to your spot anyway. Then just jump on a tram and it'll whisk you away to TTC. It's fun and efficient, no big deal. Just remember where you parked though!! I usually save it in an unsent text on my cell just in case.

 

[sharona]

Minnie is the closest lot to TTC. You have to get there fairly early to get Minnie parking. Yop can actually walk from Minnie to ferry/monorail if you want. It's basically right across the street and under a tunnel to TTC.

We usually do the monorial but occasionally we do the ferry. The ferry feels a lot less confining than monorail.

You don't have to worry about where your going to park because parking attendants are going to guide you to your spot anyway. Then just jump on a tram and it'll whisk you away to TTC. It's fun and efficient, no big deal. Just remember where you parked though!! I usually type into an unsent text on my cell to remember.

That's a great trick. It's hard enough finding my own car at the mall never mind a rental at WDW TTC...

 

[Bullseye]

That's a great trick. It's hard enough finding my own car at the mall never mind a rental at WDW TTC...

Yeah you always think you'll remember but after a number days of different parking lots sometimes not a single person in the family can remember. Another good trick at park close is to just get in the general vicinty of where you think you parked and use your Door unlock Beep-beep!! It's like a homing beacon . Of course there's usually ten other people nearby also beeping for thier cars!!

 

[zulemara]

I would do Monorail going in and Ferry leaving. We always run 3 Ferries at night so there is always one waiting as one is loading. I believe Ferries start up 30min before RD. I should know this but I don't work mornings...ever. I'm the guy that's there at 3am

 

[Dizneydaz]

Thanks all for the info.

One other monorail question - is it going to or from Epcot where you get the loop around FW (or both)?

You go thru Epcot on the monorail from MK to Epcot.

 

[IcedMudd]

If you're there very early, I'd do monorail, but if you see a line at the monorail, head to the ferry. both take approximately the same time to get from TTC to MK, but I believe the ferry holds more people. If you see ropes up directing traffic, turn around and RUN back to your car (just kidding!). I prefer the Ferry going rather than leaving because eventhough you have to climb the ramp to get to the monorail in the evening, it just seems like such a longer walk back to the ferry than to the monorail when leaving lol.

To answer about the parking lot, I believe Robo has a map of the lots? It doesn't really matter though, because when arriving, you'll be directed and even guided directly into your parking spot. The only time I haven't been is when arriving late in the day. Minnie is great, but let me reiterate that all the parking lots are fantastic thanks to the courtesy tram to and from the TTC. You don't have to hike from your car to the ttc and my kids LOVE the tram lol!

 

[TisBit]

If you're there very early, I'd do monorail, but if you see a line at the monorail, head to the ferry. both take approximately the same time to get from TTC to MK, but I believe the ferry holds more people. If you see ropes up directing traffic, turn around and RUN back to your car (just kidding!). I prefer the Ferry going rather than leaving because eventhough you have to climb the ramp to get to the monorail in the evening, it just seems like such a longer walk back to the ferry than to the monorail when leaving lol.

To answer about the parking lot, I believe Robo has a map of the lots? It doesn't really matter though, because when arriving, you'll be directed and even guided directly into your parking spot. The only time I haven't been is when arriving late in the day. Minnie is great, but let me reiterate that all the parking lots are fantastic thanks to the courtesy tram to and from the TTC. You don't have to hike from your car to the ttc and my kids LOVE the tram lol!

I am in the same mindset. When I get there, depending on the line for the monorail, we will just head over to the ferry. If the line for the monorail is very short, we go there. I do like not having to fold strollers or crowding into a monorail car with a bunch of other people, so the ferry is usually pretty good.

Leaving, it just depends on the time of day, if we are there at park close, I stay away from the monorail and head to the ferry, it definitely holds more people. Also, I have never ever had the ferry break down or be delayed due to a nother ferry stopped in front of it!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

In my experience during the mornings before the Magic Kingdom opens the line for the Express Monorail is usually longer, however it another one comes a lot faster then the next Ferry and would still be the faster way for getting to the Magic Kingdom.