Monorail vs ferry -and general MK leaving tips

[katytrott]

I am sure this has been asked numerous times, but I'll add one more! Was just wondering if any knew/could suggest which was quicker leaving the MK after Wishes - monorail or ferry?

Does anyone have any general tips on leaving MK at that time?

 

[nicknamy1996]

I'd say the monorail would be quicker, but I don't have the scientific numbers to back it up.

My only advice is to be patient and don't get overwhelmed. My wife tends to do this. I am always relaxed and I realize we all will get there in the end. People pushing helps nothing! Each monorail fits so many people that even if you move up (or back) 20 people you are most likely going to get on the same one... and even if you don't it may add 5 to 10 minutes tops to the end of your day. Not worth the stress!

 

[8disneyfans]

One tip is take your time. Walk out slowly, enjoy the sights of Disney while everyone elses rushes passed you. I have a picture of DH and I in front of the castle with no one else in it. How amazing is that!!!

We like the ferry ride, it is so relaxing.

 

[nicknamy1996]

And actually if your goal is not to rush, but to avoid the madness that is MK exit I suggest getting a snack at Casey's and sitting on the bleachers and watching cartoons while the crowd files out. Then just stroll out at your leisure.

 

[nicknamy1996]

One tip is take your time. Walk out slowly, enjoy the sights of Disney while everyone elses rushes passed you. I have a picture of DH and I in front of the castle with no one else in it. How amazing is that!!!

We like the ferry ride, it is so relaxing.

Not to hijack the thread or anything but if you want some great photo ops. have breakfast at Crystal Palace before the park opens. You get in to the park with your ADR # and with a little luck you can literally be the only people on Main St. We have some great pics of that too.

 

[katytrott]

And actually if your goal is not to rush, but to avoid the madness that is MK exit I suggest getting a snack at Casey's and sitting on the bleachers and watching cartoons while the crowd files out. Then just stroll out at your leisure.

What are the bleachers? Cartoons sound a great idea!!

Have to say we did the "take your time" route plan on our last trip and our then 3 year old coped well with the late night. This trip, however, will be with my sister and her two kids, and I have a sneaking suspicion the kids, and therefore my sister, will not cope well

I would prefer the laid back approach, as would my husband and son, but just wondering if there is an alternative!

 

[PrincessBelle39]

We found that the ferry was quicker for us. But that was mainly because the line for the monorail was so long that we had to wait for so long to get onto it. And then we were packed in like sardines. There were also a lot of people waiting for the ferry but all got on each time we there was a lot more space.

 

[wild4dis]

We just did that last night........Left after Wishes and had to decide between Monorail and ferry..we chose the ferry and got on the second boat out..it was very crowded, but we waited only 10 mins.....the trams to the parking lot were worse, we had to wait about 7 trams before we got on.
We shoud have stayed and rode the rides....it was EMH night!!

Bottom line is there are lots of people going to the same place...so relax, nothing is happening all that quickly

 

[dobtia]

I tend to like the ferry better for our family.

For one thing, the waiting area. If you get crammed on the loading area of the monrail it feels so tight. Second is more about crowded. Crowded monrail is horrible feeling. Being crowded on the ferry still feels like there is room.

We are not a crazy have to be first out of the park go go go type of family.

 

[nicknamy1996]

What are the bleachers? Cartoons sound a great idea!!

Have to say we did the "take your time" route plan on our last trip and our then 3 year old coped well with the late night. This trip, however, will be with my sister and her two kids, and I have a sneaking suspicion the kids, and therefore my sister, will not cope well

I would prefer the laid back approach, as would my husband and son, but just wondering if there is an alternative!

To the right (leaving from the castle) the first shop is Casey's Hot Dogs. You can go in there and get a snack (or meal) and in the back of the shop is a little set of bleachers that probably holds 20 people or so. In front of that is a big screen showing classic goofy sports cartoons. We've done it a couple of time and both times had nice conversations with strangers while the little ones snacked, ate, and burned off a little more steam.

 

[nicknamy1996]

the trams to the parking lot were worse, we had to wait about 7 trams before we got on.

What tram??? My wife hasn't let us ride the tram in years She says "we've walked 12 miles today... what's another couple hundred yards"

 

[wings91]

What tram??? My wife hasn't let us ride the tram in years She says "we've walked 12 miles today... what's another couple hundred yards"

I refuse to let my DW ride any of the trams also. I usually claim we walked 75 miles however.

 

[katytrott]

Thanks everyone. I thought the same about the ferry. When one leaves, how long before the next one leaves?

Spoke to my SIL last might and she has decided to only do one late night and for that to only be Spectromagic NOT Wishes That way they will leave before the mass exodus. She doesn't want to do Wishes on another night either.

Does anyone know what the leaving crowds are like after Sectromagic and before Wishes?

 

[housetomouse]

Does anyone know what the leaving crowds are like after Sectromagic and before Wishes?

I'm not a regular Disney goer, but during Easter week we left during Spectromagic but before Wishes. We started back in Frontierland and it was a journey. Our exit paralleled part of the parade route (not wise!). There were a lot of CMs with light sticks guiding the exiting folks through the area in front of the castle, maintaining a path, because so many people were already set up for Wishes. It was very crowded walking down Main Street. Getting on the ferry wasn't a problem, though, although it was crowded. We chose the ferry instead of the monorail so we could watch the fireworks on our way out. We waited a while for a tram, probably 6 trams until we got on. Keep in mind this was the week before Easter, though, so probably worse than you'll see.

 

[nicknamy1996]

Thanks everyone. I thought the same about the ferry. When one leaves, how long before the next one leaves?

Spoke to my SIL last might and she has decided to only do one late night and for that to only be Spectromagic NOT Wishes That way they will leave before the mass exodus. She doesn't want to do Wishes on another night either.

Does anyone know what the leaving crowds are like after Sectromagic and before Wishes?

She can watch wishes from the far side of the ferry launch too. It is actually really neat to watch from there. You have a big headstart on getting back to your hotoel and It's centered right above the castle too.

 

[saratogadreamin09]

I am sure this has been asked numerous times, but I'll add one more! Was just wondering if any knew/could suggest which was quicker leaving the MK after Wishes - monorail or ferry?

Does anyone have any general tips on leaving MK at that time?

Id suggest walking to the Contemporary and geting transportation from there Its a 10 minute or less walk and the same transportation is available there with no wait The only thing not available at Contempoary is buses to other resorts.

 

[Endeavour105]

She can watch wishes from the far side of the ferry launch too. It is actually really neat to watch from there. You have a big headstart on getting back to your hotoel and It's centered right above the castle too.

"ferry launch" ??????????????????????

 

[Endeavour105]

Id suggest walking to the Contemporary and geting transportation from there Its a 10 minute or less walk and the same transportation is available there with no wait The only thing not available at Contempoary is buses to other resorts.

Not true. There is no ferry at the CR.

If picking up the resort monorail to the TTC, you'll have to deal with an already jammed monorail having just left the MK.

 

[katytrott]

Not true.
If picking up the resort monorail to the TTC, you'll have to deal with an already jammed monorail having just left the MK.

I am a bit confused. I thought the monorail came went to the Contempory before it got to MK and carried on to the TTC via GF and Poly. Therefore wouldn't the monorail be empty? Obviously it would get jam packed once it got to MK, but we would already be on then!!

Have I got this right?

Just thought - I have never been on a resort monorail. Does it go the opposite way round the lake to the express monorail?

Watching Wishes from the ferry launch is a very good idea - thanks for that

 

[saratogadreamin09]

Not true. There is no ferry at the CR.

If picking up the resort monorail to the TTC, you'll have to deal with an already jammed monorail having just left the MK.

There is a ferry from the Contempoary to the Wildernes Lodge and Fort Wilderness

I am a bit confused. I thought the monorail came went to the Contempory before it got to MK and carried on to the TTC via GF and Poly. Therefore wouldn't the monorail be empty? Obviously it would get jam packed once it got to MK, but we would already be on then!!

Have I got this right?

Just thought - I have never been on a resort monorail. Does it go the opposite way round the lake to the express monorail?

Watching Wishes from the ferry launch is a very good idea - thanks for that

The resort Monorail goes from MK to Contempoary to TTC to Poly to GF to MK again. At the end of the day as lot of people take the express monorail so even though the monorail would be crowded it wouldnt be as crowded. You also have to consider the people getting of at the Contempoary