Monoraily convenient?

[ByTheHook]

How convenient is it, really, to take the Monorail (vs. the walk back through Main St. and DTD) to get back to the PPH anytime after 6 or so? Think family w/ small kids & a stroller.

Does it really save time? How much?

Is it usually pretty crowded even w/ the DLRH "VIP/ priority boarading" (if that still exists)?

How impossible is it to board with a folding dual-stroller (think Graco)?

Should we just ask Tink to pick all of us up (during the fireworks) and toss us back to the hotel instead?

 

[fairycat]

The monorail is very convient and easy to use, I find that we use it quite often when we are back in Fantasyland or Tomorrowland and have dinner reservations at DTD. I don't have kids so the stroller I don't know about but I have been with parents and never seen it be a problem.

The only thing to note is that the monorail does not operate during the fireworks. But you can catch it afterwards. It drops you off in DTD down near the Rainforest Cafe, the movies and the lego store, and is a very close walk to DLH (I have never gone over to PPH so I don't know how close it is but its certainly closer then walking from the gate.) Its also a fun ride!

 

[biolabetty]

When I've stayed at PPH, I go into the GCH through the DTD entrance next to Sephora and Libby Lu. Exit GCH out the front by the valet parking, and then follow the sidewalk to the corner. I cross the street at the light, and then I'm right there at PPH. It really is quicker than walking all the way through DTD. PPH is actually right next to the GCH parking lot.

 

[bumbershoot]

You will have to fold that stroller, which means you will have to NOT use the basket for lots of stuff. We had inadvertently just thrown loose items in the basket, and had to scramble to get it all into a shopping bag (BIG shopping bag) before the monorail came!

For us, we were only able to use the monorail once during our stay at PPH, because every other time we tried to use it, it was closed. Harumph.

And then it puts you off right across from the Lego store, which, with a 3 year old boy, can be a bit of a pain. Can't decide if it was worse when it was open (let's go in and buy everything!) or closed (oh no, why is it closed, let's go in). While walking, we could position the non-stroller-pusher to sort of hide the store, but when getting off the monorail, it was right there, it seemed.

And we never, except that one time, seemed to be in that area when we wanted to go back, so we would just walk anyway, rather than walk over to see if it was open...

 

[minniebeth]

We were there over the Columbus Day week, so it was quite crowded, so my answer may not be a good indication. We were never told about priority boarding for DLR resort guests, so for us the line was crazy not worth it. We were told that there was only one monorail running and the wait time between each one was 12 minutes. We were at least 2 monorails in line back, so we just walked with our kids and one stroller. We were really bummed because my kids love the monorail at WDW and it's part of our Disney experience. We stayed 7 days and never used it once. It really is convenient to use the walkway and always music/festive atmosphere that my kids liked in DTD. I say try it both ways and see what works best!