Now that I have Hoppers, how will I "hop"?

[mssbass]

Should I grab a map? If we want to switch parks, is there a monorail system? How much? How long is the ride from park to park?

 

[d96j97]

There is a monorail system but it only runs to MK and the MK resorts (CR, GF and Poly). If you want to visit the other parks you must use Disney transportation which is the buses. Most buses run every 15 minutes to each park from the resorts. You do have to stay on-site to take advantage of the Disney transportation. They are very reliable most of the time.

 

[civileng68]

Should I grab a map? If we want to switch parks, is there a monorail system? How much? How long is the ride from park to park?

You should grab a map, but the maps primarily cover inside the parks. It's easy to hop though, trust me, disney makes it easy.

The monorail has 2 different circuits. They are as follows:

Circuit 1: Is a loop from the Ticket Transportation Center (the area from the parking lot) to the Contemporary Resort, to the Magic Kingdom, to the Grand Floridian, to the Polynesian, back to the Ticket Center. This is primarily for guest that stay in one of those resorts, but you can still ride it and stop and see each resort.

Circuit 2: Magic Kingdom to Epcot and back.

To go to Epcot from the Magic Kingdom and/or vice versa, simply walk to the front outside of the park and hop the monorail to the other park. It's about a 5-10 minute ride one way. Seems longer when the cab is full.

To go to any other park, you will need to take a bus. HOwever this is easy. At the front of each park is a bus station and the name of thee park that the bus is going is on the que area. Simply stand and wait for a bus. You can also get buses back to your resorts at each park. You can also, if you choose take a bus between Epcot and the Magic Kingdom even though there is the monorail.

 

[JCTigger]

Should I grab a map? If we want to switch parks, is there a monorail system? How much? How long is the ride from park to park?

If you've never been there before then you will want to pick up maps at the front desk of your hotel.... If you want to switch parks if you dont have a car you will need to take disney transportation which is free of charge... To go from the Magic Kingdom to Epcot there is the monorail.. however to get any where else you will need to take the buses which come about every 20 minutes or so...they also have boats that can take you to and from some places like MGM and Epcot and vice versa

I hope that helps a little bit

 

[brerrabbit]

There are a lot of ways to get around within the world. Between MK amd Epcot there is the monorail. To get to Epcot from MK take the Mono Rail from MK to the TTC (Ticket and Transportation Center) get off and switch to the Mon Rail to Epcot. It takes you to the Front Gat of Epcot. If you are at Epcot and want to go to the Studios, exit the park at the international gate in Epcot. Its between Future World and Showcase of the World on the Canada side. Upon exiting there is a boat dock there and last time we were there in December one of the boats was an express to the Studios. To get back simply reverse the process. Additionally there are buses that run between the parks that will express you to your destination. To get to any resort for a Dinner reservation just take a bus from your hotel to anty park (preferably one close to your dinner reservation). From the park take the bus to the resort where you have the priority seating.

Important: To use the transportation system you are supposed to be staying on WDW property. Also you need to allow time to get around as some of the routes are slow. Next the buses stop runnung to the parks about 1 hour after the parks close. Thats why it is good to know what time all the parks close to know how late you can catch certain busses. Lastly if you do have a car and are staying on property your parking pass they give you allows you to park for free at all parks and gets you into other resorts than your own without any problem.

 

[SueM in MN]

I don't think anyone answered the "How much?" part of your question.
The answer is that there is no charge. The transportation is provided to allow you to park hop.
The transportation from the individual resorts to the parks is for the resort guests, but the transportation that goes from park to park is for anyone with a park ticket. (i.e. if you are not a resort guest, you can't park at a resort and then take WDW transportation to the parks to avoid the parking fee).

 

[mssbass]

I guess what I need to hop from and to are Magic Kingdom, MGM and Animal Kingdom - "maybe" - it all depends on what my 8 year old daughter decides she wants to do - We are hitting Sea World one day and Disney World for 3 - with a break in between - Wish me luck - single mom and first time there - Are there any good maps on-line?

 

[jimmiej]

I guess what I need to hop from and to are Magic Kingdom, MGM and Animal Kingdom - "maybe" - it all depends on what my 8 year old daughter decides she wants to do - We are hitting Sea World one day and Disney World for 3 - with a break in between - Wish me luck - single mom and first time there - Are there any good maps on-line?

Try this.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/transportation/transportation1.cfm

Also, do a DIS search on maps or transportation & see what you come up with.

 

[mssbass]

Thanks guys for all your help - this info will help

 

[tjkraz]

Circuit 2: Magic Kingdom to Epcot and back.

Actually the second monorail loop runs from the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) to Epcot. To get from the MK to Epcot, you need to take one train to the TTC and then switch to a second train.

As for other park hopping opportunities, Epcot and MGM are within pretty close proximity. There is a boat that runs between the two parks, but it also stops at 4 resorts on the way and can be a lengthy trip. If you aren't in a big hurry and/or want to visit the Boardwalk area, you can actually walk from Epcot to MGM in about 30-40 minutes. It takes about 10 minutes to walk from Epcot to the Boardwalk, and then another 20 from the BW to MGM.

 

[areno79]

Is there a bus that runs directly from Epcot to MGM, or do you have to take the boat?

 

[betterlatethannever]

Is there a bus that runs directly from Epcot to MGM, or do you have to take the boat?

There is a bus that runs between Epcot(main gate) and MGM. The boat goes between Epcot (IG) and MGM.

You do not have to be staying on property to use the transportation. Officially as long a you buy part hopping tickets, you can use the transportation to park hop.

Also, someone mentioned that, along with the monorail, there is a bus between Epcot and MK. Generally that is not true. There will be a bus from the TTC to Epcot late at night when Epcot is closed and the MK is open late.

Ed

 

[crisi]

Another option is cabs. All the parks and resorts have cab stands (at MK you have to get to the TTC to find the cab stand). A taxi pretty much anywhere is $10-$20. This is really fast and convienent if you are carless and need to go somewhere without direct transportation (resort to resort, for instance) or on a tight timeline (need to get to your dinner reservations).

In general, Disney transportation options are well marked. Follow the signs and stand in the right bus (boat, monorail) line - a vehicle will come along and take you where you want to go.