Official 'how to get from point A to point B while at WDW' thread.

[Alesia]

Just about the ONLY time you want to use DTD as a transfer point is if the parks are closed and there are no other options.

And, if that's the case, you're probably better off taking a cab (unless you aren't in any kind of hurry at all.)

 

[1craftymama]

I'm so sorry if this question has been asked before. We are driving to WDW next Thursday and Friday for a quick trip to MK to surprise our 5 year old dd. I have booked a breakfast reservation at CRT for 9:05am. We are staying at the hotel Royal Plaza in DTD. Friday will be our one day MK plus our breakfast. I found out that it is also EMH so the park will be open one hour earlier that day. Our hotel offers shuttle service, but I am scared we won't get there in time and I believe they shuttle a few other hotels. I will call and double check their schedule to make sure. Will it be better to drive to TTC? If we drive we can get there early to get a good parking spot and will there be someone at paying booth for the $14 parking fee if we get their early (like 7:30ish). I read there are 3 monorails and the express monorail to MK may not be running that early so we take another monorail to get to MK? I spoke with a CM at the dining reservations and she told me to get to our reservations 15 minutes or so early to ensure we are seated on time. I think I've asked this question on several forums, so forgive me. I'm also 7 months pregnant and trying not to stress over this character breakfast! Oh, will it be a problem if we leave MK during the hottest part of the day and come back that evening? Can we get back to our van?

 

[Alesia]

I'm so sorry if this question has been asked before. We are driving to WDW next Thursday and Friday for a quick trip to MK to surprise our 5 year old dd. I have booked a breakfast reservation at CRT for 9:05am. We are staying at the hotel Royal Plaza in DTD. Friday will be our one day MK plus our breakfast. I found out that it is also EMH so the park will be open one hour earlier that day. Our hotel offers shuttle service, but I am scared we won't get there in time and I believe they shuttle a few other hotels. I will call and double check their schedule to make sure. Will it be better to drive to TTC? If we drive we can get there early to get a good parking spot and will there be someone at paying booth for the $14 parking fee if we get their early (like 7:30ish). I read there are 3 monorails and the express monorail to MK may not be running that early so we take another monorail to get to MK? I spoke with a CM at the dining reservations and she told me to get to our reservations 15 minutes or so early to ensure we are seated on time. I think I've asked this question on several forums, so forgive me. I'm also 7 months pregnant and trying not to stress over this character breakfast! Oh, will it be a problem if we leave MK during the hottest part of the day and come back that evening? Can we get back to our van?

Since you're staying offsite, I think it's best to drive. You certainly could get there at 7:30, but I'm not sure why you'd want to. You won't be allowed into the park until about 8:45 - that's a long time for a 5 year old to wait. I would try to get there about 8:20. That will still get you there in plenty of time.

You can absolutely leave in the middle of the day and come back later.

 

[1craftymama]

Since you're staying offsite, I think it's best to drive. You certainly could get there at 7:30, but I'm not sure why you'd want to. You won't be allowed into the park until about 8:45 - that's a long time for a 5 year old to wait. I would try to get there about 8:20. That will still get you there in plenty of time.

You can absolutely leave in the middle of the day and come back later.

Thank you! Do you mean get to TTC by 8:20? How long does it take to get to MK using the express monorail? Will that give us enough time to get to MK, go through the character dining line, at be seated at the castle for our reservation? I'm sorry for all the questions! This is our first time driving to WDW and my kids (5 and 2) first time to Disney. I'm relieved that we can leave and come back.

 

[skelooch]

Being that you are staying off site, and you will be paying for parking anyway, you will probably be better off driving to the Contemporary Resort and paying for valet parking $12 plus tips (drop off and pick up).
You can then either walk over to the MK approx 10 minutes or take the monorail, which will take alot longer.

 

[Alesia]

Thank you! Do you mean get to TTC by 8:20? How long does it take to get to MK using the express monorail? Will that give us enough time to get to MK, go through the character dining line, at be seated at the castle for our reservation? I'm sorry for all the questions! This is our first time driving to WDW and my kids (5 and 2) first time to Disney. I'm relieved that we can leave and come back.

It should only take about 15 minutes to get from the TTC to the gates at MK - maybe 20. You won't be allowed into the park before about 8:45. Although I think I like skelooch's idea of valet parking at the contemporary better, but you might need to pay a second time if you leave and come back.

Speaking of leaving and coming back later - you can, but with you staying off site, it's not very convenient. You would probably spend at least 90 minutes driving, round trip. That's a lot of time, especially with the CRT ADR taking another 90 minutes out of your day. I would rather find a quiet place in the park to rest. The hall of presidents and the COP are good spots.

 

[sarabear]

How would I get back to POP after an 8:30 Boma dinner? This is in September- Studios, Epcot, and MK all close at 9 that night. Should I be trying to get an earlier time for Boma?

 

[Alesia]

How would I get back to POP after an 8:30 Boma dinner? This is in September- Studios, Epcot, and MK all close at 9 that night. Should I be trying to get an earlier time for Boma?

I would just take a cab. It should cost less than $20 and would be well worth it. The other option is to take a bus to DTD and transfer there, but that could easily take an hour and a half.

 

[goofy4tink]

How would I get back to POP after an 8:30 Boma dinner? This is in September- Studios, Epcot, and MK all close at 9 that night. Should I be trying to get an earlier time for Boma?

You basically have two options....take the bus from AKL to DTD and transfer there (can take well over an hour) or just get a cab back to Pop.

 

[PegLegPete77]

Thanks for the info. I have never stayed in the "Hotels Area" before, and will not have a car this time.

 

[AllieV]

I'm staying at Boardwalk during december and would like to go see both the Grand Floridian decorations and the Wilderness Lodge. Should I do them both on my MK day? If so, I can take a boat to either but how would I get to the other? If I went from the Boardwalk instead, what are my options for getting there and back and to the other resort (aside from a cab)? Thanks much.

 

[goofy4tink]

I would suggest doing them both on your MK day...much simpler that way. You can take the boat, or monorail, over to GF from MK. The boat will probably be a bit faster, all things being equal. Check out the GF, then hop on the monorail and get off at the CR. Check that out, quickly since there isn't a huge amount to see, and go out the back and get the boat over to WL. Then, you can take the boat back to MK from WL. That's how I do it each Dec. It makes for a nice break in the day. You can even plan on eating lunch at WL at Roaring Forks if you want a quick bite to eat.

Looks like you're arriving a few days before I do....I'll be at BW as well. Have fun.

 

[AllieV]

thanks, goofy. I'll still be there when you arrive! I think that's my MK day, actually. So if I take the boat from the Contemporary, where will it say it's going? Is it marked as a Magic Kingdom boat that makes stops at WL first? And the boat from GF never goes to WL first?

 

[goofy4tink]

thanks, goofy. I'll still be there when you arrive! I think that's my MK day, actually. So if I take the boat from the Contemporary, where will it say it's going? Is it marked as a Magic Kingdom boat that makes stops at WL first? And the boat from GF never goes to WL first?

There should be signage at the boat docks that tell you which line to get into. There is a boat that I took all the time between CR and WL. It also stopped at FtW along the way.
There is no boat that will take you to, or from, the GF to WL. There is a small boat that runs between GF, Polynesian and MK. THe other boats go in the direction of WL.

 

[jenbear123]

I apologize in advance if this has been answered before....

I have an 8:05am ADR at Crystal Palace. We will be renting a car, staying at CSR. What would be the best way to get there? Drive and park at TTC, then take the resort monorail? Or take Disney transportation?

The same day we have an ADR at Whispering Canyon at WL. If we drove and parked at TTC, is it possible to walk across street from WL? Or do we need to take a boat via MK? Because the TTC is literally right across the street from WL.

 

[goofy4tink]

I apologize in advance if this has been answered before....

I have an 8:05am ADR at Crystal Palace. We will be renting a car, staying at CSR. What would be the best way to get there? Drive and park at TTC, then take the resort monorail? Or take Disney transportation?

The same day we have an ADR at Whispering Canyon at WL. If we drove and parked at TTC, is it possible to walk across street from WL? Or do we need to take a boat via MK? Because the TTC is literally right across the street from WL.

Really, the TTC isn't 'literally right across the street'...it would be a long walk without sidewalks. Not something Disney wants you doing.

To get to Crystal Palace for an 8:05 ADR, I really would take the bus to MK. Be out at the bus stop by 7:15, yes, you'll arrive at MK early but you'll be able to walk around inside MK for a bit before your ADR. IF you drive, you have to take either the monorail or ferry over to MK, after taking the tram from your car or hoofing it. Taking the Disney bus is so much easier to MK.

To get to WL, from MK you can take either a bus or the boat. I prefer the boat. It's a very nice ride.

 

[cewilkes]

Hello!

I am staying at CSR this september and have a Friday night reservation at 7:55PM at whispering canyons cafe at Wilderness Lodge. I'm a little worried about being able to get BACK from there.

Mickie's not so scary is running that evening however, so I'm assuming at the very least I should be able to use MK as a hub? Or maybe DTD?

Thoughts?

THANKS!

 

[joelkfla]

Hello!

I am staying at CSR this september and have a Friday night reservation at 7:55PM at whispering canyons cafe at Wilderness Lodge. I'm a little worried about being able to get BACK from there.

Mickie's not so scary is running that evening however, so I'm assuming at the very least I should be able to use MK as a hub? Or maybe DTD?

No need to worry!

Buses and/or boats from WL to MK will be running until midnight for MNSSHP.

 

[ShesAPirate]

Does anyone know the best way to get from AKL to GF or Contemporary? Is there a bus from AKL that goes to the TTC?

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[blessedwith3]

Hi!

Thank you to all who post on here - all these answers are so helpful!!

I apologize if this has been answered, but we're going to be in Disney in September and one of the days, we're going to DHS for EMH in the morning, then going to the T-REX Cafe in DTD for a 1:45pm ADR.

So what is the easiest/fastest way to get from DHS to DTD? Or should I change my plans?

TIA!!!