Paid Private Water Taxi Service Now Available at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

[Q-man]

It's not anything I would ever consider using but I can see some appeal to someone not wanting to wait for the regular boat or monorail. I'm kinda surprised they didn't go full blown ostentatious money grab with the water taxi having hot tubs, complimentary foot massages, free drinks and apps, with characters driving the boats, all for a modest upgrade of about $10K per one way trip..

You forgot Bibbidi Bobbidi Boatique

 

[closetmickey]

Bring in the Tom Sawyer rafts!

 

[sachilles]

Need not be a draw bridge. Need only be tall enough to clear the electric boat parade floats....or is there something bigger in that canal?

 

[writerguyfl]

Need not be a draw bridge. Need only be tall enough to clear the electric boat parade floats....or is there something bigger in that canal?

That canal connects to the Rivers of America. I believe that if needed, the riverboat could be towed into Seven Seas Lagoon using that canal. I also think that is why the monorail beam is so high in that location. The height is needed to allow the passage of the riverboat.

Link to an aerial map on Bing: https://binged.it/2elw4ye

 

[tachyonbb]

The train tracks and Caribbean Way are already crossing the canal. Moving any thing from Rivers of America to Seven Seas Lagoon would be problematic. To me, a walkway to the Grand Floridian makes sense. Small investment to reduce boat/monorail traffic.

 

[Madonna3]

The train tracks and Caribbean Way are already crossing the canal. Moving any thing from Rivers of America to Seven Seas Lagoon would be problematic. To me, a walkway to the Grand Floridian makes sense. Small investment to reduce boat/monorail traffic.

I never knew that so I just looked at the map and when I zoomed in, it almost appears as if there's some sort of lock in place.

 

[writerguyfl]

I never knew that so I just looked at the map and when I zoomed in, it almost appears as if there's some sort of lock in place.

One of my Disney jobs had me based in offices in that backstage area. If I remember correctly, those are locks of some sort. Although, I never cared enough to ask anyone why they exist.

 

[Q-man]

Exactly. There are some nights I would probably pay for a private ride home.

Walk/monorail to the Contemporary and cab/uber from there. Or take the launch to GF and do the same from there.

Seems to me this is more about getting to dining at WL and to Hoop-Dee-Doo Review than MK. From GF take the monorail to MK and the launch back. I haven't stayed at GF with the new DVCs at GF and the Poly to know how all that extra lodging has effected the transportation capacity.

 

[Q-man]

One of my Disney jobs had me based in offices in that backstage area. If I remember correctly, those are locks of some sort. Although, I never cared enough to ask anyone why they exist.

My guess is they can take Liberty Belle out to the maintenance facilities docks north of Bay Lake Towers.

When they close the river boat for refurbs does it stay on the Rivers of America?

 

[Lisa F]

I suppose, no real difference than taking a regular cab to some locations, just slower, but more scenic.
It would be worth it for me to get back from hoop de doo(assuming that's an option.

does anyone know if this is an option and if the GF has to be one of the stops? we are doing a 6:15 HDDR and a direct route back to the poly would be worth the $20!

 

[Keels]

Love more options. I usually drive/Uber, but I'm all for paying to get to places faster that don't require me to take the poorly organized bus system or the frequently broken Monorail.

Don't want to pay? Don't use it.

 

[writerguyfl]

My guess is they can take Liberty Belle out to the maintenance facilities docks north of Bay Lake Towers.

When they close the river boat for refurbs does it stay on the Rivers of America?

After I wrote my comment I surmised that the locks are probably there in case they need to drain the Rivers of America. I have no clue about riverboat maintenance, though.

 

[Q-man]

After I wrote my comment I surmised that the locks are probably there in case they need to drain the Rivers of America. I have no clue about riverboat maintenance, though.

Looking at Google satellite there is some kind of barge on the Rivers Of America side of the lock and that the Caribbean Way bridge may be a drawbridge.

Also, the lock looks just the right size for Liberty Belle.

 

[sachilles]

For what it's worth, on google earth, you can see a picture of the train on the tracks crossing rivers of America. Looks like the bridge is a rotating type of moving bridge. So I'm sure they could get the riverboat out of there. However, I don't think it would prevent a pedestrian bridge being built.

 

[writerguyfl]

However, I don't think it would prevent a pedestrian bridge being built.

I certainly agree with this statement. I only introduced the topic because someone said that a drawbridge wouldn't be necessary.

If added, the pedestrian bridge would need to be movable in some fashion. Of course, that adds to the cost. Alligator fences would also need to be added...probably to both sides of the path.

 

[Q-man]

I certainly agree with this statement. I only introduced the topic because someone said that a drawbridge wouldn't be necessary.

If added, the pedestrian bridge would need to be movable in some fashion. Of course, that adds to the cost. Alligator fences would also need to be added...probably to both sides of the path.

Or elevated high enough to allow any foreseeable boat traffic

 

[HopperFan]

The train tracks and Caribbean Way are already crossing the canal. Moving any thing from Rivers of America to Seven Seas Lagoon would be problematic. To me, a walkway to the Grand Floridian makes sense. Small investment to reduce boat/monorail traffic.

My guess is they can take Liberty Belle out to the maintenance facilities docks north of Bay Lake Towers.

When they close the river boat for refurbs does it stay on the Rivers of America?

After I wrote my comment I surmised that the locks are probably there in case they need to drain the Rivers of America. I have no clue about riverboat maintenance, though.

It is a swing bridge, so it just pivots. You can see the pivot/turntable on the piling underneath.

 

[Madonna3]

Walk/monorail to the Contemporary and cab/uber from there. Or take the launch to GF and do the same from there.

Seems to me this is more about getting to dining at WL and to Hoop-Dee-Doo Review than MK. From GF take the monorail to MK and the launch back. I haven't stayed at GF with the new DVCs at GF and the Poly to know how all that extra lodging has effected the transportation capacity.

I'm fully aware of how to get back and forth using Disney transport, but some nights, it would be really nice to just have a ride waiting for me outside MK where I don't have to wait on line or deal with the crowds.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Your morning money grab from the folks over at Walt Disney World.

1) P.T.Barnum is a live and well.
2) "There is a . . . . . . . . . . "
3) The walk to the monorail is shorter and gets you closer to the MK entrance.