Poly Transportation To & From

[IndianFan2]

Planning our first stay at Poly. Don't know whether to walk to the TTC or take Monorail from the resort for MK and Epcot. Catch a bus at the resort to AK and MGM or from the TTC?

 

[Mamu]

Most of the time we took the monorail to MK and Epcot. It was so easy. One of our favorites was taking the motor boat to the MK. It was so relaxing.

We would walk to the TTC in the morning when we had lots of energy. Never had to wait more the 5 minutes for a TTC bus. If the resort bus was there when we were leaving MGM of AK we would take that bus back. If not we would take the TTC bus back, then the monorail back to the resort, no energy left after a day in the park to walk back to our room.

One of the wonderful things about the Poly are all the transportation options.

 

[BCV23]

I think this is what Mamu was saying too but to get to Epcot we always walk to the TTC and just catch the direct Epcot monorail. It takes too long to ride the MK loop and then transfer.

We also walk back from the TTC rather than up the ramp and wait for the monorail. However we are almost always in Rapa Nui which is very close to the TTC. If we were in the western buidings I might be tempted to try the resort monorail back.

Totally agree about taking the TTC bus back unless the resort bus is there. The TTC buses seem to run more frequently.

As Mamu said be sure to try the launch from the end of the pier. Fun way to get to or from MK as well as GF.

One final note if you happen to be in one of the buildings near the TTC AND if you return to the resort at lunch or early afternoon. The ferry is very fast and very close to the Polynesian.
It is very crowded on the way to the MK in the am so I wouldn't do that but you'll almost have it to yourself if you return midday. You'll beat the monorail and the launch.

Got to love transportation from the Polynesian!

 

[rjjr]

BCV23,

What's the ferry vs. the launch? I didn't realize that there were 2 different types of water transportation. How are they different??

Thanks for the insight, can't wait to go!!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

I'd recommend going to the TTC only for Epcot. Otherwise, you're best off just staying at the Polynesian.

A big thing to remember about the TTC buses is that they are on fixed routes. If one fills up, and leaves you behind, there won't be another bus for another 17 minutes.

Polynesian morning buses are on Magic On Demand... this means its demand responsive.

TTC buses do NOT service Downtown Disney, Typhoon Lagoon, or Blizzard Beach.

The MK/TTC ferryboat is a nice ride, although midday it only runs every 20 minutes. This is the big Staten Island type ferry. The Poly launch is the small brown/white wooden boat.

 

[BCV23]

rjjr, the launch docks at the pier which you can see fom the volcano pool. These are small, pretty boats as Tyler described. They make a circuit from MK to GF to Poly. So from the Polynesian it's a short ride. We love these boats and it used to be our custom to take these to Narcoossee's or Grand Floridian Cafe for lunch and then hop on again to go back to the Polynesian or just walk back. Now alas Narcoossee's doesn't serve lunch. Also the last two trips my daughter took we had a power chair for her and those can't go on the launches.

The ferry is boarded in the TTC area but is very close to the Polynesian. If you walk to the TTC, hang a left as soon as you see the first gate. The ferry boards straight down from there....although again we don't like it going to the MK.

I know Tyler knows his stuff, but I could swear I have seen one ferry approaching as another leaves but maybe I'm remembering at busy times like Christmas and Easter.

At any rate when we leave the gates at MK we evaluate the transportation situation. If a monorail is on the tracks from the GF to MK, we know we'll be able to catch it. If it's in the station we might make it up the ramp just in time to see it leave.

We check to see if a launch is in sight. If it's just rounding the island from the Polynesian or approaching the MK...perfect. If not, we're cautious as sometimes they have three launches working but sometimes only one. If it's the latter, the wait is probably 20 minutes and the ride is slower too although delightful.

If the ferry is approaching or just docked, we might take it.

We have been known to split up and "race."

You could also take the express monorail to the TTC.

 

[lat]

Originally posted by BCV23
At any rate when we leave the gates at MK we evaluate the transportation situation. If a monorail is on the tracks from the GF to MK, we know we'll be able to catch it. If it's in the station we might make it up the ramp just in time to see it leave.

We check to see if a launch is in sight. If it's just rounding the island from the Polynesian or approaching the MK...perfect. If not, we're cautious as sometimes they have three launches working but sometimes only one. If it's the latter, the wait is probably 20 minutes and the ride is slower too although delightful.

If the ferry is approaching or just docked, we might take it.

BCV23, you got this down to a science. I have to tell this to DH so that we would be able to better assess our transportation mode in August while we stay at Poly.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by BCV23
I know Tyler knows his stuff, but I could swear I have seen one ferry approaching as another leaves but maybe I'm remembering at busy times like Christmas and Easter.

During mid-day, they usually only run one Ferry. That can be a 20+ minute wait. At around 3:45, they will add a second Ferry. That reduces wait time to an average of 10 mins.

 

[lat]

Tyler,

How does the monorail work specifically? The one that goes between MK and TTC express, do they go in circles or back and forth? Also, when BCV said that she knows she can make it when she sees a monorail between GF and MK, does that monorail goes back to GF, then Poly after reaching MK, or does it go around, passing CR and TTC to go to Poly?

Thanks

 

[betterlatethannever]

Originally posted by lat
Tyler,

How does the monorail work specifically? The one that goes between MK and TTC express, do they go in circles or back and forth? Also, when BCV said that she knows she can make it when she sees a monorail between GF and MK, does that monorail goes back to GF, then Poly after reaching MK, or does it go around, passing CR and TTC to go to Poly?

Thanks

Tyler must have needed some sleep, or it was party time so I'll try and anser your questions.

Both the express and resort monorails go in one direction when in service (going in circles). The express monorail (of looking from above) goes counterclockwise, the resort monorail goes clockwise.

The express monorail only stops at the TTC and MK.
The resort monorail stops at the TTC, Poly, GF, MK, CR.

Ed

 

[lat]

Originally posted by betterlatethannever
The express monorail (of looking from above) goes counterclockwise, the resort monorail goes clockwise.

The express monorail only stops at the TTC and MK.
The resort monorail stops at the TTC, Poly, GF, MK, CR.

Ed

Ed, thanks so much for the explanation. So that means, if you see a monorail coming to MK from GF direction, then it is a resort monorail, while if you see it coming from CR direction, then it is TTC express. I think we have to get on different ramp to get to the platform depending on which one it is. Is that right?

Thanks again.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by lat
I think we have to get on different ramp to get to the platform depending on which one it is. Is that right?

Yes... please be sure to read the overhead signs as you head towards the Monorail. They are very clearly marked, and very hard to miss.

 

[BCV23]

Originally posted by lat
Ed, thanks so much for the explanation. So that means, if you see a monorail coming to MK from GF direction, then it is a resort monorail, while if you see it coming from CR direction, then it is TTC express. I think we have to get on different ramp to get to the platform depending on which one it is. Is that right?

Thanks again.

You've got it lat. The resort monorail ramp is closer to the lake. Have fun on your trip.

Tyler, do you know when they go to just one ferry? We leave the MK 11:30 to 12 if we're having lunch at a resort and before 1 if we have lunch at the MK. There are usually still hordes of people streaming in as we leave.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by betterlatethannever
Tyler must have needed some sleep, or it was party time so I'll try and anser your questions.

LOL... you got it. I'm back on mornings now, no more late nights for me! Thanks for fillin in

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by BCV23
Tyler, do you know when they go to just one ferry? We leave the MK 11:30 to 12 if we're having lunch at a resort and before 1 if we have lunch at the MK. There are usually still hordes of people streaming in as we leave.

It's not a set time... just whenever they call it. It usually happens around noon, but it can vary.

 

[BCV23]

Thanks Tyler!

 

[lat]

Thanks everyone. With so many times on the monorail, I never really paid attention to exactly how it goes and this board is amazing!!!

 

[Pyedog]

We'll be at the Poly in Sept...and have never used the launches before.

Do you just go down to the pier and wait? How many people do the boats hold? I would think they would be all full all the time and hard to get.

Thanks,
Pyedog

 

[betterlatethannever]

Originally posted by Pyedog
We'll be at the Poly in Sept...and have never used the launches before.

Do you just go down to the pier and wait? How many people do the boats hold? I would think they would be all full all the time and hard to get.

Thanks,
Pyedog

Yes, you just go down to the pier and wait. It probably holds between 30-40 people. It comes from the GF before going to MK so yes, in the morning it can get full going to MK, or the evening going back to the GF or Poly.

If there is a small crowd waiting for the launches, there probably is a huge crowd waiting for the monorail. So, its a tossup whether to take the launch or monorail. Generally, if you can get on the next launch that comes, you will get to MK before the monorail (since it stops at the GF).

Since the launch goes to the Poly from the GF, people wanting to go to the MK from the GF usually take the monorail.

Ed

 

[BCV23]

Ed, I was going to guess 30 to 40, too. We've never had a problem getting on one from the MK midday. And Ed summed up the crowd situation perfectly. I think many people must not know about the launches. They are so relaxing and fun. Truly a special bit of Disney magic for my family.