Question for Epcot resort enthusiasts

[Masonmj84]

particularly those who often stay at BC/YC.

Have you ever taken the boat to HS and arrived substantially before rope drop?

(by "substantially before rope drop", I mean that back when they still did rope drop, you were at the front close to the rope or, in today's post-rope drop procedure, you arrived before substantial lines begin to form behind the turnstyles, such that you were among the first people to enter the park).

The reason I ask is because I'm contemplating a BC stay and am wondering if the following two pieces of conventional wisdom are compatable:

(1) If there's ever a park where there's an advantage to arriving early, it's HS. This is especially true in the new post-rope drop procedure because if you can be near the front of a turnstyle, you can easily get a TSM FP and ride TSM standby within minutes of the park opening (then you can ride R&RC and TOT standby without substantial lines at those attractions). If, however, you arrive when long lines have already formed behind the turnstyles, you will face lines at both the TSM FP machines and the TSM standby line. Therfore, if you want to avoid a big logjam at TSM, try to arrive no later than 15 to 20 minutes past the hour before park opening.

(2) While you can walk to HS from BC/YC, its at least a solid mile and takes about 25-30 minutes (unless you're a fast walker). In addition, since you'll be walking around in the park all day, it's a good idea to not do any more walking than absolutely necessary. Therefore, the boat is the preferred way of going to HS from BC/YC.

Is it possible to do (1) and (2) at the same time (i.e., take the boat and still arrive early)? Or is this an example of trying to have your cake and eat it too?

If it's impossible to do both, which approach do you lean toward: walking in order to make it to HS early; or taking the boat at the risk of getting there when long lines have already formed?

 

[eliza61]

So in order to give you my answers, let me fill you in on my family a bit.

We generally go late August/early september and some times during Jersey week. Both times the crowds are moderate.
Our home resort is BCV's so we are there 90% of the time.

1) Personally we don't do rope drop nor do we do the "running of the bulls" for tsm fp. What we do is get to the parks around 15 mins after opening and head to tsm. we get in the standby line (usually 30 minute wait that is more like 20 mins) & after the ride we get our fp. We have had great success with this since TSM opened. I've seen folks wait in the fp line for 30 mins which makes no sense to me.

2) We always walk, it's never taken us 25 minutes and we are not super fast walkers. 20 mins tops for us. We love the stroll, our kids love the walk. I consider it part of my day walking around disney. pretty much unless the boat is right there when you get to the landing, you're going to have to wait anyway.

Do you guys have mobility issues? I don't think that extra mile is going to make a ton of difference especially at the begininng of the day. next, HS has so many venues that are sit down. Indiana JOnes, beauty and the beast, Lights, motor action will all give you the opportunity to rest tired tootsies.

 

[Pakey]

BCV is also my home resort and where we usually stay.

Yes, you can get there on the boat early. We took the boat last October and we were maybe 4 people back from the rope drop. Of course, this was a "best park" day for DHS per touring plans which certainly makes a difference in park crowds.

This was our first ever rope drop (it was our 22nd vacation at WDW) and I would guess it will be our last too. But it was interesting to experience the running of the strollers to TSM.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Unless there is a boat pulling up as we are walking by the marina we always walk over to DHS. It is me, DH and 3 kids 11, 13 and 14. We've done it for several years and it's never taken us 25-30 minutes. We always find it is faster than the boats since they have to make stops.

Now on the way back to the resort we usually always take the boats - enough walking in the parks!

 

[francie57]

We always walk to HS. Its faster than the boat. The walk is not a mile, it is just over 1/2 mile (mileage posted on running map). We have walked from all three resorts and it never has taken us more than 15 min. and we move at a normal pace. We never arrive at the park extremely early. Last year we got there and went through the turnstiles and actually went to the left toward Hollywood & Vine and awaited there and were well ahead of most people in the regular crowd.

 

[vicki_c]

We either walk or drive if we really want to be there early - and by early, we try to arrive at DHS about 8:15 or earlier for a 9 AM opening. I don't recall ever seeing the boat waiting early enough for us during the times we stayed at BC/BCV.