Quickest from Dolphin to Parks

[Otisp]

We're staying at the Dolphin and would like to get to the various parks as early as possible each morning (adhering somewhat to the "Unofficial Guide's" plans). I know that MGM and Epcot are within "walking distance," but would like to know the best way to get to MK and AK early. Bus? Monorail from Epcot? Car?

 

[RhondaS]

Bus is generally the best bet to get to MK. If you take your car, you have to park in the MK parking lot, then either monorail or ferry over to the MK itself. The bus will drop you off at the park entrance.

Your car is the quickest way to AK, but bus service isn't bad either.

The main drawback of bus transportation out of the Swan/Dolphin resorts is that the busses generally stop at the other Epcot resorts too. But honestly, it's usually not that big of a deal. If they are on the resort cycle, they stop first at the Swan, then Dolphin, then Yacht Club, Beach Club, then Boardwalk.

 

[phanomouse]

The Buses are fine in my opinion, and without a rental car you have no choice but to either call a cab (which is silly) or use the bus to get to AK. But here is my new fav way to get to the MK from any Epcot resort, we hit the monorail. this doesn't alway work, especially if you want to get there prior park opening and it really wouldn't have worked had disney left epcot hours opening at 10 am. None the less this is my new favorite way to travel to MK (oh yeah it takes about the same time the buses because you have to train swap but its more relaxing in my opinion, you don't have to fight for a seat)

 

[madge]

usually I have nothing but raves about the bus transport from the S/D resorts--the buses are rarely full and there seems to be plenty of them.

last week we had an 8:05 PS at the Crystal Palace. I double checked with both the WDW transportation office and the S/D desk, and they each told me to watch for the "character breakfast" bus that would start running at 7:30. we should have plenty of time, we were assured.

we got to the park on the first MK bus of the day--at 8:40. 3 AK buses came by before we ever saw a MK one. I was bummed.