??? Re: POR boat to DTD

[Rhonna]

I'm sure I read the answers before but now I've gone blank on this.

If we want to take the boat from POR to DTD to eat at Earl of Sandwich on a Friday or Saturday night (the weekend of the Festival of Masters at DTD) - will there be a line to get on the boat in either direction (coming or going)?

I thought I had read that one of the resorts POR or POFQ picked up people first for the boat and by the time the boat got to the second resort there weren't many or any seats left? Which resort will have a better chance of getting a seat?

Also, where does the boat let you off at DTD - is it near the Earl of Sandwich or a bit of a walk from there?

We will have a rental car so if it is too much hassle we can drive over - I just thought it would be nice to take the boat - but only if it isn't a real hassle.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[KangaT]

Don't know if this still holds true or not, but when we stayed at POFQ a few years ago, the boat picked up at POR first, then went on to POFQ. Coming back it dropped off at FQ first then went on up to POR. Sorry, but I don't remember where it dropped us off.

 

["thegirls"]

Rhonna ~

We stayed at PO Riverside. They are the first pick-up. We used the boat for Downtown Disney. It takes almost 25 minutes to get to DD. The only stop it makes is at PO French Quarter. The boat drops you off at the far left end of the DD complex, the complete opposite end from cirque du soliel.
There is a boat at the DD dock that will take you to the other end of DD. In my opinion I would use this PO boat to DD only if you had the extra time to travel to and from DD. Other wise I would drive and park at DD near where I wanted to visit for more control over time and a little more flexability. But remember when you park at DD think Christmas shopping at the mall. You may have to 'hover' a couple of laps for a decent spot!!!

Have a great time!!!

 

[BeamsofLight]

We stayed at POFQ a few years ago, so I'm not sure if things have changed since then.

However, we never had much of a line to get on the boat from the hotel to DTD. Coming back, we did usually have to wait in line. I think there was only one night where we didn't get on the first boat that came, though. And we didn't have to wait that long for a second, so it was no big deal.

We usually got picked up after the POR people. If the boat was really full, they would just send it past and the next one coming back from DTD would only pick up at POFQ. Again, I think this only happened one time. I would imagine you'd have a better chance of always getting a seat getting on at POR, but I don't know if it's ever crowded enough to make a real difference.

The boat let us off at DTD down near the Rainforest Cafe. I don't konw if it still goes to the same spot, but if it does, then it's not that long a walk to the Earl.

I think the boat ride was one of the best parts of staying at POFQ, especially riding back in the dark. Very cool.

 

[Rhonna]

Thanks for the answers.

20 - 25 minutes one way? Yikes! I guess this is a leisure activity - if we are in a hurry I think driving there will work better.

Thanks!

 

[corinascot]

We were at POR in June and one evening we took the boat to DTD and ate at the Earl of Sandwich. The good news is that the food at E or S was terrific. Also, it's quite close to where the boat stops. And we didn't wait long at all to get BACK to POR from DTD. But, we waited a long time (40 minutes??) to get a boat TO DTD> The boats must have been stopping at POFQ first b/c every boat was almost full and they could only allow 6-7 folks on the boat. So, we waited for a number of boats. Had a nice time toalking to another family while we waited though.

 

[BeamsofLight]

Originally posted by corinascot
But, we waited a long time (40 minutes??) to get a boat TO DTD> The boats must have been stopping at POFQ first b/c every boat was almost full and they could only allow 6-7 folks on the boat. So, we waited for a number of boats.

Interesting. We were there in September, so the 'crowds', if you can call them that, were very small. It's good to know that in the high season, the boat is busier (which makes sense, I suppose).

Thanks for posting that, corinascot. I'll have to remember that if we go again in the summer, since being able to take the boat would be a big reason for me to pick these hotels again.

 

[kahiko]

Take the boat You get a nice leisuruely cruise and narration along the way. It is very relaxing.

I used to drive from park to park, the hotel DTD etc. It was a real hassle with crazy drivers looking for a parking place etc. Now I use WDW transportation and just sit back and enjoy life