Still debating- what do you think (re HDDR)?

[wannabee princess]

We are going for sure, on a Friday night at 7:15. I am trying to decide if we should take the Disney transportation from AKL to MK and then take the ferry over to FW, or maybe we should drive our own vehicle to WL and take the ferry from there? (or ??)

My indecision is due to the fact that I was wanting to "hang out" at FW until 9:45, then watch the ELP from FW and head back to our resort after. If we do the MK, and we hit the exiting crowds, we may end up having a long wait (Wishes scheduled for 10). I then lean toward WL, but I've only been to the lodge itself, not to the ferry landing, so don't know if the whole trip - park at the lodge, walk to the landing, take the ferry...and reversing it for the trip back - would end up taking a lot of time too.

I have also considered just driving our vehicle to FW, but don't know if the internal transportation would end up being as long of a "hassle" as the other scenarios.

The other option I have is to just hold off and see the ELP the night we are at the Poly for Ohana's. The difference is our dinner is at 6:20 and the ELP would not be there until 9. How long would Ohana's really take? Two hours? I don't think we want to just "hang" for a really long time - like an hour or more.

Input welcome!!

 

[tjmw2727]

With a rental car I would definately drive to the main entrance to the Campground and then just take the internal bus. They run very frequently to the post where HDD is. We don't generally have a car at WDW so we take a cab to FW and that has been the best option for us.

If you want more details you can try the transportation area a few down from this forum. Many posters on that board know lots about the subject.

TJ

 

[GailT]

I rent a car so we drive then take the bus right to the HDDR, it is easy and pretty fast

 

[wannabee princess]

Thank you both! I guess I was under the impression that the internal bus was not as easy as you have both experienced. Sounds like that would end up being the easier option afterall!

 

[danny1649]

We stay at OKW and on each trip we go to HDDR(14 TIMES +).We always take bus to MK then take ferry over to FW to see HDDR.We do this because we enjoy the ferry ride over and then short walk to Pioneer Hall.We like going to 7:15 performance then after we go on hayride,several times CM has stopped hayride wagon in dark area along trail to let those on hayride view electric water parade.This is the greatest view we've ever had of EWP.

 

[wannabee princess]

Originally posted by danny1649
We stay at OKW and on each trip we go to HDDR(14 TIMES +).We always take bus to MK then take ferry over to FW to see HDDR.We do this because we enjoy the ferry ride over and then short walk to Pioneer Hall.We like going to 7:15 performance then after we go on hayride,several times CM has stopped hayride wagon in dark area along trail to let those on hayride view electric water parade.This is the greatest view we've ever had of EWP.

Hmmm, now you've got me debating trying the hayride!

When you say several times, does that mean that the other times you didn't see the EWP? I'd love to see the view that you are talking about! I am thinking that worse case scenario we would still be able to see the EWP the other night (if we didn't see it due to the hayride).

If you don't mind, will you give more info on the hayride from your previous experience? I had it marked in my notes to try, but was thinking that would mean I would definitely not see the EWP, so I just thought I'd skip it this time. It sounds from your post though that it may be worth trying!

Have you typically gone at a certain time of the year? I'm wondering if mid-July would be miserably hot and sticky?

Thanks for the post!!

 

[danny1649]

Last year we didn't get to see it on hayride,the previous December we did.In August,July,May and March on hayride we have seen EWP.I would say out of 18 hayride's we have been on I would say 12 time's we have seen EWP.When you come out of Pioneer Hall,go across street and turn right walk for about 20 yds and you are at que area for hayride,last year it was $8 for adults and driver only accepts cash and wagon is limited to 16 riders.It's a great ride on it's own with great interaction with CM driver and insight's on WDW,EWP just make's it extra special.I think you could ask CM if you are going to be able to see EWP while on hayride.DW and I don't ask we love the hayride and would go even if we don't get to see EWP.During cooler times of year they have blankets for you to use to stay warm and comfy.

 

[iloveeeyore]

It also depends how much you imbibe of that "unlimited" beer and/or sangria!

I just LOVE the sangria; wouldn't want to have to drive after HDDR...maybe not the next day either!