Studios-Epcot link

[bschoner]

We are visiting the World in November and are planning to spend a day at Disney's Hollywood Studios followed by dinner at Epcot. The Friendship boats seem like a nice way to travel between those two parks, but how late do they run? If the Studios close at 7 PM, and we get out of Epcot around 9:30, will we be able to get back to our car (by boat or bus) if it's still parked at the Studios? If not, I suppose we'll be parking at the Boardwalk instead.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Missytara]

I know the bus transportation ends an hour after a park closes, so I guess it would be similar to the boats?????

I wouldn't press your luck; I would move over to the Boardwalk parking lot and then take the boat around the loop - it takes you to YC/BC/BW/Swan/Dolphin. It is a wonderful ride....

 

[NJ Goofy]

That's a good question. The boats may only go to the resorts after EPCOT closes.

If you are going to move your car, why not just park at EPCOT ??

 

[CarolMN]

That's a good question. The boats may only go to the resorts after EPCOT closes.

If you are going to move your car, why not just park at EPCOT ??

That's good advice. If your November trip is during Food & Wine time (especially if it's on a weekend night), you might not be able to park at the Boardwalk. Move the car to the EPCOT lot or plan to walk back to the Studios lot. It's about a 30 minute walk from International Gateway to Studios.

Another option is to take the bus that runs between EPCOT and DHS. That should be running for at least an hour after EPCOT closes.

 

[Missytara]

I did finally find the information that the DHS - Epcot link ends at 7:15 pm at World Showcase and 7:30 pm at the countries. So you should definately move your car over to Epcot.

 

[CarolMN]

I did finally find the information that the DHS - Epcot link ends at 7:15 pm at World Showcase and 7:30 pm at the countries. So you should definately move your car over to Epcot.

That info is for the Friendship boats that go across the World Showcase lagoon. It does not apply to the boats that go between EPCOT and the DHS with stops at the BWV, YC/CB and the Swan/Dolphin. Those boats generally run for at least 30 to 60 minutes after EPCOT closes for the evening - either 9 pm or 9:30 pm when the Candlelight Processional is running.

 

[MICKEEP]

The best way to do this is to park at Epcot in the morning and take the bus from the front of Epcot to HS. Then when you leave HS, you can take the boat to Epcot for your Dinner ADR. At the end of your day your car will already be at Epcot, so it saves you the trouble of all that traveling when you are most tired.

 

[bschoner]

Thanks for the responses and recommendations, folks. We can certainly park at the front of Epcot either in the afternoon or after leaving DHS, but since we're only going to Epcot for dinner, entering through the International Gateway seems to make more sense.

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

It might be easier for you to valet park at the Beach Club. You can then either walk or take the Friendship boat over to the DHS. Reverse this to get to the International Gateway for your dinner at Epcot. The Beach Club is only a five minute walk to the Epcot IG.

 

[bschoner]

It might be easier for you to valet park at the Beach Club. You can then either walk or take the Friendship boat over to the DHS. Reverse this to get to the International Gateway for your dinner at Epcot. The Beach Club is only a five minute walk to the Epcot IG.

That would indeed be easier (and the ideal solution). Unfortunately, my understanding is that the Yacht and Beach Clubs are pretty strict about keeping folks from parking there unless they are staying at the resort or have a dinner reservation - probably to prevent too many people from doing exactly what you suggest.

 

[NancyIL]

That would indeed be easier (and the ideal solution). Unfortunately, my understanding is that the Yacht and Beach Clubs are pretty strict about keeping folks from parking there unless they are staying at the resort or have a dinner reservation - probably to prevent too many people from doing exactly what you suggest.

You have to pay to valet park - so that shouldn't be a problem.

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

You have to pay to valet park - so that shouldn't be a problem.

I agree that since you pay to valet park it should not matter where you are going after you park your vehicle.

I am not sure, but my guess is that valet parking costs more than parking at any of the lots so you should be good to do this if you want.