Taking the boat from MGM to Epcot

[Amy&Dan]

On our last trip to WDW we never tried this. Has anyone ever taken the boat from MGM after Fantasmic over to EPCOT to see Illuminations? Also is it possible to walk? A friend told me there was a walking path between the two parks. We are going the last weekend of this month into the first week of February so crowds shouldn't be too terrible. In October, by the time we got to our car at MGM there was no way we could get over to EPCOT, park and get in in time for Illuminations. Thanks, any help is appreciated!

 

[jordanyosh]

You can walk to Epcot from MGM. It will take about 25-35 minutes. If you do walk when you get to the Boardwalk theme pool go through the pool area and exit to the main Boardwalk area by the Arcade/Restroom area. Then onto Epcot. It's a little shortcut.

It will probably be quicker to walk then wait for a boat since everyone will be heading back to their resorts.

 

[Laura's Dad]

I think it would depend on what time Fantasmic finished and Illuminations began. Yes, there is a walkway between MGM and Epcot. It would probably be faster to walk than to take the boat. The boat would bound to be crowded after Fantasmic and would have to stop at the Swan/Dolphin, the Boadwalk, and the Yatch and Beach Clubs before going to Epcot. The boat is also pretty slow. This is nice to take a break during a morning/afternoon park switch, but it wouldn't serve your purpose very well. The waking time between the Hollywood Hills ampitheater to the International Gateway would probably 15 to 30 minutes, depending on how fast you walked and how tired you were. Once inside Epcot, you would not be able to get a great viewing location, but you should be able to see some of the show. By the way, the walking path is on the Boardwalk Villas side of the waterway, not on the Swan/Dolphin side.

 

[Pete W.]

The boat stops at the Swan/Dolphin, then the Yacht/Beach Clubs before heading to the Boardwalk then Epcot. So if you do manage to get on the boat, it's better to get off at Yacht/Beach Club and walk to Epcot rather than stay on and make the extra stop at the Boardwalk.

 

[rkmassa]

We did this one night, but not after Fantasmic, so can't help you with the crowd thing. It was a nice relaxing ride. The stops were made quickly. It was 25 minutes. Hoped off at EPCOT and wandered around. Got a snack and then found a place for Illuminations. It was our first time onsite, and we decided to try all the transportation options. We both loved the boat rides. Stayed at POR and took the boat to DTD. Had a Wishes cruise one night and took the boat from WL to MK and then took the monorail around to view all the resorts on the monorail. Took the boat back. I would suggest trying all the different options to see which works best for you. Then you will know for future trips.

 

[Melissa M]

We tried this during Christmas week...a very busy time. We saw the 6:30 Fantasmic, then rode the boat to Epcot for Illuminations. We had plenty of time. Also, by that time of day we were tired and enjoyed the slow boat ride because we could rest.

 

[SusanDK]

We were there in early December and queued for the boat following Fantasmic to head over to Epcot. I wanted to walk all the way, but my husband thought it looked really long so said we should wait to see if we made the next boat that was on its way.

We did get on the next boat, which was naturally very crowded, but when they came to the Swan/Dolphin stop, the driver suggested that anyone going to Epcot could get there faster by walking the rest of the way instead of making the stops at the other resorts on the way to Epcot.

The boat was very crowded and had a screaming infant (who from the smell of things needed a diaper change), so we hopped off and walked the rest of the way. It was a pleasant walk; can't remember if it took about 15 minutes from that point. As we reached the International Gateway, our boat was pulling up at about the same time. But it was a nice evening so the walk was fine.

I believe Fantasmic was at 7.00 pm that night, and Illuminations at 9.30, so we had lots of time. We got to Epcot around 8.00 pm or shortly thereafter and managed to get a table in the public seating area near the Rose & Crown, bought fish & chips from the counter service and had a very relaxing time waiting for Illuminations for which we had an awesome view.

Susan

 

[GOOFYFREEK]

Usually if you are at the last Fantasmic the boats and Busses are packed. We have walked over severl times. Taken the Boat to Swan/ Dolphin several times.

Thanks for the short cut Jordanyosh

 

[jellydisney]

If your feet aren't falling off, it is a nice walk. The Dolphin and Swan look especially beautiful at night. It does take about 25 minutes at a brisk pace. But at least you'll be moving, rather than waiting in some line with a hundred people.

Otherwise, if Fantasmic ends early and you have plenty of time, take the boat.

Here's a question: is there a bus from MGM to Epcot? Or just the boat?

 

[WEDWDW]

jellydisney-yes,there is a bus route from Disney/MGM Studios to Epcot and Epcot to Disney/MGM Studios.The bus goes to the main entrance of Epcot where the resort buses unload.I guess the best use of precious vacation time is to take the boat if you want to go to World Showcase and take the bus if you want to go to Future World.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I walked over there after Fantasmic a few years ago, when there was an 8:15 parade in WS. Left MGM at 7:45, walked over and entered through IG in time for the parade. I didn't rush, but I do walk fairly fast (and I was alone).

 

[Carrieberry]

We left MGM after Fantasmic one night in eary Dec a couple of years ago and it was raining. The line for the boat looked long and it wasn't cold so we put our ponchos on and walked. We got all the way to the Boardwalk pool before we saw the boat heading over to MGM. We also knew the boat only holds so many and we would have had to wait probably 3 boats to get on one so needless to say it defintely was shorter for us to take the walkway!!

 

[buzz2400]

Two things to keep in mind. The boat is not always there when you need it. Also you have to have hopper tickets. They do make you insert your card at the boat entrance at epcot. Last summer two guys thought they could get into epcot without a ticket.

 

[Pig Pen]

We tried walking after an 8:00 pm Fantasmic to the 9:00 pm Illuminations and didn't quite make it. But if you go after the 7:00 pm Fantasmic you should have plenty of time.

The boat is iffy as others have described...and slow. We ALWAYS beat the boat when we walked.

Great idea about the shortcut thru Boardwalk pool area.