Time required to take boat from Boardwalk to DHS vs walking

[peacefrogdog]

Planning to go this Sunday. Looks like the boat goes from Boardwalk, thennto Swan/Dolphin, Beach/Yacht Club before going to DHS. Alternatively we could walk, looking like around a mile's walk. We have three kids age 8, 7 and 7 so we won't be able to walk as fast as we could if just adults.

Which of these two options would take the least time?

 

[helenk]

Planning to go this Sunday. Looks like the boat goes from Boardwalk, thennto Swan/Dolphin, Beach/Yacht Club before going to DHS. Alternatively we could walk, looking like around a mile's walk. We have three kids age 8, 7 and 7 so we won't be able to walk as fast as we could if just adults.

Which of these two options would take the least time?

It all depends on whether or not a boat is at the dock when you get there. I have found that I can walk to or from DHS faster if a boat is not at the dock. It is a nice walk. I think that the boat went from the Boardwalk to the YC/BC and then to the Swan Dolphin and then onto DHS, but I am not complely sure. It might be YC/BC, Boardwalk then Swan Dolphin.
If a boat is at the dock or on its way to the dock, take the boat, but if you walk out and it does not appear any are in sight, walk.

 

[goofy4tink]

The DHS boat from BW will leave BW, head across to YC/BC, then over to S/D, finally heading down the canal to DHS. The stops are reversed when returning.
My friend and I left Epcot, via the International Gateway, hoping to get the boat over to DHS. It was just heading out....the CMs yelled that there would be another boat in about 15 mins. WE yelled back we would walk and beat them to DHS. Yeah, right...was their snappy comeback. So, off we trekked. The boat beat us to BW by about 45 seconds, but as my friend and I headed to the Luna Park (pool area) of BW, the boat was just heading over to YC/BC. We cut through the pool area, as we always do, turned left and headed down the walkway, along the canal. We didn't see that boat again until we were headed to bag check...and the boat was just coming around the bend of the canal....still about 2 mins out from the DHS dock. I would assume that we were entering the park as the boat occupants got off the boat.
It takes the boat about 20 mins from BW to DHS. You can walk it in 13 mins, but you're moving...not something I recommend unless absolutely necessary!!! A more normal pace will take you about 17-18 mins...that is our normal, leisurely pace.
If the boat is there, and loading and you don't want to walk, by all means, get on the boat. but, if the boat is pulling away, you are going to have to add on about 15 mins until the next one comes along.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Planning to go this Sunday. Looks like the boat goes from Boardwalk, thennto Swan/Dolphin, Beach/Yacht Club before going to DHS. Alternatively we could walk, looking like around a mile's walk. We have three kids age 8, 7 and 7 so we won't be able to walk as fast as we could if just adults.

Which of these two options would take the least time?

There's a third option: Using the Swan & Dolphin dock even if you're staying at the BoardWalk. That way, you have nonstop boat service to and from DHS.

That said, we almost always walk. If it's raining or very hot, the boat is better. Also, for anyone who has difficulty with long walks, the boat would be better. Otherwise, walking usually saves time (no waiting for a boat) and it's an enjoyable walk.

 

[goofy4tink]

There's a third option: Using the Swan & Dolphin dock even if you're staying at the BoardWalk. That way, you have nonstop boat service to and from DHS.

That said, we almost always walk. If it's raining or very hot, the boat is better. Also, for anyone who has difficulty with long walks, the boat would be better. Otherwise, walking usually saves time (no waiting for a boat) and it's an enjoyable walk.

Ooops, forgot that one. We tend to get off the boat at the S/D when heading back from DHS headed to BW (and are too lazy to walk), but I seldom head there to take the boat to DHS. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[Lewisc]

Is the OP staying at the BWI or BWV? Staying in a unit near the quiet pool? Go directly outside (side door/stairs). Go directly to the walkway along the canal. The walk to the Boardwalk boat dock will seem almost as long as the walk directly to DHS. Not literally true but it's a long walk through BWV to the lobby then to the dock.

 

[francie57]

We always walk to the Studios. The shortest boat trip would be from the S/D. The walk is 6 tenths of a mile from the pathway behind the Boardwalk. From the Y/BC you would add another 4 tents for a mile. The only reason I know this is we go running in the morning when we are there and they gave us a map of the jogging routes with the distances.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Since I have started to stayed at the Boardwalk Inn I have used both the boat and walkway when going to Hollywood Studios. Personally I find the walkway to be a lot faster because it takes me around 15 - 20 minutes. Plus if you walk through the Luna Park pool they have a short cut to the Hollywood Studios walkway which saves a couple of minutes, so you don't need to walk all the down the Boardwalk to access it.

 

[Belle & Ariel]

There's a third option: Using the Swan & Dolphin dock even if you're staying at the BoardWalk. That way, you have nonstop boat service to and from DHS.

That said, we almost always walk. If it's raining or very hot, the boat is better. Also, for anyone who has difficulty with long walks, the boat would be better. Otherwise, walking usually saves time (no waiting for a boat) and it's an enjoyable walk.

We have found at times the boat is full and you cannot board at the Swan and Dolphin, so it might be best to board at BW. Sometimes it is standing room only and when some get off at Beach Club we get a seat and it is full again after loading at BC.

 

[cassie]

I am getting so confused now. If I wanted to go to Epcot from the boardwalk, is the only option, outside of a bus or car, to walk? And if I'm at Epcot, is there a boat back to the boardwalk area?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I am getting so confused now. If I wanted to go to Epcot from the boardwalk, is the only option, outside of a bus or car, to walk? And if I'm at Epcot, is there a boat back to the boardwalk area?

When going from the Boardwalk to Epcot you can use the walkway or take the boat to the International Gateway entrance, which is right next to the UK Pavilion.

When going back to the Boardwalk you exit at the International Gateway and can either walk back or take the boat.

 

[amym2]

With kids, I think waiting for the boat would be worth it. You don't want to get to DHS and have them already tired of walking while you're trying to hustle to get to Toy Story Mania. The boat is a pleasant ride, we did it a couple of times from DHS to Epcot and DHS to Beach Club and the kids thought it was lots of fun.

 

[goofy4tink]

I am getting so confused now. If I wanted to go to Epcot from the boardwalk, is the only option, outside of a bus or car, to walk? And if I'm at Epcot, is there a boat back to the boardwalk area?

IF you want to be at the front of Epcot, and the park isn't open yet, you will have to drive there from BW. But, if you don't mind entering via the International Gateway, into WS, then you can either walk there from BW (takes about 10 mins) or you can take the boat (takes about 8 mins, plus any wait times).
There are no buses running between BW and Epcot. If the weather is dreadful (major thunderstorm for instance) Disney will run a bus to replace the boats. The boats will not operate during major weather issues.

The boat route is thus....from Epcot, it goes to BW, then to YC/BC, then to S/D, and finally to DHS. Total run time, end to end, is about 25 mins, not including wait times. The route is reversed when returning....DHS, to S/D, to YC/BC, to BW, then back to Epcot.
But, keep in mind that the boat arrives at the International Gateway. If you want to be at the front of the park, you will have to walk all the way through Epcot.