Transit time for boat from HS to Epcot & Back?

[Tia1977]

On one of our HS nights (a Friday F&W night btw), we want to hop over to Epcot to eat dinner at Biergarten. We're only staying for dinner, then want to head right back to HS for the SW fireworks. We've also never taken the boat back and forth between the two parks, so we'd rather do that for the experience (even if walking or bus would be quicker). I'm finding it hard to figure out how how long before our dinner ADR we should be heading out of HS to line up at the dock. And how long to do the same at Epcot in reverse? The ADR time I choose depends on the transit time involved. Does anyone have a good estimate?

 

[Alesia]

30 minutes.

 

[Tia1977]

Thank you!

 

[hsmamato2]

at least. It's a slow ride, with multiple stops both ways..add a line to board,and you may be looking at 2 hours- there have been times that the line indicated that we just walk it....(since they only fit a certain number of people at a time)

 

[philharmagic fan]

at least. It's a slow ride, with multiple stops both ways..add a line to board,and you may be looking at 2 hours- there have been times that the line indicated that we just walk it....(since they only fit a certain number of people at a time)

A 2 hour transit time generally only happens in extremely busy seasons or at park closing. Except at park closing, we've never had to wait for a second boat. They come at ~20 minute intervals, and the total time once you're on the boat is about 30 minutes, plus you'll need 10-20 minutes to walk from the dock through the entrance and to Biergarten, so I'd say 60-75 minutes is a safe bet. If the first boat were to fill before you got on, you could still walk it (and it's a really nice walk) in 30-40 minutes and take the boat back after dinner when you're less pressed for time.