Transporation from Dolphin to parks with small kids

[casper_jj11]

We'll be staying at the Dolphin for the first time in August. We'll be with DS5, DD2 and DS11months. We'll have a rental car and always took the car to the parks when staying at ASMo. I'd like to use the boats and monorail this time if we can (buses are definitely out with 3 kids so small)
How long is the boatride to Epcot and MGM? How long to get back at night?
Where do the boats let you off in each park?
Are strollers allowed on the boats to MGM and Epcot? If so, can they stay open or do they need to be folded?
How would you travel to MK? Taking the boat to Epcot then monorail to MK seems like a huge hassle with the kids....

Thanks!
Joanne

 

[Deb & Bill]

Usually you can leave the kids in the stroller, but you might have to fold it up. If you are going to Disney Hollywood Studios, that's your next stop on the boat after loading at S/D. If you are going to Epcot, you have to stop at BC/YC and then BW before Epcot. You can also walk which is usually faster than taking the boat.

For MK and AK, you'll need to take the bus. If you go through Epcot to the monorail, you'll need to use park admission to go through Epcot. If you don't have a hopper ticket, you'll use up your day just going through Epcot.

Don't forget about the daily parking fee at th Dolphin, even if you self-park.

 

[PrincessPoohsMom]

We stayed at the Dolphin when DD was 5 months. The ride to MGM/DHS (it'll take a while for me to make that switch) is pretty quick (I want to say 5-10 minutes) but there is actually a path you can walk (about 15 minutes) and it's a nice stroll when the weather is good. The boat will drop you off by the gate to DHS. The ride to Epcot is longer, as the boat stops at the Boardwalk and Yacht & Beach Club resorts. I feel like it was about 20-25 minutes. You could walk that distance too, but it's a hike. At Epcot you'll be dropped off at the International Gateway, which is the park' "back door". You'll enter by the France Pavilion in the World Showcase. You can bring strollers on the boats, but you'll need to collapse them.

I know you're looking to avoid buses, but as far as getting to the Magic Kingdom, I'd take a bus from the Dolphin. You're correct in saying that taking the boat to Epcot, walking through the park to the front gate, then getting on the monorail is too complicated. We were actually very happy with the bus transportation at the Dolphin, the waits were never terrible and I felt they were never super crowded. If buses are totally out then I'd take your rental car.

Hope this helps! If you want any more specific info I'd try over on the Transportation board as well. Have a great trip!

 

[casper_jj11]

Thanks so much for all the help. Sounds like we'll walk to Epcot but boat it to MGM. We did the buses to MK with DS and DD on our first trip and discovered on our second trip that driving was so much easier. We may just do that again. It was just too hard to manage the kids and a stroller on the buses.

Joanne