Transportation Options for an Early Morning Cystal Palace Reservation

[xJersey_Guy]

We will be staying at the Fort May 16th -23rd. On the 19th we have a 8:05am reservation for Crystal Palace. I am looking for advice on our best option for getting from the fort to the MK early in the morning? Does either the boat to MK or the boat to the Contemporary run early in the Morning? Is the bus or driving to the TTC a better choice?

 

[2goofycampers]

If it's EMH morning at MK the boat will be running. If not take the boat to CR it starts running at 6:45ish and walk or take the monorail over to MK.

Have a great character breakfast.

 

[TheFlame]

I agree with Denise except for the walking part. I would take the monorail to MK. In Oct. 07 we had an 8:15 ressie for CP and we were running late from not giving ourselves enough time to wait on the boat that we thought would never come. The boat cap. said to walk to MK, that it would be faster.....

We tried walking from the Contemp. with 2 little ones and it is not an easy walk, especially if you are renting a stroller and you have to carry them all the way!

 

[xJersey_Guy]

If it's EMH morning at MK the boat will be running. If not take the boat to CR it starts running at 6:45ish and walk or take the monorail over to MK.

Have a great character breakfast.

Big thanks to all for the input - One question for the rest of our visit, on non EMH mornings, what time does the boat to MK start to run?

 

[Shan-man]

Just to piggyback on what Flame was saying: the walk from the CR dock to the MK turnstiles is 3600 feet. You will have already had to walk (at least) from your site to the bus stop (probably 500 feet on average), 1200 feet from the Depot to the FW Dock, and will still have another 1200 feet to get to CRT. That's over a mile and a quarter, which for a guy with gout, a bum knee, and a "milk & cookies" physique can be a bit of a challenge. If you have even more challenges getting around than I do, you might want to be aware that the walk from the CR Dock to the monorail platform is a bit strenuous in itself, there is a lot of elevation change and a fair distance (maybe 1000 feet? and an elevator). Just some things to be aware of.



EDIT: The MK boat starts and ends within an hour of park opening/closing (including EMHs)

 

[Elliott]

How often does the boat from the Fort to the Contemporary run? 15 minutes, 30 minutes? If you don't catch the 6:45 boat will you be waiting until 7:30 for the next one?

 

[Goofyseven]

We missed the boat from the Fort going to Cindy's for breakfast, waited for the next boat and finally got to Cindy's 45 minutes after the res. In the future, I would drive to the MK parking lot and take either the monorail or the ferry over

 

[xJersey_Guy]

Thanks again for the input and advice. It has been a great help to a Fort first-timer. In retrospect, I should have mentioned that my mom will be in an ECV. I just learned that ECVs are not permitted on the blue flag motor launches between FTW and CR, eliminating that as an option. I had just assumed that all transportation would ECV accessible - chalk it up to a rookie mistake. Although we will probably end up driving to the TTC, any information on the bus service between FTW and MK would be appreciated. Most of the FTW transportation information I’ve seen assumes that guests will be taking the green flag motor cruiser to MK, and does not provide details on bus service.

BTW - I was reading Shan-man’s 2008 TR with my 2 ½ year old on my lap. After explaining that Santa was not wearing his suit because he was on vacation, he nearly did himself and I an injury out of excitement seeing the picture of Santa together with Sorcerer Mickey.

 

[2goofycampers]

Thanks again for the input and advice. It has been a great help to a Fort first-timer. In retrospect, I should have mentioned that my mom will be in an ECV. I just learned that ECVs are not permitted on the blue flag motor launches between FTW and CR, eliminating that as an option. I had just assumed that all transportation would ECV accessible - chalk it up to a rookie mistake. Although we will probably end up driving to the TTC, any information on the bus service between FTW and MK would be appreciated. Most of the FTW transportation information I’ve seen assumes that guests will be taking the green flag motor cruiser to MK, and does not provide details on bus service.

BTW - I was reading Shan-man’s 2008 TR with my 2 ½ year old on my lap. After explaining that Santa was not wearing his suit because he was on vacation, he nearly did himself and I an injury out of excitement seeing the picture of Santa together with Sorcerer Mickey.

If you need any info on using an ECV at WDW, the disabilities Dis board is a great place for this.

 

[Shan-man]

Well, thanks for the huge compliment! You made my day!

As for taking a bus to MK with an ECV... I'd opt to drive if it's possible. You'd have to take an internal bus, transfer to a Wilderness Lodge bus, transfer to a MK bus... it's just too much if there is another option.

 

[TheFlame]

The orange route bus that runs down the center of the campground, around a cabin loop and to the settlement & outpost also goes to the Wilderness Lodge. If you want to go to MK this way, it would only require you to get on a orange route bus at your loop, get off that bus at Wilderness Lodge and board a bus to MK. If you thought you would do this, I would fax a request for a loop on the orange route and explain why.

I hated being on this route in November, it took forever to get to our campsite from the Outpost and Settlement. It would really benefit you though if you wanted to go to MK without having to drive to the TTC and then wait for a ferry or the monorail. I think the bus would take the least amount of time and would require less effort....jmho!

 

[bouncycat]

Thanks for the info, I'm gonna be there the same morning as you are OP!! Our ressie is at 8:15. Mayb ewe'll see ya there, we're staying in the cabins!

 

[xJersey_Guy]

Thanks for the info, I'm gonna be there the same morning as you are OP!! Our ressie is at 8:15. Mayb ewe'll see ya there, we're staying in the cabins!

bouncycat - that would be cool!

We are a party of nine and we have some of our party at a cabins and some, younger and braver, tent camping at a campsite. I was planning on requesting the 2100 loop for the cabin and the 2000 loop for our tent campers, so that we could be closer together.

This trip will be the first one for our two boys age 4 and 2 1/2. Thanks to the 4/3 deal we were able to invite the grandparents as well as the boy's "courtesy" aunts to share the experience with us.

TheFlame - Thanks for the bus information. It was not so much the getting there via TTC, but having to repeat our steps to get back to the resort that was my pain point. Particularly as we will be attempting to have our boys have a mid afternoon nap.

We will have two golf carts for our party to get around the fort. I'm thinking that we could take the carts to the outpost and wait for the Orange Line bus there. Any ideas when the Orange Line bus or the bus from Wilderness Lodge to MK starts running?

 

[TheFlame]

I'm not sure what time the internal busses(sp?) start running, probably around 7am. I am sure someone on here knows the exact time....

 

[bouncycat]

bouncycat - that would be cool!

We are a party of nine and we have some of our party at a cabins and some, younger and braver, tent camping at a campsite. I was planning on requesting the 2100 loop for the cabin and the 2000 loop for our tent campers, so that we could be closer together.

This trip will be the first one for our two boys age 4 and 2 1/2. Thanks to the 4/3 deal we were able to invite the grandparents as well as the boy's "courtesy" aunts to share the experience with us.

TheFlame - Thanks for the bus information. It was not so much the getting there via TTC, but having to repeat our steps to get back to the resort that was my pain point. Particularly as we will be attempting to have our boys have a mid afternoon nap.

We will have two golf carts for our party to get around the fort. I'm thinking that we could take the carts to the outpost and wait for the Orange Line bus there. Any ideas when the Orange Line bus or the bus from Wilderness Lodge to MK starts running?

Yep, that would be cool!! You got alot in your party, we only have 5, but that's okay. That's my ds's birthday.

So, is the general consensus agree that we should NOT try to take the boat at around 7:15ish for an 8:15 ressie at CP? I would want to be ON the boat before 7:30, pictures in front of the castle, you know! Just wanted to clear it up so we're not late Thanks!!