Transportation to and fro Swan

[snoopy5386]

We are staying at the swan for 3 days in October and I need some advice about the best ways to get around. We will have a car with us.

1st Day
Going to AK for EMH, then to MK, then to Epcot.
Take the bus or drive?
If we take the bus what time should we leave the Swan?

2nd Day
Going to MGM then Epcot
Walk to MGM or take the boat?
What are the order of the boat stops?
We have no problem with walking, is the route clearly marked?

3rd Day
MGM then MK
Take the buses, the car or disney transport?

Also we need to get from Epcot to Poly. I have heard we can walk from TTC to Poly. Is this path clearly marked?

And finally, drive or bus to DTD for our shopping, and what time are the DTD stores open until.

thanks so much,
nicole

 

[Deb & Bill]

Going to AK for EMH, then to MK, then to Epcot.

Take the bus to AK, the catch a bus to MK then take the monorail to Epcot and walk back to Swan.

Going to MGM then Epcot

If you walk to Disney Studios, cross the bridge that is between the S/D over to the Boardwalk. Hang a right and follow the path to Disney Studios. About a 15 minute walk (you can't get lost; you will fall into the channel before you'd get lost). Or catch the boat between the S/D. You're the last stop before DS. To get to Epcot, you can retrace your steps back to the Boardwalk, continue on past the Boardwalk to Epcot. Or take the boat, S/D, YC/BC, BW, Epcot.

MGM then MK

Walk or boat to Disney Studios. Then you can either take a bus from DS to MK. Parking at TTC, then boating or monorailing over to MK is much longer. Coming back you are the first drop off.

Also we need to get from Epcot to Poly. I have heard we can walk from TTC to Poly. Is this path clearly marked?

Easy to do. When you get off the monorail, head for the ticket booths, turn right and look for the path. Takes you right to the Polynesian.

drive or bus to DTD for our shopping

I'd drive here. But if you go late, you might have a hard time getting a parking space. Depends on the amount of shopping you want to do and how much you have to carry on the bus.

 

[swilphil]

AK, MK and Epcot in one day? I'd definitely take the boat back to the Swan. It's short and a nice relaxing end to the day.

When we were at the Swan, we had talked about walking to MGM, but there was always a boat right there when we were ready to leave, so we hopped on. The walking path is clearly marked, but you have to look for the sign. People have taken the wrong path. I think after picking up at the S/D, the boat goes straight to MGM. It may stop at the BW first, depending on if people are waiting.

Going from MGM to Epcot is a toss up between boating and walking. If you don't mind a longer boat ride with lots of stops, it might be nice to sit for a while. Walking allows you to stroll through the Boardwalk, but you can do that any time since you are staying at the Swan! It's a great location you will love it. When we did MGM and Epcot in the same day, we found ourselves going back to the hotel for a rest or pool break. It's so close and on the way we couldn't resist. We didn't even need to rent a car when we were at the Swan/Dolphin because the transportation was so good and the location awesome.

 

[erikthewise]

Deb & Bill pretty much covered it. Some thoughts:

The boat is pleasant and relaxing but is usually slower than walking, sometimes MUCH slower if you have to wait awhile for a boat. It's not too bad from Swan to MGM and back because there are no intermediate stops. But MGM to Epcot could take longer than you might think as there are three resort stops along the way.

Walking MGM to Epcot is about 1 1/4 miles, and uphill. If you don't mind walking and the weather's not too bad, go for it. I love it! But doing this at 3:00 in 90 degree heat, followed by more walking in Epcot, might not be everyone's idea of a good time.

Walking from the Swan to the Epcot monorail is another hike of at least a mile.
The path(s) from the TTC to the Polynesian aren't exactly "well-marked", but you really can't go wrong as long as you stay between the road and the lake.

 

[Trekker]

What we normally do when leaving MGM to go to Epcot

Take the boat from MGM to Swan/Dolphin - get off and walk to Epcot - a very short pleasant walk and much faster than boating.

 

[jdads2]

I like this link for travel information:

http://www.ourlaughingplace.com/asp/twiz.asp