Travelling from one resort to another - then a park

[ww52]

Pretty long title - here's the scenario.

We have a group of 16 including 7 kids (strollers as well). We may be staying at the Polynesian instead of our preferred Beach Club given the renovations going on there. We have 5 pm reservations at Cape May our arrival day then plan to walk over to Epcot for a couple hours..

Assuming we can check in on time (3pm) and give ourselves a half hour to get settled - that leaves 90 minutes to get to Cape May. What's the fastest way?

Driving is out because we can't park at Beach/Yacht and leave the cars (3 of them) that long. I've read on Disboards we can pay for valet and leave the cars there longer than a few hours - but the official Disney site doesn't say that.

So here are options I've considered:

Minnie Vans (3 of them - but they do have car seats for the little ones); then monorail back to Polynesian.

Monorail to Epcot and walk to Cape May through Epcot's 'backdoor'. That's a mile walk and with crowds that alone will take a half hour at least especially with kids. Then we're walking back to the monorail (worth mentioning - my wife and I are in our 70s - in decent shape but that's a lot of walking our first night there)

Here's an odd thought - drive to HS parking lot, take the skyliner to Epcot and then walk to Cape May. Or boat to Yacht/Beach. Sounds like it could take a long time plus it's dependent on weather.

Recognize it may not work and change our reservation.

Thoughts?

 

[Mle8308]

If you pay for valet, you can leave your cars in the lot for the day. The DHS/Skyliner would work, too! And might be fun for the kids. I wouldn't walk though Epcot, I'm guessing you all have AP's to make that an option. Just make sure DHS doesn't close a lot earlier than Epcot (for your return trip to your car, I doubt it will be an issue) if you choose that option. Minnie Vans do have car seats, but you may not be able to get 3 to arrive at the same time.

 

[ww52]

I'm guessing you all have AP's to make that an option.

Hoppers work, right? We can enter / exit / and re-enter I assume.

I have read as you said we can leave our car for the day at a resort - but I'm a bit skeptical. I know it's expensive ($42 or more per car) but I'm willing to pay it just to make this work.

HS usually closes later than Epcot but we'd be sure to leave in time.

Thanks very much!

 

[Mouse Tracker]

If staying at Poly, I'd get to the MK bus hub and take a bus to BC

 

[ww52]

If staying at Poly, I'd get to the MK bus hub and take a bus to BC

I appreciate the suggestion but with 16 people including 7 kids and strollers that's not something we're considering - especially late at night going back to the resort when everyone is tired

 

[Mle8308]

Hoppers work, right? We can enter / exit / and re-enter I assume.

I have read as you said we can leave our car for the day at a resort - but I'm a bit skeptical. I know it's expensive ($42 or more per car) but I'm willing to pay it just to make this work.

HS usually closes later than Epcot but we'd be sure to leave in time.

Thanks very much!

You can absolutely leave your car(s) in the valet lot for as long as you like for that day (not overnight, but you don't need that). That's one of the reasons they charge more for valet than theme park parking, so people don't abuse it. I think it might be up in the $45 - $47 range now. And yes, hoppers work but will count as a day off your parks even if you only walk through Epcot. Have a great trip!

 

[Dave006]

Driving is out because we can't park at Beach/Yacht and leave the cars (3 of them) that long. I've read on Disboards we can pay for valet and leave the cars there longer than a few hours - but the official Disney site doesn't say that.

Start with 3 x $44 for valet parking. Yes you can stay as long as you like just not overnight, and you can also use Valet service at other resorts the same day.

Minnie Vans (3 of them - but they do have car seats for the little ones); then monorail back to Polynesian.

To start as @Mle8308 stated you will not likely get 3 Minivans within the same 20 minute window. And expect the MV to be $50+ per van.

Here's an odd thought - drive to HS parking lot, take the boat or skyliner to Epcot and then walk to Cape May. Sounds like it could take a long time plus it's dependent on weather.

Yes parking at HS works. Yes you can plan on the boat to Epcot, and get off at the YC/BC dock or the Skyliner to Epcot from HS.

You can also take a boat or Monorail MK and walk to the bus loop and catch the BC bus. On your return to the Poly after spending time at Epcot you can take the Monorail back to the TTC transfer to the Resort line to the Poly or just walk to the Poly. Or exit Epcot, walk to the BC, and take the bus back to MK and catch the resort Monorail back to the Poly.

There are lots of combinations to chose from but always check Epcot and MK hours so you know when transportation options may change in the evening.

Dave

 

[Mouse Tracker]

going back to the resort when everyone is tired

On your return to the Poly after spending time at Epcot you can take the Monorail back to the TTC transfer to the Resort line to the Poly or just walk to the Poly

 

[kdka421]

If staying at Poly, I'd get to the MK bus hub and take a bus to BC

Agree wholeheartedly with this suggestion. Much much easier than options 2 or 3 in the OP.

And as the previous posters have said, you can absolutely choose a different plan leaving Epcot, monorail back makes a lot of sense for the return trip to me!

 

[ww52]

You can also take a boat or Monorail MK and walk to the bus loop and catch the BC bus.

Still reluctant to take a bus given the size of our party and especially the kids/strollers (two double strollers).

However - I think you are saying there would be a bus to the BC right at the MK gate? Not TTC? Or both? We can walk to TTC from Poly.

 

[Dave006]

However - I think you are saying there would be a bus to the BC right at the MK gate? Not TTC? Or both? We can walk to TTC from Poly.

Right the Disney resort buses are located in the bus loop right outside of the MK. There are no Disney resort buses at the TTC except for the Swan / Dolphin / Swan Reserve using Mears. Even the Disney park to park buses are at the resort loop (they start at 10 AM).

Dave

 

[ww52]

And yes, hoppers work but will count as a day off your parks even if you only walk through Epcot.

We intend to do a couple attractions after dinner and get out before Luminous starts (we have that planned for another day.) We have 6 day hoppers for our 7 night trip. No parks planned on a "pool day" or the departure day.

 

[ww52]

Nope the Disney resort buses are located in the bus loop right outside of the MK. There are no Disney resort buses at the TTC except the Swan / Dolphin / Swan Reserve. Even the Disney park to park buses are at the resort loop (they start at 10 AM).

Thanks Dave - didn't know that.

 

[ww52]

This is GREAT information from everyone. We have time to decide (mid July trip) and ADRs still seem available if we switch our plans.

Another option is a combination of the above - some valet, some van, some bus, some HS-Skyliner. Then a prize for whoever gets there first!

 

[Mle8308]

This is GREAT information from everyone. We have time to decide (mid July trip) and ADRs still seem available if we switch our plans.

Another option is a combination of the above - some valet, some van, some bus, some HS-Skyliner. Then a prize for whoever gets there first!

That could be fun! Especially if you have a competitive group!

 

[focusondisney]

Here's an odd thought - drive to HS parking lot, take the skyliner to Epcot and then walk to Cape May. Or boat to Yacht/Beach. Sounds like it could take a long time plus it's dependent on weather.

To get back to your car at HS after your Epcot time, you’ll have to skyliner, boat or walk back to Studios. If you’re near the front of Epcot, there is a bus to Studios. But that runs much less frequently. So get back to studios, walk to your car, then drive back to Poly. That sounds way more stressful than taking the boat or monorail to MK, bussing directly to BC & then monorail back to TTC after Epcot.

Also, walking thru Epcot before your dinner doesn’t sound fun either. The direct walk from the front of Epcot to BC is long & very hot in July. You’ll all be sweaty & exhausted by the time you get there.