WDW Railroad - - Anyone use this for actual transporation?

[johnvree]

I love the WDW Railroad. However, whenever I ride it, it is merely for the experience. I never use it for actual transportation.

Here's my question: If I want to get to BTMR as my first attraction in the morning, can I use the WDW Railroad as a way to get there instead of walking. My fear is that it is not very efficient first thing in the morning (because of lines and such) and it might take me 45 minutes to get there, instead of walking there in 10-15 minutes.

Thanks.

 

[cleo]

It will probably be faster to walk to BTMRR in the morning, but it's nice to use the train as transportation when your feet are sore and tired in the afternoon.

 

[Baloo]

I really thinking walking to BTM is your best bet.Sometimes you get up to the train station and you can wait a long time before they're ready to take off.

The only time I've ever actually used the train for transportation is when my son was younger and we were back in FL and wanted to leave the MK for awhile.We got on the train to bring us to the MSt station so we were closer to exit and didn't have to hoof it all that way!

 

[johnvree]

Thanks for the info.

I guess I am not so much looking for the fastest way to BTMR. But I don't want it to take 30 minutes either.

I just hate to start the day off with a brisk 10 minute walk. Especially when the Railroad takes you right there.

Anyone else have any experience with the WDW Railroad in the morning?

 

[RUDisney]

We always use the RR first thing to get us to BTMR. Why walk when you can ride? We've never waited longer than a couple of minutes. I think it's probably about the same length of time for either.

 

[WEDWDW]

I use the WDWRR for transportation all the time.It takes longer than walking,but not a tremendous amount of time longer.It cuts down on the miles I put on my shoes.

 

[yecats]

I did this once last trip first thing in the a.m. Honestly I could've walked to BTMRR and been in line and maybe been on the ride by the time the train got there. I noticed that the train did wait to attempt to become as full as they could before taking off. It was about a 15 minute wait and ride to the station then a brief 1 minute wait exiting the area. I generally walk to the area in about 10 minutes and have walked directly on the ride at that time (note this is in the off season). I do use the trains to move around MK especially when I have been in the park for at least 4 hours even though I know it will take longer to move around the park that way, it does give my feet a break and provides a very nice view of the park. Only note of interest, I wish that they would've put the train station on the walkway directly in between TTF and Tomorrowland.

 

[danny1649]

DW and I like to jump on WDWRR in afternoon and ride around MK 2 or 3 times for a nice rest break for our feet and meet and talk to some folks we haven't met before.We like that experience and do not use it for transport from one part of park to another,it seems you can get there faster by walking.

 

[CamColt]

We very rarely ride the RR, however on our last trip we did use it for transportation. After getting our FPs for Buzz, with over an hour wait, we decided to go to Tom Sawyers Island(one of the last things we had left to do). So we walked over there through massive crowds...this was 12/29. It got so bad we actually were stopped in traffic at times with some major bottlenecks. So, after TSI when we were ready to go back to Buzz we decided to take the RR to the Toon Town stop to avoid the walking traffic. It worked great in that situation.

 

[Doug Wolfe]

I use it for transportation, because I just love to ride it. The kid in me I guess.

 

[pmurphy713]

We often use WDWRR to get to BTM or SM, usually first thing in the morning. If you catch the first train, you can make it there before any of the crowds. One time we did this we got right on Splash Mountain, turned around to get on again with no problem and by the time we got to BTM the wait was less than five minutes.

However, at least once a trip the entire family MUST take a walk down Main Street. My husband thinks that this is one of the best parts of the day to see the castle in the background and take a leisurely stroll toward Tomorrow Land.

I guess everyone has a personal favorite, but I HATE to run to try to beat people to an attraction.

 

[SCOTTOHIOCPA]

The Unofficial guide I have says that when they let you in the park but put up a rope at the end of main st., they have the train pull out just as the rope drops and that train riders arrive a few minutes after the walkers. We are thinking of testing this on our April 23rd visit.

 

[betterlatethannever]

Since WDW has openned MK with characters on the train, the train no longer is a faster option to get to SM. After the park opens, the train with the characters has to go back to the barn. Another train, then takes its place at the station. It definitely takes longer on the train now.

Ed

 

[LibertyBelle]

betterlatethannever is absolutly right. Since they started doing the morning show you are better off walking. The train they use for the morning show is modified for the characters (so they can get off on the left side...facing the turnstiles). Because of the modifications made it can not be used for normal operation. So it is taken back to the roundhouse. The first train that will load for the day has to hold outside the Main Street station until they are given clearance for entertainment that all techs and crew are clear of the station (this can sometimes take 5-10 minutes after the park has been opened). So in short the first train that actually loads guests is usually not even to MS station until 9:05 (or later) so it does not arrive to Frontierland until about 9:10-9:15. There will still be fairly short lines, but no where near the advantage that it used to be.

On Sunday and Thursday (early morning days) they do not do the character show so on those days the first train will be at the station already and will leave at approx. 9:03, if it is one of those days the train would be efficent for that...

 

[johnvree]

Thanks for all the info.

SCOTT, if you think of it when you get back, let me know how you made out.

Betterlate, I was wondering about the impact of the character train.

 

[johnvree]

Thanks LibertyBell