What's the fastest way back to PoP after Wishes?

[pizza420]

We're planning to go 1/29 for AM EMH and to stay for Wishes, with perhaps an afternoon break at the hotel and a quick meal offsite. We're renting a car and have a handicap placard (DM suffering from a bad knee replacement). For the other parks we're planning to drive from the PoP, less walking and waiting we figure. Ive seen it recommended to take the bus to MK to bypass the TTC, but then I've also read of long waits for a bus after Wishes. It should be a slow time of the year, so I don't know how that affects matters. We've only been to WDW a handful of times, not recently so I figured I'd ask the experts.

 

[candacewi5]

Hop in the truck with us!! that will be the fastest way back.

Sorry had to post it as it was my first thought!

 

[teffy]

if you can leave right after wishes is over and be at the front of the crowd then you'd be at the front of the line for the bus. it shouldn't be too bad especially at a less crowded time.

 

[pizza420]

if you can leave right after wishes is over and be at the front of the crowd then you'd be at the front of the line for the bus. it shouldn't be too bad especially at a less crowded time.

In that case, is it necessary to be by the railroad station? DM is renting an ECV, don't know how long it takes to return. Are there any benches or places to sit nearby and still get good view of electric parade and wishes? If so how early would we need to stake out a spot?

 

[Robo]

We're planning to go 1/29 for AM EMH and to stay for Wishes, with perhaps an afternoon break at the hotel and a quick meal offsite. We're renting a car and have a handicap placard (DM suffering from a bad knee replacement). For the other parks we're planning to drive from the PoP, less walking and waiting we figure. Ive seen it recommended to take the bus to MK to bypass the TTC, but then I've also read of long waits for a bus after Wishes. It should be a slow time of the year, so I don't know how that affects matters. We've only been to WDW a handful of times, not recently so I figured I'd ask the experts.

My suggestion is to not try to be the "first out" after Wishes.

Find a place to just sit and wait for a half-hour, or so, for the mob to thin.

And, know that there will be hundreds of guests who exit DURING the fireworks, so being the "first" to exit after the show does not guarantee being the first to the bus.

Also, near the Railroad Station is a less than ideal place to watch Wishes.
They leave all the lights on at that end of Main Street (so it's not dark there) and the reason
for leaving those lights on is to accommodate those hundreds of exiting guests who I mentioned above.

 

[Robo]

And, as I should have said earlier...

to the DISboards, pizza420!

 

[mom2rtk]

My suggestion is to not try to be the "first out" after Wishes.

Find a place to just sit and wait for a half-hour, or so, for the mob to thin.

And, know that there will be hundreds of guests who exit DURING the fireworks, so being the "first" to exit after the show does not guarantee being the first to the bus.

Also, near the Railroad Station is a less than ideal place to watch Wishes.
They leave all the lights on at that end of Main Street (so it's not dark there) and the reason
for leaving those lights on is to accommodate those hundreds of exiting guests who I mentioned above.

On all counts.

 

[pizza420]

My suggestion is to not try to be the "first out" after Wishes.

Find a place to just sit and wait for a half-hour, or so, for the mob to thin.

And, know that there will be hundreds of guests who exit DURING the fireworks, so being the "first" to exit after the show does not guarantee being the first to the bus.

Also, near the Railroad Station is a less than ideal place to watch Wishes.
They leave all the lights on at that end of Main Street (so it's not dark there) and the reason
for leaving those lights on is to accommodate those hundreds of exiting guests who I mentioned above.

Well that makes sense. Better to enjoy the full experience rather than save a few minutes. However i think we can manage dealing with the crowd and we'll want to get back to PoP ASAP after. Would it be faster to park at the handicap area of the TTC if we leave with the mob?

 

[pizza420]

And, as I should have said earlier...

to the DISboards, pizza420!

Why thank you very much, happy to join!

 

[RAPstar]

Grow wings and fly

 

[Betty Rohrer]

to pizza420: speaking as someone with bad knees it is a long walk from TTC to the handicapped parking at MK with a hill in it and no tram. if an ECV is needed I would look at an offsite rental so you can use in parking lot. it is a hike esp at end of day when tired and I would not plan on being able to take a wheelchair to get to the car.

 

[pizza420]

to pizza420: speaking as someone with bad knees it is a long walk from TTC to the handicapped parking at MK with a hill in it and no tram. if an ECV is needed I would look at an offsite rental so you can use in parking lot. it is a hike esp at end of day when tired and I would not plan on being able to take a wheelchair to get to the car.

Ive been trying to convince my mother to rent offsite but she thinks the kind that folds up in the car won't offer enough legroom and wants to rent onsite in case the ECV breaks down. I can't say i agree with her but I see where she's coming from. She can probably manage the walk to the car, there's just no way she could manage a whole day walking through the parks.

 

[AC7179]

From what I understand, it's $20 plus tip to valet park at the Grand. I'm sure the Contemporary has a similar rate. Could you valet park there, then take the less crowded (I'm assuming) resort monorail to the hotel and get the Valet to bring the car up?

 

[pizza420]

Another option I've considered is valet parking at the Contemporary, but that seems like it might be more trouble. Anyone ever try this? Walking back to Contemporary would be too far but there is monorail and boat transport.

 

[Robo]

Another option I've considered is valet parking at the Contemporary, but that seems like it might be more trouble.


1. Anyone ever try this?

Walking back to Contemporary would be too far

2. but there is monorail and boat transport.

1. Like all questions that begin with "anyone ever..."
Yes, lots of posters here have done so.
Unless you are there during the "busy seasons" of WDW, the Valet Parking
should be available to non-CR guests.

2. There is only monorail service between MK and the Contemporary.
No boats.
Monorail to floor 5 of the Contemporary, escalator down to 4th floor.
Elevator down to the lobby.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Ive been trying to convince my mother to rent offsite but she thinks the kind that folds up in the car won't offer enough legroom and wants to rent onsite in case the ECV breaks down. I can't say i agree with her but I see where she's coming from. She can probably manage the walk to the car, there's just no way she could manage a whole day walking through the parks.

Welcome to the dis, 420.

I have used an ECV on several past trips (maybe no more, had knee replaced several months ago). I have always rented offsite, as most do. No need to use the car, use the buses and boats. And if there were the rare occurrence of a breakdown, the offsite services will meet you in the park very quickly and take care of it. I have always used Buena Vista Scooters, which actually has an onsite location on the Boardwalk. They are also the company that rents the surrey bikes there.

Best wishes for your mom, I've been there.

 

[first state]

We went the first week of Feb 2013. Parks were less crowded, but busses to the value resorts were jammed after fireworks. All other resort busses had no lines. You can use Art of Animation busses as well, but we waited over an hour after fireworks to get back.

 

[Candleshoe]

With my osteoarthritis getting worse over the years I've rented both off site and on site. It is my opinion that the scooters (that I've rented) from off-site vendors are superior to the in-park ones. They are faster, easier to maneuver and plenty of leg room (I'm 6').

They go on the busses well. The only pain is breaking them apart and putting them in a trunk if you are using the car. It was a pain for us, but doable. My husband did the brunt of that.

I suggest a 3 wheeler over a 4 wheeler as the turning radius is smaller.

Riding the monorail is SUPER simple.

Riding the buses takes a little more finesse to park it in the bus. However often the bus drivers will maneuver it in to place for you. There is a discussion in the disabilities board saying that now the bus drivers are even offering to completely park it for you. This is new though and you should read that discussion yourself.

The only other thing I have to add is to echo the fact that handicapped parking in MK is actually a pain. In many ways it's easier to park NOT in handicap, if you can get the end of an aisle because of the trams. They don't stop in the handicap section. Now if your Mom's on an ECV than it's a non-issue. Park in the handicap section and ride the ecv.