Will this work? (Park transportation question)

[Shir Kahn]

On April 4th, my wife and I will be at Epcot and I was hoping to do the following plan:

Watch the fireworks from somewhere around France or the UK, then leave through the International Gateway exit to walk to DHS and catch the Skyliner or a bus back to Pop Century. Now as it stands, it is showing that DHS closes at 8:30pm that night, but they show Fantasmic at 8:30 as well. I know these hours might change when they update closer to the dates, but assuming they don't, how long will the Skyliner/buses be running that night at DHS? I know we've done that walk before, but I can't remember how long it took. So another question is how long would the average person take to walk that path and is it actually a nice walk at night? Enough light?

What does Disney do if a guest has missed the last bus? I'm guessing it's likely up to the guest to get a taxi/uber/Minnie Van at that point?

Edit: I guess I better clarify: We want to do this walk for fun! We know that we could take the Skyliner at Epcot, but that's not the point of this post!

 

[VAfamily1998]

Why would you need to go to Hollywood Studios? From the map I see, it looks like you would be able to just take the Skyliner at the Epcot International Gateway?

 

[Shir Kahn]

Why would you need to go to Hollywood Studios? From the map I see, it looks like you would be able to just take the Skyliner at the Epcot International Gateway?

Specifically because we want to go for a walk! I do 20,000 steps a day at home and I know we'll be doing that through the day at the park, but we'll still be up for more!

 

[PurplePencil]

There is no reason to walk to Hollywood Studios (in fact, HS is out of the way). You can hop on the skyline at International Gateway, ride it to Caribbean Beach (via Rivera) and transfer to Pop.

Edit: The Skyliner and buses run for at least 60 minutes after park closure. The walk from Beach Club right next to International Gateway to Hollywood Studios takes roughly 20 minutes. There are plenty of lights along the boardwalk, and at least some lights near Hollywood Studios.

 

[Shir Kahn]

There is no reason to walk to Hollywood Studios (in fact, HS is out of the way). You can hop on the skyline at International Gateway, ride it to Caribbean Beach (via Rivera) and transfer to Pop.

Lol, please see my reply above this post.

 

[VAfamily1998]

Specifically because we want to go for a walk! I do 20,000 steps a day at home and I know we'll be doing that through the day at the park, but we'll still be up for more!

I think you should check out some of those resort runs!

I was at Disney last week and did the Regatta Run at the Beach/Yacht Club. It was great! $15 registration fee and we got a cute little gift bag with ear buds, sunglasses, a pin (I was most excited about that!) and some snacks/water. It was a 3k run around the boardwalk/pathway to Hollywood studios, and you did not have to be a guest at the resorts to register.

If you are looking to add extra steps to your day, check it out! I think they have these weekly runs at most of the resorts!

 

[Shir Kahn]

I think you should check out some of those resort runs!

I was at Disney last week and did the Regatta Run at the Beach/Yacht Club. It was great! $15 registration fee and we got a cute little gift bag with ear buds, sunglasses, a pin (I was most excited about that!) and some snacks/water. It was a 3k run around the boardwalk/pathway to Hollywood studios, and you did not have to be a guest at the resorts to register.

If you are looking to add extra steps to your day, check it out! I think they have these weekly runs at most of the resorts!

We've been to WDW plenty of times now and I had no idea about this, thanks!

 

[joelkfla]

It's exactly 1 mile from Epcot IG to DHS, if you take the BWV pool shortcut. If you walk the full length of the BW, it's probably about 1/4 mi. longer.

Disney guarantees a ride back to your resort if you are in a park at closing, but not if you just show up outside the park after it's closed.

Nevertheless, an 8:30 F! will exit at 9. Buses will be running at least until 10. Being a regular walker, you should have no trouble making it to DHS by 9:40.

There are lights of some sort all along the walkway.

 

[Shir Kahn]

It's exactly 1 mile from Epcot IG to DHS, if you take the BWV pool shortcut. If you walk the full length of the BW, it's probably about 1/4 mi. longer.

Disney guarantees a ride back to your resort if you are in a park at closing, but not if you just show up outside the park after it's closed.

Nevertheless, an 8:30 F! will exit at 9. Buses will be running at least until 10. Being a regular walker, you should have no trouble making it to DHS by 9:40.

There are lights of some sort all along the walkway.

Great info, thanks! Takes my wife about 20 minutes to do a mile, maybe a bit longer at the end of a park day, so yeah, we'll have tons of time then!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Doesn't the entire Skyliner have the same operating hours? If the Epcot branch runs from (for example) 8 AM to 10 PM, wouldn't also the DHS and AoA/Pop branches?

 

[joelkfla]

Doesn't the entire Skyliner have the same operating hours? If the Epcot branch runs from (for example) 8 AM to 10 PM, wouldn't also the DHS and AoA/Pop branches?

Usually, yes. But on this week's Times Guide, the DHS line closes 90 minutes earlier than the rest of the system on Tuesday.

That happens to be EMH night for Epcot, but I don't see why that would cause them to close the DHS line an hour earlier than usual, and just 30 minutes after the end of F!.