2020 Curious Constance Trip Preparation/Report

[mlayton144]

Don’t know and I agree buses are a PITA, but I have read skyliner trips are <10 mins and the line constantly moves. I think early mornings might be problematic if you insist getting there at rope drop. I would say use that for Epcot/ HS and Uber it to the kingdoms

 

[PiratesMansion]

Don’t know and I agree buses are a PITA, but I have read skyliner trips are <10 mins and the line constantly moves. I think early mornings might be problematic if you insist getting there at rope drop. I would say use that for Epcot/ HS and Uber it to the kingdoms

Does Uber drop you off at the MK gate, or do they make you go through the TTC?

Given how much harder it is to get in a boarding group than at DLR, and how it seems DHS is instantly busy with every ride basically getting insane wait times right off the bat that don't change much throughout the day, Constance would be nuts to NOT get there at rope drop.

If early mornings are even mildly problematic with the Skyliner, I wouldn't hesitate to just take my own car.

 

[mlayton144]

Good point about studios , I guess wait and see what situation is with reservations / fast passes , can’t imagine they are going to let the mob ascend on the studios with Covid situation like in the past.

I think Uber to TTC, still better than bus IMO , easy monorail or ferry to MK

 

[Curious Constance]

For some reason I never even thought about an Uber! Good info, guys, thanks!

 

[mickEblu]

Does Uber drop you off at the MK gate, or do they make you go through the TTC?

Given how much harder it is to get in a boarding group than at DLR, and how it seems DHS is instantly busy with every ride basically getting insane wait times right off the bat that don't change much throughout the day, Constance would be nuts to NOT get there at rope drop.

If early mornings are even mildly problematic with the Skyliner, I wouldn't hesitate to just take my own car.

So was your general rule of thrumb pre skyliner to drive everywhere except MK and just take a bus, monorail or boat to MK depending where you stay?

Assuming there is no need to arrive at any of the parks at rope drop what would be the most vacation-y way to get around? Sounds like you re a WDW vet. I’m just wondering what would be the most fun way for a first timer to get around? I’m assuming skyliner for EPCOT/ DHS and either monorail or boat for MK? Bus is the only option for AK right?

 

[mickEblu]

Good point about studios , I guess wait and see what situation is with reservations / fast passes , can’t imagine they are going to let the mob ascend on the studios with Covid situation like in the past.

I think Uber to TTC, still better than bus IMO , easy monorail or ferry to MK

whats TTC?

 

[mlayton144]

whats TTC?

transportation and ticket center - the transportation hub to magic kingdom

 

[mickEblu]

transportation and ticket center - the transportation hub to magic kingdom

Thank you. I have the DLR acronyms on lock. Guess I need to brush up on WDW

 

[mlayton144]

So was your general rule of thrumb pre skyliner to drive everywhere except MK and just take a bus, monorail or boat to MK depending where you stay?

Assuming there is no need to arrive at any of the parks at rope drop what would be the most vacation-y way to get around? Sounds like you re a WDW vet. I’m just wondering what would be the most fun way for a first timer to get around? I’m assuming skyliner for EPCOT/ DHS and either monorail or boat for MK? Bus is the only option for AK right?

So it totally depends on where you stay and how much flex time you have in your vacation to take it slow or go commando and try to do everything .There is absolutely nothing wrong with buses - they are clean, efficient , safe, and only have tourists on them because they never leave Disney property etc but you need to budget an 45min-hour to be safe for waiting , then riding , then walking entrance to go almost anywhere. If you want to cut down on time , Uber is always quicker and you aren’t dealing with queues

skyliner has gotten pretty good reviews and seems to be easy and quick for those resorts on that line - these goto Epcot and studios

- AK is bus or car/Uber only from anywhere

- magic kingdom resorts have ferry/boat service and monorail to MK, monorail to Epcot , and bus/car/Uber to studios and AK

- studios/Epcot resorts have boats for that area which are clean and comfortable, or you can just walk which is always my preference

 

[mickEblu]

So it totally depends on where you stay and how much flex time you have in your vacation to take it slow or go commando and try to do everything .There is absolutely nothing wrong with buses - they are clean, efficient , safe, and only have tourists on them because they never leave Disney property etc but you need to budget an 45min-hour to be safe for waiting , then riding , then walking entrance to go almost anywhere. If you want to cut down on time , Uber is always quicker and you aren’t dealing with queues

skyliner has gotten pretty good reviews and seems to be easy and quick for those resorts on that line - these goto Epcot and studios

- AK is bus or car/Uber only from anywhere

- magic kingdom resorts have ferry/boat service and monorail to MK, monorail to Epcot , and bus/car/Uber to studios and AK

- studios/Epcot resorts have boats for that area which are clean and comfortable, or you can just walk which is always my preference

Thanks! I’ll have to keep these tips in mind when I go. It’s always fun to hijak one of Comstances vacation threads. Lol.

 

[PiratesMansion]

So was your general rule of thrumb pre skyliner to drive everywhere except MK and just take a bus, monorail or boat to MK depending where you stay?

Assuming there is no need to arrive at any of the parks at rope drop what would be the most vacation-y way to get around? Sounds like you re a WDW vet. I’m just wondering what would be the most fun way for a first timer to get around? I’m assuming skyliner for EPCOT/ DHS and either monorail or boat for MK? Bus is the only option for AK right?

I'm probably a WDW vet by normal people standards, but certainly not compared to WDW superfan 30+ trips standards .

Yes, I always drive. It works out great everywhere except MK, where your decision to drive will add ~20 minutes to your commute because you have to board the ferry or monorail at the TTC to get to the park. Nothing against the buses, I just don't like giving up that level of control on my trips. If I'm going to be late, I'd much rather it be my own fault than to have it be because of transportation mishaps or bad luck.

I think the consensus is that the buses have gotten a bit better and more responsive as of late, but I've heard far too many stories of people waiting for an incredibly long time and/or watching bus after bus come for a park they're not going to while their own bus is MIA. It's a risk I'm not willing to take, especially since rope drop is so much more important at WDW.

As for the most fun way, I'd probably say anything but the buses or your own car. My first trip we stayed at the Dolphin, and taking the boat to the Studios and Epcot was really cool. The monorails WOULD be really cool, but they're from 1986 and desperately need to be replaced (a lot of people have complained about smell and cleanliness too, but I have never personally experienced issues with that). I'd give special kudos to the Epcot monorail for the nice sweep it does around Future World before you exit to go to the park. The MK ferry is probably the single best method though, and as much as it's a pain to deal with the TTC, taking the ferry to MK for your first visit is probably the best, most awe-inspiring approach. And frankly more peaceful, as most people's instinct is to take the monorail in that situation, which is...not fun when everyone has the same idea come closing time. There's a reason no other park has that setup. I haven't done it, but the Skyliner looks cool.

And since there's no direct cost to use any of these systems, since none of them enter or exit inside of a park, you could theoretically ride them to your heart's content!

 

[mickEblu]

I'm probably a WDW vet by normal people standards, but certainly not compared to WDW superfan 30+ trips standards .

Yes, I always drive. It works out great everywhere except MK, where your decision to drive will add ~20 minutes to your commute because you have to board the ferry or monorail at the TTC to get to the park. Nothing against the buses, I just don't like giving up that level of control on my trips. If I'm going to be late, I'd much rather it be my own fault than to have it be because of transportation mishaps or bad luck.

I think the consensus is that the buses have gotten a bit better and more responsive as of late, but I've heard far too many stories of people waiting for an incredibly long time and/or watching bus after bus come for a park they're not going to while their own bus is MIA. It's a risk I'm not willing to take, especially since rope drop is so much more important at WDW.

As for the most fun way, I'd probably say anything but the buses or your own car. My first trip we stayed at the Dolphin, and taking the boat to the Studios and Epcot was really cool. The monorails WOULD be really cool, but they're from 1986 and desperately need to be replaced (a lot of people have complained about smell and cleanliness too, but I have never personally experienced issues with that). I'd give special kudos to the Epcot monorail for the nice sweep it does around Future World before you exit to go to the park. The MK ferry is probably the single best method though, and as much as it's a pain to deal with the TTC, taking the ferry to MK for your first visit is probably the best, most awe-inspiring approach. And frankly more peaceful, as most people's instinct is to take the monorail in that situation, which is...not fun when everyone has the same idea come closing time. There's a reason no other park has that setup. I haven't done it, but the Skyliner looks cool.

And since there's no direct cost to use any of these systems, since none of them enter or exit inside of a park, you could theoretically ride them to your heart's content!

Sweet! Thanks for the info. So it sounds like the way to go for me would be to take the skyliner to the Studios, monorail to Epcot, Uber or bus to AK and Uber or bus to TTC and ferry to MK. Of course, it also depends where you re staying and if you do have any need to get to the park at rope drop. Where do you board the monorail to Epcot ?

 

[socalifornian]

Sweet! Thanks for the info. So it sounds like the way to go for me would be to take the skyliner to the Studios, monorail to Epcot, Uber or bus to AK and Uber or bus to TTC and ferry to MK. Of course, it also depends where you re staying and if you do have any need to get to the park at rope drop. Where do you board the monorail to Epcot ?

At the TTC. One monorail line circles MK, its three hotels in front of it, and the TTC while the other goes back and forth from Epcot to TTC. Most of the space inside of them is standing room only unlike what we’re used to here

 

[mlayton144]

Sweet! Thanks for the info. So it sounds like the way to go for me would be to take the skyliner to the Studios, monorail to Epcot, Uber or bus to AK and Uber or bus to TTC and ferry to MK. Of course, it also depends where you re staying and if you do have any need to get to the park at rope drop. Where do you board the monorail to Epcot ?

please note if you take Disney bus from ANY onsite resort it takes you right to the MK entrance area (no ttc needed) , there is monorail from TTC to Epcot, and from MK or any area resort you can take monorail to TTC

 

[mickEblu]

At the TTC. One monorail line circles MK, its three hotels in front of it, and the TTC while the other goes back and forth from Epcot to TTC. Most of the space inside of them is standing room only unlike what we’re used to here

Good to know! Thank you

 

[mickEblu]

please note if you take Disney bus from ANY onsite resort it takes you right to the MK entrance area (no ttc needed) , there is monorail from TTC to Epcot, and from MK or any area resort you can take monorail to TTC

Thank you. Now I just need to plan a trip! Do you think that we’ll be seeing any unresistable
WDW deals in the next few months?

 

[cmwade77]

For some reason I never even thought about an Uber! Good info, guys, thanks!

The Minnie Vans will take you to the MK Bus Drop off area, it is actually one of closest stops to the main entrance, so that may be a viable choice as well.

 

[cmwade77]

Thank you. Now I just need to plan a trip! Do you think that we’ll be seeing any unresistable
WDW deals in the next few months?

Honestly, I think all bets are now off, about two or three weeks ago, I would have said most definitely, as it seemed that there were very few people that would be willing to go. Now, since it seems there are so many people itching to get out and about, I think the parks may hit whatever maximum capacity is set for the foreseeable future and if that is the case, then I doubt we will be seeing many deals.

I won't go into it further than that since this isn't the politics forum, but I do think the theme parks will be in good shape to turn a decent profit when they reopen.

 

[Curious Constance]

Thanks! I’ll have to keep these tips in mind when I go. It’s always fun to hijak one of Comstances vacation threads. Lol.

Hahaha no problem this is all good info for me too. I’ll hopefully get to WDW next year!

 

[Curious Constance]

Thank you. Now I just need to plan a trip! Do you think that we’ll be seeing any unresistable
WDW deals in the next few months?

Have you priced flights for the summer time?