Boardwalk Questions

[lebeau]

Hey all,

I'm currently planning our March trip. The full details of my planning experience are detailed here: http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=545256

Anyway, we're staying at POR and planning to head over to the Boardwalk (we've never been before) on our arrival day rather than using our park tickets for a half day. We'll be arriving in Orlando around 5. I figure by the time our ME shuttle drops us off at POR, we'll be ready to head off for dinner.

I've got a few questions about the best way to handle this:

1. Can I go straight from the airport to the Boardwalk without having to stop at POR first? (Basically, can you catch a shuttle for a resort other than the one you are staying at?)

2. If not, what's the best way to make it from POR to the Boardwalk?

Follow-up question:

I've got dinner reservations at the Cape May Cafe at the Beach Club at 7:10. I understand this is within walking distance of the Boardwalk. I'm considering cancelling these ressies and trying to grab a bite at Beaches and Cream. Any thoughts?

Thanks as always!

 

[mousefan1972]

1. No. You can only take ME to the resort at which you are registered to stay.

2. Take the bus from POR to Hollywood Studios, then walk or take the boat to the Boardwalk.

3. Beach Club is about a 10 minute walk from the BW. Beaches and Cream will be very crowded, and they don't take ADR's. The wait will be at least an hour, if not more. I would keep your ADR at Cape May in case the wait for Beaches and Cream is too long.

 

[Master Yoda]

What mousefan1972 said.

 

[NewfieFan]

I think 7:10 might be pushing it... don't you think!?! By the time you get to your resort on DME, catch another bus to a park, then catch another bus (or take water transportation) to the Boardwalk or Beach Club... seems like that could take more than 2 hours!?!

 

[dreamfinder]

Follow-up question:

I've got dinner reservations at the Cape May Cafe at the Beach Club at 7:10. I understand this is within walking distance of the Boardwalk. I'm considering cancelling these ressies and trying to grab a bite at Beaches and Cream. Any thoughts?

Thanks as always!

Assuming you land on time, I would imagine you get to POR at 5:45/6ish. Allowing 15 mins to check in (lines form when ME unloads) 7:10 may be cutting it to close to take Disney transportation. Best case scenario, you get a bus as soon as you check in, then 10-15 mins to get to DHS. Figure 30-45 minutes for the boat (wait plus travel time) At that point you are basically at your reservation time. If you need to wait for transportation, or anything take a bit longer, you are going to be late. Better off to spend the 15 bucks for a taxi perhaps.

And as Yoda said, there is a good chance there will be a wait at Beaches and Cream. They do have a take out counter you can order from which may be easier.

 

[lebeau]

1. No. You can only take ME to the resort at which you are registered to stay.

2. Take the bus from POR to Hollywood Studios, then walk or take the boat to the Boardwalk.

3. Beach Club is about a 10 minute walk from the BW. Beaches and Cream will be very crowded, and they don't take ADR's. The wait will be at least an hour, if not more. I would keep your ADR at Cape May in case the wait for Beaches and Cream is too long.

Excellent, thanks!

That is exactly what I needed to know.

I'll definitely keep the ADR then. If my girls had to wait an hour to eat, there would be a major revolt.

 

[lebeau]

Assuming you land on time, I would imagine you get to POR at 5:45/6ish. Allowing 15 mins to check in (lines form when ME unloads) 7:10 may be cutting it to close to take Disney transportation. Best case scenario, you get a bus as soon as you check in, then 10-15 mins to get to DHS. Figure 30-45 minutes for the boat (wait plus travel time) At that point you are basically at your reservation time. If you need to wait for transportation, or anything take a bit longer, you are going to be late. Better off to spend the 15 bucks for a taxi perhaps.

And as Yoda said, there is a good chance there will be a wait at Beaches and Cream. They do have a take out counter you can order from which may be easier.

It does sound like we'll be pushing it. Maybe I'll see if I can reschedule a little later just to be on the safe side.

Good to know about the take-out counter!

Personally, I have no problem with a late dinner. But my wife and daughter get cranky when they are hungry. So I'll need to feed them fast. Worst case scenario, we may eat at POR before we head off to the Boardwalk. Either that or we'll need to grab a snack to tide over till dinner.

Thanks for all the great advice!

 

[lebeau]

I tried moving my reservation at the website. For whatever reason, I can never pull up reservations at the website unless I booked them over the phone first.

Anyway, I called and spoke to a very helpful cast member. (She informed me my website issue is a common one.) And she moved out Cape May ressie from 7:10 to 7:45. So that should give us some breathing room. If it looks like we'll be later than that, I'll just call to cancel and we can grab something quick at POR or the Boardwalk.

Thanks again for all the help!

 

[Pioneer Hall]

The takeout window at Beaches and Cream only serves ice cream and beverages. You can't get a meal there (unless you want Ice Cream as your meal which is perfectly ok in Disney )

 

[lebeau]

The takeout window at Beaches and Cream only serves ice cream and beverages. You can't get a meal there (unless you want Ice Cream as your meal which is perfectly ok in Disney )

Good tip!

Don't tell anyone, but my daughter sometimes has ice cream cones for breakfast. She's underweight, so sometimes I'm happy just to have her eat something. Shhhhhh.

My wife on the other hand will want something more substantial. I goofed up reservations on an arrival day for our first trip and it was not pretty. Good thing we got a walk-in at the 50s PTC! Fried chicken saved the day!

 

[dizzney]

I think even 7:45 may be cutting it very close, BWV is our home DVC resort, when we where down there last month, our place landed at 2:00 and we didnt get to the BW via Magical Express until 4:00, your best best with the ME may be to take a cab from POR direct to the Beach Club.

The entertainment on the Boardwalk is all evening so you can head to the BW after dinner at Cape May,

Enjoy the BW its our favorite resort.

 

[lebeau]

I think even 7:45 may be cutting it very close, BWV is our home DVC resort, when we where down there last month, our place landed at 2:00 and we didnt get to the BW via Magical Express until 4:00, your best best with the ME may be to take a cab from POR direct to the Beach Club.

The entertainment on the Boardwalk is all evening so you can head to the BW after dinner at Cape May,

Enjoy the BW its our favorite resort.

Thanks for another good tip. If we're running late at all, we'll either call a cab or cancel the ADR and grab some counter service before heading over to the Boardwalk.

I'm always impressed by the quality and range of advice I get here.

 

[surfsupdon]

It's true. The Take Out window only does ice cream now--it used to do the entire menu in a "TO GO" fashion.

I would take a cab directly from POR to BoardWalk--it isn't that far at all so it will be cheap. Don't rely on Disney Transport it'll take too long.

When you're finished, take a stroll along the water to MGM and use a Disney Bus to get back to POR. Or take a taxi from BW.


I also highly reccomend eating at ESPN Club at the BoardWalk on an arrival day if you're in the area. It's fun, the views are nice, and the food is really really good. The value is very good here.