Getting to Early Epcot Reservation from Contemporary

[kenny279]

I will be staying at Bay Lake Tower, and I have an 8:30 reservation at Garden Grill. What will be the best way to get there. Does the monorail run early enough or would taking the bus bet better? Is there only one bus for early reservations or do they run multiple ones?

 

[zurgandfriend]

Take the monorail to the TTC and switch for Epcot you should be fine.

 

[epcotisbest]

I will be staying at Bay Lake Tower, and I have an 8:30 reservation at Garden Grill. What will be the best way to get there. Does the monorail run early enough or would taking the bus bet better? Is there only one bus for early reservations or do they run multiple ones?

When we stayed at BLT a couple of years ago, the resort loop monorail started running at 7 a.m. The Epcot loop from TTC started running at 8 a.m. Get to TTC by 8 a.m. to give yourself plenty of time to get to transfer to the Epcot loop and on to your destination without feeling rushed.
Part of the fun of staying at BLT is monorail access, might as well use it and enjoy it.

 

[Tuvalu]

Make sure you check the monorail operating hours BEFORE the day of your reservation. Both the resort line and the Epcot line have had reduced hours recently ~ during our trip last month the Epcot line did not begin to run until 9 am.

Not to worry though, if the monorail is not running there WILL be a bus to Epcot from the Contemporary/Bay Lake Tower. The bus will begin operating by 7:30 am which will get you to Epcot in time for your ADR.

 

[StarshipDisney]

If needed you can always drive. Resort guest have free parking.

I thought the monorail problems had gone away. 0900 is way too late for the EPCOT monorail to start when the park opens at 0900. The TTC transfer will likely be well packed by that time and you may wait several monorails. That means the busses may also be packed.

If that is what I face next month, then I may possibly just drive to EPCOT. 0900 monorail start is ridiculous for an 0900 park opening. I want to get in early and rush to SOARIN.

 

[Polydweller]

If needed you can always drive. Resort guest have free parking.

I thought the monorail problems had gone away. 0900 is way too late for the EPCOT monorail to start when the park opens at 0900. The TTC transfer will likely be well packed by that time and you may wait several monorails. That means the busses may also be packed.

If that is what I face next month, then I may possibly just drive to EPCOT. 0900 monorail start is ridiculous for an 0900 park opening. I want to get in early and rush to SOARIN.

Well you call it ridiculous as much as you want but recently it's been 9:00 am Monday's and Tuesday's and 8:00am otherwise. But, as Tuvalu says, check the hours for the days you are going. The hours do change.

And it's not "problems" it's the installation of automation and the third party company involved in it has not been proceeding very well.

 

[22YrsDVC]

I will be staying at Bay Lake Tower, and I have an 8:30 reservation at Garden Grill. What will be the best way to get there. Does the monorail run early enough or would taking the bus bet better? Is there only one bus for early reservations or do they run multiple ones?

My only piece of advice is to "Hope for the best; expect the worst", as Mel Brooks once wrote for his movie, 'The Twelve Chairs'.
Being a born pessimist, but a Disney fan, I consider the possibilities of problems that might pop up to ruin my well laid plans. And I've been at the Magic Kingdom Resorts enough times to suddenly find the monorails aren't running at all during my stay. Surprise!
So, have back-up plans at the ready, and hope for the best. Good luck and happy dining!

 

[StarshipDisney]

Well you call it ridiculous as much as you want but recently it's been 9:00 am Monday's and Tuesday's and 8:00am otherwise. But, as Tuvalu says, check the hours for the days you are going. The hours do change.

And it's not "problems" it's the installation of automation and the third party company involved in it has not been proceeding very well.

Sorry if I upset anyone by using the word "ridiculous". I'm still leaning how to not upset folks on this forum.

Thank you for the feedback. But if the monorail only starts service @ 0900 and I want to be at the gate waiting for entry @ 0900 to get to SOARIN ASAP, then it would appear the monorail is not a good option.

I am going to EPCOT on a Sunday so perhaps I will have the 0800 start time. Any chance you can please let me know how/where I can best check the monorail hours. Thanks again.

 

[Disney4family]

Last week we were able to take the monorail to the TTC, but then had to take a bus. The CMs told us the Epcot monorail wasn't running until 9.

 

[Mickey5150]

Sorry if I upset anyone by using the word "ridiculous". I'm still leaning how to not upset folks on this forum.

Thank you for the feedback. But if the monorail only starts service @ 0900 and I want to be at the gate waiting for entry @ 0900 to get to SOARIN ASAP, then it would appear the monorail is not a good option.

I am going to EPCOT on a Sunday so perhaps I will have the 0800 start time. Any chance you can please let me know how/where I can best check the monorail hours. Thanks again.

Unfortunately no matter how hard you try there is always somebody who gets upset at what you say, lol. As far as info at the hotel, I don't stay at a monorail hotel ever, but any info I have needed I just go to the lobby concierge and they are always able to get the answer I need.