So my BF and I are going Feb 27-March 5. The park hours don't go as late since it's not peak season, and we were looking for additional activities that aren't shopping or movies. Some one said hotel hopping is fun, and you can check out all the cool stuff you can't afford, etc. Thing is, we're sans vehicle, depending on the bus to get from ASM to the parks and such.
Do the buses run all night?
Where do the monorails go, and when do they run?
If we go to any of the big resorts and stay after the monorails stop running, how do we get back?
Just trying to figure what to do after 7:30-8:00...we're night people, and he's not 21 until after the trip, so Jellyroll's is out. AC is gone, so that's another scrapped idea. We know we'll probably end up at DTD to shop and see a movie,...
Anyone else have any ideas as to what the hell we could do besides it in our room and watch TV? I think it may be too cold to swim, we'll have to see.
Help?
Do the buses run all night?
I dont believe that the busses go all night, but the ones to-from DTD run fairly late. Most likely 2-3am, depending on when the last one closes. The issue is in my experience, busses to/from DTD can be SLOW.
Where do the monorails go, and when do they run?
Monorails go to the main Monorail Resorts: Contemporary, Ticket and Transportation Center, Polynesean, Grand Floridian.
The other one rides to/from Epcot from TTC
Not sure how late the resort monorails run, but most likely they are tied to the MK hours. Never stayed at at Monorail resort though, so not sure how late they run. I'm sure folks on here will be able to point you to the actual operating hours.
If we go to any of the big resorts and stay after the monorails stop running, how do we get back?
Basically, your 2 options here are Bus or Taxi. Busses do not run between different resorts (with the exception of some DTD busses run to multiple resorts and then DTD, but here, if you're on the last stop, you will need to loop back to DTD before going to the other resorts on the loop). When going between resorts, you are stuck either heading to DTD and then hopping to the other resort, or hitting a park that may still be open and then taking a bus to your other resort. I believe that busses run to/from a park up to 1 hour after closing, someone can correct me on that.
I've seen other members suggest taking a taxi between resorts, but I have never done this. I know it's an option, not sure on how long it takes and price though.
If I could give you advice, and take it strictly as opinion, I'd say this. I personally love poking around other resorts. They are fantastic. I'd suggest potentially setting your dinner dining reservations at some of the resort restaurants, as they are some of the best on WDW property, and at times some of the least booked ones. Make the ADRs for after the parks close, have a late lunch, and head straight from the park to your resort of choice. Have your late dinner, poke around the resort a bit, enjoy yourself. There are some resorts that have other means of transportation between them. POFQ and POR are walkable between them and have a boat to DTD. Yacht/Beach/Boardwalk are walkable as well, and have boat service available to parks. Fort Wilderness/Wilderness Lodge, and I believe most of the monorail resorts have boat service available between the resorts.
I'd suggest if you plan on hopping between multiple resorts in a night, you should pick a set of resorts that do not force you to take a bus to DTD and then to the other resort. Save that for your "last" trip of the night, when you are going from your last resort back to your "home" resort. This last jump, that requires you to go to DTD and pick up a bus to your home hotel can take quite a while, depending on how lucky you are for connections.
