Ferry to MK - The DIS Discussion Forums

DaisyFoote · 01-19-2013, 05:13 AM

What's it like to ride the ferry from FWC to the MK? Last time I went to MK I didn't account for the monorail taking so long and I missed the morning show most of the time. I wanted to make sure I allowed enough time for transportation this time. How early should I leave? I read on the map that there is different colored flags on the ferries. Should I avoid a certain color flag?

North of Mouse · 01-19-2013, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaisyFoote

What's it like to ride the ferry from FWC to the MK? Last time I went to MK I didn't account for the monorail taking so long and I missed the morning show most of the time. I wanted to make sure I allowed enough time for transportation this time. How early should I leave? I read on the map that there is different colored flags on the ferries. Should I avoid a certain color flag?

I'm confused by your question

The ferry only runs between the MK & ticket/transportation center, so doesn't provide transportation to FW. You should take the large boat directly to the MK, doesn't take but about 15 min. You could also take the small launch to the CR, then take a short 5min walk to the MK, or catch the monorail (would take much longer). The flags have nothing to do with the length of time to MK.

Hope this helps.

2goofycampers · 01-19-2013, 08:38 AM

The boat ride from FW to MK is 10 minutes dock to dock. If I had to be somewhere I'd leave at least 30 minutes time for transportation. From MK, look for signs to FW dock. From FW, keep to the left side of the dock for MK boat.

DaisyFoote · 01-19-2013, 09:44 AM

That's what I needed to know - Thanks! I just want to make sure I don't miss the morning show this time. We were hoping that staying at the campground would help us avoid the TTC and the monorail from there - ughh. I'm very excited about having a direct route to MK.

hoosll · 01-19-2013, 10:01 AM

The boats start running 30 minutes before MK opens so you need to get there early to make the first boat. Later in the day the boat lines can get very heavy when Hoopdedoo lets out so be aware that sometimes taking the boat to Cont can be faster. We like to go to Cont and catch the monorail to TTC then Epcot. Also, it works to take boat to MK and then catch a bus to other resorts or to Epcot resorts then walk through Int'l Gateway to World Showcase for dinner.

bama_ed · 01-19-2013, 12:39 PM

What folks said here is correct.

On the FW dock, the left side (don't remember the color) is the bigger boat to go to MK. The first one leaves about 30 minutes before MK opening and we have taken it many times and it does get you there in time to go through security, through the turnstiles, and to see the opening show. Sometimes it will leave a few minutes earlier and stop at Wilderness Lodge along the way.

The right hand side of the dock is the smaller boats that run back in a circle between Wilderness Lodge, The Contemporary Resort, and Fort Wilderness. It starts much earlier (like 630 am?) to give folks a ride if they have breakfast plans at one of those spots. People can and do jump this boat to the CR, then make the short walk from the CR parking lot to the MK gate. That gives you a little more control time wise. And a little exercise.

Bama ED

DaisyFoote · 01-20-2013, 12:09 PM

The idea of taking the boat to BLT and then the monorail for TTC and then to Epcot sounds like an interesting concept - one I haven't thought about it. If I want to be at Epcot for rope drop - how early should I leave to do this? Would it be better just to drive?

tobikaye · 01-20-2013, 01:12 PM

Usually from FW, it is easiest to drive to all the parks except MK. Using the boat to the Contemporary and the monorail is fun, but time consuming.

FW cabin/camp spot to marina: 5-15 minutes
Boat to Contemporary: 10-15 minutes
Contemporary marina to monorail: 5-10 minutes depending on walking speed and not stopping
Monorail to TTC then to EP: 20-25 minutes

(This is estimated.)

My parents took the monorail back from EP one day while I drove my sister back. We were walking to the car at the same time they walked up the ramp to the monorail. My sister got back to our cabin, went to the bathroom before they called to let us know the were just taking off in the boat to FW. I drove the golf cart down to pick them up and got there a couple minutes before their boat.

DaisyFoote · 01-20-2013, 01:47 PM

Thanks Tobikaye - very thorough answer. I will definately drive.

2goofycampers · 01-20-2013, 04:07 PM

The bus ain't so bad. At least when you get dropped off you're close to the entrance. With a car it can be a bit of a walk to the entrance.

01-19-2013, 05:13 AM	#1
DaisyFoote Earning My Ears Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: North Carolina Posts: 72	Ferry to MK What's it like to ride the ferry from FWC to the MK? Last time I went to MK I didn't account for the monorail taking so long and I missed the morning show most of the time. I wanted to make sure I allowed enough time for transportation this time. How early should I leave? I read on the map that there is different colored flags on the ferries. Should I avoid a certain color flag? Last edited by DaisyFoote; 01-19-2013 at 05:13 AM. Reason: typing mistake

01-19-2013, 08:38 AM	#3
2goofycampers Sounds like something a camping trip could cure Enjoy the beer and wine you will love it Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: USA Posts: 12,172	The boat ride from FW to MK is 10 minutes dock to dock. If I had to be somewhere I'd leave at least 30 minutes time for transportation. From MK, look for signs to FW dock. From FW, keep to the left side of the dock for MK boat. __________________ Denise

01-19-2013, 09:44 AM	#4
DaisyFoote Earning My Ears Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: North Carolina Posts: 72	Thanks! That's what I needed to know - Thanks! I just want to make sure I don't miss the morning show this time. We were hoping that staying at the campground would help us avoid the TTC and the monorail from there - ughh. I'm very excited about having a direct route to MK.

01-19-2013, 10:01 AM	#5
hoosll DIS Veteran Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Virigina Posts: 1,861	The boats start running 30 minutes before MK opens so you need to get there early to make the first boat. Later in the day the boat lines can get very heavy when Hoopdedoo lets out so be aware that sometimes taking the boat to Cont can be faster. We like to go to Cont and catch the monorail to TTC then Epcot. Also, it works to take boat to MK and then catch a bus to other resorts or to Epcot resorts then walk through Int'l Gateway to World Showcase for dinner. __________________ Hoosll Do It Cont -'84 Kids 10 & 7; Poly - '90 Kids 16 & 13 WL - Dec '00 - Big 5-0, No Kids! Yeah! WL - Feb '02; WL - Sep '03 Big Willie's B-day WL- Dec '04 MY B-day WL - Nov '06 - Big Willie retires BWV - Nov '07 Midweek long weekend WL - Apr '12 Me, DD, and DGS4, DGS2 -their 1st trip! FW - Dec '12 First time in RV; FW - Feb '13 Midwinter escape

01-19-2013, 12:39 PM	#6
bama_ed DIS Veteran Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 2,476	What folks said here is correct. On the FW dock, the left side (don't remember the color) is the bigger boat to go to MK. The first one leaves about 30 minutes before MK opening and we have taken it many times and it does get you there in time to go through security, through the turnstiles, and to see the opening show. Sometimes it will leave a few minutes earlier and stop at Wilderness Lodge along the way. The right hand side of the dock is the smaller boats that run back in a circle between Wilderness Lodge, The Contemporary Resort, and Fort Wilderness. It starts much earlier (like 630 am?) to give folks a ride if they have breakfast plans at one of those spots. People can and do jump this boat to the CR, then make the short walk from the CR parking lot to the MK gate. That gives you a little more control time wise. And a little exercise. Bama ED __________________ Apr 1979 Off-site...................... Jan 2001 FW 2200 Loop (cabin)........Dec 2007 FW 900 loop (pop-up) Apr 1981 FW Creekside Meadow... Jan 2002 FW 2200 Loop (cabin)........Nov 2009 FW 1500 Loop (pop-up) Sep 1987 FW 100 Loop(tent) ...... Oct 2003 FW 2000 Loop (tent).........Mar 2011 FW 900/1500 loop (pop-up) to/from KW Jan 1988 FW 700 Loop (tent).......Jan 2004 FW 2500 Loop (cabin)....... Apr 2011 FW 2000 Loop (pop-up) May 1988 FW 1200 Loop (tent).... May 2006 FW 900 Loop (pop-up) .... Mar 2012 FW 1500 Loop (pop-up) Dec 1995 Contemporary.............. Mar 2007 FW 1000 Loop (pop-up).... Apr 2013 FW 100 Loop (pop-up) plus countless WDW day trips, DL 3X, DLP 2X - TV: 2005 Chevy Suburban - Camper: 2005 Jayco 12 HW pop-up - Nights Camped in Popup: 166

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01-20-2013, 12:09 PM	#7
DaisyFoote Earning My Ears Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: North Carolina Posts: 72	The idea of taking the boat to BLT and then the monorail for TTC and then to Epcot sounds like an interesting concept - one I haven't thought about it. If I want to be at Epcot for rope drop - how early should I leave to do this? Would it be better just to drive?

01-20-2013, 01:12 PM	#8
tobikaye DIS Veteran Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 541	Usually from FW, it is easiest to drive to all the parks except MK. Using the boat to the Contemporary and the monorail is fun, but time consuming. FW cabin/camp spot to marina: 5-15 minutes Boat to Contemporary: 10-15 minutes Contemporary marina to monorail: 5-10 minutes depending on walking speed and not stopping Monorail to TTC then to EP: 20-25 minutes (This is estimated.) My parents took the monorail back from EP one day while I drove my sister back. We were walking to the car at the same time they walked up the ramp to the monorail. My sister got back to our cabin, went to the bathroom before they called to let us know the were just taking off in the boat to FW. I drove the golf cart down to pick them up and got there a couple minutes before their boat. __________________ Tobi Kaye - WDW November 2011 Photos When you're curious, you find lots of interesting things to do - Walt Disney

01-20-2013, 01:47 PM	#9
DaisyFoote Earning My Ears Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: North Carolina Posts: 72	Thanks Tobikaye - very thorough answer. I will definately drive.

01-20-2013, 04:07 PM	#10
2goofycampers Sounds like something a camping trip could cure Enjoy the beer and wine you will love it Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: USA Posts: 12,172	The bus ain't so bad. At least when you get dropped off you're close to the entrance. With a car it can be a bit of a walk to the entrance. __________________ Denise

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