wendinator 109 Posted September 28, 2016 Report Share Posted September 28, 2016 Was wondering if someone would be able to offer some assistance with this transportation puzzle. Departure point: Pop Century Arrival point: Epcot Desired arrival time: A bit before 8 am My Mom and I have a short trip planned for next March (thanks Jason!) and have booked an Epcot tour that starts at 8:15 am and they want us there 15 minutes before that (so 8:00 am). We'd also need to budget time to clear bag check and the tapstiles. The posted Epcot hours for that day are 9 am - 9 pm according to TouringPlans.com When I booked the tour the booking agent said to allow 90 minutes for transportation... If the resort to park busses only start running 1 hour before park entry, then I assume the earliest I could be catching an Epcot bus from Pop is 8:00 am, which doesn't get me to Epcot on time. Further complicating this is that Mom will be in an ECV/scooter (offsite rental). Is my only option a taxi from Pop to Epcot at that hour? Is there any scenario whereby I can get a bus from Pop and still make it to Epcot before 8 am, given a 9 am park opening? I appreciate your sage advice. :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted September 28, 2016 Report Share Posted September 28, 2016 I haven't tested it myself, but every time I've heard this question asked, those in the know have responded that Disney provides early bus transportation from the hotels to the parks for guests who have PPO (Pre Park Opening) reservations. I've heard the buses start up at 6:30 am- ish for such purposes. A bus from Pop is the way to go-especially since your mom has the ECV. I'd say be at the bus stop at 7 am, and you're good to go. ETA- I found a post from the Disney Mom's Panel that backs this up. They're wrong a lot, but I don't think they are this time: https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:3_jPMAwOsNoJ:https://disneyparksmomspanel.disney.go.com/question/booked-early-morning-pre-park-opening-reservations-266235/+&cd=7&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us On Aug 29, 2014 Melissa from PA Asked“ Hello, I booked early morning (as in pre park opening) reservations and am staying on property. If buses only run 1 hr before park opening, how will I make my dining times if buses don't run that early? Ex. Akershaus 8:05 when park opens at 9.” Hi Melissa, Isn't it wonderful that we have the Disney complimentary resort transportation to take us to and from the theme parks? Guaranteed complimentary transportation is the best kind of transportation! When it comes to arriving at your early Advanced Dining Reservation on time, you don't have to worry about that either. When you check into your Resort hotel, visit guest services and mention to them that you have an early Advanced Dining Reservation during one of the days of your stay. Each resort offers bus transportation for guests that may have Advanced Dining Reservations that are very early in the morning within the theme parks. The Cast Member will be able to tell you what time to arrive at your bus stop to take advantage of the early transportation. I hope this answer helps with your vacation planning, Melissa. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask us at any time. We're always here to help. TCD wendinator 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wendinator 109 Posted September 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2016 Your Google-fu is better than mine! Thank you for the info! I'll post a trip report after we get back - there will be obligatory afternoon tea pictures, plus this World Showcase tour to talk about. Beckers 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted September 28, 2016 Report Share Posted September 28, 2016 34 minutes ago, wendinator said: Your Google-fu is better than mine! Thank you for the info! I'll post a trip report after we get back - there will be obligatory afternoon tea pictures, plus this World Showcase tour to talk about. I would definitely make a point of stopping by the concierge desk the night before and confirming that your mom needs an early ride to Epcot. I think she'll be fine on Disney transportation. BTW, I have never heard of that tour. It sounds awesome! TCD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547 Posted September 28, 2016 Report Share Posted September 28, 2016 4 hours ago, Tri-Circle-D said: Hi Melissa, Isn't it wonderful that we have the Disney complimentary resort transportation to take us to and from the theme parks? Guaranteed complimentary transportation is the best kind of transportation! When it comes to arriving at your early Advanced Dining Reservation on time, you don't have to worry about that either. When you check into your Resort hotel, visit guest services and mention to them that you have an early Advanced Dining Reservation during one of the days of your stay. Each resort offers bus transportation for guests that may have Advanced Dining Reservations that are very early in the morning within the theme parks. The Cast Member will be able to tell you what time to arrive at your bus stop to take advantage of the early transportation. I hope this answer helps with your vacation planning, Melissa. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask us at any time. We're always here to help. This definitely doesn't include the Fort. We had an early ADR at Crystal Palace. We went to the Concierge repeatedly and were finally told we would have to ride the bus to WL to catch a bus there to MK. BTW, I'm also on an ECV. If I weren't, we could have taken the small boat to the Contemporary and walked over. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted September 29, 2016 Report Share Posted September 29, 2016 13 hours ago, CCIntrigue...aka Gwen said: This definitely doesn't include the Fort. We had an early ADR at Crystal Palace. We went to the Concierge repeatedly and were finally told we would have to ride the bus to WL to catch a bus there to MK. BTW, I'm also on an ECV. If I weren't, we could have taken the small boat to the Contemporary and walked over. Well that stinks. For the prices that they charge at the Fort and for the meals and tours at the parks, they ought to provide a direct bus, and if they don't want to do that for whatever reason, they should start the big boat running earlier. Did you end up riding the bus to the Lodge? Did you make it to the MK on time? TCD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mouseketab.....Carol 1,261 Posted September 29, 2016 Report Share Posted September 29, 2016 14 hours ago, CCIntrigue...aka Gwen said: This definitely doesn't include the Fort. We had an early ADR at Crystal Palace. We went to the Concierge repeatedly and were finally told we would have to ride the bus to WL to catch a bus there to MK. BTW, I'm also on an ECV. If I weren't, we could have taken the small boat to the Contemporary and walked over. Yes, early transportation to MK stinks for ECVs. It IS the bus to WL, then bus to MK. If you had an early ADR at AK, HS, or EPCOT, there IS an early bus to those parks direct from the Outpost. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547 Posted September 29, 2016 Report Share Posted September 29, 2016 10 hours ago, Tri-Circle-D said: Well that stinks. For the prices that they charge at the Fort and for the meals and tours at the parks, they ought to provide a direct bus, and if they don't want to do that for whatever reason, they should start the big boat running earlier. Did you end up riding the bus to the Lodge? Did you make it to the MK on time? TCD Yes, we made it on time. But it wasn't fun getting to the bus stop at 6:45 am. 9 hours ago, mouseketab.....Carol said: If you had an early ADR at AK, HS, or EPCOT, there IS an early bus to those parks direct from the Outpost. Thanks! I didn't know that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fladogfan aka Gretchen 259 Posted September 30, 2016 Report Share Posted September 30, 2016 On 9/29/2016 at 10:39 AM, mouseketab.....Carol said: Yes, early transportation to MK stinks for ECVs. It IS the bus to WL, then bus to MK. If you had an early ADR at AK, HS, or EPCOT, there IS an early bus to those parks direct from the Outpost. If they are sending buses to the other parks what is the reasoning not to have a MK bus, I wonder? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Katman1356...Jason 1,140 Posted September 30, 2016 Report Share Posted September 30, 2016 9 minutes ago, fladogfan aka Gretchen said: If they are sending buses to the other parks what is the reasoning not to have a MK bus, I wonder? I would assume because there are alternate options. Since those with out an ecv can boat to the contemporary and those with an ecv can bus to WL then to MK there are methods of getting there and doesn't cost them more. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fladogfan aka Gretchen 259 Posted September 30, 2016 Report Share Posted September 30, 2016 12 minutes ago, Katman1356...Jason said: I would assume because there are alternate options. Since those with out an ecv can boat to the contemporary and those with an ecv can bus to WL then to MK there are methods of getting there and doesn't cost them more. I guess you are right. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mouseketab.....Carol 1,261 Posted September 30, 2016 Report Share Posted September 30, 2016 56 minutes ago, Katman1356...Jason said: I would assume because there are alternate options. Since those with out an ecv can boat to the contemporary and those with an ecv can bus to WL then to MK there are methods of getting there and doesn't cost them more. Yep, MK has always been that way for the Fort, a two step process before ECVs. At one time it was monorail to TTC, then bus to WL, then Settlement. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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