[Jimbobpetemoss]

I didn't think this applies to Orlando transportation because it involves the Disney parks... but anyway...

I noticed in the Birnbaum's guidebook (I've looked it over so many times, I'm surprised I can find anything new in there) that you can take a boat from the Disney Studios to EPCOT.

I'm assuming it goes to the International Gateway but is it a direct shot or do you get off at Boardwalk and walk? What's the deal?

The Studios closes at 7 the day I'll be there and if EPCOT is literally just a hop, skip and a jump away, then why not go there for a couple hours and catch Illuminations.

My nephew finds out about the trip on Christmas Eve. I've gone 10 months without saying anything, I hope I don't screw it up in the next 5 days...

[MickeyMac]

The boat p/u is to the left of the park entrance. I know there's a stop from International Gateway at Epcot both at Boardwalk and Dolphin/Swan to MGM, but I don't know if there are stops on the trip from MGM to International Gateway. I have heard (but do not know) that it is a direct shot back. The trip from Epcot to MGM takes about 25-30 minutes, but if it's a direct shot back, it should only take a few.

It's a very lovely ride.

Let us know how it goes telling your nephew. I can't believe you kept it a secret that long.

[dab]

Wow, 10 months is a long time to keep a secret!! Good luck following through with the plans. What a lucky nephew! Sorry, I can't help on your boat question but am anxious to hear what others have to say.

[disneycouple30]

The boat travels from MGM to Epcot with stop at the Dolphin, Yatch and Beach Club, Boardwalk then to EPCOT International Gateway. The trip takes about 20 mins and you can pick up the boat approximately every 15 mins. I'm not sure if the boat goes all the way back to MGM at the close of EPCOT but I figure it probably does, if not you can get off at Boardwalk and walk the 3/4 mile walk along the canal back to the parking lot. Since alot of people go to both parks from MGM I figure that you would probably be taken back to that lot up until 11:00 PM. The same way as if you parked at MK and left after the park closed on tghe monorail. We alway take the boat from MGM to Epcot evry time we are there. It a wonderful ride and we have seen eagle caugthing fish in the canal. We alway eat at boardwalk and it so easy to get there from MGM by boat or from EPCOT.

[Jimbobpetemoss]

We are going to be using WDW transportaion so we won't need to worry about going back to MGM. We'll probably just catch the bus at EPCOT back to our room.

Is walking from MGM to EPCOT an option I wonder? or would that be even longer?

Also, you don't know how hard it has been to keep this trip a secret from my nephew, especially with pretty much everyone but him knowing about it. I was at my sister's house last week double checking our plane reservations online when he came up behind me and started asking me about his Christmas present... I hope that was a coincidence.

[mickey]

Is walking from MGM to EPCOT an option I wonder? or would that be even longer?

The boat from MGM to EPCOT stops at the Swan, Boardwalk and Yacht/Beach Club. You can walk, ever since the new walkway was introduced. There were a couple of threads on this a couple of months ago, just look under walkway, I think. It takes a little less time to walk, since you don't have to stop everywhere. I would say a good 20 minutes to walk, maybe 30 on the boat.