Hi Margaret,
Foot-power is my family's favorite mode of transportation between
Hollywood Studios and
Epcot. We can walk between the two parks in a leisurely 30 minutes or so and find that preferable to the boats.
Once the boat leaves the dock at Hollywood Studios, it makes three stops enroute to the International Gateway entrance of Epcot: at the Swan and Dolphin; at the Yacht Club and Beach Club; and at the Boardwalk.
In our experience, the boat can take up to twice as long as the walk, especially if you have to wait a few minutes to board.
Let your feet be your guide! If sitting down and resting your tootsies is important before dinner, then by all means, use the boats. Or compromise and take the boat as far as the Swan and Dolphin dock and continue on foot the rest of the way. That will divide your time on the boat and your walking time fairly evenly.
Either way, I'd plan to exit Hollywood Studios an hour before my dinner reservation, a little longer if the reservation is closer to the front of Epcot than to the International Gateway.
This may help you a great deal on your Walt Disney World visit: The
My Disney Experience Mobile App now has a
"Get Directions" feature. You can use it to help you find the quickest route from place to place inside and among the theme parks and resorts.
Thanks for stopping by the Disney Parks Moms Panel with your question. We love helping guests make the most of their Walt Disney World vacations. Enjoy!
Wilma