Dear Meredith,
Thank you so much for stopping by to visit us here at the Disney Parks Moms Panel with your great question about planning ahead to use water transportation from
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa!
Using
water transportation to the Magic Kingdom is one of my favorite perks of staying at one of the Walt Disney World Resort hotels that is located on the monorail! It just makes everything feel so magical!
The boat runs frequently back and forth from the Magic Kingdom to Disney's Polynesian Village Resort and to Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. It starts operation about 30 minutes before park opening and until about 90 minutes after park close. Though strollers can be accommodated, ECVs cannot be accommodated on this boat. Guests in wheelchairs can board if they can transfer out of the wheelchair themselves and are able to take the couple steps down into the boat. It takes about 20 minutes for the boat to do the loop and there are typically two boats operating at a time, so you can expect to wait about 10 or 15 minutes between boats. Of course, weather will impact the use of water transportation, but Cast Members will clearly tell you if the boats are running or not so you won't wait in vain.
If you are looking for the path to the boat, head down between Conch Key and Narcoossee's, and you are sure to see it!
Hope that helps with your magical planning!
- Jan K.