>Floating Magic

>

If you stay in Walt Disney World, the easiest way to get around is Disney Transportation. Most people consider this the Buses that run between everywhere and anywhere in Walt Disney World. There is more to Disney Transportation than the bus. We have already discussed the Monorail, in the Highway in the Sky post. But, there is another Unknown Magic when it comes to transportation. These are the Boats.

The Boats run in Walt Disney World just as the Buses do. They run from Resort to Park or to Downtown Disney on a regular schedule, for this schedule, you should ask at the front desk in your resort, if it is one of the resorts where the boats dock. The Boats run from Downtown Disney to the Old Key West Resort, and to the Port Orleans Resort. There are also boats running from Downtown Disney to the Saratoga Springs Resort. Then there are Boats that run from the Epcot Resorts (Boardwalk, Beach Club, Yacht Club, and The Dolphin and the Swan) to both Epcot and Disney Hollywood Studios. From the Magic Kingdom, you can take a Boat to Fort Wilderness Campground, The Wilderness Lodge, Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian Resorts and the Ticket and Transportation Center.

So, there are many chances for a Boat ride in Walt Disney World. For first time and even some second or third time Disney visitors, this might not seem like a big deal. The thing is the Boats around Walt Disney World are probably the most relaxed mode of transportation. They also usually have fewer passengers than the monorails or the buses (of course this does not include at the end of the day coming from the Magic Kingdom). The Boat ride to the Magic Kingdom is a very relaxed ride, however it is

 also very exciting to come around the dock and see the monorail and the front gates. The Ride to Disney Hollywood Studios and Epcot are different. Relaxing yes, but when you dock, you don’t see any part of the park. It is as if you have taken a shuttle Boat from one place to another on a small island and it is all very calm and peaceful.

The Boats themselves are very special also. There are different kinds of boats. There are Ferries, Water Launches, and Friend-ships. The Ferries run between the Ticket and transportation Center and the Magic Kingdom, The Water Launches run from the Magic Kingdom to the Magic Kingdom Resorts and Fort Wilderness and the Wilderness Lodge. These Water Launches are open boats that carry approximately 35 people. They give you a very soothing ride as you get to hear the water and sounds of nature as you are riding along.

The Friendship Launches in the Epcot Area are enclosed, but you can sit outside on the back of the boat, which is very nice in cooler weather. Taking the Friendship Launches is something you might want to do on a hot day, because they are air conditioned, although sometimes, you don’t think they are. Other times, you might

 want to walk instead of taking the Friendships, because the walking trip to the Epcot Resorts can be quicker than the boat itself.

The boats offer a Magical Experience, because on the buses and also on the Monorails, sometimes they are so crowded, that you can’t sit and talk to your family and review the day or plan for what’s next. On the boats, most of the time, there is a calm peaceful feeling (if not exhausted at the end of the night). This gives you time to talk with your family and decide what to do next or even to talk to the kids about what they enjoyed during the day. It gives you a quality time on top of travel time.

So,now you know, the next time you want to get around in Walt Disney World, decide on a mode of transportation that will give you relaxing Magical Experience, take the Boat.