Trip Report: Poly Bungalow Tour (Day 3, Part 2 | July 2021)

 Our window for lunch was open so we wandered to Peco Bill’s Cafe. While we waited for our orders to be ready we noticed the Country Bears were out saying “hi.” Then, we ate our lunch inside the restaurant. I got the nachos, which is always a good choice. 

After lunch, our plan was to ride Splash Mountain and then leave. We got in line (it ended…started…idk) by the parade start. This was very convenient because a Cavalcade came by. I hopped out of line to see the princesses go by. Our wait ended up being about an hour. I’m very proud of our on-ride photo. We’re the two in the back.

We began to mosey on out, but heard a Cavalcade. The CM working the DVC booth in Frontierland said we could stand there. It was an eclectic group of characters led by Gaston on his horse.

Before we left the park, I also bought two pairs of ears because I can’t be stopped.

We wanted to do another DVC tour so we took the boat to the Polynesian. Since we’ve stayed in a studio we asked to just see the bungalow. On the tour I learned “Murphy Bed” is a brand name so Disney doesn’t actually use the term. The more you know. It’s a nice set-up, but a bit underwhelming after the grand villas we toured at the Riviera. I would stay there if someone else paid, but the cost is a bit high for me.

Up Next: An Easy Night

Disney Transportation: Boats

 Boats may be the most beautiful form of transportation at Disney World. Is there anything more beautiful or peaceful than riding on the Friendship boats along the Boardwalk area of resorts?

There are quite a few resorts with boat access. And you can take a boat to three of the four Walt Disney World parks along with Disney Springs. The specific routes will change sometimes depending on crowds, time of year, weather, nad Covid (right now). 

Let’s start with the large ferry boats that go from the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) to the park. This is one of the two ways to get from the TTC/Magic Kingdom parking lot to Magic Kingdom. You can also take a smaller boat from the Magic Kingdom area resorts: Grand Floridian, Contemporary, Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge, and Fort Wilderness.

You can also take a boat to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. These boats actually go between the two so that’s a fun way to park hop. THe hotels on this boat route are Boardwalk, Yacht and Beach Club, and the Swan and Dolphin. 

The final place you can take a boat is to Disney Springs. This is the route that has been most impacted by Covid. The resorts that offer this option are Port Orleans (Riverside and French Quarter), Saratoga Springs, and Old Key West. This is also the route that has the most natural scenery if that’s something you’re looking for.

I really enjoy the boats, but there are some things to remember. They are open-air. I’ve never been too hot on a boat, but I have been very cold. The boats generate some air flow as they go across the water which is nice when it’s hot out, but not so nice when it's 40 or 50 degrees out. It isn’t always the fastest way to travel. They are probably the hardest to use with a scooter (especially the smaller ones). But I say that as someone who has never had to use a wheelchair or scooter.

I also did a video talking about boats if you want to check it out.

Thanks for watching!

Holly