Can you walk from Port Orleans Riverside to Epcot?

[Pokkito]

It has been 13 years since I've been to Disney World and I've never stayed on Disney property in Florida. By the "pretty" illustrated maps, Port Orleans Riverside looks closer to Epcot than the Swan or Dolphin hotel, which I know are walkable to Epcot. So is it possible (and would it be easier) to just walk to Epcot from Port Orleans Riverside?

Side question: I have a reservation for the California Grill for dinner at 9:20pm. Can I arrive early to watch the fireworks from up there?

Thanks.

[evanescence4ever]

Re: Can you walk from Port Orleans Riverside to Epcot?

I believe that Port Orleans is across the highway from EPCOT.
i dont believe that there is a sidewalk, besides, it's quite a walk to epcot even if there was one.

=]

[WDWizard]

Re: Can you walk from Port Orleans Riverside to Epcot?

You can't walk to Epcot from the Port Orleans. Technically you can, but there aren’t any paved walkways to get there. You can, however, walk from the Swan & Dolphin. Driving or taking the bus is your only option

[Ginarella]

Re: Can you walk from Port Orleans Riverside to Epcot?

Exactly what this person said. I suggest you ride the bus. The buses come every 10-15 minutes to board and to let off people at the hotel. Be safe!

[toonaspie]

Re: Can you walk from Port Orleans Riverside to Epcot?

Yacht and Beach Club, Boardwalk, WDW Swan and Dolphin are all in walking distance from either MGM or Epcot.

In fact if you stay at Beach Club, you will literally be on EPCOT's back porch (meaning the alternate entrance to the park through International Gateway).

There are resort maps online that can show you where all the Disney hotels and parks are located throughout the entire resort. I think Port Orleans is considered to be in the Downtown Disney region which is nowhere near EPCOT.

[TrojanSkippa]

Re: Can you walk from Port Orleans Riverside to Epcot?

I've stayed at the P.O Riverside many times, and I can tell you walking to EPCOT is not an option. Toonaspie is correct, P.O Rivrside is technically considered a Downtown Disney Resort, there is a water taxi that takes you from P.O to Downtown Disney. The safest and quickest option is to take the WDW busses.

[aimster]

Re: Can you walk from Port Orleans Riverside to Epcot?

I think Port Orleans is considered to be in the Downtown Disney region which is nowhere near EPCOT.

Yep that's exactly right.

[Pokkito]

Re: Can you walk from Port Orleans Riverside to Epcot?

Sweet, a lot of quick and good responses from you guys. Much appreciated! See you at the bus stop.

[Barbaraann]

Re: Can you walk from Port Orleans Riverside to Epcot?

Looking at the WDW map is fun. It looks like everything is pretty close together. However, WDW is a very large place. Once you learn how the bus system works, you won't have any trouble getting around. Besides, you need to save your walking for all the fun touring that you will be doing at the parks.

[tiggerfan]

Re: Can you walk from Port Orleans Riverside to Epcot?

You cannot walk to Epcot, but you can take the boats to Downtown Disney

[BALASADA]

Re: Can you walk from Port Orleans Riverside to Epcot?

It has been 13 years since I've been to Disney World and I've never stayed on Disney property in Florida. By the "pretty" illustrated maps, Port Orleans Riverside looks closer to Epcot than the Swan or Dolphin hotel, which I know are walkable to Epcot. So is it possible (and would it be easier) to just walk to Epcot from Port Orleans Riverside?

Side question: I have a reservation for the California Grill for dinner at 9:20pm. Can I arrive early to watch the fireworks from up there?

Thanks.

Sometimes the way the buses run at Port Orleans it would be quicker to walk but no sidewalk. You need to call the California Grill to see if they will let you up early because they stop you at the express elevator to the resturant.

[WDW Monorail]

Re: Can you walk from Port Orleans Riverside to Epcot?

You can walk if you want. Be prepared to wander around for about 2 hours walking through forests and wading through bogs...
:unsure:

[Barbaraann]

Re: Can you walk from Port Orleans Riverside to Epcot?

Isn't there an observation area on the 4th floor, which faces Magic Kingdom, where the fireworks can be viewed?

[BigPigletFan]

Re: Can you walk from Port Orleans Riverside to Epcot?

Isn't there an observation area on the 4th floor, which faces Magic Kingdom, where the fireworks can be viewed?

Yes, there is a location for non-dining guests to view the fireworks.

But if you have dining reservations I would imagine you could check in early and then make your way to back of the restaurant and wait for the fireworks to begin. It's a great viewing location.

[Jerren]

Re: Can you walk from Port Orleans Riverside to Epcot?

You can walk if you want. Be prepared to wander around for about 2 hours walking through forests and wading through bogs...
:unsure:

I think the locals have a name for people who try that.... Gator bait.

[wolfy]

Re: Can you walk from Port Orleans Riverside to Epcot?

We were told that you could easily view the fireworks prior to dinner if you mention it at the main entrance when you check in. I hope so, we have ressies for an evening during the Invasion at 9:10PM (which you don't actually know when you will be seated), so keeping my fingers crossed.

[pinkertonfloyd]

Re: Can you walk from Port Orleans Riverside to Epcot?

Just stay at the French Quarter... it's smaller (easy to get around to all the features, especially in Building #5), and the bus stops their first... so never a problem getting a seat on the bus. Time to Epcot is well under 10 mins last time I was there.

[Kuhio]

Re: Can you walk from Port Orleans Riverside to Epcot?

I was wondering the same thing last week -- at one point, I was under the impression that Disney buses wouldn't start running from Port Orleans French Quarter to Epcot until 8:00, which would have been too late... I really wanted to get to Epcot very early for the 25th. Luckily, I learned that buses actually start running earlier for the princess breakfast in Norway, and -- even better -- there were buses running even earlier than that yesterday, probably because Disney wised up to the number of on-site guests who wanted to be at Epcot's 25th bright and early.

After having taken the bus from Port Orleans to Epcot several times now, I'm very glad I never attempted to walk it...