Wilderness Lodge and leaving the parks

[imgoingtodisney]

Whats the best/quickest way to get back to the WL after Illuminations, MK SpectroMagic/fireworks and Fantasmic? Would it be best to wait after Illuminations and shop at Mousegears? Would it be best to leave after SpectroMagic and be waiting to get onto the WL boat? Any suggestions? Thanks

[drusba]

Quickest way back from Epcot or MGM is bus to WL and from MK the boat. Your question goes to more of whether it is better to hold back and wait for the crowds to disperse before heading for your transport after the park closing event. You can find yourself waiting in a long line for the second or even third transport if you move out with the crowd. We generally like to hold back and wait for crowd to diminish--it does not get you back any faster but it prevents frayed nerves from jostling you might experience in huge crowd.