Is the bus system at WL really that bad?

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

I've read that the WL bus system is very convoluted. Is that really the case or is it just hearsay?? I know it's got the boat for MK, but other than that, does it take really long to get to the other parks?? We are thinking of staying there for our next trip (currently booked at POFQ) but I don't want to spend a long time on buses either. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. TIA!

 

[pjs755]

We have stayed at WL three times. The buses are roughly equal to any others. Some routes are shared with the GF, others don't seem to be. The first 2 times we stayed at WL the only way to get to MK was the boat. Now there is a bus as well, which helps a lot. We loved the WL, you should go for it.

Paul

 

[Br'er Soap]

WL has a great bus system, the only better ones are that of AKL (which never has ANY other stops). (also, CS is usually pretty good, if you want to go moderate)

 

[pepe of ohio]

Last few stays were at the WL, buses were alittle slow, it seemed, at times but actually looking at my watch, came when they say, 15-20 minutes, really no different than any other resort. We've stayed on property 40x and all transportation is about the same. Sometimes fast, others alittle late but its there. Last trip to WL, Janruary 2008, buses seems real fast, maybe the GPS system is working out, or fewer guests during our stay but we like the Lodge for the boat to the MK and FW. we also boat to the Cr to gain monorail access to EPCOT. Being one of the cheaper resorts in the MK area, we get around just fine and have never needed a car while on vacation. So you might wait an extra 10 minutes for a DTD bus, its like the luck of the draw going down to the bus stop and seeing the bus you wanted just pull out, you sit the time allotted and wait, no big deal, another one is coming soon.

 

[kapoof]

the bus to the mk is very quick but other than that it can take awhile. i really didn't like sharing with fw to epcot, you have to back track, and it take a bit longer. but it is a very nice resort. have a great trip!

 

[mpbs]

I was there last in April for Easter (crowded), and the transportation was great. I have no complaints with the boats or busses.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

I have stayed in all but three of the Disney Resort, all of the three resorts I haven't stayed in shared buses with resorts I have stayed at so as far as the buses I have done them all.

Sometimes it will seem that you wait forever for your bus when in actuality it's rarely even 20 minutes, the buses at Wilderness Lodge are no better nor worst than any other resort.

Over on the Wilderness Lodge FAQ I tried to post my experiences with the buses, the information is located on page 1.

Bus:
Because everyone seems to question the Bus Service @ Wilderness Lodge I’m going to attempt to post my experiences during my many stays at the Lodge:

Magic Kingdom/Ft Wilderness Campground Buses:
This bus stop shares buses that travel to the Magic Kingdom (Direct route to and from Magic Kingdom) and a second bus that travels to Ft Wilderness Campground this bus goes to the Settlement Depot. (Pioneer Hall/Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue Show) You may ask the driver which location they are going to before boarding.
*Note: The Direct Bus runs between Wilderness Lodge and the Magic Kingdom until after the Magic Kingdom closes then reverts back to the old route to TTC so depending on when your trip is and when the MK closes this could be another option to travel from the Monorail Resorts to or from Wilderness Lodge after normal park hours.

MGM Studio Bus:
This bus arrives @ The Wilderness Lodge first, and then travels to Ft. Wilderness Campground the Settlement Depot. Using this back route the bus doesn’t travel to the front of the Campground (Pioneer Hall/Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue Show) this extra stop only takes a few minutes.
Returning from MGM the bus travels directly to The Wilderness Lodge then continues to Settlement Depot.

EPCOT Bus:
This bus arrives @ The Wilderness Lodge first, and then travels via Vista Blvd. to Outpost Depot at the front entrance of Ft. Wilderness Campground for guest staying at the campgrounds. This may take up to an additional 10 min.
Returning from EPCOT the bus travels directly to The Wilderness Lodge then continues back to the Outpost Depot.

Animal Kingdom/Blizzard Beach Bus:
This bus arrives @ Wilderness Lodge first, then travels via Seven Seas Drive to the Grand Floridian to board guest, then travels to Blizzard Beach then Animal Kingdom.
Returning from Animal Kingdom the bus stops first @ Blizzard Beach for guest returning to the resorts. Then goes on to Wilderness Lodge followed by the Grand Floridian.

Downtown Disney/Typhoon Lagoon:
This bus arrives @ Wilderness Lodge first, and then travels via Vista Blvd. to Outpost Depot at the front entrance of Ft. Wilderness Campground for guest staying at the campgrounds. This may take up to an additional 10 min. the bus then proceeds to DTD’s Marketplace, Pleasure Island, West Side then Typhoon Lagoon.
Of all the buses this route always takes the longest wait & travel time. This route has to travel in areas with heavy traffic that is off property at times, so please keep this in mind when you take it. I have also heard that this route may also not go to Ft. Wilderness but shares with the Grand Floridian.

*NOTE: With Disney’s On Demand Service Bus Service the routes may change at anytime, during Peak and Off Peak Seasons the routes may also be changed. The above routes I have posted are the routes that have been used on 99% of my visits to the Wilderness Lodge and The Villas @ Wilderness Lodge. I have also encountered new bus drivers that have taken creative liberties with the routes and correct order of each location.

Think of the bus ride as an adventure your children will.

 

[Gabrielsbigtrip]

We stayed last year in May. It was our very first time staying on site and our first experience with Disney transportation.

We took the boat to the MK everytime. It was very relaxing. We also took the boat to the Contemporary for Chef Mickeys.

The buses seemed fine to us. We were there 9 nights and I think we had one time where we seemed to wait a long time and one time where we seemed to be on the bus awhile. I think it was when we went to DTD.

What I can tell you is that if you go to the water parks.....either make sure you are dry or have a change of clothes. The buses were chilly if you get on a little wet and it is a bit of a ride to get back to the resort.

It's a great resort and I just love that boat to MK.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Last few stays were at the WL, buses were alittle slow, it seemed, at times but actually looking at my watch, came when they say, 15-20 minutes, really no different than any other resort. We've stayed on property 40x and all transportation is about the same. Sometimes fast, others alittle late but its there. Last trip to WL, Janruary 2008, buses seems real fast, maybe the GPS system is working out, or fewer guests during our stay but we like the Lodge for the boat to the MK and FW. we also boat to the Cr to gain monorail access to EPCOT. Being one of the cheaper resorts in the MK area, we get around just fine and have never needed a car while on vacation. So you might wait an extra 10 minutes for a DTD bus, its like the luck of the draw going down to the bus stop and seeing the bus you wanted just pull out, you sit the time allotted and wait, no big deal, another one is coming soon.

I see you have stayed onsite 40x times. Were any of those at the CBR? We've stayed there twice and I am wondering how the WL and CBR transportation matches up.

 

[stacy6552]

We have never had a problem. I think it often gets confused with FW, which requires multiple busses because the resort is so big.

 

[splashmtnman]

There are always going to be instances when you have to wait. It seems as though many people only recall the few times that they have had to wait not the many times that the buses were quick. We had read many negatives about transportation to and from AKL but when we stayed there last Dec. there were no problems at all. We are staying at WL in Aug. Just remember if you are having to wait at least you are waiting at WDW!!!!!!

 

[jess20k]

We just got back from our trip a few weeks ago. It wasn't too bad, but at times it wasn't the best. Overall, it would not deter us from staying at WL again. Most of the time we did have to share with FW, but the bus always picked up and dropped off at WL first. So, it is actually similar to the service you would have at POFQ, because we have stayed there as well, and the bus usually stops at POR after FQ. So, I would say that WL and FQ have very similar service. WL has the boat to the MK, which was so nice. It did take longer than the bus to the MK, but the days that we were not in any hurry, we would take the boat.

Honestly, the way the buses are anymore, it can vary so much. I think the bus service overall needs to be better, but we have to deal with it as it is, until it changes. It can be very frustrating at times, but I would honestly say that WL is no worse than any of the other resorts. Plus, it is a lovely resort!!!

 

[supersuperwendy]

We are actually not going back to the port orleans resorts because we hated the bus so much! We are going to be at VWL and I'm hoping for a better transportation situation!

 

[Bracho]

I was there for 16 day in Nov/DEC and we never had one problem.. never waited more then 5 mintues either...We must have gotten very lucky

 

[mickeysmyboy]

We stayed at WL in October 06. We thought the buses were good and the boat to MK was great! The boat ride was sooo relaxing! We never had any problem waiting to take a bus from the resort to a park. The always came within 5 or 10 minutes. We wait forever (30 - 40 minutes) for a bus from AK back to WL. But, there was breakdown or something that caused the problem.

WL is a wonderful resort! We can't wait to stay there again!