Wilderness Lodge Boat to MK

[christy08]

Hi ~ I keep reading complaints about the length of the boat ride to/from WL to MK. How long is it? Is it really that bad? Do you really have wait a long time for one? Do they keep to a regular schedule of any kind?

Also, do the boats stop at FW everytime, or are there just certain boats that do?

We're leaving in a week and we were planning to use WDW transporation (especially the boat service), and I"m wondering if we need to rent a car instead? Help!

Christy

 

[lopez]

Oh, I think you will love it. It's very convenient, takes about 15 minutes and is very pleasant.

 

[tardin1964]

The boat from WL to MK is now a direct one. It no longer stops at FW. The actual ride itself is about 12 minutes or so. Like most WDW transportation if you just miss a boat or a bus you may have to wait 10, 15 or 20 minutes for the next one.

That being said, I think the best kept transportation secret about the WL is that there is also a direct bust from WL to MK. It is a 5 minute ride. If you do miss the WL bus the most you usually have to wait for the next bus is about 10 minutes since MK is so close to WL.

The bus ride isn't as pretty or relaxing as the boat. But if you want to get to MK as fast as possible it is the most reliable.

Also, there are times when it is busy that the line to the boat is so long that every now and then you may not fit on the boat that is loading and have to wait for the next one. I have never seen the WL bus so crowded that you couldn't get on the bus.

 

[christy08]

WOW -- that is some GREAT information. Thank you soo much for sharing. I feel better about the transportation now. Thank you!!

Just 9 more days....

 

[GoofyFairie]

We have never had issues w/ the transportation at the WL. The boat ride is one of the main reasons we like WL. I find it very relaxing, especially after a day at MK. You are going to have a wonderful stay at the Lodge.

 

[jerseymom473]

Don't worry about needing a car. The boat is great and the buses were fine the whole time we were there. You will love the WL. Try Artist Point if you get the chance. Roaring Forks has good quick service meals! Enjoy!!! Have a wonderful trip!

 

[pepe of ohio]

Don't worry about needing a car. The boat is great and the buses were fine the whole time we were there. You will love the WL. Try Artist Point if you get the chance. Roaring Forks has good quick service meals! Enjoy!!! Have a wonderful trip!

and we've taken 41 trips to WDW since 1977. The Lodge is our favorite deluxe, last 10 stays here. Catch the boat to FW and Trail's End has some of the best breakfast and dinner buffet on property and cheapest along with Crocketts Tavern, good pizza, relaxing atmosphere and hardly a sole in the place, our happy place to spend a quiet evening.

 

[Kae]

One time when we stay at WL we were in the furthest room form the bus stop, kid you not but we could here & see the boats from our balcony so we would know when to go to the dock. Sometime we would take the boat to the CR & then the monorail to MK, it wasn't really any shorter & more walking but the CR has a Coffee Bar so I could get a decent cup of joe in the mornings.

Kae

 

[bas71873]

Hi ~ I keep reading complaints about the length of the boat ride to/from WL to MK. How long is it? Is it really that bad? Do you really have wait a long time for one? Do they keep to a regular schedule of any kind?

Also, do the boats stop at FW everytime, or are there just certain boats that do?

We're leaving in a week and we were planning to use WDW transporation (especially the boat service), and I"m wondering if we need to rent a car instead? Help!

Christy

NO COMPLAINTS HERE. We just returned last Monday and the boat rides to and from MK were EXCELLENT. Beats the busses by far. There are 2 boats at WL...one only goes back & forth between WL and MK and that takes about 5 minutes. We never waited more than 5 or 10 minutes for that bus to arrive on either side. We never used the other bus, but I believe that one goes to FW first and then I have no idea what it does from there

Don't sweat the boats. They were GREAT and now I think I'm spoiled for life!!!

 

[rie'smom]

That being said, I think the best kept transportation secret about the WL is that there is also a direct bust from WL to MK. It is a 5 minute ride. If you do miss the WL bus the most you usually have to wait for the next bus is about 10 minutes since MK is so close to WL.

Where is the bus stop? I was thinking about driving to the MK but if we can get there in 5 minutes w/out sharing a bus, that sounds better.

 

[Katems]

The thing about the boats though, that can be really frustrating, is the 'no wake' rule near the Contemporary. You're so anxious to get there and then you C R A W L thru one part of it. I much prefer the bus.

 

[kaybird]

Like Pepe, we never use a car. Think the transportation overall is great. The boat ride is super, we take it often, even when not staying at WL. They have a terrific sandwich at Roaring forks, went there twice in Sept!

 

[Kae]

Where is the bus stop? I was thinking about driving to the MK but if we can get there in 5 minutes w/out sharing a bus, that sounds better.

Don't forget once you get to the MK parking lot you have monorail or ferry to the MK.

Kae

 

[rie'smom]

Don't forget once you get to the MK parking lot you have monorail or ferry to the MK.

Kae

That's true! Thank-you!!!!

 

[Mrs D]

I stayed at VWL Sept 7 -12 with 2 kids in strollers and FIL on a ECV scooter. We used the boats to MK exclusively!
There are 2 docks from WL; one to MK and one to FW. There are 2 types of boats that service MK a larger yacht type boat that you can roll a stroller or ECV onto and a smaller tinder type boat. An ECV can't do the tinder boat, but you may fold your strollers to take on this boat. We never waited more than 10 minutes for a boat and only had to wait for a larger boat once when FIL was with us. My kids (3 & 1) loved the boat ride and I think they were more content on it versus the buses.

Have a fabulous trip and say HI to the ducks that swim in the swimming pool!

 

[christy08]

Thank you for all the great posts. I feel much better about the boat. My kids are very excited about it, so no car for us then!

Getting very excited to go -- 8 days!!

 

[Carol Ann]

I am one of those get there way before rope drop people. I remember on my last trip that the first boat for MK didn't leave WL until about 8:30 and got us in at about 8:45 on a normal rope drop day...is that still the case?

 

[bas71873]

I am one of those get there way before rope drop people. I remember on my last trip that the first boat for MK didn't leave WL until about 8:30 and got us in at about 8:45 on a normal rope drop day...is that still the case?

I believe the boat to MK starts 1 hour prior to opening (at least that is what I read somewhere and I can't remember where now )....we never did it because we had early breakfast ressies at CP so we did the bus for our MK morning which worked out fine too?

 

[Endeavour105]

For up-to-date info on WDW Watercraft operations on Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon, see the following link:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1646456

 

[eliza61]

Hi ~ I keep reading complaints about the length of the boat ride to/from WL to MK. How long is it? Is it really that bad? Do you really have wait a long time for one? Do they keep to a regular schedule of any kind?

Also, do the boats stop at FW everytime, or are there just certain boats that do?

We're leaving in a week and we were planning to use WDW transporation (especially the boat service), and I"m wondering if we need to rent a car instead? Help!

Christy

LONG time You gotta be kidding me. It's a 8 minute boat ride. No worries on this one.