WL Transportation Question

[fitzperry]

Planning our next trip--probably the week after Thanksgiving 2013--and evaluating resort options. In a couple of threads I've noticed people mention the boat from WL to CR for access to the monorail. Is this a reasonable way to get to Epcot (CR to TTC to Epcot) or are people just mentioning it as a way to access the monorail resorts for their dining and entertainment offerings?

As it is, a garden wing room at the CR is looking like more for the $$ than WL (monorail access and the daybed because my kids don't like to share a bed). I'm surprised that the CR garden wing runs less than a bunk bed room at WL.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Planning our next trip--probably the week after Thanksgiving 2013--and evaluating resort options. In a couple of threads I've noticed people mention the boat from WL to CR for access to the monorail. Is this a reasonable way to get to Epcot (CR to TTC to Epcot) or are people just mentioning it as a way to access the monorail resorts for their dining and entertainment offerings?

As it is, a garden wing room at the CR is looking like more for the $$ than WL (monorail access and the daybed because my kids don't like to share a bed). I'm surprised that the CR garden wing runs less than a bunk bed room at WL.

Yikes! Why can't I edit the title of my post?!!! Just noticed my typo!

If you do the advanced edit, you can fix the typo on the title.

As far as the boat to CR to get the monorail, it is a completely reasonable way to get to Epcot, though it probably takes longer than just hopping on the Epcot bus. I would say that we hit it really good a couple of times, where we went to the boat dock, only waited 5 minutes for the boat to CR, then it's about a 10 minute ride to CR (because it stops at Ft. Wilderness), and then a 5 minute wait for monorail once at CR, and then ride to TTC, and then 5 minute wait for the monorail to Epcot, and then 7-ish minute ride to Epcot...so a total of about 30-40 minutes....but, waits could be longer.

Conversely, if you hit the bus right, then you are 10-15 minutes from Epcot, but if you miss the bus and have to wait 20 minutes for the next one, then you may be about 30 minutes total from getting to Epcot.

We had a very leisurely 11 day trip in July and used the boat to CR to monorail AND the bus option to Epcot about equally. Neither time did we feel that either was excessively long, but we don't tend to worry about that type of thing while on vacation either, so we've never really had any big issues with Disney transportation.

We're just happy not to be driving.

 

[Kae]

Helloo fellow hoosierWe have stayed at WL Twice once without & once with kids. When we stayed without kids we were the farthest room for the bus stop kid you not, so yes we would take the boat to CR, We would sit on the balcony & we could see the boats coming & then we would walk down the stairs & go to the dock much shorter walk, I would get a coffee at the Coffee bar at the CR then we would head out to the busses for the parks, Or go back up to the monorail. Was this a time saver I dont think.

When we went with the kids we were in the lobby area way closer to the bus stop so we used the bus stop most of the time. WE love WL & with the kids bunk beds are great & you will get a balcony at WL. I don't think the CR Garden wing rooms have balconies.

Check out this website http://www.wildernesslodgesite.com/ and they have a link to a CR fan page too.

Kae

 

[siskaren]

Personally, I would say it's not a reasonable way to get to Epcot because you would take the boat to CR, enter the resort, walk upstairs to the monorail platform, take the monorail to the TTC, then transfer to the monorail to Epcot.

 

[traceyw]

Personally, I would say it's not a reasonable way to get to Epcot because you would take the boat to CR, enter the resort, walk upstairs to the monorail platform, take the monorail to the TTC, then transfer to the monorail to Epcot.

I agree. The bus is the best route IMO.

 

[fitzperry]

Thanks for the quick replies!

I don't hate the buses like some do, but I'd much prefer to be on a boat or the monorail. Sounds like it might be a decent option depending on room location. It's always good to have choices.

 

[mickeynut1]

Taking the bus would be the fastest way, but going via boat to CR is definitely another option if you don't mind it taking a little longer . During our WL stays, we usually took the boat to the CR for accessing the monorail to visit the monorail resorts, but it certainly is doable to go that route to get to Epcot. We are never on a schedule when we're on vacation, so we are fine if it takes a little longer getting around. Plus, taking the boat to the CR is relaxing, with beautiful views of the lake along the way .

 

[Lynne M]

It's a possible way to get to Epcot; by no means the fastest way. If you want to go the scenic route, and don't care that it will take significantly longer, it's certainly doable. The one time I did it, I think it took a little over an hour.

 

[Sue M]

I did the boat to CR, monorail to TTC then transfer to Epcot monorail once just for fun. Not an option if you're trying to make rope drop. Direct bus is sig. Faster, no mater your room location.

Taking the Boat to CR for ADR, or boat to MK then transferring to resort bus say if your ADR I'd away from MK area is very handy. We also take the MK boat for Poly & GF dinners, just transfer to GF/Poly boat at MK.

 

[sazzifrazz]

I'm staying at WL next weekend. We have a 9:15 ADR at ohanas. Is it fastest to take boat to CR then monorail to poly...Or boat to mk then monorail to poly

 

[Mousemommy1]

I'm staying at WL next weekend. We have a 9:15 ADR at ohanas. Is it fastest to take boat to CR then monorail to poly...Or boat to mk then monorail to poly

Either one would be about the same...maybe boat to MK/monorail to POLY a little quicker since boat to MK is direct and boat to CR stops at Ft. Wilderness.

Depends on what boat comes first, take that one.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

We stayed at VWL last year and did take the boat to the Contemporary and then hopped the monorail to EPCOT. We did it because we weren't in a hurry and the kids loved the monorail. It definitely was not a timesaver and was a big trek that involved several different steps: WL boat ramp-on boat-off boat-up to monorail level at Contemporary-monorail to TTC-off monorail to switch lines-back onto monorail-to EPCOT. We didn't do it to save time, we did it to have fun and experience something that's classic Disney. I'd say do it once just to say you've experienced the monorail.

 

[hot_mama]

It is a very reasonable way to get there. We detest the busses! We actually enjoy the boat rides and the monorail. Even if we don't save time, we enjoy the ride!

 

[GrandCalifornian]

I'm staying at WL next weekend. We have a 9:15 ADR at ohanas. Is it fastest to take boat to CR then monorail to poly...Or boat to mk then monorail to poly

In the mornings we found that the WL / CR / FW boats often did CR immediately after WL, so that made it a very short quick ride to the CR, where you can get on the monorail and the Poly will be the second stop. Also, once you are at the CR your monorail travel time is the same as for a CR resort guest, so the only additional time is the quick boat ride over from WL.

If you took the MK boat it is a longer boat ride, then you would want to make sure you got on the resort monorail (not the TTC Express one) and then it will take you to CR, then TTC, then the Poly, so we found that if you want to go monorail, getting on at CR worked a little faster.

You do have another option from MK though besides the monorail, once you are there you could take a boat to the Poly, which would be more direct but timing would depend on the wait for a boat.

Enjoy your trip, and your breakfast!

 

[Sue M]

I'm staying at WL next weekend. We have a 9:15 ADR at ohanas. Is it fastest to take boat to CR then monorail to poly...Or boat to mk then monorail to poly

I would either take the boat to CR, then monorail to Poly, or Boat to MK, then Boat to Poly. I'd say take the first boat to arrive at WL!

 

[sazzifrazz]

Oh I should clarify...its a 9:15PM reservation at Ohana's. I think we will just take the boat to CR then mono to Poly and avoid MK. They have PM wishes that night around the same time.