? about WL boats

[jmkst58]

Can someone tell me about the boat transportation at the WL? What kinds of boats run from the WL to MK & from the WL to the Contemporary? Do they run often enough? Are they fast/slow moving? Enjoyable? Are you asked to fold up strollers? Thanks in advance. Any help is appreciated. THANKS!

 

[jmkst58]

Oh yes....and can anyone comment on how far of a walk it is from the villas to the boat dock? Thanks!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

The boats with the blue flag run from WL to CR to FW, over and over. The green flag boats run from MK to FW to WL, over and over. HOWEVER, a couple of times when we got on the green boat it went from WL to FW and then to MK?? So I'm not sure what was going on with that?

Leaving MK at closing time they usually have separate boats going to WL and FW... but on occasion they were combined. So be prepared for changes.

One day we took the boat to CR and walked to MK. It was far!

 

[campinggal]

Ah....Punxsutawney, PA...could you put a word in with the ground hog to not see his shadow???

Sorry, couldn't resist! It was 5 degrees at our house (in NH) this morning.

Regarding the boats- I found the transportation by boat very enjoyable. Didn't think they went fast or slow- just the right speed- they do have to slow way down as they go between the shore and a small island but other than that, it seems average speed.

There are two size boats that are used for WL transportation- the larger size goes WL to MK and is sometimes shared with FW. I think the sharing depends on the crowds. When it is shared it might go FW-WL-MK or WL-FW-MK- I couldn't figure out a set pattern back in October. They run about every 20 minutes. The MK boat can easily accomodate an average size stroller and I don't think they required them to be folded- some folks did.

The boat that goes from WL to CR is also sometimes shared with FW. Similar to the patter I mentioned above. This boat is much smaller and would certainly need strollers folded up.

Regarding distance from Villas- I would think it would be a bit of a walk. The boat dock is on the MK side of the Lodge (sort of) and the Villas are on the opposite side.

Hope that helps!

Have a great time!!

 

[jel0511]

There are two types of boats that go from WL. The WL - CR - FW loop are the smaller type of boats that need to have strollers folded up to get on, you have to "step down" into them. The boats used on the WL - FW - MK loop are larger and strollers only need to be folded up when the boat is EXTREMELY crowded. I've rolled a double side by side on and never had a problem. The walk from the Villas to the boat dock is no longer than 2 or 3 minutes. There is a back door to the villas located by the quiet pool. Just walk around the pool, and around the pool at the WL, and you're at the dock. You don't have to cut through the lobby at the WL at all to get to the dock. Now, that's a MUCH longer trek.

 

[jmkst58]

Wow!! Now that's what I call service. EXTREMELY helpful information. Thank you all so much.

Campinggal- After our 7 degree day yesterday...I started scheming a way to persuade him. Finally...I just gave up, broke down & booked a late winter trip to WDW. I swear....WDW is the answer to everything. I feel warmer already.

 

[Geoff_M]

Be forewarned that the MK boats run the following route in the mornings: MK-FW-WL-MK At busier times there may be little or no space left on the boat by the time it reaches WL. In the afternoon they reverse the route. My wife and I were at WL last June and here's what we did...

The smaller resort/resort boats start running earlier than the MK boats. We arrived at the WL dock about 50 minutes before MK opened. There were about 12 people waiting in front of us, and a long line developed behind us in short order. I had a bad feeling about the MK boat given some of the stories I've read here about the WL/MK boats at opening, and about 45 minutes before MK opening the first boat to the CR pulled up. Everyone just stood there. I decided to seize the oppertunity and use the bird-in-the-hand and we hopped the CR boat. In less than 5 minutes we were at the CR and then hopped the monorail to MK. We got there about 15 minutes before opening.

 

[jmkst58]

Great tip Geoff_M. Thanks!