An FYI from the Transportation Board which will effect ECV users at WL and FW

[clkelley]

Please note the following changes in WDW Watercraft operations on 7 Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake. The WDW Watercraft boat routes to the WL and FWC from the MK have changed effective 11/16/07. Boats to the WL and FWC leave for the World Cruise dock (center dock) at the MK. They now are as follows (See *** below):

Ferry boats operate from the TTC to the MK and return. Depending on the time of day 1 to 3 ferry boats operate. Ferry boats run from 0830 to 45 minutes after the MK closes.

There are 2 Motor Launches (GOLD FLAG) that run from the MK to the GF and Poly before returning to the MK. These launches run from 0830 to 45 minutes after the MK closes.

***The WL is now serviced by 2 Motor Cruisers (RED FLAG) and begin running each day at 0830 and terminate operations about 1 hour after the MK closes. These 2 RED FLAG boats run only between the MK and the WL.

*** The FWC is now serviced by 1 motor cruiser and 1 motor launch (GREEN FLAG) running each day from 0830 until about 1 hour after the MK closes. These boats run only between the MK and the FWC.

The 2 Motor Launches (BLUE FLAG) on Bay Lake serving the CR, WL and the FWC begin service at 0645 daily. They both run clockwise until 3 p.m. and then reverse direction at 3 p.m. These launches run until 2330.

***NOTE: If you want to go to the GF/Poly from the WL, CR or FWC by boat, you will have to go to the MK and then get the Gold flag launch. In addition, there is no boat that goes directly from the CR to the MK, GF or Poly. Additional boats may be added to the Gold, Green, Red and Blue routes during periods of exceptionally high demand - like at heavy MK closings - to alleviate the guest lines at the docks. Additionally for all motor launches, strollers must be folded prior to boarding and ECVs cannot be accommodated on motor launches under any circumstances.

What this means for ECV users and wheelchair users that can't transfer, is there is no longer a Motor Cruiser going between Ft. Wilderness and Wilderness lodge, only the motor launch which is not accessible.

So, to get to/from Ft. Wilderness/Wilderness Lodge in an ECV/roll-on wheelchair is to take the bus that goes back and forth from Settlement at Ft. Wilderness to Wilderness Lodge OR take the walking path between the two resorts OR

take a Motor Cruiser to MK, then transfer to another Motor Cruiser to WL/FW

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

When I read the initial post in the transportation board I didn't even think about the ECV issue, thanks for pointing that out.

It also means if you are on the FW/MK route and use an ECV you could have a very long wait if the cruiser just left and the launch is the next to arrive, since the smaller launch will not accomadate an ECV or any one who cannot step down into the boat. Since there is (to the best of my knowledge) no direct bus to/from FW/MK this could be an issue, especially for those going to HDDR or the BBQ.

 

[SueM in MN]

thanks for the heads up.

 

[Caltitan]

...So, to get to/from Ft. Wilderness/Wilderness Lodge in an ECV/roll-on wheelchair is to take the bus that goes back and forth from Settlement at Ft. Wilderness to Wilderness Lodge OR take the walking path between the two resorts OR...

The only walking path I know between WL & FW is the dirt path which I do not recommend for WCs or ECVs as it has some soft sandy sections. I pushed my DD in her custom WC on this path early one morning for some quiet ambiance and it was difficult pushing her through some sections as the wheels would sink in the soft sand.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

The only walking path I know between WL & FW is the dirt path which I do not recommend for WCs or ECVs as it has some soft sandy sections.

There is an alternative route, paved all the way though a little longer. Instead of crossing the road and taking the sand path as you approach the rear of the Lodge, remain on the sidewalk to the end, then turn right and approach the Lodge from the front and go past the bus stops.

Andrew

 

[disneynutz]

There is an alternative route, paved all the way though a little longer. Instead of crossing the road and taking the sand path as you approach the rear of the Lodge, remain on the sidewalk to the end, then turn right and approach the Lodge from the front and go past the bus stops.

Andrew

We had planned to take a launch from WL to Hoop-De-Do and back but it looks like that will be harder now. We do have a car but I was told that the distance from the parking lot at FW to Pioneer Hall was too far. Would it be better to take the paved path? Thanks for your help.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

We had planned to take a launch from WL to Hoop-De-Do and back but it looks like that will be harder now. We do have a car but I was told that the distance from the parking lot at FW to Pioneer Hall was too far. Would it be better to take the paved path? Thanks for your help.

The path is not lit, so it may not be a good way home. There is a bus that regularly runs between the WL and FW, that would probably be your best bet for the HDDR.

 

[toonjie]

Thanks for this great info. That kind of changes my plan. We are seeing the 7:15pm Hoop De Doo show and then have a sleigh ride at WL at 9:30, so I have around 30 min. to get from FW to WL after the show from what I understand. We have a rental car and my mom has an ECV, but can walk short distances and can transfer to a WC. My original plan was to park at WL, (since we have plenty of time before the show), and then take the boat to FW and return after the show via boat as well since the sleigh ride starts near the marina I believe. Is this plan still doable? Is there a better one?

 

[clkelley]

Thanks for this great info. That kind of changes my plan. We are seeing the 7:15pm Hoop De Doo show and then have a sleigh ride at WL at 9:30, so I have around 30 min. to get from FW to WL after the show from what I understand. We have a rental car and my mom has an ECV, but can walk short distances and can transfer to a WC. My original plan was to park at WL, (since we have plenty of time before the show), and then take the boat to FW and return after the show via boat as well since the sleigh ride starts near the marina I believe. Is this plan still doable? Is there a better one?

Parking at WL is fine. But instead of a boat between FTW and WL, you would need to take the bus between FTW and WL.

 

[toonjie]

Thanks. How far is it from Hoop De Doo to the bus station? Would we have to transfer to and from and internal FTW bus to the bus that goes between FTW and WL?

 

[clkelley]

Thanks. How far is it from Hoop De Doo to the bus station? Would we have to transfer to and from and internal FTW bus to the bus that goes between FTW and WL?

Just a short walk down a sidewalk. No need for internal buses at FtW.

I think it is a longer trek from the WL bus stop to their marina.

However, there is definitely an accessible path from the WL bus stop to the WL marina, just might be a bit roundabout as I do recall stairs the last time I went from the WL bus stop to their marina.

 

[toonjie]

Thanks. Sounds like the bus stops at Settlement Trading Post? If so, that wouldn't be far at all. How often do the busses run between FTW and WL? Do you have experience that they are pretty consistent with the schedule?

 

[clkelley]

Thanks. Sounds like the bus stops at Settlement Trading Post? If so, that wouldn't be far at all. How often do the busses run between FTW and WL? Do you have experience that they are pretty consistent with the schedule?

Not sure, but I think the Orange Settlement bus becomes the WL bus, then runs to WL, then back to FTW, then becomes Orange Outpost when returning to FTW. So about every 20 - 25 minutes.

 

[toonjie]

Maybe I should stick with the original plan except get a wheelchair for her at WL and use that to wheel her to the boat. Do they allow wheelchairs on the boat? Or I could leave the wheelchair and get another one at FTW, if they have them at Pioneer Hall.

 

[clkelley]

Maybe I should stick with the original plan except get a wheelchair for her at WL and use that to wheel her to the boat. Do they allow wheelchairs on the boat? Or I could leave the wheelchair and get another one at FTW, if they have them at Pioneer Hall.

I would stick with using the ECV and take the bus. It won't be any faster using the boat, and they only have wheelchairs at the resorts for guests of that resort, and it's a first come-first served basis, and I bet if they have any at the Fort, they'll be out at Outpost Reception. Also, you can take folding wheelchairs on the launches, but if you get one at WL, you are not guaranteed that it will be folding.

 

[Schmeck]

Can they park at WL if they are going to Fort Wilderness? I thought you were not allowed to park at another resort unless you were dining there, etc, and you could only stay for a few hours. How long is the visitor's pass for? Would it cover the time for HDD and the sleigh ride?

 

[clkelley]

It's not really a big deal at WL. They are doing the sleigh ride at WL, so they are spending money there. Parking is not as tight at WL as it is at the Contemporary and Polynesian.

Heck, we've parked at the Contmporary, had breakfast at Chef Mickeys, then took a boat over to WL, wandered around there, then boated to Ft. Wilderness, wandered around there, then back to the Contemporary. No problems.