Another Hoop Dee Doo transportation question.

[saxman]

We are staying at BWV - not that it matters. We are driving our own car. Is it better to drive to Fort Wilderness or to take a bus that will make more stops on its way to MK? I was also thinking that we might drive to WL or CR and take the boat from there instead or MK.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

no car parking at HDDR, so if you drive you park at front of campground and have to take an internal bus to other end of campground. bus will make stops at loops it goes by on way there if others on bus or waiting for bus. after show you will have to return on internal bus to front to get to your car. in case you would decide to walk it is about 1 mile from end to end

 

[saxman]

Anyone tried parking at WL or CR and taken the boat?

 

[wdwrich]

CR parking is usually under strict control and you are only supposed to park there (limit 3 hours) when dining at CR itself.
Not being as close to MK, the parking at WL is probably a better option.

 

[sotoalf]

We should point out that the bus ride from the front of the campground to Pioneer Hall isn't long at all.

 

[grimley1968]

I'd just park at the front of FW and take the internal bus. It's simpler and quicker than any other option unless you happened to be at MK already.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

time spent on internal bus depends on how many of the loops are stopped at, we have had it takeover 10 minutes from one end to other and that does not count the 15 minute wait for the bus. but the longest wait was getting back to the front when show ended one night as we were returning from MK. buses were delayed with the resort buses waiting to make sure all guests were taken care of. seemed to be forever before internal buses could get in to pick up, I could not use the golf cart as I had ECV. golf cart was back at site 30 minutes ahead of me and we got off same boat from MK

 

[HelenParr]

I like the idea of parking at WL and boating over. You get the fun of the boat, without the hassle of the fort's internal bus stops.

 

[grimley1968]

I like the idea of parking at WL and boating over. You get the fun of the boat, without the hassle of the fort's internal bus stops.

Normally I'd recommend this, but I'd be worried about the 3-hour limit for parking by non-WL guests. Getting to HDDR early enough to look around the Settlement area, the playground, etc., sitting through HDDR and then leaving at a less than hurried pace could push that 3-hour limit.

However, of the 3 times we've seen HDDR, we were staying at WL all 3 times, so it really is nice to hop on the boat to FW and then have less than a 5-minute walk to Settlement Hall.

 

[wdwrich]

Normally I'd recommend this, but I'd be worried about the 3-hour limit for parking by non-WL guests. Getting to HDDR early enough to look around the Settlement area, the playground, etc., sitting through HDDR and then leaving at a less than hurried pace could push that 3-hour limit.

However, of the 3 times we've seen HDDR, we were staying at WL all 3 times, so it really is nice to hop on the boat to FW and then have less than a 5-minute walk to Settlement Hall.

They aren't quite as strict at WL about parking. If you tell the guard at the booth that you are heading to HDDR (and not going to MK), you may well be allowed to park there. Of course as with many things Disney, it just may depend upon who is on duty that day.

 

[sotoalf]

Parking at WL will also depend on time of year.

 

[wdwrich]

Parking at WL will also depend on time of year.

No doubt.

 

[keishashadow]

They aren't quite as strict at WL about parking. If you tell the guard at the booth that you are heading to HDDR (and not going to MK), you may well be allowed to park there. Of course as with many things Disney, it just may depend upon who is on duty that day.

the guards always make us produce our DVC cards, but we are shifty looking sorts.

can you imagine how many times a day the guards hear: "I want to park here but don't plan on heading over to MK?" Perhaps showing a printout of ADR confirmation or producing a DVC card & indicating you are planning on pool hopping to the quiet pool (rather iffy since main one is rehabbing) but it might work. DH & I just discussed that fewer members will be pool hopping to WL since main pool is under construction. Had hoped that parking would be easier this trip and we wouldn't feel the need to valet.

Going out on a limb here perhaps but I'd venture that most owners & guests @ WL don't want to deal with HDD guests taxing self-parking @ WL, not to mention the thought of dealing with increased activity on often already crowded boats over to FW.

OP when u self park @ BW, don't you find it a royal pain to try & find a spot? We have resigned ourselves to valeting since the main lot is crowded and sure not about to walk all the way to the overflow lot where non-guests are supposed to park.

If not staying @ WL, I certainly wouldn't chance trying to park there & be turned away, missing my ADR. Not that I would but if forced to pick between valeting @ WL or CR, Id take my chances at the latter as they don't run out of spaces as I'm told they have plenty of lots for overflow.

 

[Jkpark]

Not trying to hijack but can taxis take you to pioneer hall or only to the front?

 

[wdwrich]

Not trying to hijack but can taxis take you to pioneer hall or only to the front?

Only to the front of Fort Wilderness, then internal bus to Pioneer Hall.

 

[saxman]

Two more questions:

1. Has anyone actuallly parked at WL (not being guests there) and then taken the boat to HDDR?

2. Is boat ride a direct trip or does it make other stops?

 

[sotoalf]

Two more questions:

1. Has anyone actuallly parked at WL (not being guests there) and then taken the boat to HDDR?

2. Is boat ride a direct trip or does it make other stops?

1. I'm sure it's happened.

2. It may go to the Contemporary first.