Best parking strategy for evening at Fort Wilderness ?

[shh]

Hi everyone: what do you think the best parking area would be for bus transportation to Fort Wilderness - MK, Disney Springs or elsewhere? ("Best" meaning lowest chances of long lines/gridlock/delays with regular buses departing during evening hours.)

We'd love to spend 1-2 hours strolling FW during our holiday trip to WDW, seeing decorated cabins and campsites. It's a nostalgic thing - we did it every year when family stayed there.

But this time, we're not staying or doing HDD dinner and hoping to avoid a steep $25+ or whatever it is to park as a visitor for 1-2 hrs. We are AP holders and hoping to take advantage of our complimentary parking at one of the theme parks - or park at Disney Springs.

(I checked w/WDW guest relations as I didn't want to break any rules and they said there was absolutely no problem at all: it was fine to park at one of the theme parks and take the transportation over.)

Am I better off going from MK or DS?

Thanks for your input!

 

[Sjm9911]

I think if you come from MK tou can take the boat over, to me thats better then a bus ride.

 

[shh]

didn't even think of that! It's a MVMCP night at MK - does that change your advice at all?

 

[wvasweetness]

I think if you come from MK tou can take the boat over, to me thats better then a bus ride.

I agree with this

 

[dacraig09]

Remember you can’t park at MK. You would park at the TTC and then you would have to take the monorail or ferry to MK, and then get on a bus or boat to the Fort. If you aren’t planning on visiting a park I’d suggest parking at DS and taking a bus

 

[kaytieeldr]

I think if you come from MK tou can take the boat over, to me thats better then a bus ride.

No. The advice is even more appropriate, since you can be 100% certain that Mississippi from MK until after midnight.

Park at MK. Monorail to Park, boat to FW. Reverse for return

Even better, if staying onsite: bus to MK, boat to FW, reverse to go back to resort

 

[shh]

No. The advice is even more appropriate, since you can be 100% certain that Mississippi from MK until after midnight.

Park at MK. Monorail to Park, boat to FW. Reverse for return

Even better, if staying onsite: bus to MK, boat to FW, reverse to go back to resort

Thanks for posting! My apologies, but I didn't quite understand your entire reply - what were you disgreeing with when you said "no"? Any reason you'd recommend against parking at Disney Springs as an earlier poster recommended (to avoid the double hop - i.e., TTC to MK trek, then the boat/bus to FW?) Thanks again!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Park at Disney Springs and take the bus to Fort Wilderness. It will drop you off at the bus depot near the main entrance. There are three internal buses and all three of them will take you to the Settlement area. This is where the restaurants, a great playground, the beach, marina, and gift shop are located.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Thanks for posting! My apologies, but I didn't quite understand your entire reply - what were you disgreeing with when you said "no"? Any reason you'd recommend against parking at Disney Springs as an earlier poster recommended (to avoid the double hop - i.e., TTC to MK trek, then the boat/bus to FW?) Thanks again!

Understandable. I meant to QUOTE your question ("didn't even think of that! It's a MVMCP night at MK - does that change your advice at all?" ) And I don't remember what Mississippi was auto"corrected" from. Probably MVMCP.

Anyway, you need two modes of transport no matter how you travel. One suggestion I haven't seen yet - drive to FW, then internal bus to the desired section.

 

[Sjm9911]

Some people have reported being turned away from parking at the fort without a reservation for something. Just a fyi.

 

[Hopefully]

Anyway, you need two modes of transport no matter how you travel. One suggestion I haven't seen yet - drive to FW, then internal bus to the desired section.
[/QUOTE]
It has been reported that the FW parking lot is closed unless you have a reservation during the ongoing construction

 

[Luxurious_Lumiere]

I would definitely park at MK. Obviously, it would be most ideal if you are spending time in that park too, but even if you dont step foot in MK, it would be better imo.

From MK you can take a boat. In addition to this being a really peaceful ride and a fun/different way of getting around, it will drop you off at the Marina. So you'll be right near Davey Crockett's Tavern, the horses, the water pageant if you're there at night. The parking lots by the marina and HDDR will be filled with decorated golf carts. If you are coming from Disney Springs, the bus ride is a long one. And you will also be dropped off at the front away from the action of the Settlement (where you'll need to take the internal bus or do LOTS of walking). Of course, you said you want to walk around the grounds for a while, so perhaps you don't mind or are planning for lots of walking through the campground. But it seems much more "magical" to do the boat trip. Just make sure you aren't timing a departure around the fireworks so as to avoid gridlock in the TTC parking lot.

 

[shh]

Appreciate the input: everyone mentioned some good options!

MK seems the best experience-wise (just worried about big TTC tram & monorail crowds in Dec given it'll be a week after SW's 2nd ride opens + MVMCP.)

DS feels simplest (park in garage, enjoy dinner at DS, 1 bus over - no dealing with theme park crowds, but as someone pointed out, it's a longer ride. Wouldn't have to worry about fireworks timing though.)

Walking is no problem: we love to walk and used to walk the 1-2 miles from front to back of campgrounds, so don't need to arrive at any one spot.

Thanks again!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Appreciate the input: everyone mentioned some good options!

MK seems the best experience-wise (just worried about big TTC tram & monorail crowds in Dec given it'll be a week after SW's 2nd ride opens + MVMCP.)

DS feels simplest (park in garage, enjoy dinner at DS, 1 bus over - no dealing with theme park crowds, but as someone pointed out, it's a longer ride. Wouldn't have to worry about fireworks timing though.)

Walking is no problem: we love to walk and used to walk the 1-2 miles from front to back of campgrounds, so don't need to arrive at any one spot.

Thanks again!

Actually the bus from Disney Springs to Fort Wilderness is a short ride 10 to 15 minutes at the most. If you look at a map you can see that.