Blue Flag boats/ferries MK resorts return?

[Lorana]

Have the Blue Flag ferries/boats that go between MK resorts returned?

I just saw that the Hoop de Doo has returned while we’re at Disney at the end of the month. We’re staying at CCV so I’m hoping the boat between WL and FW has returned. Does anyone know?

I presume the FW to WL walking trail is still closed too?

 

[Feigned]

There is a bus that runs between Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness.

 

[Lorana]

Thanks! That’s good to know.

I take it the blue flag ferries/boats haven’t returned?

 

[iteachlit]

I just got back from a week at Copper Creek. The MK area resorts (excluding Contemporary) have direct boat service to the MK. At the Wilderness Lodge, we would occasionally get a boat that was also stopping at Fort Wilderness, most likely to help get people to Hoop-Dee-Doo.

As the PP mentioned, there is also a bus from WL to FW.

 

[Feigned]

I honestly didn’t see a boat that went to Fort Wilderness and the only two times I used the boat to MK, it went directly there and then back to WL on the return with no other stops. The bus seemed to be the sure bet to me as it came pretty frequently. Enjoy your trip!

 

[Mrs.AMC]

It's been said by boat drivers that this route will not return. For whatever that's worth

 

[Simba's Mom]

It's been said by boat drivers that this route will not return. For whatever that's worth

That would be a shame! In the past, if you're at MK in the morning, then want to "escape" over to Trail's End for a late breakfast (they're open until noon according to the website) you could just leave MK and hop on one boat to get there. Now you need to take a bus to WL, then another bus to FW.

 

[iteachlit]

That would be a shame! In the past, if you're at MK in the morning, then want to "escape" over to Trail's End for a late breakfast (they're open until noon according to the website) you could just leave MK and hop on one boat to get there. Now you need to take a bus to WL, then another bus to FW.

There is a boat running directly between Fort Wilderness and the Magic Kingdom.

 

[Sandisw]

That would be a shame! In the past, if you're at MK in the morning, then want to "escape" over to Trail's End for a late breakfast (they're open until noon according to the website) you could just leave MK and hop on one boat to get there. Now you need to take a bus to WL, then another bus to FW.

I think the boats people are referring to are the ones that did the loop between CR, WL and Ft. Wilderness. They did not go to MK at all...those boats are different and still exist, but was a way to get between those three resorts. You caught them at the dock at the CR, left side at WL, and one of the sides at Ft. Wilderness.

 

[Simba's Mom]

There is a boat running directly between Fort Wilderness and the Magic Kingdom.

Great news!

 

[DonMacGregor]

I think with the return of ridiculously popular Hoop Dee Doo, there will be a real need for that Blue Flag route again so we'll see if that changes anything. Prior to Hoop Dee Doo coming back, there really was no reason for that shuttle route to run, and a direct boat from FW to MK and back was all that was really needed.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We went to Hoop Dee Doo on July 3 from BLT, and woukd have loved to get on a little boat to FW. We wound up taking a car and then an internal FW bus.

 

[CraigInPA]

We went to Hoop Dee Doo on July 3 from BLT, and woukd have loved to get on a little boat to FW. We wound up taking a car and then an internal FW bus.

I haven't caught the blue flag CR-WL-FW boat for years, but recall it to be quite a time saver. The last time we went to HDDR, we walked from BLT to MK, went through security screening, and got the boat from MK to FW. Returning was as easy as going. I suspect it's a lot faster than driving and catching the bus.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I understand, but if I had to go to MK, I would need the ECV. A walker was good enough for the car and internal bus.

 

[PalmettoPath]

I think the boats people are referring to are the ones that did the loop between CR, WL and Ft. Wilderness. They did not go to MK at all...those boats are different and still exist, but was a way to get between those three resorts. You caught them at the dock at the CR, left side at WL, and one of the sides at Ft. Wilderness.

We were told by a CM that these routes/boats were coming back, once they had hired and trained enough captains to fill the void of those who left during covid. Apparently a number of them were long tenure and decided to retire. However, if that is true (hopefully it is), it's taking longer than I had expected it would based on the conversation I had with the CM.

 

[zumfelde]

We went to Hoop Dee Doo on July 3 from BLT, and woukd have loved to get on a little boat to FW. We wound up taking a car and then an internal FW bus.

We went to Hoop Dee Doo on the first night back. We were staying at CR had to walk to MK to catch the boat. After the show when we got to the boat dock we had to wait for boat and talked to a CM who was a transportation supervisor he was counting how many people were using boats for Hoop Dee Doo. He thought they would be starting the blue flag boats "soon"

 

[jimmytammy]

We went to Hoop Dee Doo on the first night back. We were staying at CR had to walk to MK to catch the boat. After the show when we got to the boat dock we had to wait for boat and talked to a CM who was a transportation supervisor he was counting how many people were using boats for Hoop Dee Doo. He thought they would be starting the blue flag boats "soon"

Sure hope he is right. We will be at BLT in Oct and really enjoy catching the little "Steamboat Willie" boats as our family refers to them. We like to go between BLT and WL to hang out at Geyser Pt and also to FW to Crocketts Tavern

 

[DVCsloth]

Some people used the boats for pub crawls in the past and would just ride around between bars. One of the Captains asked them nicely to get off because they were staying on and made it difficult when the boats got crowded. I hope when/if they come back, the captain who used to sing is still there.

 

[4stroke]

bringing this thread back to life...
any updates on this boat route?
As of our visit Nov 2022, no go on the boats.
We're heading back in January and want to see if anything has changed/rumours of change.
Thanks!

 

[CarolynFH]

bringing this thread back to life...
any updates on this boat route?
As of our visit Nov 2022, no go on the boats.
We're heading back in January and want to see if anything has changed/rumours of change.
Thanks!

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the CR-WL-FW boats still aren’t back.