Boat from VWL to MK?

[betsywdw]

I'm sorry if this is already posted elsewhere. How long does the boat from VWL to MK take approximately? I'm just trying to get a schedule in order for our October trip and wasn't sure of how long to anticipate? TIA!

 

[spiceycat]

depends - if it stops first at FW - or goes directly to MK.

when we were there - the route was MK - WL - FW - WL - MK.

 

[John VN]

Just returned from a FW stay a few weeks ago and the morning route is FW to WL to MK back to FW

In afternoon the route is MK to WL to FW back to MK

If you catch the morning boat it will be about 8 to 10 minutes to MK once you leave WL, however, if you just missed the boat it could be a 10 to 12 minute wait for the next boat. I timed it last trip since we biked to WL from FW and we boat just pulled away when we stepped on to the dock.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

The following information is from my post on the FAQ Thread over on the Resort Forum:

TRANSPORTATION

You can take a direct Boat or Bus to the Magic Kingdom. Boats also ferry you to Ft Wilderness and the Contemporary. Buses take you EPCOT, Disney-MGM Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Downtown Disney, and the water parks.* To reach other resorts, go to the Magic Kingdom (daytime) or Downtown Disney (evening), and then transfer to a resort bus. Fort Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge share many of their bus routes, so travel to and from Fort Wilderness is quite convenient.*

As many know there are two separate boat routes that serve Wilderness Lodge:

The Blue Flag Resort Boats Run continuously between the three resorts (Wilderness Lodge, Contemporary Resort and Ft. Wilderness Campground) there are at lest two of these smaller boats that run two routes one clockwise around Bay Lake the other counterclockwise. Always check with the boat Captian as to which resort the boat will be headed for next, this will save you some time by not riding to say Ft. Wilderness if you want the Contemporary.

The smaller Blue Flag Resort Boat holds appx 30 guest are open to the elements and require a guest to transfer from wheelchairs to the boat with a step down. (strollers also need to be folded)

Blue Flag Resort Boats hours of operation are 7:00am till 10:00pm

The larger Green Flag Boats operate between The Wilderness Lodge, Ft. Wilderness Campground and the Magic Kingdom the first boat in the am will start out appx one hour before the Magic Kingdom opens at Ft. Wilderness. Then it arrives at Wilderness Lodge about 7:20am on EMH or 8:20am if normal park hours.

The Green Flag Boats That starts at Ft. Wilderness Campground then Wilderness Lodge to Magic Kingdom, route reverses direction at 3:00 pm. Before 3 it goes clockwise Ft. Wilderness, Wilderness Lodge then Magic Kingdom after 3 it goes counterclockwise Magic Kingdom, Wilderness Lodge then Ft. Wilderness Campground. The boat trip itself from WL to MK is about 10 minutes. The boats are suppose to run every 20 minutes or less.

This is so Guest at Wilderness Lodge will have faster service, in the morning most guest are traveling to Magic Kingdom...direct service to the Magic Kindom for deluxe guest. Then in the afternoon most guest are returning to the resort the route reverses...direct service to Wilderness Lodge.

The Green Flag Boat starts running appx one hour before park opening and runs until appx an hour after park closes. It holds appx 150-200 guest. Guest traveling in wheelchairs or ECV's have access without transfering from chairs and strollers may also be left open and rolled directly on board. Note:There is a Warning posted on the dock that states that due to water levels access to wheelchairs /ECV's may not be able to load. (thus the Direct Bus access between Wilderness Lodge and the Magic Kingdom) In over twelve years of visiting Wilderness Lodge I have never seen anyone in a wheelchair or ECV ever not be able to board. Most of the boat is inclosed with AC in the summer and Heat in the winter.

Note: If traveling to the Magic Kingdom in the afternoon or later, the Direct Bus between Wilderness Lodge and Magic Kingdom will save you almost 45 minutes travel time. Same thing applies if you are leaving Magic Kingdom in the am. before the routes have been reversed.

The Direct Bus runs between Wilderness Lodge and the Magic Kingdom until after the Magic Kingdom closes then reverts back to the old route to TTC so depending on when your trip is and when the MK closes this could be another option to travel from the Monorail Resorts to or from Wilderness Lodge.

Beckie

 

[lisareniff]

Excellent post Beckie!!! It was very useful for our trip to VWL last Feb.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Excellent post Beckie!!! It was very useful for our trip to VWL last Feb.

Lisa
Thanks, I'm glad it helped, having the correct information makes staying at a new resort so much easier.

Beckie

 

[betsywdw]

Thank you all for the great information! This helps so much! We are really looking forward to our first stay as DVC members at the VWL