Boat from WL and an ECV

[Iggipolka]

I read the FAQ, but I'm still confused as to if the boats from Wilderness Lodge to MK and the boats from Wilderness Lodge to Fort Wilderness are accessible for someone in a ECV.

We have to rent an ECV for the first time at WDW because my wife has injured her knee. We are renting from Buena Visa Scooters because they are on site and that way if there's any problems, we'll be close to them. We're not renting a car and so are relying only on Disney transportation.

Part of the reason we wanted to stay at Wilderness Lodge was to be able to use the boat over to MK and Fort Wilderness. Will she be able to drive the ECV onto the boats? Thanks!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

A lot may depend on both the water levels as well as the Captain. I'm not sure if it is when the levels are high or low it can be a problem.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

The boats are accessible, but as the previous poster said, it depends on water levels. The accessibility depends on the boat being fairly level with the dock, if the lake is high or low, there will be a problem. I think I remember reading somewhere that the boats have colored flags to let people know if the boat is going to be accessible or not. Does anybody know what I'm talking about? (Do I know what I'm talking about, lol?) If you go to www.waltdisneyworld.com and click on "contact us" you will have the e-mail for guest relations. They should be able to give you a more official answer.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

The colored flags actually indicate the route the boat will take. The boat from WL to MK is usually ok, but there are two boat on this route and only one is big enough. The WL/CR/FW is served by smaller launches that you step down into, so no ECVs. There is a bus from WL to MK as well as one to/from FW. The two boats the run the FW/MK are big enough for ECVs(water level permitting)

 

[Iggipolka]

Thank you so much. i am mostly worries about the WL to MK that I am worried about.

 

[Carnator]

Also, like Cheshire stated, sometimes depends on the Captain. Most of the times I have not had any problems. Twice when the lake was either up or down the Captain asked everone to move to one side of the boat to level it with the dock. Very nice of them.

 

[mrmagicmph]

Last trip, we stayed at WL. Unfortunately, we came across one of the times when the lake was too low, BUT, nobody told us. We were able to get on at the MK without any problems (was near closing time on an EMH evening, if memory serves). Unfortunately, getting OFF at WL was a SIGNIFICANT problem. While we waited til others had gotten off, it didn't help much. None of the crewmembers told us there might be a problem, nor did they offer any suggestions or assistance (verbal or otherwise). Instead, my wife & I had to physically lift my ECV up (around 1 foot) to put it on the dock. My wife got hit in the head with part of the ECV, but the CMs didn't seem to care. Ultimately, we had to speak to the WL's general manager about all this, and he was VERY surprised (& VERY displeased!) there was no ramp or other assistance, or even a sign warning that the water level might be too low.

So, all I can say is, be aware that there is a definite possibility that there might be a problem with the water level, and be willing to adjust accordingly. From that time on, my wife & I used the bus, without any problems.

Good luck, and whatever you do, Enjoy the Magic!

 

[Iggipolka]

Yikes! I'm so sorry that you had such a horrible experience! That certainly should not have happened.

I'll keep my fingers crossed that the water levels will cooperate and we'll be able to use the boats to MK and back without problem.

Thanks again!

 

[SueM in MN]

There is more information about the boats in the disABILITIES FAQs thread.
The water level too high - or - too low can cause a problem because the boat will be floating either too high or too low to line up with the dock.

Some of the boat captains are very good - using a ramp and then the people on the boat to get the side of the boat to the correct level. If they need the boat to be floating lower because the water level is too high and the boat is floating too high in the water, they will have everyone load before the ECV is loaded. The weight makes the boat float lower in the water.
If the water level is too low, they may make everyone else get off the boat or even all step onto the side of the boat away from the dock, making that side lower and the side closer to the dock higher.
As was already mentioned, there is also the bus in case you can't take the boat.

 

[BethC1952]

Also, like Cheshire stated, sometimes depends on the Captain. Most of the times I have not had any problems. Twice when the lake was either up or down the Captain asked everone to move to one side of the boat to level it with the dock. Very nice of them.

I just returned on Saturday from a trip with a friend in an ECV. We were not told on boarding at MK heading to WL that there might be a problem getting off again. The other passengers refused to wait and stand on the other side of the boat while she off-loaded, and told me in no uncertain terms what she and I could do with ourselves. The Captain explained that he couldn't help us, but that the same thing would happen again if we remained on the boat and went back to the MK. We were lucky--a very nice WOMAN getting onto the boat stepped in and helped, unlike the men who just pushed past us. She helped me lift the ECV onto the dock (no easy feat), and my friend and I went on our merry way. We did have the name of the Captain and the name of the boat, as well as the time, and reported the entire incident.

We didn't let this incident spoil our trip. We found that most CM's and many guests were more than willing to help us in any way they could.

Beth

 

[Iggipolka]

I just returned on Saturday from a trip with a friend in an ECV. We were not told on boarding at MK heading to WL that there might be a problem getting off again. The other passengers refused to wait and stand on the other side of the boat while she off-loaded, and told me in no uncertain terms what she and I could do with ourselves. The Captain explained that he couldn't help us, but that the same thing would happen again if we remained on the boat and went back to the MK. We were lucky--a very nice WOMAN getting onto the boat stepped in and helped, unlike the men who just pushed past us. She helped me lift the ECV onto the dock (no easy feat), and my friend and I went on our merry way. We did have the name of the Captain and the name of the boat, as well as the time, and reported the entire incident.

We didn't let this incident spoil our trip. We found that most CM's and many guests were more than willing to help us in any way they could.

Beth

OMG! That's horrible! People can be so mean. I'm so sorry that happened to you.