Boat transportation at Christmas

[lynzi2004]

Just wondering if there is any difference in boat transportation at Christmas? I know the bus transportation can get crazy, but was curious if the Fort transportation was affected to bad?

 

[peg110]

In what way are you concerned? Crowds? Weather?

I have noticed that they will try to get more boats running if it's more crowded if that is what you are wondering. They still have the buses running around the Fort in the same way. Buses in the front of the Fort still run to the parks (except MK. That goes from the settlement to the WL, and you have to transfer to get the bus to MK from there).

 

[lynzi2004]

Mostly crowds. I know traffic can be at a standstill at times. I'm talking specifically the week between Christmas and New Years. I didn't think that boat traffic would really be affected by that but at the same time, I didn't know if they may move boats around to accommodate more crowds at the main ferries, etc. I guess I was hoping that the boat transport would actually be a bigger advantage to getting to MK and maybe help justify the $120 tent site cost! Ha Just kicking around the idea of going for a few days next Christmas but am really on the fence for the crowd situation. Not only at the parks but also the pools, food courts, etc.

 

[peg110]

The boats from the Fort have been pretty reliable. Typically your wait could be between 15 and 30 minutes (between boats) depending on how many are running. They have even taken the smaller boats (from the Fort to WL and Contemporary) to help with the load during busy times.

Of course that's an alternative too.... Taking the boat to the WL then to the MK or take it to the Contemporary and then walk (or Monorail if you like). I will say that I always anticipate an HOUR for getting from my site to the park (regardless of the park). If I am using Disney's transportation or if I am driving myself.... That way you are usually safe. Even in the heavy crowds, it shouldn't be too bad.

Now does it "Justify" the $120 tent site? (Ouch!) I don't know. What are the alternatives? If your basis of comparison is relying on the Transportation (the boat) to tip the scales, I'd say no. It's good and reliable, but it's going to be subject to the crowding like all other transportation.

 

[lynzi2004]

I think our other alternative to the $120 price tag is likely just not going! lol I'm not willing to stay off-site during the Christmas season, as I want to take advantage of EMH. Our tentative plan is to stay for about 5 nights and do a 3day parkhopper. So go into the parks at rope drop, set up our FP for 10:30ish-1ish, hopefully book an extra FP somewhere at a different park that night and then come back the the campsite and veg. Hoping to utilize the campsite more instead of being in the parks so much. With 3 kids, just running around the campsite etc is something they love to do. Then go back to the parks late and watch a show. I'm thinking the crowds will start to calm down the later it gets but I could be wrong. Hoping to utilize some rider swaps since our youngest wouldn't meet height requirements for biggest rides. Now we couldn't pull off 7am park openings and 1am park closings for a week, BUT with rest time in the middle and our typically expectation of coming back from vacation exhausted I think we could do it! But our travel style is different than most. Vacations are adventures for us and rest time with 3 kids under 5 is non existent whether at home or on the road anyway!

 

[TammiMcMan]

Just returned and found that evening boat transportation from MK to the Fort was tough on a number of occasions. Mainly, it was the fact that they combined the Fort with Wilderness Lodge on the same boat, but kept the lines separate. Because they boarded the Lodge line first, they always got seats, even if they got into their line after those who had already been waiting in the Fort line. A morning/early afternoon option we used a few times, was to take the smaller resort launch to the Contemporary and walk to the MK. The smaller launches tended to be faster than the larger boats.

 

[lynzi2004]

Just returned and found that evening boat transportation from MK to the Fort was tough on a number of occasions. Mainly, it was the fact that they combined the Fort with Wilderness Lodge on the same boat, but kept the lines separate. Because they boarded the Lodge line first, they always got seats, even if they got into their line after those who had already been waiting in the Fort line. A morning/early afternoon option we used a few times, was to take the smaller resort launch to the Contemporary and walk to the MK. The smaller launches tended to be faster than the larger boats.

Thanks for the real time update! THat type of scenario is what I was worried about!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Just wondering if there is any difference in boat transportation at Christmas? I know the bus transportation can get crazy, but was curious if the Fort transportation was affected to bad?

The schedules are the same, year 'round.

 

[7KLucky]

I have read the threads suggesting arrival at parks for 6:30am because its so busy. Do the boats run early for this?

 

[2goofycampers]

The boat to MK starts 30 minutes-ish before MK opens. This includes EMH. The boat to CR starts at 6:45ish everyday.