Disney transportation to and from FW

[SeilerBird]

I have read that the Disney transportation system is not very good between FW and the Disney parks. I have read there is a lot of switching buses. So how long does it take to go from one of the parks to FW using the Disney transportation system. The reason I am asking is that is sounds like too much of my vacation will be lost if I take the bus back to my motorhome for lunch and then bus back as opposed to dining in the park. It sounds to me like Disney is making it as hard as possible to keep people in the park instead of returning to the RV for an inexpensive meal.

 

[DisKramer]

There are two different bus systems when staying at Fort Wilderness.
First is the internal system that stays inside the Fort Wilderness campground. These buses get you around Fort Wilderness: examples to pools, trading post, Settlement(Boat Launch), campsite loops, Campfire, and Outpost(buses to Parks)
Second is the bus system that moves people around WDW from resorts to parks and DTD. These buses depart from the Outpost at the main entrance to Fort Wilderness.
So if you want to go to Magic Kingdom you can take the bus from you loop to the Settlement and then take the boat over.
If you want to go to DTD, HS, AK, or EP you will take the bus from your loop to the Outpost and then transfer to the bus for the park you want to go to.

 

[BearwithMouseEars]

I have read that the Disney transportation system is not very good between FW and the Disney parks. I have read there is a lot of switching buses. So how long does it take to go from one of the parks to FW using the Disney transportation system. The reason I am asking is that is sounds like too much of my vacation will be lost if I take the bus back to my motorhome for lunch and then bus back as opposed to dining in the park. It sounds to me like Disney is making it as hard as possible to keep people in the park instead of returning to the RV for an inexpensive meal.

I don't know what your source is but it is no worse than any other resort . People complain about Disney transportation no matter where you stay on site . The only difference at the Fort is you need some kind of internal transport whether it be buss , bike , or cart .
As a matter of fact the transportation to MK is the best on site in opinion . Its a boat though . Not a bus.
Dont pay so much attention to the negative , those people are just louder .

 

[SeilerBird]

I don't know what your source is but it is no worse than any other resort . People complain about Disney transportation no matter where you stay on site .

My source is the Unofficial Guide to Disney World. I have no idea how to compare it to any other resort, I have never been to any other resort. I am trying to figure out how long it takes to go to and from the parks so I can decide if I want to eat inside WDW or return to my motorhome for lunch and dinner.

 

[Tented1]

My source is the Unofficial Guide to Disney World. I have no idea how to compare it to any other resort, I have never been to any other resort. I am trying to figure out how long it takes to go to and from the parks so I can decide if I want to eat inside WDW or return to my motorhome for lunch and dinner.

We are bringing our lunch to the parks in a backpack cooler.

There is also an app that tells you the best way to get to and from your WDW destinations. Mine is a laughing place app without GPS.

 

[PrincessNana]

Our typical day, we go to the park in the morning and return to the motorhome about 1:00 or 2:00 for a late lunch. We walk the dogs, enjoy the campground and go back to the parks in the evening. We usually plan on 45 minutes transit time . Sometimes it's more, sometimes it's less...we just adjust according to how long it takes us to get from point A to point B. it's the best campground and resort anywhere...I know you'll have a great time.

 

[sbnewhampshire1]

Go w/a open mind to have a great time.Personally we pack a lunch in a pack back. Freeze water bottles the night before, pack the lunch ,chicken salad ,tuna, ham & cheese, peanut butter & jelly whaterever, fruit, cookies also.By the time lunch rolls around water is defrosted, lunch is nice and fresh and you are hungry. AlsoYou have saved yourself a lot of money!!! Enjoy the park! Also try taking the boat back from the Magic Kingdom,have lunch in your MH go to the pool and just relax the return to the parks.The Magic Kingdom is the easiest to get to by the boat and most relaxing. The bus system is a little more hectic but really not that bad remember your on vacaton, relax and enjoy! Especially enjoy Ft Wilderness!!!

 

[bama_ed]

Seiler,

I would only use WDW for transport back to the Fort for lunch if you are at the MK and can take the boat. But even the boat ride itself is 15-20 minutes one-way and that's not including wait time. And then depending how/where you are in the Fort (walk, wait for internal bus) this can add additional travel time.

We, like some other posters, pack our lunch into the park and rent a locker for $5 to store it in. Counter meals aren't bad in some parks and can run up to $10-12.

I would not recommend using the busses to/from any other park other than MK for lunch unless there was some other compelling reason. The waiting and length of travel would eat into the better portion of the midday.

Good luck!

Bama ED

 

[photogal06]

If you don't have a reason to come back to your campsite midday other than eating, I personally wouldn't do it. We have to come back to tend to our dogs. If we didn't have them with us, we wouldn't do it. When we've stayed at the other resorts without them, we didn't do it.

I always leave an hour for transportation, and then I'm pleasantly surprised when it takes less than that, lol! Honestly, the only time I've had Disney transportation take an hour was the bus coming back from DHS to the Polynesian last June. But by the time you walk from wherever you are in the park to the front entrance, then to the bus stop, then wait for the bus, travel back to the Fort, wait for the bus that will take you to your loop.....then do it all in reverse, you've spent a lot of time. Since there are only the 3 of us, we'd rather pay for a quick meal in the park than spend that much time if we don't have to. Usually our dogs are with us though, so we have to!

 

[Mcert01]

My source is the Unofficial Guide to Disney World. I have no idea how to compare it to any other resort, I have never been to any other resort. I am trying to figure out how long it takes to go to and from the parks so I can decide if I want to eat inside WDW or return to my motorhome for lunch and dinner.

We use the boat to MK, but our own transportation everywhere else for the most part. We have found it is just easier and faster. This isn't a negative commentary on Disney Transportation. I happen to think its pretty good. However, jumping in our truck at the campsite and going directly to the parking lot of any park or Downtown Disney saves time. It also helps if you have dinner reservations outside of the park, or are park hopping at all during the day. Also, at the end of the day it is nice to jump in your own vehicle with no crowds and no wait and go directly back to your campsite.

We have on occasion after returning from Epcot for lunch taken the boat to the Contemporary or MK, then the Monorail to TTC and the Epcot Monorail back. There is just something special about arriving at Epcot via the monorail.

We also have used the reverse route back after Illuminations and gotten to MK in time to see Wishes!

 

[retired and happy]

We always use Disney transportation from the Fort. We use the boat to MK, and often the boat to the ferry at MK to go to TTC and monorail on to EPCOT. That sounds long, but it is a different type of Disney experience, especially if you haven't ridden the ferry or monorail. We take busses to HS and AK. I might add we have 2-4 wheelchairs and have almost always gotten good service from the busses.

 

[RVMH]

I have seen the comment in the Unofficial Guide and think it's a bit over stated. Relax and enjoy the time on boat or bus. This is supposed to be a fun time; don't get too hung up on timing trips to the minute. The boat to MK is always a pleasant trip and from there it's a fun monorail to Epcot and then a boat or a walk to HS if you wish to avoid busses.

 

[North of Mouse]

I have seen the comment in the Unofficial Guide and think it's a bit over stated. Relax and enjoy the time on boat or bus. This is supposed to be a fun time; don't get too hung up on timing trips to the minute. The boat to MK is always a pleasant trip and from there it's a fun monorail to Epcot and then a boat or a walk to HS if you wish to avoid busses.

This!! That's why I never read those books We relax and do things our way. Would never go back to our MH for lunch - much more pleasant to save the time/stress and grab a CS. The *cook* is on vacation!

 

[chartle]

1. I have seen the comment in the Unofficial Guide and think it's a bit over stated. Relax and enjoy the time on boat or bus. This is supposed to be a fun time; don't get too hung up on timing trips to the minute.

2. The boat to MK is always a pleasant trip

3. and from there it's a fun monorail to Epcot

4. and then a boat or a walk to HS if you wish to avoid busses.

1. Agreed

2. Ditto

3. not exactly, its two monorail rides with a transfer

4. only if you have a PH ticket and its a long walk from the front gates to through the IG and then to DHS.

 

[articfox676]

I find riding the buses usually a conversation comes up and ideas and experiences are shared. When on the monorail there is rarely any conversation. The difference between the fort and hotels.

 

[storyteller]

Go w/a open mind to have a great time.Personally we pack a lunch in a pack back. Freeze water bottles the night before, pack the lunch ,chicken salad ,tuna, ham & cheese, peanut butter & jelly whaterever, fruit, cookies also.By the time lunch rolls around water is defrosted, lunch is nice and fresh and you are hungry. AlsoYou have saved yourself a lot of money!!! Enjoy the park! Also try taking the boat back from the Magic Kingdom,have lunch in your MH go to the pool and just relax the return to the parks.The Magic Kingdom is the easiest to get to by the boat and most relaxing. The bus system is a little more hectic but really not that bad remember your on vacaton, relax and enjoy! Especially enjoy Ft Wilderness!!!

I totally agree... vacation.... no worries

 

[Junebugwv]

Just returned from a split stay at SSR and the FW Cabins. We had a car, but used Disney transportation, too. Honestly, it is the luck of the draw. If you don't have a long wait for the internal bus and you happen to get a boat to MK without a long wait, then you will be fine. We've had easy rides and difficult ones as well. Nothing like getting on a bus at the end of a long day with 3 kids and 2 strollers and having no place to sit. Exit the bus at the resort and face a long walk to your room or cabin.

I found the internal buses at FW to run efficiently, but I was glad that I didn't have to depend on the bus for the parks.

A plus for using bus transportation is not having to navigate around WDW. I have been driving all over the property for over 25 extended stays and have to remind myself to drive by memory and not depend on the signage. I think it is confusing!

 

[RVMH]

1. Agreed

2. Ditto

3. not exactly, its two monorail rides with a transfer

4. only if you have a PH ticket and its a long walk from the front gates to through the IG and then to DHS.

Thanks! I blanked on that monorail transfer at the TTC. Sometimes the fastest or even the quickest isn't the best. Something to be said for leaving the car parked and immersing one's self in the experience .... good and bad.

 

[reelmom]

We are thinking about staying in the cabins and will have a car. How long does it take to get to the parks if you have your own car? Thanks

 

[chartle]

We are thinking about staying in the cabins and will have a car. How long does it take to get to the parks if you have your own car? Thanks

For the MK it will take around 30 or more minutes since you will still have to park, ram to the TTC and take a ferry or monorail over and then reverse back. Most would say take the internal bus and the small boat for the MK.

For the other parks you should be at the front gate maybe 20 minutes.

The best thing about staying at FW is that your car is only a few feet away from where you sleeping. Some resorts it can be a bit of a walk if the lot is full.