ECV Wilderness Lodge Tips

[bedogged]

I am staying at WL for the first time in January and using an ECV. Could anyone give me some tips for using the transportation at WL? I hope to do rope drop most days. Are the boats the best way to go? I was thinking that for Epcot I could take the boat to MK and then take the monorail to Epcot and back thus avoiding the dreaded Epcot bus stop. Also, we have dinner reservations at the Contemporary and Grand Floridian. Can I take the boat to those or are they too small for the ECV? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[clkelley]

WL is a little tricky with the ECV.

There is a large boat and a small boat that goes to Magic Kingdom from WL.

The LARGE boat is accessible. However, the large boat starts going to MK only about 45 minutes before park opening, so depending on your definition of rope drop, depends on whether the boat will work for you. If you want to be at the FRONT of rope drop, then you need to take the direct bus to Magic Kingdom. This bus starts about 6:30 am.

For dinner at the Contemporary, you need to take the large boat or bus to Magic Kingdom, then pathway or monorail to Contemporary.

For dinner at the Polynesian, you need to take the large boat or bus to Magic Kingdom, then monorail to Poly.

To get to Epcot, especially if you want to make rope drop, I would just take the bus. It starts at 7am or earlier.

 

[popgfd]

there is a bus that picks up at WL and then goes to GF. i have no idea why this isn't that well publicized even with CM's at WL but DW and I had many delays getting a boat to handle her ECV. we stayed and QL {DVC} and loved the place but getting the right boat can be difficult.

CM's were great and we got a ride without major delay to GF for dinner at Narcoosies's but the bus is so much simpler. PP is correct about the big boat for ECV's v small boat but there is also a midsized boat that also doesn't accommodate ECv's. We didn't have to argue to get the big boat and it actually was diverted but there was stress.

Getting to the GF puts you on the monorail for the other places.

Pop

 

[clkelley]

there is a bus that picks up at WL and then goes to GF. i have no idea why this isn't that well publicized even with CM's at WL but DW and I had many delays getting a boat to handle her ECV. we stayed and QL {DVC} and loved the place but getting the right boat can be difficult.

CM's were great and we got a ride without major delay to GF for dinner at Narcoosies's but the bus is so much simpler. PP is correct about the big boat for ECV's v small boat but there is also a midsized boat that also doesn't accommodate ECv's. We didn't have to argue to get the big boat and it actually was diverted but there was stress.

Getting to the GF puts you on the monorail for the other places.

Pop

Yep, that's right!! It's the DTD bus. Of course, don't think you can work it in reverse. It probably also won't work well for early breakfasts as bus service to DTD doesn't start until after 8am.