Epcot to Fort Wilderness

[smithk75]

My husband and I have reservations for Teppan Edo somewhat close to closing time for Epcot in December. We're staying at Fort Wilderness, and I'm wondering how late Disney transportation to Fort Wilderness runs, and what our options are after transportation stops running. Can we even stay in the park after closing time, or are we forced out of the restaurant? I haven't been to Disney as an adult and I'm clueless!

 

[joelkfla]

No worries -- buses run until every guest has left the park. There are lots of guests who schedule dinner just before closing, and they can take as long as they like to eat and still get a bus back to their resort.

Unless you're very, very late finishing up, you'll be free to wander your way to the front. If you're one of the last few guests in the park, you may spot a security guard or manager discreetly following you at a distance, ensuring that you are heading toward the exit.

If you reach the bus area more than an hour after closing, your bus may be boarding in a different load zone than you expected, and it may stop at other resorts on the way to your destination. Transportation cast members will intercept you and direct you to your bus.

Once you get to FtW, the internal shuttle buses run until at least 2 a.m.

 

[smithk75]

Yay! Thanks for the info! Our dinner is actually reserved for 7:10, so not really too late, but I'm a nervous nelly. Hoping to finish dinner and catch illuminations. This is on 12/21 and it looks like there aren't any other parks open for extra magic hours this day. Is there anything else to do after-hours? My husband and I have a "date night" that day while my parents watch our 3 little ones - woohoo!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

never had a problem getting back after fireworks at any park to the Fort. with our kids, we have to make at least one bathroom stop and a snack stop on the way to bus or boat depending on park. so you should be fine.

 

[Hopefully]

Yay! Thanks for the info! Our dinner is actually reserved for 7:10, so not really too late, but I'm a nervous nelly. Hoping to finish dinner and catch illuminations. This is on 12/21 and it looks like there aren't any other parks open for extra magic hours this day. Is there anything else to do after-hours? My husband and I have a "date night" that day while my parents watch our 3 little ones - woohoo!

You could walk through the International Gateway in Epcot after Illuminations, and head to Jelly Rolls on the Boardwalk. It is a dueling piano bar and lots and lots of fun. It does get crowded after Illuminations. This would be fun for a date night. They play requests, so bring a few dollars to add to your request to increase the chance your song will be played.
I would budget (maybe $20) for a taxi back to the Fort after Jellyrolls. There are plenty available right there at the Boardwalk Inn. Otherwise plan on taking a bus to DTD and transferring to a bus for Fort Wilderness.

 

[smithk75]

GREAT idea!! Thank you!

You could walk through the International Gateway in Epcot after Illuminations, and head to Jelly Rolls on the Boardwalk. It is a dueling piano bar and lots and lots of fun. It does get crowded after Illuminations. This would be fun for a date night. They play requests, so bring a few dollars to add to your request to increase the chance your song will be played.
I would budget (maybe $20) for a taxi back to the Fort after Jellyrolls. There are plenty available right there at the Boardwalk Inn. Otherwise plan on taking a bus to DTD and transferring to a bus for Fort Wilderness.

 

[smithk75]

So there's a bus that goes from Epcot to the Boardwalk area then?

 

[sotoalf]

So there's a bus that goes from Epcot to the Boardwalk area then?

No. You access the Boardwalk area through the International Gateway, between France and the UK.

 

[ccudmore]

So there's a bus that goes from Epcot to the Boardwalk area then?

No bus - its a 5-10 minute walk.

 

[lylone]

You can also bus on over to DTD. Even though Paradise Island is gone, there is still quite a few places to get a drink and hang out. We are planning to got to Ragland Road for a night this next trip. Last trip we watched "Thor" at the movie theater. Rumor has it that the theater now has alcohol and food service in the theater now...