Fort Wilderness/Wilderness Lodge boat question

[CJK]

Here's the scenario. We're staying at Fort Wilderness and would like to go to Wilderness Lodge for dinner. Is there a direct boat for us to take TO Wilderness Lodge as well as a direct boat to take BACK to Fort Wilderness? I know that the boat rides include Magic Kingdom, but I'm wondering if there's a boat that goes to Wilderness Lodge first, followed by Fort Wilderness........as well as a boat that goes to Fort Wilderness first followed by Wilderness Lodge. Does this even make sense??? I'm not sure how to explain it.

 

[Tpiejg]

There are two boats. One that goes back and forth between the lodge and the fort and one that goes to MK.

 

[CJK]

I didn't know that - thank you!

 

[kerriemiller]

The boats run about every 15 minutes

 

[newyorkmike]

The boat that runs "back and forth" between the resorts actually runs a continuous loop between Wilderness Lodge, Ft. Wilderness and the Contemporary, making stops in the exact order. So if you board the ferry from Ft. Wilderness you would stop at the Contemporary before getting to Wilderness Lodge, and the trip would probably take closer to 30 minutes.

 

[joelkfla]

The boat that runs "back and forth" between the resorts actually runs a continuous loop between Wilderness Lodge, Ft. Wilderness and the Contemporary, making stops in the exact order. So if you board the ferry from Ft. Wilderness you would stop at the Contemporary before getting to Wilderness Lodge, and the trip would probably take closer to 30 minutes.

That's correct, except some have said that the direction of the loop reverses at some time during the day. I don't know what time it changes, or which direction it goes before and after the change.

 

[Epeyon]

There are two boats on the blue route. One goes clockwise
Contemporary->Ft. Wilderness->Wilderness Lodge->Contemporary

The other counter clockwise.
Contemporary->Wilderness Lodge->Ft. Wilderness->Contemporary

Their cycle is usually synchronized so they meet at the Contemporary. When time is a consideration it doesn't matter which boat you get on, just get on the first one.

During thunder storms both of these boats will be shut down, but a larger motor cruiser will be placed on the route and travels whichever direction its pilot feels like going in.

The only boat that changes direction based on time of day is when there is a boat running to both Ft. Wilderness and the Wilderness Lodge from the Magic Kingdom.
Prior to 3 P.M. it goes MK->Ft.W->WL
After 3 P.M. it goes MK->WL->Ft.W

This route is called the red/green route as it is a combination of the routes. It usually happens when a boat is down for maintenance or during thunderstorms.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

Just so you know, there is also a bus(part of the FW internal system) that goes between the Fort and WL and back again. Depending on what loop you are in it may not even require you to switch buses at Settlement. Plus with the bus there is less walking if that is a concern for your group.

 

[Sandi]

I know the OP was specifically asking about boat transportation, but I just wanted to add that you can walk between FW and WL. It gets very dark at night, but from FW to WL is a very pretty walk with turn outs to get to the beach, opportunities to see birds and critters, etc. My recollection is that from Pioneer Hall to WL is about a 20-25 minute walk not going at a fast clip.

 

[trasor]

If you walk you might also see aardvark's. I'm not sure about Canada, but being from NJ they were pretty cool to see.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

If you walk you might also see aardvark's. I'm not sure about Canada, but being from NJ they were pretty cool to see.

Armadillo and racoon sure, but aardvarks no. May even get to see a deer.

 

[trasor]

I'm sorry...armadillo is what I meant to say

 

[MaxsDad]

The boat that runs "back and forth" between the resorts actually runs a continuous loop between Wilderness Lodge, Ft. Wilderness and the Contemporary, making stops in the exact order. So if you board the ferry from Ft. Wilderness you would stop at the Contemporary before getting to Wilderness Lodge, and the trip would probably take closer to 30 minutes.

Sorry to hijack the thread but.....

How long would a boat trip from Contemporary to Wilderness Lodge take? We have a 7:30 dinner reservation at Artist Point, wondering how much time to plan for the trip.

 

[sotoalf]

Be on the dock between 6:45 and 7 p.m. The trip is about 20-25 minutes.

 

[MaxsDad]

Be on the dock between 6:45 and 7 p.m. The trip is about 20-25 minutes.

Thanks!