Getting around from VWL.

[jpolak]

We always rent a car and this upcoming trip is no exception (8/22-8/29). We have never ever used the busses to get around, but I would like to try it this time. However I have a couple of questions.

1.Would you take the boat or bus to MK? Why?

2.Are the boats reliable? or did you find yourself waiting a long time?

3.When going to Epcot, would it be worth while to take a boat to either MK or contemp. and jump on the monorail?

4.Busses to AK or MGM worth it? or should we drive?

Thanks for your imput.

 

[mom2alix]

We always rent a car and this upcoming trip is no exception (8/22-8/29). We have never ever used the busses to get around, but I would like to try it this time. However I have a couple of questions.

1.Would you take the boat or bus to MK? Why? The bus! It is air-conditioned (boat is not) and it is QUICK (boat was not)

2.Are the boats reliable? or did you find yourself waiting a long time? The problem we had with the boats is that we could get on them, but we kept getting stuck in the middle of the lake waiting for other craft to go by. In the past the boat has been a favorite with us, but for some reason last week we just seemed to keep getting stuck on boats going nowhere in the middle of the lake as we watched other boats pass. This was only true of the MK boat, the Contemporary boat was great

3.When going to Epcot, would it be worth while to take a boat to either MK or contemp. and jump on the monorail? YES! While the MK busses were great, the Epcot bus was a nightmare. We took the monorail to Epcot after the first loooong bus ride (I think the driver was actually lost). Monorail ride was great.

4.Busses to AK or MGM worth it? or should we drive? AK bus from VWL was great, MGM might be worth it to drive. Definitely drive if you're going to DTD.
Thanks for your imput.

Based on our experiences last week... hope this helps!

 

[lsutigger2]

I'm probably in the minority here, but I don't mind riding the busses at WDW. And would prefer to do that than make my husband drive in traffic as it builds at closing time. It is safer for me and for everyone else

I have had very few issues with the busses at VWL. I have taken the boat and it is a pleasant ride over. We've gone to MK on the bus also.

It might be hit and miss for you. Try a couple of different things and see what works for you when you are there. Everyone has had different experiences.

 

[Barak's Disney]

We took the boat to MK. We just liked the whole boat experience - I thought it was fine - no problems with delays or anything. We took the bus to AK and that was fine too - no big waits. Didn't visit Epcot or MGM last time. I took a bus to Downtown Disney and round trip was over 1.5 hours!!!! The bus was actually completely stopped for 15 minutes to change drivers - I'm glad I was alone b/c it would have been a nightmare with hungry kids!

 

[iankh]

We don't mind the boats or buses either.

We only take the boat to MK. Frankly we love the boat and find the trip pleasant and relaxing.

We have both taken the bus to Epcot and taken the boat to MK and then the Monorail.

While the Monorail feels faster, I don't think the net door to door is actually shorter.

Have taken the bus to MGM.

Frankly, I hate driving and I hate parking even more, and downright detest the idea of the heat and schlepp with the parking lot trams. I have driven, and I think it is a great experience for everyone else in the car, except for me, who is stuck driving, getting us there and parking.

My idea of transportation is something that arrives, I get on, takes me to my destination and then goes away.

 

[evedein]

Cam the boats from WL to MK accomadate an ECV, or will we have to use the bus?

 

[abner1776]

The larger blue/green boats that go to MK will accommodate wheechairs and scooters very easily. The smaller boats that go around Bay Lake to CR and FW I don't believe will handle wheelchairs.

We found the boats at WL to be a wonderful way to travel and far more relaxing than the busses. Whether or not it took longer than the bus is unknown, but we had no kids to take care of, so time was always on our side.

 

[SueM in MN]

The larger blue/green boats that go to MK will accommodate wheechairs and scooters very easily. The smaller boats that go around Bay Lake to CR and FW I don't believe will handle wheelchairs.

The smaller boats have steps, so they can only accomidate wheelchairs if the person using it is able to get out of the wheelchair and step into the boat. Then the wheelchair can be folded and lifted onto the boat.

The large boats are sometimes not accessible to ECVs/wheelchairs. It all depends on the water level; if the boat is floating too high or too low compared to the dock, then you can't roll right onto the boat, even with a ramp. There are things the boat CMs can do to help - one is to load the wheelchairs/ECVs first if the boat needs to be floating high. Another is to load the wheelchair/ECVs last if they need the weight of the other passengers to make the boat float lower.
If they can't do enough to work, they will put up signs on the docks that say the boats are not wheelchair/ECV accessible. They will provide bus service if that happens.

 

[6mouskateers]

We are probably in the minority here be we are if the mind that "getting there is half the fun" I never time how long the boat or monorail or bus takes to get there. We will sometimes plan to get places using all of the above--I know I know we are strange. It's just not a trip to WDW without a ride on the monorail. We are on vacation and try not to stress about getting places. We get there when we get there.

Now we don't have to worry about scooters or wheelchairs or even strollers anymore. I know that does make a huge difference to some. My folks just went and my mom had a broken foot and was in a wheelchair. They took the buses and it was fine--they said easy on and easy off. They did sometimes have to wait a little extra if the bus was full. It was easier on my dad to not have to deal with a trek from the parking lot to the park gate etc.