Getting around Wilderness Lodge...

[ibela]

Hi. I've been to WL once before, for the campfire singalong, years ago and don't remember how to get around except that it's difficult...so I'm trying to wrap up my ADRs but am a little uncertain. I want to spend a non-park day doing the following: 1. pony rides, 2. dinner, 3. campfire singalong. For dinner I was thinking Whispering Canyon. Are they all on different sides from each other or is it practical to do in this way? I'm taking my 2 kids alone (ages 7 and 4) so I don't want to make things overly difficult for myself by excess travelling. I think there's a boat somewhere (we're staying at bay lake), I know there are some internal buses, but that's about all I know. Please help!!

 

[grimley1968]

Make sure you know which is at Wilderness Lodge (WL) and which is at Fort Wilderness (FW). They are separate resorts. There is a boat that goes between the two resorts. You can also ride a boat to MK from either resort. There is an internal bus that gets you around Fort Wilderness, where you'll find pony rides, the campfire, etc. This bus does not go to WL. There is a walking path between the two, but it is a LONG walk, and not well lit at night.

WL is a great resort, but it is themed after lodge resorts in the northwest, and the only real outdoor activity it offers is the pool area, though nice.

You say you are staying at Bay Lake. I assume that means Bay Lake Tower, next to the Contemporary resort. If that assumption is correct, you can ride a boat from Contemporary to FW and/or WL.

 

[aubriee]

oops, I was posting the same time as grimley.

 

[sweetcreams]

If you want to do pony rides you will have to be there during the day, as I believe they don't run it in the evening. You can take a boat from Contemporary to FW (stops at WL first I believe). For dinner at Whispering Canyon, get back on the boat (make sure it's the one going to WL, not MK, one on each side of the dock) and go to WL. Then ride the boat back to FW for the campfire. It's really not hard, just a little extra waiting. But we love to ride the boats so it adds to the fun. The pony rides are near the back of the campground so you won't need a bus to get there, but you can take an internal bus to the pool area for the campfire. There are a couple of different internal buses, so just ask the bus driver and he will tell you if it's the right bus.

 

[tobikaye]

If you are going from FW to WL after 3 pm, it is best to take the bus from the Settlement to WL as the boat will go to CR before going to WL. The boat runs in a circle.

Before 3 PM: CR, FW, WL, CR
After 3 PM: CR, WL, FW, CR

So, you could take the boat from CR to FW for the the pony rides, which are near the marina in the Settlement area. Then after, you are near the bus stop that will take you to WL, it is a short ride. After you eat, you can take the boat or bus back to FW. Here is where you would have to use the internal bus to get to the campfire. You will want the orange or yellow route and you can ask the bus driver where you need to get off for the campfire.

Maps below:
FW MAP
WL MAP

Note: I think the pony rides end at or by 5 pm.

 

[joelkfla]

There is an internal bus that gets you around Fort Wilderness, where you'll find pony rides, the campfire, etc. This bus does not go to WL.

Actually, it does.

The bus is a quick and easy way to get between WL & Ft. Wilderness. It's less than a 5 minute ride from WL to the Settlement, and then the bus continues into FtW on the "Yellow" route. Going the other way, any Yellow bus will continue to WL, or Guests on a different internal bus route can transfer at the Settlement to the bus signed "Wilderness Lodge."