Getting from FW Campground to Wilderness Lodge

[vtwinwilly]

What are the options for getting back and forth between the Fort and Wilderness Lodge?

1) Can I take the boat (as I recall I can but have never done it)? How early/late do they operate?

2) Can I drive my golf cart to the Ladge? Seems to me I read somewhere that golf carts are not allowed on the path to the Lodge, but there's a road on the map. Could I take that?

3) Can I just take my car there. My concern is I get there and they have no parking for non-Lodge guest.

I know I can always take the bus. ... and walking is an option. On Google maps it looks to be about a half mile. Is that about right?

Sorry for all the questions. I did do a search to find this information and got more stuff back than if I'd just done a blind query... if that's possible!

Any help is appreciated.

BB

 

[nomolos]

If I remember correctly the road you see on the map is either gated or blocked.... I tried that route last trip and wasnt able to go through. I dont remember about the golf cart on the bike trail though. If you have ADRs you can just let them know and they will let you drive and park there... they do check your ressie though (at least that is what I assume he was looking at when I was driving in). We usually start at least one morning per trip at whispering canyon and take the ferry over to MK after breakfast. When we go back to the room for our midday break, we just go by and pick up our car (unless we are staying at WL that trip).

 

[amylevan]

What are the options for getting back and forth between the Fort and Wilderness Lodge?

1) Can I take the boat (as I recall I can but have never done it)? How early/late do they operate? Yes, you can take the boat. I don't know exactly the times, but we had a 7:30am reservation at Chef Mickey's (same boat) and they were already running. So my guess is similar timing to the busses.

2) Can I drive my golf cart to the Ladge? Seems to me I read somewhere that golf carts are not allowed on the path to the Lodge, but there's a road on the map. Could I take that? I do not think you can take your golf cart. I vaguely recall a "no golf carts beyond this point" sign. We rode our bikes and walked on the bike path.

3) Can I just take my car there. My concern is I get there and they have no parking for non-Lodge guest. Haven't tried it. Usually the guard at other resorts will ask why you are there though.

I know I can always take the bus. ... and walking is an option. On Google maps it looks to be about a half mile. Is that about right? I'm an awful judge of distance, but we walked it leisurely in like 15 minutes - so I'd say maybe a mile? Biking was especially convenient.

Sorry for all the questions. I did do a search to find this information and got more stuff back than if I'd just done a blind query... if that's possible!

Any help is appreciated.

BB

Our next trip will have part of our family staying at the WL and part at FW. They are convenient to one another to say the least.

 

[Epeyon]

The boat begins service at 6:45 A.M. and will continue to run until 11:30 P.M. There are two going in opposite directions.

If the park is open after 10 P.M. you can use Magic Kingdom as a hub, take the boat from the campground over there and then the boat from there to the lodge.

There is no method of getting a golf cart to the lodge. It is a nice nature trail, but only if you're up for a mile long walk in the Florida heat. And it gets pretty steamy under the canopy.

Yes, you can drive your car. They'll ask why you're there, a simple "reservations" or "Just checking it out" usually suffices. Unless they have restricted parking due to time of year/special event.

 

[vtwinwilly]

Thanks to everyone for the great information. I know I can always figure it out once I get there, but I'm one of those guys that likes to know what to expect. Hopefully it will keep me from wasting valuable time.