How reliable is red flag boat from WL to MK?

[MousetersInc]

TLDR question up front: Can anyone who's stayed at the Wilderness Lodge speak to the frequency of the red flag boat to MK? I've heard "the ride takes 10' and boats come every 10'-20'." I've also heard more subjective statements like "it can be a long time to wait for a boat." Can anyone confirm the max-20'-wait, or is it sometimes more?
--------------------
Big thanks to everyone who weighed in on my earlier post. Since then we fell in love with Wilderness Lodge and booked a bunk bed room there--short boat ride to MK or to dinner at California Grill, plus all the wonderful theming. We're still clinging to the dream of 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, though, and eyeing Doubletree Suites (which has 60 day FP+ and EMH, which Floridays doesn't). For the same price as WL's 340 sq ft, we could have a 1K sq ft suite with 1 king and 2 queen beds. Having a really hard time making up our mind... but one thing that could be an argument in WL's favor is if it really could be a 20'-30' total from dock to MK gate, vs the long process of the MK's parking lot to tram to TTC to gate (I've heard can be ca. 45').

 

[Markal]

It’s been a few years since we stayed at WL but we loved the boat fromWL to MK.i don’t remember exact waiting times but also don’t remember waiting very long for the boats. We used it very often that trip. Hope you love WL as much as we did. It’s our favorite resort!

 

[ShelbyK]

We stayed at WL this past May and loved the boat transportation but we did have one morning where they were having some sort of issue and were down a boat and we waited about 30 mins. But they did tell everyone waiting that it would be slow and we could of chosen to walk to the bus instead but we just waited and it wasnt horrible. It's such a peaceful way to start or end your day!

 

[AngiTN]

The boats run more or less like buses, every 20 min or so. They are not on a schedule or anything so sometimes it can be more than 20 min, sometimes less. We just checked out 4 days ago and used to boats numerous times and had no excessive waits.

 

[hereforthechurros]

We didn’t experience any long waits for the boat and found the boat trip to be a great way to travel to MK. I wouldn't weigh your entire lodging decision around it however. If a larger room will make your stay more enjoyable that’s okay but no doubt the boat to MK is a whole lot easier and calmer than that TTC experience.

 

[fairygagamother]

Never had to wait more than 5 minutes! But maybe we were just lucky.

 

[shocker]

...and eyeing Doubletree Suites (which has 60 day FP+ and EMH...

... vs the long process of the MK's parking lot to tram to TTC to gate (I've heard can be ca. 45').

You've got a whole 'nother thread tucked into this one about boat boat launches from WL. There is another section to discuss non-disney resorts & learn all about their transportation options. I stayed at a Disney Springs resort July 2018 and they have their own bus system & schedule. From Doubletree, you would be the last resort pick up and be taken to the TTC and cut out parking & tram time. Its certainly a consideration to earn or spend points on your room & get the additional benefits you mention.

 

[evilqueenmindy]

what it really comes down to is, how much time will you be spending in the room? WL boats/busses (there is bus service to MK, it just doesn’t always run) are about as reliable as any other Disney transportation. I’ve walked right on to a WL boat, I’ve also waited 20 minutes and had a stop at the campground first, it’s all just luck of the draw.
Having a huge 2BR suite would be important to me if I were staying more than a few nights and planning to hang out at the room.
If the hotel is literally there as a place for me to shower and sleep between commando park time, I’d stay in a regular hotel room.

 

[MousetersInc]

Thanks everybody! I think we're going to split it and do best of both worlds--a couple of nights at WL (including our first night, waking up for EMM and stumbling onto a boat) and then move off-site to a suite for the rest of the week.

 

[kaytieeldr]

TLDR question up front: Can anyone who's stayed at the Wilderness Lodge speak to the frequency of the red flag boat to MK? I've heard "the ride takes 10' and boats come every 10'-20'." I've also heard more subjective statements like "it can be a long time to wait for a boat."

" A long time" is 100% subjective. People not accustomed to public transit often feel if there's not a vehicle at their immediate whim, the wait is [too] long.

 

[justreading]

Can the boat from WL to MK accommodate an ECV/scooter?

 

[Wood Nymph]

Can the boat from WL to MK accommodate an ECV/scooter?

They run two different types of boats for Wilderness Lodge. One is a large boat that will accommodate an ECV and the other is a smaller launch that does not accommodate an ECV. The boats tend to alternate, so if you have an ECV you may have to wait for a second boat to arrive.

 

[RolloTomasi]

I’ve walked right on to a WL boat, I’ve also waited 20 minutes and had a stop at the campground first, it’s all just luck of the draw.

This part isn’t really luck of the draw because the boat to Magic Kingdom and the boat to FW are two different boats on opposite sides of the dock. I have been on a boat from MK that stopped at both, but that was at the end of EMH or a party night. There are times I guess when they could combine for various reasons but as far as I know (and have experienced) from WL is generally just straight to MK.

 

[mousefan73]

Keep weather in mind too. If you really need to be somewhere at a certain time and see you thunder clouds in the waaaay distance have a back-up plan.. I believe 7 mile lighting strikes shuts boats down.

 

[Micca]

I think it's a valid question, it actually...Raises a red flag.

 

[drdrowsy]

if you're trying to use the boat to get to MK first thing in the morning.... dont.

but otherwise if +10/20 minutes aren't going to matter, it's much nicer than the bus.