Making sense of the bus system

[gaffney09]

Hello all! I've never been to FW, but we have ressies for the cabins from 12/11-12/17 and I've been reading some 'horror' stories about the transportation system within the Fort. Does anyone have any advice on how to navigate it? Any tips on what you all did for transportation? We'd really like to avoid having to drive our car to the parks (even though gas prices are down... for now...), so the busses seem like a good idea, but I need to know if we'd have to get in line for a bus a 1/2 hr early, etc. Any advice/ help would be great!

 

[njcamper95]

buses run the same route around and around so you will need to go to the bus stop by your loop then take it to the front for parks and for the down town disney bus they run pretty regular the longest we wait is 20 minutes f we just missed one so its not bad if you are going to the magic kingdom then you catch a bus to the settlement then walk down to the marina and catch the boat to the magic kingdom you can also catch a bus to wildeness lodge if yo want to check it out or if you have ressies for dinner there buses for the internal routes to outpost (front desk area ) or setlement(marina,hoop dee doo,trailsend)run only a few minutes usually so if you just missed you internal and bus to the park you are trying to go you could wait 30 -40 minutes or more so if you have ressies at a place to eat leave plenty of timei would leave 1 hr early to play it safe maybe more you could always look around the place you are eating but you don't to be late they only hold ressies for so long hope this helped have fun and enjoy your trip

 

[MadFF]

"horror" stories? I haven't read any.

The buses run constantly inside the campground and to all the other parks / resorts. To go to Magic Kingdom, just take a bus to the "Settlement" and get on a boat there (very cool way to get to the park!!). The boats run constantly also. I don't think we ever had to wait more than 10 minutes for a bus.

Also, ASK a bus driver if you haven't seen a bus to your destination after a couple buses go by. One time we were returning to the campground from Disney Studios, and I asked a driver of a Pop Century bus and he said to hop on, as he was going to Fort Wilderness after dropping off at Pop Century.

Another time we were at the Settlement waiting for a "yellow" bus, after a couple purple and orange buses went by I asked the next purple bus driver about a yellow bus, and he changed his bus to the yellow route! I don't know if he was going to anyways, but asking works!

Disney WILL get you to where you want to go...

 

[Donna]

I use the buses on most every trip, whether it be at the fort or not. The only "horror" stories i've experienced have been at the BWV, really very rarely at the fort. I am actually amazed due to the sheer size of the Fort that it runs so smoothly. Once you know what your color is,orange, purple or yellow, it is quite simple. You boat to MK - hop on your color/settlement bus. Going to any other park or downtown disney? Hop on your color/outpost. Can't be much simpler than that. Remember, the mode of RELAXATION rules while staying or visiting the fort. If you go with that attitude, your waits will be ENJOYABLE! After all, while you're waiting at the outpost, you have the stables right there and while waiting at the settlement, you have the petting zoo area but you really won't have time to see them well while waiting cause buses come so frequently. The bus stop at the outpost is large and there is lots of seating and even vending machines. Relax and enjoy!

 

[bennythepug]

we drive our car everywhere except Magic Kingdom. It's just quicker.

 

[TxTink :)]

we drive our car everywhere except Magic Kingdom. It's just quicker.

Us too. Plus the bus exhaust gives me a headache (probably because we usually sit in the back) and when we ride it at night, sometimes they leave the inside lights on & I get motion sickness because I can't see outside... but that's just me.
Overall, it's just just easier for us to drive...

 

[2goofycampers]

we drive our car everywhere except Magic Kingdom. It's just quicker.

Us too. Plus the bus exhaust gives me a headache (probably because we usually sit in the back) and when we ride it at night, sometimes they leave the inside lights on & I get motion sickness because I can't see outside... but that's just me.
Overall, it's just just easier for us to drive...

Agree on all accounts.

 

[Donna]

we drive our car everywhere except Magic Kingdom. It's just quicker.

boy, you can say that again! tried the TTC/monorail method a couple weeks ago, wasn't my idea, but it took FOREVER! you're stuck parking where they tell you and then riding that tram with all the off-siters. i guess its ok if there's no other choice but the buses come often enough that its not necessary. it'll be a long time before i do that again! (stayed at BW, not the fort).
it made me appreciate walking down to the dock and taking the boat over and being dropped off right in front of MK entrance.

 

[MadFF]

it made me appreciate walking down to the dock and taking the boat over and being dropped off right in front of MK entrance.

Plus, the coolness factor of taking a boat to Magic Kingdom just can't be beat!

 

[Donna]

Plus, the coolness factor of taking a boat to Magic Kingdom just can't be beat!

yes, true! the only other resorts that have that luxury are deluxe so that makes US special!!!

 

[TxTink :)]

Plus, the coolness factor of taking a boat to Magic Kingdom just can't be beat!

That's part of going to MK for us too- we love the boat ride.

 

[gaffney09]

Thanks for all the advice, guys! I appreciate it. I'll keep all of this info in mind when I leave in 3 weeks!! I figure we'll probably end up driving ourselves to Downtown Disney and AK since they're the furthest from the Fort. But I'm definitely looking forward to riding the boat over to the MK!!

 

[Us3]

Thanks for all the advice, guys! I appreciate it. I'll keep all of this info in mind when I leave in 3 weeks!! I figure we'll probably end up driving ourselves to Downtown Disney and AK since they're the furthest from the Fort. But I'm definitely looking forward to riding the boat over to the MK!!

I also wanted to mention that you can rent a golf cart and skip the internal bus system. But if you are spending most of your time in the parks, the cost may not be worth it to you. Lot's of people who rent them from FW, enjoy riding around the Fort and enjoying a day or two of down time away from the parks. We bring our golf cart with us, so we never use the internal bus system. We take the boat to MK and take busses from the Outpost to go everywhere else. It's just a quick golf cart ride to the Outpost and we've never had to wait long for a bus to any of the parks or DTD.

Enjoy your trip!!! Hope to see a trip report and pics when you return!

 

[Skyw]

We rent a golf cart and use the bus system usually. I have to be honest, it was nice not to drive and if we had a few drinks at dinner we didn't have to drive. But now that I have a 5 year old or vacations have mellowed. On our last visit to the fort, we drove to Disney Studios and LOVED IT. My son was comfortable in his car seat and sleeping before we knew it. It was much easier then I thought. You can park right in front of your cabin. On our next trip we will probably drive some and ride the buses, depending on our moods.

It does take longer using the buses. But it is more time seating in a seat on a bus traveling then waiting at the bus stop for the bus. Once you are on the bus you can relax. Just plan some more time. Enjoy.