Missing boats

[tmoo]

A couple of weeks ago we showed up at the dock at 7:45 hoping to make the 9:00 AM magic kingdom rope drop by taking the boat to the contemporary. As we walked up we saw the Contemporary boat was chugging away from the dock...sigh. We settled in for the 20 minute wait. However, the boat never came. Finally a good 45 minutes later at 8:30 the Magic Kingdom boat showed up with the Contemporary boat following it in. All but 2 people of the large line for the Contemporary boat immediately shifted rides. Of course the Magic Kingdom boat doesn't get you there for rope drop. In other words no 7 Mines Train for us.

The whole time we could see launches that looked like they are coming to and from the Wilderness Lodge, several of them.

We have taken the Contemporary boat in the morning several times but had always caught it by 7:45 in the past. Was this a one time occurrence where a boat didn't make it for some reason or do they sometimes leave the Fort out to shuttle Wilderness Lodge passengers?

 

[peg110]

I suspect it's a one time occurrence (or rather minimally occasional occurrence). Sometimes things happen. Maybe another dock was busier then usual or had more folks needing extra attention (perhaps handicaps?).

 

[tiggerdad]

Hard to say, but hearing about this is rare. I would first think something with a motor or mechanical.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

"411" for BAY LAKE & SEVEN SEAS LAGOON RESORT BOATS to/from WL-FW-CR-MK: (effective July-2015)

Wilderness Lodge, Magic Kingdom: (RED FLAG)
One MOTOR LAUNCH runs each from 30-min prior to MK opening until 1-1/2-hrs after MK closing. These boats run only between the MK and WL. (Estimated boat "steaming-time", after cast-off = 12-min)

Fort Wilderness, Magic Kingdom: (GREEN FLAG)
One MOTOR CRUISER and one MOTOR LAUNCH runs each from 30-min prior to MK opening until 1-1/2-hrs after MK closing.These boats run only between the MK and FW.(Estimated boat steaming-time", after cast-off =15-min)

Fort Wilderness, Wilderness Lodge, Contemporary: (BLUE FLAG)
Two MOTOR LAUNCH run at 0645-hrs to 2330-hrs daily. Both run clockwise (FW>WL>CR>FW) until about 1500-hrs, then reverse direction (CR>WL>FW>CR) at 1500-hrs. (Estimated boat steaming-time", after cast-off = 15-min each stop)

FW-WL-CR, Polynesian, Grand Floridian: (GOLD FLAG)
If you want to go to the GF/Poly from the WL, CR or FW by boat, you will have to go to the MK and then get the Gold flag MOTOR LAUNCH. In addition, there is no boat that goes directly from the CR to the MK, GF or Poly. Additional boats may be added to the Gold, Green, Red and Blue routes during periods of exceptionally high demand, like at heavy MK closings, to alleviate guest lines at the docks. runs each from 30-min prior to MK opening until 1-1/2-hrs after MK closing. (Estimated boat "steaming-time", after cast-off = 10-min)

Wheelchair and ECV "411":
Rental Boats:
The rental boats at various marinas include pontoons, individual watercraft, and sailboats. Only the pontoons have ready access for chairs and ECV's without collapsing or man-handling.

Resort MOTOR LAUNCHES and CRUISERS:
For MOTOR LAUNCHES (short-open boats that look like small pirate boats), strollers must be folded prior to boarding and ECVs cannot be accommodated on MOTOR LAUNCHES under any circumstances. All MOTOR LAUNCHES require guests to step down into the boat, and not very handicap accessible.

MOTOR CRUISERS (long-covered motor boats called Friendship boats, like those at Epcot), do accommodate ECV's unless the lake water level is too low.

 

[tiggerdad]

Well, a description of operation don't get any better than that.