MK Watercraft Transportation advisory

[zulemara]

I don't have specific dates yet and will keep this thread updated, but I wanted to put an advisory out about MK watercraft transportation.

In the very near future, a number of rehabs will be happening that, while the guest flow is low, can still impact travel time to your destination.

Currently: One of our 120 passenger cruisers is in rehab. While the Bon Voyage is out of service, there is a 39 passenger launch in its place. Typically, the Bonnie is on the green(Ft Wilderness route), so what we have now is instead of 2 120 passenger cruisers, we have a 120 passenger cruiser and a 39 passenger launch. This will cause delays, especially during the hoop de doo times, so please make sure to add extra time. I would honestly recommend that if you're going to be going from MK to Ft Wilderness for any show or dinner reservation, be on the dock at MK 1.5 hrs before your seating. For hoop de doo, that means if the seating is 9:30(I don't remember the other times) they ask that you're there by 9(I'm factoring that in) so be on the dock at 8pm. If you have a dinner reservation, follow the same principle.

In the very near future: The west angle dock which currently hosts the gold route(GF and Poly) will be shut down. The gold route will be moved to the east angle dock. This is the dock closest to the ferry boat dock. I'm sure someone can provide a map. This shouldn't impact wait times much other than the adjustments pilots will have to make to account for additional docking time. This is being done to make way for a floating dock on the west angle, which is badly needed.

In the near future: The ferryboat slip at that TTC will undergo refurbishments. This means we will be using the Temp slip at the TTC. While it's safe to use for guests, it requires 2 things. The max capacity of the ferry boats will be cut in half to 300 guests. Additionally, wheelchairs or ECVs will NOT be allowed on the Ferry. Guests with these 2 items will have to take the monorail to get to or from MK. I know this is a big deal, so I will do my best, as soon as I have firm dates, to update this thread.


Those are the 3 things I have been told. I will update as necessary and do my best to keep an eye on the thread and answer any questions you may have.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I would honestly recommend that if you're going to be going from MK to Ft Wilderness for any show or dinner reservation, be on the dock at MK 1.5 hrs before your seating. For hoop de doo, that means if the seating is 9:30(I don't remember the other times) they ask that you're there by 9(I'm factoring that in) so be on the dock at 8pm. If you have a dinner reservation, follow the same principle.

First show 5 PM, second show 7:15 PM.

In the very near future: The west angle dock which currently hosts the gold route(GF and Poly) will be shut down. The gold route will be moved to the east angle dock. This is the dock closest to the fairy boat dock. I'm sure someone can provide a map.

I'm sending a PM to Robo to see if he can help.

 

[Robo]

In the very near future: The west angle dock which currently hosts the gold route(GF and Poly) will be shut down. The gold route will be moved to the east angle dock. This is the dock closest to the fairy boat dock. I'm sure someone can provide a map.

The two docks in question are shown below (each denoted with #2.)

 

[kaytieeldr]

Thanks, Robo!

 

[goofy4tink]

I don't have specific dates yet and will keep this thread updated, but I wanted to put an advisory out about MK watercraft transportation.

In the very near future, a number of rehabs will be happening that, while the guest flow is low, can still impact travel time to your destination.

Currently: One of our 120 passenger cruisers is in rehab. While the Bon Voyage is out of service, there is a 39 passenger launch in its place. Typically, the Bonnie is on the green, so what we have now is instead of 2 120 passenger cruisers, we have a 120 passenger cruiser and a 39 passenger launch. This will cause delays, especially during the hoop de doo times, so please make sure to add extra time. I would honestly recommend that if you're going to be going from MK to Ft Wilderness for any show or dinner reservation, be on the dock at MK 1.5 hrs before your seating. For hoop de doo, that means if the seating is 9:30(I don't remember the other times) they ask that you're there by 9(I'm factoring that in) so be on the dock at 8pm. If you have a dinner reservation, follow the same principle.

In the very near future: The west angle dock which currently hosts the gold route(GF and Poly) will be shut down. The gold route will be moved to the east angle dock. This is the dock closest to the fairy boat dock. I'm sure someone can provide a map. This shouldn't impact wait times much other than the adjustments pilots will have to make to account for additional docking time. This is being done to make way for a floating dock on the west angle, which is badly needed.

In the near future: The ferryboat slip at that TTC will undergo refurbishments. This means we will be using the Temp slip at the TTC. While it's safe to use for guests, it requires 2 things. The max capacity of the ferry boats will be cut in half to 300 guests. Additionally, wheelchairs or ECVs will NOT be allowed on the Ferry. Guests with these 2 items will have to take the monorail to get to or from MK. I know this is a big deal, so I will do my best, as soon as I have firm dates, to update this thread.


Those are the 3 things I have been told. I will update as necessary and do my best to keep an eye on the thread and answer any questions you may have.

Is this a new boat??? THe one that Tink takes?? Or maybe she pilots it?? Sorry, I just couldn't resist.

Thanks for the heads up...good info to have.

 

[zulemara]

Is this a new boat??? THe one that Tink takes?? Or maybe she pilots it?? Sorry, I just couldn't resist.

Thanks for the heads up...good info to have.

woops! I musta been thinkin of gay days, when It's a fairy ferry!

 

[clkelley]

I'm linking this thread over on the Camping Forum as that will affect us Fort Wilderness folks significantly.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Smart, clkelly! And zulemera - we knew what you meant . Thank you VERY much for the information!

 

[goofy4tink]

woops! I musta been thinkin of gay days, when It's a fairy ferry!

Okay....here's hoping no one is put out by that comment!! It was really kinda funny!!!

 

[twinmum]

I don't have specific dates yet and will keep this thread updated, but I wanted to put an advisory out about MK watercraft transportation.

In the very near future, a number of rehabs will be happening that, while the guest flow is low, can still impact travel time to your destination.

Thank you for this update, and for posting it on the Poly thread. I am planning a trip in late Feb with my sons (one in a wheelchair/walker) and their friend - three 11 year olds and my husband cannot join us! So...ease of transportation is important. Do you have any idea whether the "near future" and length of rehab means that this will affect us Feb 21-28? We do have an ADR at WL during that time, and I might reconsider if we can't take the ferry. If we do, it's good to know that he must use his walker for sure.

Thanks!

 

[clkelley]

Currently: One of our 120 passenger cruisers is in rehab. While the Bon Voyage is out of service, there is a 39 passenger launch in its place.

"It is sad though that the Bon Voyage is in rehab. It's always been a good boat, and I had no idea it had a drinking problem."

(stolen from one of the nutty responses to this post on the camping board)

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

"It is sad though that the Bon Voyage is in rehab. It's always been a good boat, and I had no idea it had a drinking problem."

(stolen from one of the nutty responses to this post on the camping board)

Well any boat that has taken on a drinking problem (i.e., taking on water) should definitely be rehabbed. Perhaps, the drinking problem is diesel or oil.

Note: I have no idea what is happening with the boat, and certainly doubt that it is taking on water, or using oil or fuel.

 

[zulemara]

Actually the Bonnie is the 123(as it the Brittney Spears song) boat. Given the lyrics of the song, you can see the rehab I might be referring to

The Mermaid 1 is J-Lo, for her curvy body and fat stern

Castaways is the magical ending boat.

Then there's the "disco" voyager, the sea-failure, Almighty Adventurer, Cavitator, Exploder, and the mariner(doesn't have a nickname yet)

Kudos for catching the hidden jokes though


To answer the question about February, it depends on where you're coming from en route to WL. If you were going from the poly to WL, you would probably want to take the monorail with the wheelchair because the launches do not come to the dock evenly and it can be difficult to get on and off. So take the monorail to MK and then catch a boat to WL. They have a cruiser and a launch on the red(WL to MK) route so if you just wait for the cruiser, then you'll be fine.

I still don't have specific dates on the Ferry. I will try to get an update on Sunday when I work next

 

[Microcell]

Leaving for WL in 15 days so this is helpful to know! Thanks!

 

[zulemara]

yeah it shouldn't effect the lodge guests much other than the possibility at closing that they send the 2 cruisers on the "old" green route, which means they pick up at MK, go to the lodge, then campground, then back to MK. This is only done after the initial rush though and is usually to help expedite things towards the end of the night(like emh nights and such)

 

[prncess674]

woops! I musta been thinkin of gay days, when It's a fairy ferry!

Okay....here's hoping no one is put out by that comment!! It was really kinda funny!!!

Wow, a moderator approving of such blatent slurs. Perhaps we should link this over at the Gay and Lesbian at Disney forum. I am sure they would be so proud.

 

[goofy4tink]

Since there seem to be some that have complained about this thread, I am shutting it down. Yes, things were said with tongue in cheek, but when others fail to see the humor, it has to be done. Sorry guys.