Q re: Fort Wilderness boat transportation using a scooter

[schlepsnort]

I have severe JRA and for our trip in May I plan on renting a scooter for myself so I can actually enjoy our vacation and not be in so much pain.

We are staying at Fort Wilderness and was wondering if the boat transportation to Magic Kingdom and the Contemporary are accessible for someone using an electric scooter?

Thanks for any info!

 

[SueM in MN]

There are 2 kinds of boats that go between the MK resorts (including Fort Wilderness).
One kind are Motor Cruisers - those are large boats that are wheelchair and ECV accessible almost all the time. The exception is when the water level is either too high or too low compared to the dock. The boat captain CMs can usually compensate for this, so it is not often a problem.

There are also small Motor Launches that go between some of the MK resorts and MK. Those are small and require several steps to get into and out of the boat so they are not accessible.

This page has pictures of the different types of boats.
The top picture is the Ferry Boat that goes between the TTC and MK.
The next picture (with the blue roof and red and blue bottom) is a Motor Launch, which is not accessible.
The last picture shows the Motor Cruiser, which is almost always accessible.

 

[schlepsnort]

Thank you so much for the info!

 

[Debbie Jean]

To follow up on this question... which I am so glad was asked ... DD and I need to go from MK to FW for the Halloween cariage ride next month and I need to be able to take my ECV... so I shouldn't have any problems?

I'm paranoid about booking the event and not being able to get on the boat!

 

[sharadoc]

You will have no problem on the large MK = FW boat. And congrats on deciding on an ECV. I have severe RA and got one on our last trip and it was the best decision I ever made! My whole family told me how much better the trip was because I could keep up and not keep stopping to rest my legs, or have a hard time sleeping because of the pain.

 

[Debbie Jean]

You will have no problem on the large MK = FW boat. And congrats on deciding on an ECV. I have severe RA and got one on our last trip and it was the best decision I ever made! My whole family told me how much better the trip was because I could keep up and not keep stopping to rest my legs, or have a hard time sleeping because of the pain.

Thanks for such a quick response!

I have actually rented an ECV for the past few years... it was hard to accept since I always loved walking the parks As you say, it's hard to imagine going without it now. I'm comforable using the bus, the monorail and the larger boats that go between the resorts and DTD. But I've always been a bit nervous about the FW and WL boats, though, since I know the ones going to the GF and Poly can't accomodate one.

You've put my mind at ease

 

[clkelley]

Also as a backup, there is a bus between Ft. Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge, then a separate bus between Wilderness Lodge and the Magic Kingdom.

The boat from the Fort to MK is most definitely accessible, unless for some reason the water levels are too low, but with all the rain they've had, not a concern right now.

The small boat that goes between the Fort, WL, and Contemporary is not accessible.

If you want to go to WL, just take the bus over. If you want to go to the Contemporary take the big boat to MK, then scoot back over to the Contemporary on the walkway.

Also, an FYI the boat between MK and Wilderness Lodge has one large boat and one small launch, so only every other boat is accessible.

 

[Debbie Jean]

Also as a backup, there is a bus between Ft. Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge, then a separate bus between Wilderness Lodge and the Magic Kingdom.

The boat from the Fort to MK is most definitely accessible, unless for some reason the water levels are too low, but with all the rain they've had, not a concern right now.

The small boat that goes between the Fort, WL, and Contemporary is not accessible.

If you want to go to WL, just take the bus over. If you want to go to the Contemporary take the big boat to MK, then scoot back over to the Contemporary on the walkway.

Also, an FYI the boat between MK and Wilderness Lodge has one large boat and one small launch, so only every other boat is accessible.

We are actually staying at BLT this trip so this is great information to have. Thanks!

BTW, I love your camper

 

[clkelley]

BTW, I love your camper

Thanks!!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

We are actually staying at BLT this trip so this is great information to have. Thanks!

You know it's a bad brain-fog day when you wonder why Debbie Jean is staying in a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich!

 

[Debbie Jean]

You know it's a bad brain-fog day when you wonder why Debbie Jean is staying in a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich!

Now you have me cravin' a big ol' BLT with plenty of mayo on thick slices of toasted white bread

Gonna have to stop at the store on my way home from work!

 

[chaoscent]

I was coming on to post this question. The WL Villas have an 1 bedroom opening for 10/1 (rather than OKW). I am in a ECV and will be at the Contemporary for the pin event on 10/1. I was wondering if I should grab up the WL DVC for the one night or just stay with OKW for 2 nights. I think I am going to be at the BLT on 9/30, the WL DVC on 10/1 and I am not sure about 10/2. Well, I figure I am in the parks all day so it really doesn't matter. LOL
Thanks for the good information.
I love this board.
Penny

 

[SueM in MN]

I was coming on to post this question. The WL Villas have an 1 bedroom opening for 10/1 (rather than OKW). I am in a ECV and will be at the Contemporary for the pin event on 10/1. I was wondering if I should grab up the WL DVC for the one night or just stay with OKW for 2 nights. I think I am going to be at the BLT on 9/30, the WL DVC on 10/1 and I am not sure about 10/2. Well, I figure I am in the parks all day so it really doesn't matter. LOL
Thanks for the good information.
I love this board.
Penny

Sorry, didn't see this sooner.
I would probably not switch. Remember that you may not be able to get into your room until after 4 (could be after 5) and one more night change will be another time packing up and transporting the luggage.

 

[dclfun]

Sorry, didn't see this sooner.
I would probably not switch. Remember that you may not be able to get into your room until after 4 (could be after 5) and one more night change will be another time packing up and transporting the luggage.

I'm with Sue on this one. I use a power w/c and as such have equipment related to it such as a battery charger, power strip, etc. which are a pain to move. We try to stay put as much as possible. I often need to lay down in the afternoon and it would be a challenge to wait til after 4pm for a ready room, since they aren't really gtd until then. OKW has more spacious rooms anyway and I'm sure it will be nice to relax there after a hectic pin event the day before. BTW, have fun!---Kathy

 

[chaoscent]

Thanks everyone. I was able to get a studio for 10/1 & 10/2 at the BLT so I was there for all 3 nights. It worked out perfect. Thanks, P

 

[GetGlowing]

We're also trying to decide about getting to FW for Hoop, we'll have an ECV in our group. I keep going back and forth between using water transport and internal bus transport. I'd like to use water since there's a chance we'll see fireworks on our trip back afterwards.

On the topic of the BLT (sandwich, not resort), if you're ever at Dollywood theme park, they have THE BEST BLTs ever -- three thick pieces of white bread and 8-10 strips of bacon! Totally sharable and soooo yummy.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

And to go further a friend of mine who works at the Contemporary said they were having an unofficial internal contest to name Bay Lake Towers. My suggestion, which he turned in (did not win prize but got favorable comments) related to the Contemporary often being referrred to as The Toaster.

My suggestion was "DVC on Toast".

 

[GetGlowing]

Bacon Lettuce Towers?

 

[Kristen K]

If you want to go to WL, just take the bus over. If you want to go to the Contemporary take the big boat to MK, then scoot back over to the Contemporary on the walkway.

Also, an FYI the boat between MK and Wilderness Lodge has one large boat and one small launch, so only every other boat is accessible.

Thanks so much for sharing this information. I'm headed to WL in 2 weeks and this will be the first time I have an ECV for the whole trip. In the past I've just used one in the Parks and I'm fairly nervous about getting to and from the hotel in the scooter.

About how long is it time wise between boats?

 

[DVC Mary]

Should I just avoid using the boats? I'm so bummed.

Is there any way to find out which boats are out on the lake before heading to the boat dock?

I guess I'll just enjoy it for rides back, since it's easy to see which boat is there or is on it's way.

If you ask the CMs at the dock at MK, will they be able to tell you which type of boat is coming?