Questions about WL boats

[Masonmj84]

I understand that there are two types of boats that service the WL:

1. Red Flag between WL and MK
2. Blue Flag between WL, CR, and FW

Allears.net states that the Blue Flag begins service every morning at 6:45 and that the Red Flag begins service 30 minutes before the MK opens (or 30 minutes before morning EMH begins).

That site also states that the Blue Flag goes clockwise in the morning (not sure what resort it usually starts at - if it starts at CR, then I'd guess it wouldn't make it to WL until around 7ish).

Has anyone ever tried to catch the earliest of either of these two types of boats? If so, did your experience coincide with the above information?

Also, what is the crowd/line situation for pre-park opening Red Flag boats? For example, how early should I arrive at the dock if I want to ensure making the first boat of the day? (assume this is a non-peak period)

 

[rcraw45425]

I understand that there are two types of boats that service the WL:

1. Red Flag between WL and MK
2. Blue Flag between WL, CR, and FW

Allears.net states that the Blue Flag begins service every morning at 6:45 and that the Red Flag begins service 30 minutes before the MK opens (or 30 minutes before morning EMH begins).

That site also states that the Blue Flag goes clockwise in the morning (not sure what resort it usually starts at - if it starts at CR, then I'd guess it wouldn't make it to WL until around 7ish).

Has anyone ever tried to catch the earliest of either of these two types of boats? If so, did your experience coincide with the above information?

Also, what is the crowd/line situation for pre-park opening Red Flag boats? For example, how early should I arrive at the dock if I want to ensure making the first boat of the day? (assume this is a non-peak period)

IIRC, there is also a bus to MK. If you're that concerned with being there extra early that may be your best option

 

[baler31]

IIRC, there is also a bus to MK. If you're that concerned with being there extra early that may be your best option

The bus is much faster and generally much less crowded.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I don't have experience with getting those boats that early in the morning but just so you know - they won't run if it's too windy or if there is a bad storm with lightening.

And you may not see any lightening but it could be out on the lake so you have no way of knowing if the boat is actually running or not.

If you get to the boat dock and one doesn't arrive within a few minutes of the start time for the boats - you'll want to go catch the bus to MK instead.

I had the experience of waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting on a boat that never came because there was lightening on the lake that I never saw before I gave up and went to the bus to MK. And there was nothing that said the boat wasn't coming and no one ever came out and informed all of us waiting that the boat system was down due to lightening.
I found out later that afternoon when I went to the boat dock to go back to WL and the boats were down again but someone was there who said it was due to lightening.

So it's just something to be aware of regarding the boats.

 

[Wood Nymph]

The boats are great. Our experience was that we got a boat in plenty of time for rope drop at MK. I think we were at the dock about twenty minutes before opening. There was a line, but the first boat loaded fast and a second boat was waiting. We arrived just as the opening ceremony was ending, and we had gotten the second boat. So I would recommend that you be down at the dock about half an hour before rope drop. We always took the boat to MK. It was really nice.

As far as the blue flag boats, there are actually two of them, one going clockwise and one going counter-clockwise. We pulled up to CR just as the other boat was landing, so I know there are two boats, I saw them together. The boat to CR takes about five minutes. But if you happen the get to boat that is going to FW first, then the trip will be closer to twenty minutes.

I don't think we ever waited more than 15 minutes for any boat.

 

[HubbDave]

We did have a long wait once because the boats were changing routes

Otherwise they were great