Originally posted by zippehsmom
I have been trying to read all I can about the WL, and one thing that I see some people complain about is the transportation. We will have a rental car, so I'm not concerned about getting to the other parks. I guess my question is, is the boat transportation to the MK about the same as boat transporation from BWV/BCV to MGM or Epcot?
zippehsmom
Welcome to the
Wilderness Lodge FAQ Thread. I always wonder about the people that have problems with the transportation from Wilderness Lodge. I wonder if they have ever stayed over at the EPCOT area and had to share a bus and boat system with six other major resorts.
I have never had any problems with the transportation at the Lodge, would I prefer not to have to wait on a boat or bus yes...is that going to happen every trip no.
The large
Green Flag Boats operate on a continuous loop (like the launches over at MGM/S&D/YC/BC/BCV/BWI/BWV/EPCOT) in the
a.m. the boat picks up at Ft. Wilderness Campground, then Wilderness Lodge then the Magic Kingdom. (The ride from WL to Magic Kingdom takes about 10 minutes but you have to add boarding and disembarking this can add a few minutes each stop) In the afternoon the loop reverses it is Magic Kingdom, Wilderness Lodge then Ft. Wilderness Campground this makes for less transportant time for guest staying at Wilderness Lodge going and coming back.
Now this is where the controversy is, if you are a guest at the Lodge and want to go to the Magic Kingdom in the afternoon after the reversal of the system has taken place you are going to have to ride the boat to Ft. Wilderness Campground then the Magic Kingdom. Making for a 20 minute ride, plus the loading and disembarking which can make for a 30 minute trip. Anyone that has riden the boat from MGM to the Boardwalk knows what that can be like. It all depends on your state-of-mind if you enjoy the ride for the scenic beauty it will be a great experience, if you are chomping at the bit to arrive at the Magic Kingdom to see all the sites, make a
PS or parade, it can seem like slow torture.
The Green Flag Boats start operating about an hour before the park opens...so the first boat reaches the Lodge at either 7:20
am on EMH or 8:20
am for regular openings.
The
Blue Flag Boats I call them the Resort hoppers, they travel from The CR, Wilderness Lodge and Ft Wilderness also on a continuous loop between the resorts but can go either direction, so alway ask the Captain which resort they are going to. Some will take you to the resort you are traveling to if they can because it's a less used service. They operating from 7:00
am-10:00
pm.
Now after all the boat information There is something new...
Starting Sunday, November 14th (no posted end date), Disney Transport will be testing out a new route for the Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness.
Currently, there is a bus from the Transportation & Ticket Center to Wilderness Lodge, and Fort Wilderness. As of Sunday, this bus will no longer exist.
Instead, there will be DIRECT BUS SERVICE from Wilderness Lodge to the Magic Kingdom.
So now there will be an additional way to get to and from the Magic Kingdom, besure to check with guest services for any changes that may happen before your trip.
I don't ever feel the need to drive my car to any of the parks from The Wilderness Lodge because the bus service is easier. Even though you may share the bus with one other resort, the last few times I have stayed at the Lodge the MGM and AK bus has shared with the Grand Floridan. We have also shared a bus with Ft Wilderness Campground but it has been a while ago.
The only place I drive to is DTD, I drive no matter where I'm staying.
Have a MAGICAL TRIP.