Trail's End Buffet - how to get there.

[cdntowdw]

We are planning on having dinner at the Trail's End on Jan. 3 when we arrive in Orlando. We do not have tickets to do WDW this trip . We will be doing 5 days at US/IOA. But to include a little "Disney" we thought we would like to have dinner there and then go to the Polynesian beach to watch the fireworks and the EWP. Can anyone advise on how this can be done. Could we park at the Contempory, take the boat to FW and then after dinner go back to the Contemporary and ride the monorail to the Polynesian. We don't mind the travelling around as that is part of the fun. What do you think? How do we get to park at the Contemporary. Can we just drive in without a dinner reservation or ticket of any sort. We are staying off-site as well.

 

[castlegazer]

I think you would park at the TTC or at the Poly (but I have been told here that it is only three hour parking at the Poly or any resort) and either take the monorail or boat to MK docks and then take the boat to FtW. This way your car is in the right place for when you return plus you get a real Disney experience with the boat ride over. Supposedly you can walk to the Poly from the TTC lots so parking here puts you in good stead for leaving after the fireworks and EWP. The boat is the best way to go to FtW as it is relaxing and gives you a great view too.

 

[MELSMICE]

You can actually park right at Fort Wilderness in their main lot & then catch a bus back to Pioneer Hall. Trail's End Buffet is part of the Pioneer Hall area. After dinner you can actually walk down to the boat dock & watch the EWP there.

Have fun!

 

[skoba-nelson]

We parked at WL. Explored and enjoyed it, watched the geyser. Then we simply walked there using a paved all-purpose trail between WL and FW that leads right to the area of the Trails End. Also right near there is a petting zoo and the barn with a small exhibit on horses.

 

[paulsimon]

We have parked at Wilderness Lodge. Never had a problem getting in. We just say we're interested in looking around. There is a boat dock at the back of the hotel. The boat drops you off right near The Trails End.

The first time we went to Trails End we parked at the enterance to Ft. Wilderness. 40 minutes later we arrived at Trails End. What a hassle. At that time I said I wouldn't go back. It took forever to get through the buses. Since then we have used the Wilderness Lodge route several times. It works like a charm.

 

[cdntowdw]

Do you think we could get into the parking lot at the Contemporary without having a dinner reservation there - to "just have a look around". We had dinner at Chef Mickey's there a couple of years ago but had a PS at the time. We then rode the monorail over to the Poly for the fireworks and EWP on the beach there. Does the boat go from the Cont. to FW?

 

[paulsimon]

I think you could get into the contemporary. The only thing is they will probably limit your stay to 3 hours. When we went in May they were not limiting the time at Wilderness Lodge. I think that's probably the biggest advantage.

If you want to see the Contemporary, why don't you park at WL and look around there. Then take the boat to the Contemporary and then to Ft. Wilderness. Make a whole evening of it.

 

[cdntowdw]

Thanks everyone for the advice, this is what I've come up with.
Go to Contemporary about 6:30, ride the boat to Fort Wilderness and have dinner at Trailsend. After dinner about 7:30 or 8:00, ride the boat back to the Cont. Look around and then ride the monorail over to the Poly to look around and be on the beach at 9:00 for the fireworks and then EWP. Monorail back to the Cont. and our car when this is over.