Transportation from WL

[MaskedRose86]

We are thinking of going after Thanksgiving in 2018 and debating on staying at Wilderness Lodge because it seems gorgeous that time of year and it is a bit cheaper than Contemporary/Poly. The only hesitation I have is the transportation. I am used to Disneyland where we stayed across the street from the park and walked and given the size of DW, there isn't a place that convenient. I will have twin 6 year olds who will probably want to spend the majority of their time at Magic Kingdom (since they will recognize the rides from DL). But I also have a Star Wars lover too.

 

[CynBeth]

We stayed there a few years ago before the construction and loved it! There is a boat to MK and a boat to FW and CR. The buses to Epcot, DHS, and AK were fine. We love breakfast at WCC and eat there every trip no matter where we are staying. The holiday decorations and fireplace are wonderful. Plus you have the electrical water pageant every night and the geyser.

 

[mickeynut1]

Like the pp, we love the WL and have always had good experiences with the transportation. The boat to CR, FW and MK is great and we have always found the buses to be very efficient. The WL is gorgeous and is one of our favorites any time of year, but especially during the holidays.

 

[Hopefully]

We are thinking of going after Thanksgiving in 2018 and debating on staying at Wilderness Lodge because it seems gorgeous that time of year and it is a bit cheaper than Contemporary/Poly. The only hesitation I have is the transportation. I am used to Disneyland where we stayed across the street from the park and walked and given the size of DW, there isn't a place that convenient. I will have twin 6 year olds who will probably want to spend the majority of their time at Magic Kingdom (since they will recognize the rides from DL). But I also have a Star Wars lover too.

WDW is HUGE compared to DL. It is bigger than Manhatten at over 45 square miles. Everywhere requires some form of transportation.
WL is very convenient to The MK but will take a bus or a transfer everywhere else.
CR is on the Monorail which is very convenient to the MK and with a transfer to the Epcot Monorail. You can also walk to The MK from there.
Transportation is a part of a WDW vacation. You need to simply understand that and incorporate it in your planning.
Good Luck and Have Fun

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Except for the boat to MK, we really disliked the bus service to the other parks from WL. We stayed there in 2011 and are finally staying there again this August only because we now utilize uber for anything that isn't easily accessible from our resort. We will boat to MK and uber everywhere else. For $5-$10 per trip, it's a fast, cheap way to get from place to place on property!

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I'm going to show how big of a dork I am with this response. I have been known to take the Magic Kingdom boat to and from Wilderness Lodge when I wasn't even staying there. It's a great experience. The captains who drive those boats are pretty darn special, if I do say so myself. I'm not saying the ones who drive the other boats aren't great, but there is something special about the Wilderness Lodge captains. We have had captains sing Disney songs to us, ask us Disney trivia, and tell us stories of fun things they have experienced as cast members. The ride itself is very beautiful and relaxing and the captains often make it even more pleasurable. We also have never had any trouble with the buses. They aren't as magical as taking the boat, but they are perfectly serviceable and the rarely crowded. I love Wilderness Lodge ad wouldn't hesitate to stay there with 6 year old twins. My daughter first stayed there when she was 4 and again when she was 6 and she absolutely adores the resort.

 

[ColoradoMom12]

We also have taken the boat to/from WL not even staying there. We've never stayed there, actually, but our kids really want to! We all love the boat. It's a very nice experience and the boat captains make the ride really fun. It's not a bad way to get to MK at all! Yes, it's easier to stay somewhere within walking distance of a park. You could consider staying at the CR. We don't find the theming there nearly as great as WL, but we stay there often for its convenience. The garden wing is lower priced than the main tower. The boat from WL to MK is really enjoyable and the theming there is wonderful.

 

[dansdad]

We have always had excellent transportation when staying at WL. It's one of our favorites, especially for MK as you have a very relaxing boat ride or an under 5 minute bus ride.

 

[allsaintsatx]

We are DLR vets, so I feel you! Honestly, we find WDW more relaxing because you don't have to walk as much to get to the parks. The walk from DLH to the park can feel kinda long! Well, longer than the walk to the Disney Bus stop outside your resort!

I may be in the minority, but I've never had an issue with Disney buses. Not from WL, or AKL, or the Poly. Not going to the farthest park, not even to Disney Springs. Always on time, or if late never more than 15 minutes tops. We've only had 2 major transport fails, and neither was a bus.

Part of the fun of the trip for us is riding everywhere on the Disney transportation! We think it adds to the Disney Feel, more so than hitching a ride in some stranger's Jetta (uber).

Disney bus to MK from WL was like 5 minutes. Crazy close. We took the boat once but it went to Fort Wilderness first and about half way through (when it started to get cold) we wished we had just taken the bus!

Don't let it sway you! WL is beautiful! We are going back in December and we are SUPER stoked!!! You will love it there! Enjoy your trip!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Except for the boat to MK, we really disliked the bus service to the other parks from WL. We stayed there in 2011 and are finally staying there again this August only because we now utilize uber for anything that isn't easily accessible from our resort. We will boat to MK and uber everywhere else. For $5-$10 per trip, it's a fast, cheap way to get from place to place on property!

The WL bus service has improved in the six years since you last stayed there. The bus no longer shares with the GF. The morning park buses go directly to the parks and don't stop at a second resort. The DHS, AK and Disney Springs buses share with the Contemporary, with the WL being the first stop. The Epcot bus still shares with FW.