The boats run about every 20 minutes ............there are two boats that run the Contemporary, WL, FW loop........ One boat goes clockwise and the other boat goes counterclockwise, if that makes any sense! The boat coming from FW will pick up at WL and then head to the Contemporary. If you get on that boat, the ride will take no more than 5 minutes or so. If the boat comes from the Contemporary to WL then it has to go to FW before heading back to the Contemporary. That ride will take a bit longer.......probably at least 15 to 20 minutes. The drivers of the boat announce which resort they are heading to next so just check with them to be sure they are heading to the Cont. next if you don't want a long boat ride to FW first. Another option, if the weather is poor, is to ride the big boat to MK (since it has an inside part to it) and then catch the monorail or take the bus to TTC and hop the monorail. The boats that bring you to the resorts are all open with no closed in section.
I can't remember what times the boat quits running, but if you are going to be late, catch the monorail to TTC and then a boat back to WL. I'm pretty sure this can be done but you might want to confirm that first.