Wilderness Lodge - Ferry Transportation Issues?

[SueM in MN]

We're going to be with my mom at the WL in December, and she uses an electric scooter to get around - I don't recall seeing any on boats. Is it possible to take a scooter on the ferry?

Sometimes they can get on with no trouble, but as mentioned already, at times the boats are not accessible to wheelchairs or scooters because of "changing water levels". There are some "tricks" the the boat CMs can use, such as loading the scooter first if the boat needs to be higher in the water, or loading it last so that the weight of the passengers will lower the boat in the water.
Here's a
link to a thread on the disABILITIES Board that addresses it.

 

[rdsx28]

Hi, my father-in-law uses a scooter as well and yes they do allow them on the boat.They just usually have you stay up front. They were great about it in fact!

 

[Hugpug]

What is the big rush your supposed to be on vacation. Sit back and relax for a spell. WL is great. The price does not justify Staying at Poly just for having the Monorail. I took the boat and I also took the bus. The boat was nice and relaxing. Is is usaly only crowed first thing in the morning and at park closing.

 

[VAN]

We stay at Ft Wilderness and, as you know, the ferry is used by both WL and the campground. I personally love the ferry. I find it much more relaxing and fun than the buses.

I also feel a bit special when others have to head for their buses and I get to ride on yet another truly themed, Disney attraction.

This spring, we didn't have to wait long for any of the ferries. We have eaten or visited the Poly and have had to wait long times for the monorail and then it would have to stop at the Grand Floridian, so I really didn't think it was that much more special.

If you can save $100/night ... I'd stay at Ft Wilderness every time. Also, I think it is a bit more relaxing and less crowded than the Poly as well.

 

[skiwee1]

We've had 3 bad ferry experiences after the park closes. The shortest we had to wait was 1 1/2 hours. The longest was a little over 2 hours. It was ridiculous and the main reason we don't want to go back to the WL.

 

[skiwee1]

What is the big rush your supposed to be on vacation. Sit back and relax for a spell. WL is great. The price does not justify Staying at Poly just for having the Monorail. I took the boat and I also took the bus. The boat was nice and relaxing. Is is usaly only crowed first thing in the morning and at park closing.

We were never in any rush but thought the transportation was terrible. It is one thing to have a small wait or a few minutes on the boat. It is entirely another to have to wait 2 hours to get back the resort or wait for a bus that never shows. The Poly is worth every penny and can't be compared to the WL in terms of transportation, room size, or amenities. The lobby at the WL beats the Poly lobby though!

 

[goodguy595]

There are mixed views on the Wilderness Lodge, I am planning on staying but I hear bad stories on the boat ride. Is it common to wait an hour for the boat. How long is the boat ride to MK?