Wilderness Lodge to Chef Mickey breakfast

[KEichman]

Hi all,

We have a 7:25am ADR at CM's, and are staying at Wilderness Lodge. just discovered that the boat from Wilderness Lodge to the Contemporary doesn't start running until 30 minutes before MK opens (correct?)

So what is the best way to get to CM's? How long should we plan on bus service, vs. how much would a taxi cost (for 5 people)?

Thanks for your help!

Kathi

 

[vicki_c]

Not correct. You need to take the resorts launch which runs WL-Ft.Wilderness-Contemporary. I do not know what flag color that is - I can never keep them straight. I think when we were last at WL, the captain told us that that boat starts around 6:30 AM (although I suppose that could vary by time of year).

The direct WL to MK boat started much closer to park opening time (in fact - we missed rope drop by a few minutes).

 

[cranbiz]

There is bus transportation. From WL to CM you will take the MK bus and ask if the driver can drop you off at the CR. Be out at the bus stop by 6:45. Worst case, you will go to MK and walk over. Its a 5-8 minute walk.

A taxi for 5 is the same cost as a taxi for 1. Should not cost more than $5 to $6 plus tip.

 

[KEichman]

Not correct. You need to take the resorts launch which runs WL-Ft.Wilderness-Contemporary. I think when we were last at WL, the captain told us that that boat starts around 6:30 AM (although I suppose that could vary by time of year).

Excellent! That's exactly what I was hoping to do! But the only info I could find was that the WL boats started 30 mins. before park opening. Those articles must not have been taking into account the resort-resort boats. Thanks!

 

[KEichman]

A taxi for 5 is the same cost as a taxi for 1. Should not cost more than $5 to $6 plus tip.

LOL...I'm so used to CITY taxi's, that only seat up to 4 max. The taxi ride is pretty inexpensive...so now I'm left with taxi....or boat. Hmmmmmm....

 

[vicki_c]

Excellent! That's exactly what I was hoping to do! But the only info I could find was that the WL boats started 30 mins. before park opening. Those articles must not have been taking into account the resort-resort boats. Thanks!

Definitely check when you get to WL. And by that I mean -- walk out to the boat dock and ask the boat captain! Not at the front desk. I would hate to see you waiting for the boat and find out for some reason it's not running that early that day -- it's hard to pin down some of the Disney transportation things because they seem to change every once in a while. So I would just verify the day before your ADR. Worst case -- take the bus. There are buses leaving all the resorts in time to get people to early character breakfasts at the parks - I've just never taken any of them.

 

[zulemara]

the blue route begins operation at 6:45am. The boats come out of dry dock and one heads to the WL and one to FW and are on each dock at 6:45. The two boats then shuttle directly between WL and CR and FW and CR. After a couple rounds, when guest traffic has died down, they will go into their normal cycle, which is clockwise around the lake, CR-->FW-->WL. They then switch at 3pm and go the opposite way, CR-->WL-->FW

 

[KEichman]

Thanks for the detailed information! This will be very helpful!

 

[KEichman]

Zulemara...clearly you have great info on the WL boats. A follow-up question...if we DO miss one of those early morning boats, how long would you estimate until the next one? And how long is the ride from WL to the Contemporary? Thanks so much!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

If you want to get there as fast as possible I would take the taxi.

 

[vicki_c]

zulumara - thanks so much for the details! I'm always hesitant to give boat advice because there always seems to be some uncertainty (to me at least)!

 

[KEichman]

If you want to get there as fast as possible I would take the taxi.

Thanks Vicki_c! I don't necessarily need the absolute fastest way, but just wanted to judge my timing. It seemed overkill for the 90-minute allotment of time that is typically recommended to get to a resort ADR. I was thinking of leaving WL 45-60 minutes before ADR, to arrive at the boat dock 30-45 minutes before, and am interested to hear whether or not this is a realistic plan. Thoughts?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks Vicki_c! I don't necessarily need the absolute fastest way, but just wanted to judge my timing. It seemed overkill for the 90-minute allotment of time that is typically recommended to get to a resort ADR. I was thinking of leaving WL 45-60 minutes before ADR, to arrive at the boat dock 30-45 minutes before, and am interested to hear whether or not this is a realistic plan. Thoughts?

I think you accidently quoted me by mistake, because obviously I am not vicki_c.

 

[KEichman]

Whoops! Sorry about that CR Resort Fan 4 Life!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Don't worry about it.

 

[zulemara]

Zulemara...clearly you have great info on the WL boats. A follow-up question...if we DO miss one of those early morning boats, how long would you estimate until the next one? And how long is the ride from WL to the Contemporary? Thanks so much!

I better know the info, I drive them!

On a direct route, WL to CR is 5 minutes transit with about 2 minutes docking, depending on the pilot. If you miss the boat and they happen to go into a normal rotation, it's usually 10 minutes between boats, with maximum wait time being 15 minutes. It's 20 minutes to make a trip around the whole lake and there are 2 boats on the route, so a good cycle would be 10 minutes and if the cycle is off, then it shouldn't be more than 15 minutes.

The cycle in the morning is WL -->CR--> FW so if you jump on a boat, you'll be getting off at the first stop. I think your question about the 90 minutes is valid in this case because early in the morning, we don't have to deal with as many operational hazards, plus not having to go to MK keeps the route running pretty smooth. I think if you're on the dock 30-45 minutes prior to your dining time, you should be fine. It's always better to be early than late.

disclaimer: during the day or when using any other form of transportation, specifically ones that go through a theme park, stick to the 90 minutes. You never know when a bus is gonna break down or hit traffic, a monorail is gonna get held up for another one leaving or coming onto a beam, or the boats putting up with lightshow and ferryboats coming through the water bridge.


Hope that helps

 

[KEichman]

Thank you SO much. That kind of detailed info is very helpful for planning!

 

[Endeavour105]

Thank you SO much. That kind of detailed info is very helpful for planning!

For complete and up-to-date info on WDW Watercraft operations on Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake, see the following:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1646456