Wilderness lodge to MK - best way?

[AngiTN]

I agree, we have always had a great time interacting with the CMs on the boats.
And for those that collect transportation cards, they do have them for the boats. DGD got them for boats, buses and monorails

 

[CMNJ]

For rope drop I would recommend the bus as the boats don't run as early. Plus we had the unfortunate experience of having to stop at CR on the way to MK because they weren't running any of the larger size boats between CR, WL, and FW and there was an ECV guest who needed to get to CR for an ADR-that easily added 10 min onto the trip.
Like another poster said our experience is that they seemed to alternate the small and large boats except it seemed like toward park closing they had all/more of the large boats running-we never saw one of the smaller boats at that time.

 

[dkrauss]

Stayed at WL in Sept 2014............boat to MK usually takes 15 to 20 minutes.........if that. I really like the idea of the boat to CR and then walk to MK. That is less than 20 minutes as long as you don't stop and take photos (or go inside the CR)

Doug

 

[okilydokily]

If you're up for it, take the small boat to Contemporary and then you can walk from there to MK. It's a very nice 10 minute walk.

It certainly not a far walk from WL, but sadly there is not a pathway to walk from WL to CR. There should be.

 

[philharmagic fan]

We've stayed at Fort Wilderness many times, and the boat from the Fort would stop at Wilderness Lodge before going to MK. Even with the extra distance and the stop, it NEVER took anywhere close to 80 minutes, including waiting time. In the morning the boat doesn't get you to MK much before rope drop, so if you want to be near the front of the line you'd want to take the bus.

In September we were on one of the larger WL to MK boats, and since we were near the front of the line we got outside seats on the bow. We pulled up to the MK dock just in time for the opening ceremony and kept our seats while everyone else on the boat raced to get off. We had a perfect view of the opening and were SEATED! Of course we were really lucky as to arrival time, but it was a great way to start the day. And the boats are much more fun than the bus!

 

[ktlm]

In addition, boat captains are generally very enjoyable CM's that love their job, and love talking to guests.

(I realize there are a ton of other CM's that love their job, but boat captains seem to be less stressed-out than other customer-facing positions)

I totally agree that the boat captains are generally terrific! We have had some great and really fun boat captains to and from MK when we stayed at WL, Poly or GF! When DD was 5 one even gave her a magical moment. We were the only ones on the boat on the way to MK from GF one morning. DD sang Disney songs the entire ride. When we got off the boat, he told her she had a beautiful singing voice and that she should keep singing and he gave her one of those keep one, give one to a friend Tinkerbell pin sets that CMs used to hand out here and there. We even have a picture of DD with her Captain! DD had so much fun looking for the "right" little girl to give her other pin to, and it warmed my heart when she spotted a special needs girl holding a plush Cinderella doll and promptly said that is her and walked right up to the girl and her Mom with the giving pin. When DD was 2 or 3, we were coming back from MK during the fireworks, the boat was pretty full as MK was closing soon after the fireworks. The captain slowed the boat and even stopped for a bit and gave us a beautiful fireworks cruise.

We had a fun one this year on the boat from Yacht Club to DHS too! He told jokes the entire way- some would probably call them bad jokes, but DD found them hilarious and even DH was giggling.

I'm a Disney boat fan!!!

 

[siskaren]

If you're up for it, take the small boat to Contemporary and then you can walk from there to MK. It's a very nice 10 minute walk.

It certainly not a far walk from WL, but sadly there is not a pathway to walk from WL to CR. There should be.

You misunderstood what drquest suggested. He said to take the boat from WL to the Contemporary, and then from there walk to the MK.

 

[drquest]

You misunderstood what drquest suggested. He said to take the boat from WL to the Contemporary, and then from there walk to the MK.

Yes walk from Contemporary to MK. We did that 2-3 times last week when we were there.

 

[kayteekt]

Take the boat! Easy as pie. We actually stayed there a few years ago week between Christmas and New Years, we may have just been lucky but hardly ever had to wait for a boat. So peaceful when the parks are so crazy...whole resort is that way it was PERFECT for the busiest week of the year. I'm so glad we chose otherwise we may have melted under the pressure, haha. Great choice. Enjoy your trip!

 

[mebcatdisney]

1. Take the boat ("ferry," if you want to call it that.)
Or, take the MK bus.

2. No. (I mean, anything is POSSIBLE, but it doesn't take nearly that long on a regular basis.)
Figure that you might have to wait for the boat to arrive (say, 5-20 minutes)
then boarding can take 3-6 minutes, then the ride to MK will take about 15 minutes.

The bus was really quick, you get it out in front of the resort to the left

 

[Robo]

The bus was really quick, you get it out in front of the resort to the left

Yup.
The Bus Stop is to your LEFT, if you are facing away from the front of the building.
There is a sidewalk exiting from the South side of the lobby that goes to the Bus Stop.

 

[Xennia]

I love it when you get a guide who makes it fun.

 

[kiltclan]

I second the vote to head to the contemp first. In fact, since that boat starts running first, your best bet to make rope drop without taking the bus would be to head there and grab yourself some breakfast (we like mickey waffles to go) and we eat at rope drop. We usually get there early enough to snag a planter edge and chow down before the show. I love taking the boats though. Its a beautiful view to be on the water right around sunrise, and it's your first ride of the day.
Not only that but, I love the captains, they really are some of the happiest CMs at Disney I think. On one of our first trips, the CM made a point to direct ALL of the safety briefings at my father. "we will need to remain seated at all times.... SIR" The next trip, (our pirate adventure) both of the CMs helped stage a "pirate attack" on another vessel. They had DH stand in the front of the boat with his pirate hat and sword and the captain got on the speaker and announced "do you have any booty? We've got a pirate on-board"

 

[Andie16]

I'm curious as to why so many people recommend taking the boat to the Contemporary and then walking. Is the boat ride less crowded? Shorter waits? I noticed that one poster mentioned that the route starts earlier in the morning, but wasn't sure if that is what the others had in mind.

 

[larryz]

I'm curious as to why so many people recommend taking the boat to the Contemporary and then walking. Is the boat ride less crowded? Shorter waits? I noticed that one poster mentioned that the route starts earlier in the morning, but wasn't sure if that is what the others had in mind.

There's likely to be fewer people going straight to CR; there will be a line going to MK and you could, conceivably, wind up waiting for another boat.

 

[Andie16]

Ok, thanks. So if we see quite a few people in line already when we get to the docks, then it sounds like selecting the Contemporary line would make sense.

 

[North of Mouse]

We just booked a last minute trip to Disney and staying at Wildnerness Lodge. What is the best way of getting to MK? I heard the ferry can take 80 minutes! Is this true? We will be there Dec. 23rd so it is obviously a busy time.

Thanks.

Had to LOL - It's about 6-8 minutes away!! During holidays, I'm sure the wait time itself will be longer, as will all transportation, lines, etc.

 

[Robo]

Ok, thanks. So if we see quite a few people in line already when we get to the docks, then it sounds like selecting the Contemporary line would make sense.

 

[KGeeLovesDisney]

The boat for sure. It's a really quick boat ride- unless you have to wait on the water parade.

 

[okilydokily]

You misunderstood what drquest suggested. He said to take the boat from WL to the Contemporary, and then from there walk to the MK.

I didn't misunderstand at all. I meant what I said, that it would be a short walk from WL to CR, but that there is no path to do so. So yes, you would need to take a bus or boat. There should be a path as the walk is not bad for those willing to do so.