Wilderness Lodge Transportation?

[msteddom]

I have a reservation for the Wilderness Lodge in December. I have always loved spending time at this resort, and I am super excited to be staying there. However after my visit last week I have a concern. I had dinner at Artist's Point and I wanted to go to Downtown Disney afterwords. Well I waited over 30 minutes for the DTD bus, then when it finally did show up we had to pick up at the Grand Floridian. It was 90 minutes from the time I walked out of the restaurant to the time I arrived at DTD. It really left a bad taste in my mouth, and I am considering changing my reservation. I realize that hiccoughs in Disney transportation happen from time to time, but are those kind of waits typical, and does the WL share buses with other resorts on other routes or just the DTD rout? Please ease my fears!


Melissa

 

[gopack]

We had a lot of the type of bus experiences you described in you post when we stayed at WL 2 years ago. Other than the bus service, we loved everything about the resort. Every bus we were on made a stop at the GF. It seemed to take forever to get anywhere. We are staying there again in Sept. We have decided to take a lot of taxis if the bus service is horrible. We did really enjoy the boat.The recent reports I have been reading say that the bus service was not too bad. I am not sure if they are still sharing with GF.

 

[bicker]

We spent a week at VWL in January and had a great time. We used the busses most of the time, and didn't encounter any extended waits or other troubles. We found that, actually, the bus to the MK was by far the fastest and most efficient way to get to and from WL, even as compared to taxi or rental car.

 

[cslittle999]

Our experience last December matched bicker's. The bus to MK is great. Much better than the boat (one trip we had to sit in the back and sucked up diesel fumes the entire ride). I'm not sure any hotel has great bus service to DTD. WL does share bus service for some parks with GF and FW but WL is always the first stop.

 

[vatmark]

I have heard now that there is some construction going on that will effect the bus going from WL to MK. The bus from WL will now go to TTC and you have to take the monorail to MK. The bus will not go right to MK. Affected dates are 8/28-12/20.

Annie

 

[andysgirl360]

I have heard now that there is some construction going on that will effect the bus going from WL to MK. The bus from WL will now go to TTC and you have to take the monorail to MK. The bus will not go right to MK. Affected dates are 8/28-12/20.

Annie

Just got back from WL 8/15 to 8/22, the rerouted bus service to TTC instead of MK started on 8/21. Boy was it a PITA for us. I much prefer the direct bus that we used all week. Trying to make an 8:05 ADR at Crystal Palace on a non EMH day was very hard. Even taxis are dropping you off at TTC instead of MK.

 

[momoflizandains]

We stayed at OKW and BCV in June, and I was at Poly in July and had the exact same experience at all three resorts. I think bus transportation in general could use some improvement. I don't mean to give you the impression that it was all bad, though, because there were several times when we waited less than 5 minutes.

 

[tardin1964]

Bus service to DTD is not very good from any of the MK resorts.

As cslittle999 said, at least WL is picked up first. I would rather have a little longer ride and a seat then to get on a full bus and have to stand. Also, WL is the first stop when you're returning so that helps.

While the MK bus is diverted to TTC you can use it to have an alternative to get to EPCOT by way of the monorail.

 

[PixiePop]

We have stayed at Wilderness Lodge twice and we have not had any real problems with the bus service.

 

[vatmark]

Just got back from WL 8/15 to 8/22, the rerouted bus service to TTC instead of MK started on 8/21. Boy was it a PITA for us. I much prefer the direct bus that we used all week. Trying to make an 8:05 ADR at Crystal Palace on a non EMH day was very hard. Even taxis are dropping you off at TTC instead of MK.

How long did it take to actually get to MK from WL by using the bus to TTC and then the monorail? Did you happen to notice if they started running the boat to MK from WL earlier? I think it usually starts around 8:30am. I was wondering if they maybe changed the hours because of the transporation issues going on.

I have a trip in Dec. and I'm trying to figure out what the best way is to get to MK now.

Annie

 

[yohomatey]

We had a great trip in Feb and never had a problem with the bus!! But I have heard about upcoming construction and a change in the bus service for Aug-Dec

 

[ntsammy5]

Bus service to DTD is not very good from any of the MK resorts.

I've noticed that too on occasions. I don't want to drive, particularly when going to PI. I've taken a taxi a few times though. Worth the price. On the way back, it never seems to make a difference!

​

 

[cleophus12]

Of all the places we've stayed at WDW the bus service from the WL was the worst by far. Leaving the parks was never really a problem, but getting there was a major pain. That was the most disappointing part of our trip. We decided to drive most places after several long waits.

 

[Bev J]

Darn, this is not what I wanted to hear...is it just the bus to the MK that is affected by this? Guess the boat is going to be alot more busy! Does the boat to the CR start earlier?We could just walk to the MK from there.
Hey were on vacation we will just make the best of it, the parks aren't going anywhere..

Bev

 

[The Hill Family]

We just got back from WL on Thursday and out of our numerous stays there, the bus service this time was by far the worst I've ever experienced. I still love it though! We waited for 45 minutes for a bus to MK our first morning there (and this was after we waited 20 minutes for a boat that couldn't accommodate our traveling companion who was confined to an ECV). We also waited for about 35 minutes for a bus to DTD (although it sounds like this is a fairly common issue with most resorts). We just learned, as the week progressed, to allow serious time to get from one place to another if we were using the bus. It did get frustrating watching 3-4 Fort Wilderness buses (all empty and nobody waiting) arrive before even 1 bus to Epcot showed up. But oh well, we still had a great time and it wouldn't deter me from staying at the WL again.

 

[tardin1964]

Does the boat to the CR start earlier?We could just walk to the MK from there.

Yes...the boat to CR starts earlier than the boat to MK. We used that boat when we had an early ADR at Chef Mickey's for breakfast. I think it may start around 7:30am but I don't know for sure. You'll have to check on it.

 

[DaisyD]

We had bad transportation for two trips at the WL. We will never stay there again! We do eat there each trip but rather then suffer through poor transportation again we just take a cab back to the Poly!

 

[DJmommy]

Getting nervous about our upcoming trip in October. Are the buses to the MK the ones affected or are all the buses to all parks & DTD, water parks, etc. running behind schedule?

We had recently heard positive reports about transportation. Is it all due to construction? Could you elaborate & tell us where the construction is going on?

 

[tardin1964]

Getting nervous about our upcoming trip in October. Are the buses to the MK the ones affected or are all the buses to all parks & DTD, water parks, etc. running behind schedule?

We had recently heard positive reports about transportation. Is it all due to construction? Could you elaborate & tell us where the construction is going on?

The construction is going on by the MK bus drop so no other WL buses are effected.

 

[DJmommy]

Thank you. I appreciate the info.