Wilderness Lodge?

[alecam]

How is the transportation at this resort? We are thinking of splitting our stay here and I am looking for info specifically on times to the resorts. We loved the transportation at POFQ and especially at AKL, but there were minimal stops for each resort.
Does WL stop at other resorts, and if they do, which resorts are usually picked up first?
Does it take a long time to get to the parks from the resort?

On a side note, we usually rent a car for our trips, and we could use that instead of the busses/boat, and I don't think it would cause us to change our resort plans, so I guess I am just curious!

Thanks you !

 

[dkrause716]

We stayed at the WL last July and loved it! Transportation was always speedy and convenient. The boat to the MK was great even at park closing.

 

[MrsM]

We were at the WL in late November/early December. We used our car quite a bit, but did use the Disney transportation at times. When we took a bus to the AK, it stopped at the Grand Floridian before heading to the AK. We stayed to eat dinner at the Rainforest Cafe, and by the time we were done the only way back to the WL was to take a bus to the TTC and transfer to another bus. That was the longest trip we had.

The boat service was good except the night we stayed to see Spectromagic and Wishes. We waited in line for an hour to get a boat back to the WL.

 

[dkrause716]

It may be that transportation is actually quicker during busier seasons. (More buses, boats, etc.)

 

[Kimberle]

It's great.

Boat to MK, buses everywhere else. WL is first to be picked up & first dropped off. Buses share with GF OR FW.

Boat to MK may stop at FW. Is maybe a 15 minute ride.

Also, small boat (blue) goes WL/CR/FW. (any order)

 

[snowmouse]

Particularly to Mk on an EE day? Park opens for EE at 8, and I want to be at turnstyles before opening. Would it be better to drive?

 

[Kimberle]

Particularly to Mk on an EE day? Park opens for EE at 8, and I want to be at turnstyles before opening. Would it be better to drive?

Driving would only get you to the TTC. You would then most likely be held with the guests who don't stay on-site.

I'm pretty sure the Green launch runs before EE. If for some reason it does not, the Blue Launch runs 6:45am - 10pm. You can take this to CR then walk or monorail to MK.

 

[dlynch]

I plan to stay at the WL in April. The room officially accomodates 4 people and one child under 3. I really want to stay at WL and I can't afford two rooms or a suite but I have three kids - 9, 8, and 4. I have no problem squeezing all three kids in one bed or putting one on the floor? Does anyone see a major problem with this? Are the Disney police going to catch me? I will buy my theme park tickets separate from my room reservation so I do not anticipate a problem on that front. Any info you have will be helpful.

Thank You

Dan

 

[dudspizza]

I plan to stay at the WL in April. The room officially accomodates 4 people and one child under 3. I really want to stay at WL and I can't afford two rooms or a suite but I have three kids - 9, 8, and 4. I have no problem squeezing all three kids in one bed or putting one on the floor? Does anyone see a major problem with this? Are the Disney police going to catch me? I will buy my theme park tickets separate from my room reservation so I do not anticipate a problem on that front. Any info you have will be helpful.

Thank You

Dan

The rooms accomodate 4 people. They are about a normal hotel room size.

Here is where you may get in trouble. To stay at WL, you will have to lie and tell them you only have 4. They will only issue you 4 resort ID's. You will not be able to use early entry because you have to show your resort ID. If you aren't going to use EE, then you can get away with it.

I would suggest POR in the Alligator Bayou section. *They offer a trundle bed for the 5th person.

Duds

 

[alecam]

Thanks for all of the great replies!! Upon further research, I think I have changed my mind,AGAIN !!
I'm going to try CSR this time, for money reasons. I feel my money will be better spent at a moderate.

Thanks again!!I do plan on visiting WL in the future, just not the foreseeable future !!

 

[Epcot Mom]

You can still go to the lodge. Consider having dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe (fun for kids, check out the restaurants board for more info) or using the marina at the lodge. You could pick up some snacks at the Mercantile (gift shop) or the Roaring Fork (snack bar) and rent a pontoon boat, cruising around the MK resorts, etc. Just because you're not sleeping there doesn't mean you can't enjoy the atmosphere!!

Enjoy!

 

[lazarru]

We stayed last year at WL, transportation is great becuase you have options. You have the boats that got MK, Cont, FW all of which save time. When you going to other areas you only make 1 other stop and your the 1st stop in coming back. We never waited for more than about 5 mins for any bus and they are usually not packed

 

[snowmouse]

Does anyone know what time the boat service begins to Mk if it has an early open time of 8am?

 

[FromVatoDisney]

We stayed last year at WL, transportation is great becuase you have options. You have the boats that got MK, Cont, FW all of which save time. When you going to other areas you only make 1 other stop and your the 1st stop in coming back. We never waited for more than about 5 mins for any bus and they are usually not packed

Hi, does this include the bus to DTD? I had heard that was bad... has it gotten better? I ask because it's my understanding you have to take the bus to DTD to get to many of the other resorts, and I definitely plan to make some PS at other resorts! If anyone could clear this up for me I would be very grateful!!!

 

[EdDome]

I wasn't impressed with the boat transportation back from MK. Very long line (or mass of people) and wait time between busses made using the monorail to TTC to bus actually less time. I really like WL just not the boat.

 

[timandlesley]

Hi, does this include the bus to DTD? I had heard that was bad... has it gotten better? I ask because it's my understanding you have to take the bus to DTD to get to many of the other resorts, and I definitely plan to make some PS at other resorts! If anyone could clear this up for me I would be very grateful!!!

I would love an answer to this as well. We have dinner ressie's at the Poly and I want to know what the quickest way to get there would be from WL. Also, the DTD question, does it take longer or something?
Lesley

 

[Kimberle]

I would love an answer to this as well. We have dinner ressie's at the Poly and I want to know what the quickest way to get there would be from WL. Also, the DTD question, does it take longer or something?
Lesley

Getting to the Poly is very easy. Just take the Blue Launch to CR, then monorail to Poly. Blue launch runs 6:45am - 10pm every night. Unless you have a very late dinner, in which case I'd probably just grab a cab back to WL. They are so close, it can't cost to much.

 

[Epcot Mom]

We tend to think outside the box on getting from the Lodge to other resorts. We always spend time at the Poly, using the water taxi or a bus to the ttc and walk, it's not far at all and a nice curving path to boot! As far as other resorts, I would never go to DTD to get anywhere else. In all the years staying at the Lodge, it's DTD that has been the most consistent hassle. Having said that, we take the buses down, just hop a cab back when we're done. It's not that far so it's not big $$ and saves a hassle of driving through DTD and picking up a bus full of people.

If you want to get to another resort, take the water taxi to get to the Cont or FW. If you're after Poly or GF, pick up one of the buses that stops there on the way somewhere else, or the TTC/water taxi and hop the monorail. The buses have different routes depending on the time of day. We have never really found it a problem. For other resorts, I'd be inclined to head to a park and take their direct bus from there. Just consider relative location. I wouldn't go to AK if I really want Caribbean Beach....

After many lodge trips, I would say returning from DTD late at night or from the MK after Spectro/Fireworks are the most challenging. We usually only do DTD once during the trip and hit MK that late once or twice. Don't sweat it and bring light up toys for the kids. Usually covers us.

Have fun!