WL to Magic Kingdom?????????

[Disnelson]

I have been getting mixed messages about transportation from the WL to MK. Some people say the boats are the way to go and others say to take the bus because the boats take to long. We want to take advantage of the early admission to MK. Any suggestions??

 

[Skylarr29]

The boats and the busses come at the same intervals... meaning if you miss one you may have to wait 15-20 min for the next one. I would go on the boat. The boat will drop you off at the MK while I am pretty sure the bus will have to leave you at the TTC and then you will have to take the monorail or ferry boat to MK. I say boat all the way. It is so easy.

 

[ReggieB]

Resort buses drop you much closer to the entrance than the TTC. There is an area to the left (as you walk out of the park) where resort buses drop and pick up. We didn't use the bus at all from WL to MK, but I would assume it would use this stop too.

My DH insisted we use the boat. One day he had us get the boat to The Contemporary then the Monorail round to MK (don't ask, I guess we don't like to rush anywhere!) The WL buses often make another resort stop, I've stopped at Poly, GF and Fort Wilderness when catching the bus from WL to other parks and places. I don't know what the WL bus to MK stops are though.

 

[tinkerbell60]

The bus from WL to MK is direct both ways - no other stops. We enjoy the boat when we aren't in a hurry but found the bus to be much quicker - especially at night when you are tired. The boat sometimes stops at either the Contemporary or Ft. Wilderness so it does add time. The boat is closer to the North Wing of the Lodge, the bus is closer to the South Wing.

 

[monarchsfan16]

The only downfall of the boat is that it's more popular, and seats less. It only starts running half an hour before park opening (I think; you can check the sign down at the boat dock)
The bus holds more people, and the stop at another resort takes just a couple minutes. It drops you just beyond where the boat lets you off, at the MK. It also runs a little more frequently than the boat, because it's such a short trip over to the MK. The busses start early enough for EMH. I really don't remember if the MK boat does
Because we're monorail nuts, we took the boat to the CR, then hopped the monorail. The boat to the CR starts running at 7 am, so you can definitely make it for EMH, if you're open to transfers. It takes a bit longer than any other transport options, but if you leave early enough you can make it in plenty of time

 

[Gary M]

As of early Feb. this year the WL to MK bus made no stops and went directly to the MK bus area. The ride is probably no longer than 5 minutes. Before 3:00 pm the MK boat picks-up people at FW and then comes to the WL for their guests. The boat may be almost full with FW people. The boat ride itself from WL to MK is about 10 minutes. In busier times it might be different. I like the boat ride, but if I'm trying to get to the MK at the opening, I took the bus.

 

[shafke]

I can never understand the argurment.. its faster. If you do not just miss the bus or boat the difference is maybe 5 minutes. Morning EMH is a different story if the boat does not start running early enough to take full advantage of it. Is 5 less minutes in a park going to ruin a vacation? I consider the boats and monorails another attraction. Buses I see everyday when I am home.

I find the boat a much more relaxing trip than the bus, especially with kids.

On the boat I do not need to collapse the stoller and it never seems as crowded as the buses even when it is full. There are two open air seating areas which makes for a very pleasant trip, especially at night. With our family nobody is up and about to take advantage of the morning EMH so we are never in a rush to get to the park and can take an extra 5 minutes for the trip.

 

[abner1776]

Faster is a relative term at WDW...I'm on vacation...so who cares about faster !!!

The boat is far more relaxing and it drops you off closer to the front gate of MK than any other form of transportation. If the weather is nice, the boat ride is wonderful and part of the reason I chose WL or VWL as my resort.

If you are staying at VWL the bus stop is right in front of the resort, while the boat dock is on the other side of the WL...not a long hike, but not as close to the busses.

I have been on too many crowded, stuffy, hot busses in my trips to WDW, so if given the chance I opt for the comfort of the boats.

 

[schumacher]

I would think its pretty much a toss up. The MK boat is the larger of the boat transport, the one that runs to the CR is smaller. Unless folks are lined up considerably down the dock you will most likely be fine on the boat and its at the MK in a matter of minutes. As another poster stated, you will use buses for everything else so I'd go with the boat but its your own preference.
The only time the boat is an issue is if you are trying to get to the CR. If the dock is crowded, and you need to get to the CR for a dinner reservation, personal experience says turn around and get a taxi or ask if the WL baggage folks can give you a lift, otherwise you can sit on that dock for 2 or 3 boats. As you are probably aware, the WL shares boat transport with FW and if a lot of folks are trying to get to Chef Mickey's or the CG for dinner it can take 45minutes to an hour to make the 200 yard trip across the waterway between the WL and CR.

Have fun.

Cheers,

Schuey