Quickest way to Wilderness Lodge

[sbkline]

We are checking in on Monday April 23. What time depends on what time we get up and hit the road on Sunday. Initially, I was planning to leave around 8 or 9 AM and drive until 11 or so Eastern Time, stopping at an Outback for Supper.

Now, I'm thinking that, if possible, try to get on the road by 6 or 6:30 AM, and make a shorter supper stop so we can get as many miles in as possible, even possibly arriving in Florida by 11 PM EST, and possibly even getting as far as Orlando by that time, in which case we would probably rent a cheap motel for the night and then check in first thing in the morning.

Anyway, my plan was to explore the resort some on check in day, since we may be too busy the rest of the week to do much exploring of the grounds. We don't plan to use our park passes at all on the first day. But I was thinking that if we get there early enough, we may have time to check out Riverside and French Quarter, but also possibly go to Wilderness Lodge and check it out, before heading over to Chef Mickey's for supper at 6 PM, and possibly also check out the Poly and/or Grand Floridian, although we could do some of that Saturday as well, when we eat at 1900 Park Fare.

My question is, what is the quickest way to get from the Port Orleans Resort (whether we depart from French Quarter or Riverside), to Wilderness Lodge? Do any buses go directly there, or do we have to stop off at the TTC? Or perhaps, take a bus to MK and take the boat accross the lagoon?

 

[Aurora23]

I would suggest bus to the MK and then boat to WL. But if you have small children, they might get too excited and think they are going to the MK!

 

[sbkline]

I would suggest bus to the MK and then boat to WL. But if you have small children, they might get too excited and think they are going to the MK!

We have a 9 month old, but he's not going with us. :wave:

Would I be able to go to Downtown Disney, then catch a direct bus to WL? Or do you think the absolute quickest way would be to go to MK and take the boat from there?

We could always drive our own vehicle there, but after putting 1,000+ miles on it to drive it down there, I would like to leave it parked for as much of the week as possible.

 

[tigsmom]

We have a 9 month old, but he's not going with us. :wave:

Would I be able to go to Downtown Disney, then catch a direct bus to WL? Or do you think the absolute quickest way would be to go to MK and take the boat from there?

We could always drive our own vehicle there, but after putting 1,000+ miles on it to drive it down there, I would like to leave it parked for as much of the week as possible.

Take the bus to the MK then the boat over to the WL and explore and shop.

Then go back to the boat dock and take the small launch over to the Contemporary for dinner. Then you can hit the monorail (if you still have the energy) and hit the Poly &/or the Grand Floridian.

 

[swimmom]

Take the bus to the MK then the boat over to the WL and explore and shop.

Then go back to the boat dock and take the small launch over to the Contemporary for dinner. Then you can hit the monorail (if you still have the energy) and hit the Poly &/or the Grand Floridian.

And to return to Port Orleans you can take the monorail to Epcot and then the bus.

 

[swimmom]

Take the bus to the MK then the boat over to the WL and explore and shop.

Then go back to the boat dock and take the small launch over to the Contemporary for dinner. Then you can hit the monorail (if you still have the energy) and hit the Poly &/or the Grand Floridian.

And to return to Port Orleans you can take the monorail to Epcot and then the bus.

Sometimes it's nice to slow down and not be in a hurry & have fun. On our next trip we have a day planned to sleep in a bit after our long travel day and just do World Showcase. Instead of taking the bus to Epcot and walking through Future World we are taking the bus to MGM and then taking the boat to the International Gateway entrance. It will take us longer, but we will have fun with it and give my MIL & SIL a small tour of the Epcot resorts too.

Sorry for the duplicate. Something strange happened before I was done!!!

 

[PhilharMagician]

I know you just drove 1000 miles, but the quickest way is by far to drive. Use your vehicle just for this time if you have to. Remember that WDW transportation can take a while. I could be an hour or better to go between resorts if you hit it at the wrong time.

Enjoy your trip.:wave:

 

[slappy magoo]

I know you just drove 1000 miles, but the quickest way is by far to drive. Use your vehicle just for this time if you have to. Remember that WDW transportation can take a while. I could be an hour or better to go between resorts if you hit it at the wrong time.

Enjoy your trip.:wave:

Also, bear in mind, you JUST drove 1000 miles. you can just as easily exhaust yourself "checking out" 3 resorts before going to dinner at a fourth resort, as you would exhaust yourself going straight to one of the parks after such a long drive.

Having said that...

Sometimes, depending on the season and how busy it is, there are launches that go between the Contemporary, The Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness. If they're running, you could drive to the Contemporary about 90 mins before your reservation, ferry over to Wilderness Lodge, check it out, ferry back to the Contemporary, eat at Chef Mickey's & then drive back to your resort.

Otherwise, I also vote for driving to both resorts yourself. With that much resort-hopping, it's best not to leave anything to chance.


Finally, just a thought...the Wilderness Lodge has a nice (though loud and boisterous) family restaurant called The Whispering Canyon Cafe. You may want to consider making a reservation THERE for dinner one night. This way, instead of trying to cram a quick visit to the WL your first day there, you could, in theory, go to any other park in the morning, bus or monorail over to the MK in the afternoon and from there, ferry over to the WL. Make early-enough dinner reservations, you can eat, check the whole resort out, ferry back over to the MK and finish your day there. My two cents...

 

[frazierle]

If you have a car, its probably a 5 minute ride from POFQ/POR. Also its fairly easy to get to (take a right leaving POFQ/POR, go to the light take a left, till the road ends take a right and you are heading to WL and Contemporay). They can give you a map when you check in.

 

[sbkline]

If you have a car, its probably a 5 minute ride from POFQ/POR. Also its fairly easy to get to (take a right leaving POFQ/POR, go to the light take a left, till the road ends take a right and you are heading to WL and Contemporay). They can give you a map when you check in.

If it's only 5 minutes away, that might not be too hard on the ol' gas tank and odometer. I know being a resort guest gets you free parking at the parks, but does it also give you free parking at the other resorts? Would they put up a fuss if a guest of another resort leaves his vehicle parked in their lot for several hours?

 

[flscooman]

If it's only 5 minutes away, that might not be too hard on the ol' gas tank and odometer. I know being a resort guest gets you free parking at the parks, but does it also give you free parking at the other resorts? Would they put up a fuss if a guest of another resort leaves his vehicle parked in their lot for several hours?

No problem just show your room key or hotel parking pass at the guard shack at WL with picture ID

 

[Aurora23]

Would I be able to go to Downtown Disney, then catch a direct bus to WL? Or do you think the absolute quickest way would be to go to MK and take the boat from there?

I have heard that it's very hard to get a bus at DTD in the morning. Everything that I ever read about transportation said to only use DTD at night when transfering. And to use the closest park during the day. And I do agree. Have a great time! :wave:

 

[ClemsonTigger]

I have heard that it's very hard to get a bus at DTD in the morning. Everything that I ever read about transportation said to only use DTD at night when transfering. And to use the closest park during the day. And I do agree. Have a great time! :wave:

Most options have been covered here. No busses between resorts, so take a bus to the nearest park then bus to the resort of choice. Of course once you are at Contemporary/Poly/GF, just use the monorail.

One other item that may not have been mentioned. It is not a bad walk to Contemporary from MK. Take the bus to MK then walk for Chef Mickey. (Also good to stretch out the legs after a long ride )