Wilderness Lodge Transportation

[GoofGoof]

Stayed at the WL in September 2013 and June 2012....I thought transportation was OK but sometimes the busses were backed up and at times two busses showed up for the same park....so...a bus shows up for DHS and another one for DHS right after it. A bit aggravating when you are waiting for a bus to another park. One morning, we went to The Grand Floridian Cafe for Breakfast and there was a man at the bus stop at the GF with an i-Pad communicating with the busses or the main bus hub. If a bus was late, he told them and they sent a bus right out. I have never seen that at any other deluxe resort....I guess the GF is the most deluxe of the deluxe. The bus stop at the GF is also shaded and has lots and lots of benches. Anyway....enjoy the WL....you will love it and just be patient. In the scene of things, waiting for a bus a few extra minutes is not a big deal, just factor it into your plans especially ADR's so you won't be anxious.

I have experienced the double bus thing you are describing at both GF and CR. It's really frustrating, but I think it happens everywhere. The iPad thing must be new. I've never seen that happen.

 

[Sparkle81]

Before our trip last December, all I kept reading on certain travel review websites about transport at SSR was how slow it was, inconsistent and just a waste of time. I was that worried about it that I called my travel agent to see if we could switch resorts but if we had, we'd have lost our free DDP so ended up sticking with it.
As it turned out, we had pretty much no problems at all. Once, we had to wait for 20 minutes for a bus to MK but every other time, our wait was 10 minutes or less. (We also saw cast members at our stop in the morning, with iPads).

It taught me basically, to just adjust my expectations. We'll be staying at WL this November, so we'll plan going to the parks based on possible waits of 20 minutes or so. Rightly or wrongly, it will at least take away the stress of cutting it too fine getting to rope drop or an ADR, if we allow plenty of time. If the buses or boat then turn up quicker, then it's a bonus
I know that at WDW resorts, we all expect that transportation should be efficient but I guess sometimes, it doesn't work out that way with it being such a big operation to coordinate.

 

[Skibum1970]

I stayed there in February this year. One day, the wait for the EPCOT bus took forever and then we went to Fort Wilderness before going to EPCOT. That was the worst that we had. Aside from that instance, all other buses were timely. We typically took the boat to MK or to the Contemporary and walking the remainder (if the MK boat line was long). To me, it's totally worth it. I love the resort and it is so relaxing. The transportation is not that big of a deal. I try to tell myself that it will probably only 20 minutes out of the entire day and that I'll be waiting in other lines that are longer.

 

[njBadLands]

We have stayed at Wilderness Lodge twice (once in January and once in March during busy spring break) and had zero issues getting to and from the parks. The biggest issue was any bus to downtown Disney, which on both trips we had poor luck with. The boat to MK was a nice change of pace and never a long wait.

 

[KIsAPrincess]

We stayed there in March of this year and had zero problems with transportation. We had an early morning reservation at Askherhaus and inquired with the front desk about the availability of transportation. They were very accommodating and we made it in plenty of time for our reservation. It's a beautiful resort!

 

[BuddyThomas]

Bumping this up again to ask a couple of questions since we are planning a June trip. Currently booked at Boardwalk but man, that Wilderness Lodge is calling to me. The rooms look better than the Grandma Duck style over at Boardwalk, but our big concern is being cut off and really isolated.

How late do these boats run? If we were to go out for some late night drinks or a late dinner at one of the Monirail resorts,would the boats still be running or do they shut with Magic Kingdom?

Also, how often do the boats run?

Thanks in advance!

 

[GoofGoof]

Bumping this up again to ask a couple of questions since we are planning a June trip. Currently booked at Boardwalk but man, that Wilderness Lodge is calling to me. The rooms look better than the Grandma Duck style over at Boardwalk, but our big concern is being cut off and really isolated.

How late do these boats run? If we were to go out for some late night drinks or a late dinner at one of the Monirail resorts,would the boats still be running or do they shut with Maguc Kingdom?

Also, how often do the boats run?

Thanks in advance!

Last time I was there (2013) the MK boat ran from 30 minutes before the MK opens to 30 minutes after close. The resort boat that stops at FW campground and CR ran from 6:45AM to 11:30PM. The hours were painted on the signs at the dock so they seemed pretty firm, but that could have changed. The boats ran about every 20 minutes similar to the buses.

 

[S. Paridon]

Bumping this up again to ask a couple of questions since we are planning a June trip. Currently booked at Boardwalk but man, that Wilderness Lodge is calling to me. The rooms look better than the Grandma Duck style over at Boardwalk, but our big concern is being cut off and really isolated.

How late do these boats run? If we were to go out for some late night drinks or a late dinner at one of the Monirail resorts,would the boats still be running or do they shut with Magic Kingdom?

Also, how often do the boats run?

Thanks in advance!

You would not be disappointed staying at the Lodge. The atmosphere is beyond compare. Easily, the most relaxing of all WDW resorts.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Easily, the most relaxing of all WDW resorts.

I disagree. I lovelovelove Wilderness Lodge, but I wouldn't put it in even the top three most relaxing. Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, Yacht Club, and Beach Club are all more "relaxing" to me. It's hard to get away from the "action" of the lobby area at WL.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I disagree. I lovelovelove Wilderness Lodge, but I wouldn't put it in even the top three most relaxing. Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, Yacht Club, and Beach Club are all more "relaxing" to me. It's hard to get away from the "action" of the lobby area at WL.

Most relaxing MK resort arguably. SSR and OKW are relaxing because thwy are in the middle of no where and probably closer to Sea World than MK. I agree with you on YC and BC. I love it back around Crescent Lake.

 

[S. Paridon]

I disagree. I lovelovelove Wilderness Lodge, but I wouldn't put it in even the top three most relaxing. Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, Yacht Club, and Beach Club are all more "relaxing" to me. It's hard to get away from the "action" of the lobby area at WL.

To each his own. WL is our home away from home. Its relaxing to me and mine and that's all that matters to me.

 

[DisneyJunkie]

You would not be disappointed staying at the Lodge. The atmosphere is beyond compare. Easily, the most relaxing of all WDW resorts.

From all of the WDW resorts I've stayed in (WL, Poly, Boardwalk, Caribbean Beach, Fort Wilderness), I'm definitely inclined to agree with that. The moderates simply don't compare to the deluxe, and though I love the theming and convenience of the monorail (at the Poly), there's definitely the most relaxing, down-home feel at the WL.

 

[Mavsfanatic]

My family stayed at WL last June 23-29 and we didn't have any problems with the transportation. The only "extended" wait time for a bus was when we were going to DTD for dinner. Even that wasn't too bad. If your expectation is to walk right on to a bus/boat when you arrive at the bus stop/dock, you will be disappointed. If you don't mind an occasional 5-10 minute wait, you will be fine. Just be sure to build in extra time, especially if you have ADR's.

 

[Pghdrumr]

In my experience, the transportation is good.
One thing I learned. It is faster to take the boat to CR, transfer to Monorail to get to Epcot. We split our party one day, and tried both ways. The bus crew got there 15 minutes later than the Monorail crew. The bus stops at the Campgrounds, and it takes FOREVER to load and unload there.
I love the direct boat to Magic kingdom, and Contemporary. Also enjoyed the direct Boat to Fort Wilderness for the sing along with Chip and Dale. Wilderness is a GOOD value with lots of transportation options.

 

[zero creativity]

The biggest transportation issue we had was when we had to share the bus with the campgrounds. The buses usually showed up frequently but the trip to Hollywood Studios took forever. We drive to WDW and if we stayed at the Wilderness Lodge again we would just drive our car to Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. Transportation was fine to MK and Epcot, except in the morning, had to take a boat to Contemporary and walk over, or monorail to MK.

 

[Pghdrumr]

in my experience, the bus to epcot was SLOW>>>>with an extra long stop at Fort Wilderness. It was must less stressful to take the boat over to MK, and jump on the Monorail to Epcot. The boat run early and frequently. YES it is two transfers, but much more relaxing in my opinion.

 

[Pghdrumr]

You would not be disappointed staying at the Lodge. The atmosphere is beyond compare. Easily, the most relaxing of all WDW resorts.

Love the Wilderness. My favorite! Going back in 20 days. The boats run late into the night. My wife and I always do the late night "drink around the monorail", and still catch the late night boat from the Contemporary back to WL. Its a great resort that is easly connected to the MONORAIL resorts, which I love, and not paying the Monorail Resort Price

 

[epcotisbest]

I disagree. I lovelovelove Wilderness Lodge, but I wouldn't put it in even the top three most relaxing. Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, Yacht Club, and Beach Club are all more "relaxing" to me. It's hard to get away from the "action" of the lobby area at WL.

Hidden Springs Pool...nowhere near the lobby.
Walkway to Fort Wilderness...nowhere near the lobby.
Iron Spike Room...nowhere near the lobby.
Lounge chairs on the beach...nowhere near the lobby.
Rocking chair by the fireplace...actually in the lobby yet still nowhere near the lobby.
If you can't relax at WL, you just ain't trying.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

If you can't relax at WL, you just ain't trying.

I certainly can. Note that I said WL is not the MOST relaxing, not that it's not relaxing at all. Have you ever stayed at OKW? Very few children and the place is basically silent. Like I said, I love WL (it's my #2 overall behind DAKL), but I'd pick one of the quieter and more spread out resorts if I'm going for "most relaxing."

 

[epcotisbest]

I certainly can. Note that I said WL is not the MOST relaxing, not that it's not relaxing at all. Have you ever stayed at OKW? Very few children and the place is basically silent. Like I said, I love WL (it's my #2 overall behind DAKL), but I'd pick one of the quieter and more spread out resorts if I'm going for "most relaxing."

Oh yeah, we were right on the canal down toward the end of Pennisular Road where the boats make a sharp turn left on the way to DTD. Beautiful view right off the deck. Every morning we sat on the balcony enjoying breakfast, waving at passing boats. Just a short walk away was a quiet pool. Very relaxing. It is nice parking right at your door as well.