Boat from MK to Wilderness Lodge

[Simba's Mom]

What is the situation with ECVs and taking the boat from MK to WL? Is every other boat ECV accessible? And is there a CM at the boat dock who'll give you an idea when the next boat might be, or someone that might actually call for a ECV accessible boat (I read that they do that somewhere)? Or if I want to go over to WL on my MK day, is there another form of transportation I should use? Also wondering the same thing-how to get from MK to Fort Wilderness-exploring my options for non-park lunches.

 

[gap2368]

They run two boat one is accessible one is not

 

[LittleFishy101]

I’ve never seen a cast member at the boat launch at WL. I know some boats are ECV accessible and some are not but I’m not sure if it’s just every other or how that works. If you have to take an ECV, and you want to get there quickly, the boat is likely not the best option. They do have a bus that takes about 5 minutes to get to MK, so that would probably be a better option as all buses are ECV accessible and not all boats are

 

[SueM in MN]

Every other boat is accessible.
There is also a bus.

 

[kaytieeldr]

No, nobody will "call for" an ECV-accessible boat. They can't. The accessible boats are already in use.

FW: wait for the accessible boat.

 

[SueM in MN]

Forgot to add - MK to Fort Wilderness route is the larger accessible boats.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Every other boat is accessible.
There is also a bus.

Thanks-I wasn't sure there was a bus. How about Fort Wilderness-is there a bus from the bus stop where all the buses are for all the resorts? I must admit, I've never seen one (hadn't seen one to WL either).

 

[SueM in MN]

Ft. Wilderness has an internal bus system that goes thru the resort and to the area where Trail’s End, Hoop de Doo Review and the boats to MK are located.
It also stops at the check in area, where guests get buses to the parks, water parks and Disney Springs.

 

[Starwind]

Every time we have used the boat that circulates between WL, FW and Contemporary it has been the larger boats that can accommodate and ECV, though I don't know if that is the only kind they run on that route. But taking it to Contemporary and then the pathway to MK is another option.

WL does have buses to MK and they take all of 5 minutes [not counting waiting time].

The MK <> WL boat alternates with the small boat no ECV] and the larger accessible boat.

Sometimes there is a supervisor on the dock, but usually there is not. We have had one instance where the supervisor on the dock, using their radio, DID call for an accessible boat; they explained they would reroute one to get us. So sometimes it can be possible, but I would not count on it.

For me I find it easier with an ECV to use the bus to get to MK -- if you add in the waiting time if you miss the boat, or worse miss the boat and then have to wait for the second boat that is accessible.... the bus is faster.

Coming back from MK we will usually take the boat; the dock area at MK is covered and it usually is not as busy as the buses. Plus its a nice relaxing trip back to MK. I think we've always gotten lucky because we've always gotten an accessible boat coming back and not had to wait a cycle ;-)

SW

 

[philharmagic fan]

Maybe they've changed things since your last visit, but we've NEVER seen the larger boats on the CR/FW/WL route, only the 32-passenger launches that don't take ECV's.

 

[gap2368]

Maybe they've changed things since your last visit, but we've NEVER seen the larger boats on the CR/FW/WL route, only the 32-passenger launches that don't take ECV's.

when I stayed at the fort 2 years ago they only used the smaller ones to go between the three resort ( CR FW and WL ) if an ECV user needed to go from one resort to another ( it happened a few times ) they would use the larger boat and say we need to make a stop for a VIP guest and drop them off at the resort

the ones that went to the MK was always the bigger ones that could take it.


or maybe they do change them every other one and I just got lucky and always got the bigger one

 

[Glittercat]

This is such helpful information! We may be at FW campsites soon and I’ve a small manual wheelchair and transfer with crutches. We haven’t been to WDW in years, but I remember boats being preferable to busses.

 

[gap2368]

This is such helpful information! We may be at FW campsites soon and I’ve a small manual wheelchair and transfer with crutches. We haven’t been to WDW in years, but I remember boats being preferable to busses.

If you can (or someone with you) fold the wheelchair and walk on to the boat ( I think the smaller one has one or two steps ) I think you would be ok to ride

 

[Glittercat]

If you can (or someone with you) fold the wheelchair and walk on to the boat ( I think the smaller one has one or two steps ) I think you would be ok to ride

It’s a rigid ️ chair which means it’s great for
long distances and off roaring, but sadly doesn’t fold. It has a fairly small footprint but I’m still a bit nervous. Thank you so much for your thoughtful advice though!

 

[Glittercat]

Off roading not off roaring! Sorry about that.

 

[gap2368]

It’s a rigid ️ chair which means it’s great for
long distances and off roaring, but sadly doesn’t fold. It has a fairly small footprint but I’m still a bit nervous. Thank you so much for your thoughtful advice though!

I see well not sure then

 

[SueM in MN]

It’s a rigid chair which means it’s great for
long distances and off roaring, but sadly doesn’t fold. It has a fairly small footprint but I’m still a bit nervous. Thank you so much for your thoughtful advice though!

This is a picture of the small WDW boat (water launches)..

The only way a wheelchair could fit is if it folds side to side and could be lifted on. It’s about 2 steps, I think.

My daughter has a Quickie GP rigid manual wheelchair. Her seat cushion is only 14 inches wide, which means her chair is very narrow. We’ve looked at those boats, but decided it was a no go (in addition, we would have to lift her on and off)

 

[mamabunny]

Off roading not off roaring! Sorry about that.

"Off roaring" Hmm.... sounds like *someone* wants to go to Animal Kingdom!

 

[Glittercat]

This is a picture of the small WDW boat (water launches)..

The only way a wheelchair could fit is if it folds side to side and could be lifted on. It’s about 2 steps, I think.

My daughter has a Quickie GP rigid manual wheelchair. Her seat cushion is only 14 inches wide, which means her chair is very narrow. We’ve looked at those boats, but decided it was a no go (in addition, we would have to lift her on and off)View attachment 423806

Oh the boats are itty bitty and super cute! We last stayed (in ancient days) at Port Orleans French Quarter and I thought they had large flat boats. I could very well be misremembering though! Yes, that makes good sense choosing not to go travel on them. My old chair was folding, and in that way it was a lil' easier to deal with.

 

[Glittercat]

"Off roaring" Hmm.... sounds like *someone* wants to go to Animal Kingdom!

You bet your bottom dollar I do!