AA: WDW Bus transportation; multigenerational
  • On Oct 23, 2024
    Christie from NJ Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    What time should I leave/take the bus from Animal Kingdom to Wilderness Lodge for a 5:45 pm dinner reservation there?

    Hi there Christie, and a very wild welcome to planDisney!

    As you're venturing from the lush jungles and savanna sightings of Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park to the forested surroundings of Disney's Wilderness Lodge, it's always best to avoid the anxiety of being late to a delicious dinner waiting for you when you get there- especially when you're using Walt Disney World Resort bus transportation to make the journey! I frequently take advantage of complimentary resort transportation between the theme parks and Disney Resort Hotels whenever I get have an opportunity to research strategies and track the changes that occur from a guest perspective, so here's what I personally suggest based on our most recent stay at Disney's Wilderness Lodge courtesy of planDisney:

    • The distance itself when traveling by vehicle should reasonably take under 20 minutes in the best conditions but in my experience, traffic heading up World Drive definitely increased the time it took overall. It's also important to factor in the time it takes to not only wait for a bus to arrive - the longest it personally took for me at times was about 25 minutes - but also the time spent unloading and loading fellow guests. This may take an extra amount of time if there are also any folks requiring additional assistance with their mobility devices or Electric Conveyance Vehicles (ECVs).
    • For these possible scenarios, I would highly recommend aiming to leave Disney's Animal Kingdom and make my way to the buses at least 45 minutes in advance (in this case, at 5:00 P.M.) just to be safe. This is especially true considering the time of day when you'll be taking a bus, as Park Hours will often change over the winter months to close earlier at 6:00 P.M. which may result in a longer line of families waiting to board. 
    The grounds of Disney's Wilderness Lodge are rustic, diverse and interesting to explore if you do find yourself arriving earlier than anticipated, and since it sounds like you might be coming from a day spent trekking the trails and spotting wildlife it might be a great idea to relax in a rocking chair by the towering fireplace. Just a short distance away from where the bus drops off is a hidden gem that I enjoy over at the Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge; heading inside you might stumble upon the Carolwood Pacific Railway Room which we investigated during our stay, discovering some intriguing artifacts that evoked Walt Disney's love of trains.

    Wishing you all the best on your dinnertime journey Christie, be sure to make good use of the My Disney Experience app while you're here so you can plan ahead and also check the kinds of transportation available to you throughout your stay. You're also welcome to come back to us here at planDisney for any other answers or advice you might have, as well as any other strategies that we can suggest!

    Here's hoping it'll be the smoothest ride to the wilderness!
    Prince
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Meet the Panelist: Prince, Ontario

Hello, Bonjour, Aloha and Ahoy there! As a performer and world explorer who's been to all of the Disney theme parks around the globe, I'm always happy to provide my best adventuring advice and knowledge to navigate your way to all of the greatest snacks, attractions and entertainment on land and at sea. Find me featured on the planDisney Podcast and on the Disney Parks Blog, discussing Disney Eats at festivals and beyond, holiday events at Walt Disney World Resort and planning my Disney Fairy Tale Wedding! Learn More About Prince

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