Welcome back to planDisney Linda! Thank you so much for sending in your question. It’s exciting to hear that you’ll be welcoming the New Year at
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, especially during such a magical time of year. I’m happy to help you explore the best options for getting to and from the park so you can focus on enjoying every moment of your Walt Disney World vacation.
From Wilderness Lodge, the most reliable way to reach EPCOT, especially with a scooter and a goal of arriving for park opening, is the
Disney bus. It is the only direct option from the resort to EPCOT, it is fully scooter accessible, and it drops you at the front entrance without requiring extra transfers or long distances. On New Year’s Day EPCOT will be very busy, so arriving at the bus stop early matters. Buses typically begin running well before Early Entry, and being at the stop about an hour before park opening gives you the best chance of arriving on time.
For the return trip, if you prefer not to use the bus,
Minnie Van Service by Lyft is an excellent option. Minnie Vans are fully accessible, provide a direct ride back to Wilderness Lodge, and are driven by knowledgeable Cast Members who understand the resort layout and guest needs. This can be a particularly comfortable and stress free choice at the end of a busy day.
Another option, if you would still like to use Disney transportation without returning directly by bus, is to take a bus from EPCOT to Magic Kingdom and then the boat back to Wilderness Lodge. This route can be calmer than EPCOT buses at closing time, though it does take longer and still involves a bus transfer.
Linda, I hope this information helps you feel prepared as you plan your New Year’s visit to EPCOT. Thank you so much for reaching out to planDisney with your question. Wishing you a smooth, comfortable, and truly magical start to the new year, filled with unforgettable moments and plenty of Disney magic.
Kay