WDW transportation vs. driving yourself to MK and AK

[bweagle]

What are your opinions? We are staying at the Swan. I am wondering if we can depend on WDW transportation with this Bus on Demand System or if we should just drive ourselves to MK and AK. MK will be for an EE day and i am wondering if it is possible to drive yourself and then catch a monorail to get into park early or if you have to use WDW transportation on EE days? I'd really appreciate your input.

[valeriekc]

here is a link to a discussion about this from Boardwalk as you will be sharing the same bus
http://64.225.125.24/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=42017

[bweagle]

Thanks for the link with the info, but it really doesn't answer my question about EE at MK. If you drive rather than take WDW transportation, can you still get to the opening gates at 7:30?

[tigger2222]

I have the same question, coming from OKW and would rather drive, but do I have to take Disney transportation on MK EE days? What's your opinion on ease of doing or not doing this (WDW TRANS.)

Thanks
TIG:p

[Master Gracey]

The buses begin rolling about 6:30 and there should be an MK bus at your resort by 7:00 or shortly thereafter. The bus will drop you at the MK entrance.

You can always drive, of course. But you will have to park in the MK lot, take the tram to TTC, and then take the monorail or ferry to MK. Allow extra time for all this.

As for AK, it's a tossup. The buses run every 20 minutes and drop you near the entrance. Or, its an easy drive by car and they have a huge parking lot with trams to the entrance.

[Master Gracey]

One more thing for bweagle to consider. Some of the resorts, like CBR and Coronado Springs have direct non-stop service to the parks. The Swan, however, is on a bus route shared with the Dolphin, Yacht Club, Beach Club and Boardwalk. The additional stops will add time to your trip. Despite this, you can probably make the EE opening. Travel time to MK once you are on the bus will be 15 to 20 minutes.

[tigger2222]

How about the bus from OKW to MK, does it share a route or is a direct route. If we get on at 7:00 what time will be get to the gate at MK and how frequently do buses back to OKW come. I'm looking for the most convenient route and quickest to MK as this will be the park we spend most of our time in and do EE. I just don't want to come out of the park ready to go home or ill from the heat and have to wait 30 min.

Thanks

TIG:p

[Master Gracey]

The route from OKW to MK is direct, non-stop once you leave OKW. Should take about 15 minutes. The only delay is in going around to all the stops in OKW.

The return bus from MK to OKW is also direct and runs about every 20 to 30 minutes. The MK bus stops are covered to provide shade.

[bweagle]

What time do the monorails start heading to MK from TTC on EE days?

[Master Gracey]

The monorails also begin operating at about 7:00 AM.

[Letsbgoofy]

When we were there last August, the resort monorails started at 7:00, but the TTC monorails didn't start until about 7:20. The gates at the TTC were locked and the resort monorails were not stoping at the TTC.

[PammyK]

Personally, I drive to every park EXCEPT MK. With the TTC deal, I find it much more convenient to use the WDW buses which will deliver you directly to the MK entrance turnstiles.