Official 'how to get from point A to point B while at WDW' thread.

[Stefecatzz]

Thanks! Does the bus drop off at DTD near to WGPE? That's where I wanted to go for lunch. And is there even a bus to go to AK from DTD or only to resorts? Just wondering b/c if I had a choice, I'd prefer to rely on only internal transportation for our whole trip. I like to park hop & was thinking about maybe going to MK after AK so I'm thinking if it were possible, buses would be easier to get around. If we did have to drive to one place & back, I'd be alright if it would save a bunch of time, though.

 

[joelkfla]

Thanks! Does the bus drop off at DTD near to WGPE? That's where I wanted to go for lunch.

Yes, the bus depot is very close.

And is there even a bus to go to AK from DTD or only to resorts?

No, you could take the bus from DTD to AKL & transfer there.

 

[IndyMouse89]

We'll be spending a day at Hollywood Studios, but have a late (9p) dinner reservation at T-REX at Downtown Disney. I've read conflicting reports that you can/can't take a bus directly from Hollywood Studios to Downtown Disney. Can someone clear this up for me? And I assume that we'll be able to take a bus back to our resort (POFQ) following our dinner? Thanks!

 

[Alesia]

We'll be spending a day at Hollywood Studios, but have a late (9p) dinner reservation at T-REX at Downtown Disney. I've read conflicting reports that you can/can't take a bus directly from Hollywood Studios to Downtown Disney. Can someone clear this up for me?

You can't. You'll need to transfer at a hotel. My choice would be Pop Century.

And I assume that we'll be able to take a bus back to our resort (POFQ) following our dinner? Thanks!

Yes. Or the boat.

 

[Stefecatzz]

Yes, the bus depot is very close.

No, you could take the bus from DTD to AKL & transfer there.

Thank you!

 

[supersnoop]

We'll be spending a day at Hollywood Studios, but have a late (9p) dinner reservation at T-REX at Downtown Disney. I've read conflicting reports that you can/can't take a bus directly from Hollywood Studios to Downtown Disney. Can someone clear this up for me? And I assume that we'll be able to take a bus back to our resort (POFQ) following our dinner? Thanks!

You can't. You'll need to transfer at a hotel. My choice would be Pop Century.

You could also take a boat or walk from Hollywood Studios to the Swan/Dolphin, Boardwalk, or Beach Club and catch a bus from there.

 

[Jennaynay]

I am arriving MCO at 12:10 on a saturday and taking magical express -- will it take me to my resort (POFQ) or do I have the option to go straight to a park (considering that the resort may not be ready to check me in yet)?

I'm asking because I have 4pm Hoop De Doo reservations for that day so I would take magical express to MK and take the boat over to wilderness for the dinner show if i can do that (or would the magical express be willing to take me to wilderness lodge if I provide my confirmation number for the 4pm reservation)?

Do i have time to do any of this (assuming my flight is on time)? How long from flight arrival until you get to WDW on magical express?

How long would it take me to get from MK front gate to the hoop de do - I'm thinking i would take the boat.

How long would it take me to get from wilderness lodge to hoop de do - i think i heard something about waiting for a bus.

I was looking forward to starting our trip with an exciting (early; we will skip lunch) dinner show, then heading over to MK for the evening -- but if this is crazy to think i will be able to get there, i'd be better off canceling rather than stressing about it.

also, if my flight is delayed, any chance disney will cut me a break on the refund or let me reschedule (obviously, within the 24 hr cancellation window)?

 

[siskaren]

DME only takes you to your resort and you can only get on the bus that is going to your resort. Assuming no flight delays, you should get to your resort by 1:30. Taking the boat from MK would be the best way to go since Pioneer Hall is a short walk from the dock.

 

[Alesia]

1. I am arriving MCO at 12:10 on a saturday and taking magical express -- will it take me to my resort (POFQ) or do I have the option to go straight to a park (considering that the resort may not be ready to check me in yet)?
2. I'm asking because I have 4pm Hoop De Doo reservations for that day so I would take magical express to MK and take the boat over to wilderness for the dinner show if i can do that (or would the magical express be willing to take me to wilderness lodge if I provide my confirmation number for the 4pm reservation)?
3. Do i have time to do any of this (assuming my flight is on time)? How long from flight arrival until you get to WDW on magical express?
4. How long would it take me to get from MK front gate to the hoop de do - I'm thinking i would take the boat.
5. How long would it take me to get from wilderness lodge to hoop de do - i think i heard something about waiting for a bus.
6. I was looking forward to starting our trip with an exciting (early; we will skip lunch) dinner show, then heading over to MK for the evening -- but if this is crazy to think i will be able to get there, i'd be better off canceling rather than stressing about it.
7. also, if my flight is delayed, any chance disney will cut me a break on the refund or let me reschedule (obviously, within the 24 hr cancellation window)?

1. You can only take DME to your resort. You will be able to check in when you get there. They'll hold your bags for you if your room isn't ready.
2. You can only take DME to your resort.
3. Assuming your flight is on time, yes. It generally takes 60 to 90 minutes from when you step off the plane until you arrive at the resort.
4. Not sure. I would give it about 30 to 45 minutes.
5. Not sure, but you wouldn't do that anyway.
6. I would be completely stressed out. There are just too many possible delays on arrival day. I think you're cutting it way too close.
7. I guess there's always a chance, but I wouldn't count on it. You should definitely plan on losing that money.

 

[goofy4tink]

I am arriving MCO at 12:10 on a saturday and taking magical express -- will it take me to my resort (POFQ) or do I have the option to go straight to a park (considering that the resort may not be ready to check me in yet)?

I'm asking because I have 4pm Hoop De Doo reservations for that day so I would take magical express to MK and take the boat over to wilderness for the dinner show if i can do that (or would the magical express be willing to take me to wilderness lodge if I provide my confirmation number for the 4pm reservation)?

Do i have time to do any of this (assuming my flight is on time)? How long from flight arrival until you get to WDW on magical express?

How long would it take me to get from MK front gate to the hoop de do - I'm thinking i would take the boat.

How long would it take me to get from wilderness lodge to hoop de do - i think i heard something about waiting for a bus.

I was looking forward to starting our trip with an exciting (early; we will skip lunch) dinner show, then heading over to MK for the evening -- but if this is crazy to think i will be able to get there, i'd be better off canceling rather than stressing about it.

also, if my flight is delayed, any chance disney will cut me a break on the refund or let me reschedule (obviously, within the 24 hr cancellation window)?

We recommend allowing 90 mins from gate to resort checkin. This would get you to POFQ by 1:30, 2 at the latest. You should have plenty of time to get to HDDR if everything is on time. BUT.......the one time I had something scheduled for within 3 hrs of my arrival, I missed it! My flight has mechanical issues and we left Boston at the time we should have been landing at MCO! Because I was staying at the same resort that the function was at, I figured I would be fine. Nope, missed it by about 30 mins. Thought I had plenty of time.....should have had 3 hrs leeway!
So, if you decide to keep your HDDR plans....you should be at POFQ by 1:30. Get checked in. If your room is ready, fine, go there and freshen up. But don't dilly dally. You should figure on 90 mins when going from one resort to another. For a 4:00 ADR at HDDR, I would want to be out at the MK bus stop no later than 2:30! There could be a wait for the MK bus. Then, ride to MK and then wait for the boat. Boat ride is about 25 mins. Then, walk up to HDDR. Its about 5 mins up the path from the dock.

 

[Jennaynay]

okay, on my ADR for HDDR on arrival day; would i be in better shape if i were to rent a car? or am i still just at the mercy of flight delays?

also, from POFQ i have a dinner at jiko at AKL -- my husband wants to skip the car rental and rely on park transportation, but this is the one thing i'm worried about. i'd totally take a cab, but the thing is, my kids are 3 and 6 so we still use carseats. are there cabs around disney that have carseats?

 

[goofy4tink]

okay, on my ADR for HDDR on arrival day; would i be in better shape if i were to rent a car? or am i still just at the mercy of flight delays?

also, from POFQ i have a dinner at jiko at AKL -- my husband wants to skip the car rental and rely on park transportation, but this is the one thing i'm worried about. i'd totally take a cab, but the thing is, my kids are 3 and 6 so we still use carseats. are there cabs around disney that have carseats?

The only way you won't be at the mercy of flight delays is if you drive to WDW....from your home!!! There is always a possibility of a flight delay. Having any kind of ADR less than 5 or 6 hrs after touchdown is iffy! You will need up to 90 mins to get from your resort to HDDR....and up to 90 mins to get from the gate to your resort. So, there's 3 hrs right there. You could rent a car...that would cut down on time from MCO to POFQ as well as time from POFQ to HDDR. But....if you drive to HDDR, you can't drive right up to Pioneer Hall...you have to use the main parking area and take an internal shuttle bus to Pioneer Hall.
It's up to you. If you don't want to rent a car, then you an always pay for a car service to pick you up and take you to PO.

As far as Jiko goes, I would just take the bus to AK and transfer to the AKL bus. Plan on about an hour to do that...will probably take less time but better safe than sorry.

 

[Alesia]

okay, on my ADR for HDDR on arrival day; would i be in better shape if i were to rent a car? or am i still just at the mercy of flight delays?

also, from POFQ i have a dinner at jiko at AKL -- my husband wants to skip the car rental and rely on park transportation, but this is the one thing i'm worried about. i'd totally take a cab, but the thing is, my kids are 3 and 6 so we still use carseats. are there cabs around disney that have carseats?

Renting a car isn't going to help.

Getting to AKL using disney transportation isn't difficult, but if you really want to take a taxi you can get one with a car seat (although there is no guarantee that it will be clean or safe.)

 

[Kelli4Cy]

A few transportation questions:

1. If we are driving a rental car and plan to park hop, do we have to pay parking at each park we visit that day? (We are staying at SoG, so park parking isn't free.)
2. What is the best (most efficient/easiest) way to get between MK & DHS?
3. Is it feasible to have a 5:35 p.m. ADR at BOG and then head over to DHS for the 10 p.m. F!?

 

[Alesia]

A few transportation questions:

1. If we are driving a rental car and plan to park hop, do we have to pay parking at each park we visit that day? (We are staying at SoG, so park parking isn't free.)
2. What is the best (most efficient/easiest) way to get between MK & DHS?
3. Is it feasible to have a 5:35 p.m. ADR at BOG and then head over to DHS for the 10 p.m. F!?

1. No, you'll just need to show your receipt at the second park.
2. Direct bus
3. Yes.

 

[Kelli4Cy]

1. No, you'll just need to show your receipt at the second park.
2. Direct bus
3. Yes.

Thank you, Alesia! Can you help me with follow up questions?

1. Where do we catch the bus at MK to head over to DHS?
2. Where can I find a bus schedule for the route between MK & DHS?
3. About how long does the trip between MK & DHS take via bus?

THANK YOU!!!

 

[Alesia]

Thank you, Alesia! Can you help me with follow up questions?

1. Where do we catch the bus at MK to head over to DHS?
2. Where can I find a bus schedule for the route between MK & DHS?
3. About how long does the trip between MK & DHS take via bus?

THANK YOU!!!

1. You can't miss the bus stops - just follow the signs
2. The isn't one. Buses leave about every 20 minutes. More often when needed.
3. The ride itself is about 15 minutes.

 

[siskaren]

Thank you, Alesia! Can you help me with follow up questions?

1. Where do we catch the bus at MK to head over to DHS?
2. Where can I find a bus schedule for the route between MK & DHS?
3. About how long does the trip between MK & DHS take via bus?

THANK YOU!!!

1. At the front gate where all the resort buses are.

2. There's no schedule - well, not in the sense that there's a specific time that a bus is due to arrive. Buses come about every 20 minutes.

3. About 20 minutes.

 

[Kelli4Cy]

1. You can't miss the bus stops - just follow the signs
2. The isn't one. Buses leave about every 20 minutes. More often when needed.
3. The ride itself is about 15 minutes.

1. At the front gate where all the resort buses are.

2. There's no schedule - well, not in the sense that there's a specific time that a bus is due to arrive. Buses come about every 20 minutes.

3. About 20 minutes.

GREAT!!! Thank you both! This knowledge will definitely help!

 

[keneka]

Having been to DTD since they started construction - what areas have bus stops now? Is it just marketplace? I heard West Side & Pleasure Island stops have now been permanentely removed?