Driving to parks while staying onsite

Tiger8691 · May 23, 2015

Let me apologize if this question is somewhere else. My family and I always stay onsite when visiting the World. We've always used Disney Transportation to go to the parks. But, I've read lately that some guest still drive their own cars to the parks because of the wait time for buses. My question is, How many people staying onsite drive their own vehicles instead of using the buses? Also, if you drive, can you still use the EMH? Is parking free for onsite guests? Sorry, didn't realize I had three questions until I started typing.

lost*in*cyberspace · May 23, 2015

I can't tell you how many people staying at Disney Resorts drive their cars rather than taking Disney transportation; does it really matter? I would, as it's much more convenient.

How you get to the parks has nothing to do with EMH.

Parking costs can be found on Disney's website:

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/parking/

ice cube · May 23, 2015

we are part of that group that always has a car whether our own or a rental when in Disney. Depending on what resort we stay at will decipher whether we drive to that park....example staying at BCV or BWV and go to Epcot we will walk it but going to MK that day we will drive....as long as your a resort guest you get free parking and EMH...

minnie mum · May 23, 2015

Some people drive, some people prefer to let Disney do the driving. You do what you want to do. BUT driving to MK is a PITA IMO, since it requires you to park at the TTC lot, tram to the TTC and then either monorail or ferry to get to the park gates. The bus OTOH, drops you right beside the gates.

Your mode of transportation has nothing to do with eligibility for EMH.

Parking at the parks is free to onsite guests.

bumbershoot · May 23, 2015

I'm one of the onsite drivers. Can't stand the buses and we have extraordinarily bad luck with them.

I personally don't feel that the bus drops you right outside the MK gates because that walk irritates me more than parking at ttc, walking to boat or monorail, then to the gates. So I now drive even to MK. Unless I'm with a friend who is a city planner geeking out about wdw infrastructure lol.

J.C.&ALI'SMOM · May 23, 2015

We always have a car at WDW and unless we are able to walk or ride a monorail to the parks, we drive. Parking is free if you are staying at a WDW resort or the Swan and Dolphin. It is just faster and way more convenient.

GarrettJD · May 23, 2015

Count us in the category of those who stay onsite and always drive to the parks, even MK. There's nothing I hate more than walking up to the bus stop and watching the bus to your destination pull away, knowing it's going to be at least 15-20 minutes before the next one arrives. Also, having to wait for 3 to 4 buses at park closing, only to have to stand up all the way packed in like sardines with everyone else on the way back. And depending on what resort you stay at, some of the bus routes take forever to even get in/out of the resort due to having 3 to 4 stops within the resort (Riverside, for example.)

supersnoop · May 23, 2015

Parking is free for on-site guests. Generally speaking, driving will be quicker for all parks other than the Magic Kingdom.

mmouse50 · May 24, 2015

I always drive - you park free if staying onsite, just show your parking permit (received at the hotel) to the pay booth attendant and they will wave you through.

The tram drops you off right at the main gates, instead of having to walk from the bus stops.

I have found the signage on the roads to be very easy to follow - tip: Know what area your resort is in i.e, Epcot Resort area, Magic Kingdom resort area - it helps for the exits.

kandb · May 24, 2015

We are getting a car for our stay because after a long day in the parks, I don't want to wait for a bus at the end of the day and then get crammed into the bus with a bunch of hot, tired and grouchy strangers :sad2:

We don't mind the ride to the parks as much as the rides from the parks to the resort. Plus, we are staying at CBR this year and there are a lot of stops around the resort. No fun when you are tired.

FirstTimeWithMickey · May 26, 2015

We have an appointment at Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutiuqe really early so I wondered if we should drive and chance traffic or use the bus. First timers so I think we may drive to be safe. Can't miss that appointment.

nalajms · May 26, 2015

FirstTimeWithMickey said:
We have an appointment at Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutiuqe really early so I wondered if we should drive and chance traffic or use the bus. First timers so I think we may drive to be safe. Can't miss that appointment.

What traffic?

TTC can get very crowded in the mornings. We've never been there for RD but have been early in the morning. The lines were pretty long for the monorail and ferry.

wdwrich · May 26, 2015

mmouse50 said:
I always drive - you park free if staying onsite, just show your parking permit (received at the hotel) to the pay booth attendant and they will wave you through.

The tram drops you off right at the main gates, instead of having to walk from the bus stops.

I have found the signage on the roads to be very easy to follow - tip: Know what area your resort is in i.e, Epcot Resort area, Magic Kingdom resort area - it helps for the exits.

According to many on these boards (and with the coming of full on line check-in), they now scan your magic band for theme park parking. The paper passes are going away.

cranbiz · May 26, 2015

Done both. We usually drive to the parks but the last time I was there and we stayed at POP, we took the bus most of the time. Having worked there, I know other ways to the parks that can be more direct than the route a bus takes. It can be nice to let others do the driving if it's just you and your DW. The more crap you need to take with you to a park can change the decision to bus or drive.

Always drive to any resort except the MK resorts for meals, etc.

sharadoc · May 26, 2015

GarrettJD said:
Count us in the category of those who stay onsite and always drive to the parks, even MK. There's nothing I hate more than walking up to the bus stop and watching the bus to your destination pull away, knowing it's going to be at least 15-20 minutes before the next one arrives. Also, having to wait for 3 to 4 buses at park closing, only to have to stand up all the way packed in like sardines with everyone else on the way back. And depending on what resort you stay at, some of the bus routes take forever to even get in/out of the resort due to having 3 to 4 stops within the resort (Riverside, for example.)

We always drive, even to MK. We park and there's usually a tram right there or 5 minutes away. Tram is 5 minutes or less, then onto the ferry. Never have to watch one pull away, plenty of room. Lovely ferry ride, slowly the MK comes into view, building the excitement. The ferry dock is close to the main entrance, the bus depot is much further away.

Even easier going home. Ferry is always waiting, always room. Even standing is comfortable vs the sardine can of a bus. No lines to get on like at the bus or even worse, the monorail.

Driving to MK is like taking side roads vs a freeway with traffic. As long as you're moving, you are doing better than standing around waiting.

KrazeeK120 · May 26, 2015

We prefer to drive to the parks. We went to the 24 hour day on Friday

wdwrich said:
According to many on these boards (and with the coming of full on line check-in), they now scan your magic band for theme park parking. The paper passes are going away.

This is true. I was there over the weekend and did not receive a paper parking pass. The magic band scanners at the parks don't always work, either. One of the attendants got so frustrated he just gave up. He asked where we were staying and let us go through. We never had problems with our MBs at the park entrances, at the resort, or at FP+ checkpoints, so I think it was just those scanners.

We do prefer to drive...it's nice knowing I'll have a nice, comfy seat for my ride. The roads at Disney are super easy to navigate. We were going to take the bus to MK on Friday morning for the 24 hour day. We got to the bus stop at 5:35 AM. Some of the others there said they'd been waiting for 40 minutes. We turned right around and got in our car. I wasn't willing to wait to see what would happen! It was nice to have the option to drive ourselves.

baldy6060 · May 26, 2015

We always drive. Wouldn't have it any other way. Go wherever I want whenever I want. My only tip is to get specific directions to each place you want to go from the front desk. They usually have prepared directional sheets ready for guests. Even for places offsite. Sometimes there are multiple ways to get where you're going. We frequently use our GPS but have found on many occasions that it sends us in odd directions or even to the backstage areas.

kyden · May 27, 2015

I've rode the bus system, but this last trip we drove. As soon as we got in the car at the resort and passed by the reams of people standing outside the bus stop, we knew we had made the right decision.

baileygirlsmom · Jun 6, 2015

We will be going to MK the evening we check in, I am renting an ECV for the week and we have a handicap placard. Is the handicap parking even possible early evening or is it full? How far is it to the ferry? Thanks!

Rosebud123 · Jun 6, 2015

Can't remember if I already replied! LOL. I love to drive to the parks, whether onsite or off! This trip we're staying at the Poly/YC and I wasn't going to bother w/a car, but we're going to the WPs for 3 days and DTD 2x. I think the car will be worth it!

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