Drive or take bus to MK?

[vinotinto]

We're leaving in 2 weeks on our first trip to Disney. We're going with a 2-year old and a 4-year old, driving from home (so we'll have a car) and bringing our double stroller. We're staying at BC, and will need to go back to the resort daily to allow the 2-year old to take her 2-hour nap. After nap, we plan on going back to the park for a little bit.

Need to decide whether to drive our car or take the bus to MK, given the extra step of the long walk (or tram) through the lot and the monorail/boat across. How long would each option take (on average, approximately).

Thanks so much!

[puddleduck]

I would definitely take the bus. Any time you may save driving is drastically taken away by the fact that you have to get from your car to the monorail or ferry and then get to the park. The bus drops you off directly in front of the park. The double stroller may be a bit of an issue, but when you are going shouldn't be too crowded.

[ppan77]

We always drive to the parks when we stay onsite. It beats waiting for the bus and dealing with the strollers and cranky kids. That way when we are tired from a long day we just head on out and go straight to the car.

[teacher100]

We always take the bus, but have never had to deal with a stroller because we always rented them. If I took the bus I would definitely use it during non busy hours.

[TLinden16]

I'm going to move this over to our transportation board.

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

My vote was for the bus because it will drop you off very close to the main entrance where as driving you need to park, take the tram to the TTC and then line up for the Express Monorail or the boat.

[vinotinto]

Wow! I thought it would be close, but it isn't! 79% of you have said that we should take the bus from Beach Club to Magic Kingdom. It must be pretty obvious to Dis veterans. Thanks to everyone who has voted and keep those votes coming.

[wdwgoofeeee]

It makes no sense for anyone staying on site to drive to the MK. I have read all the reasons but none of them make any sense.

Only Disney buses will drop you off near the park entrance. Everyone else has to park at the TTC. Depending on how far back you are you then need to take the tram to either the boat or the monorail to get to the MK. And how about all the non-site visitors who park at the TTC and must do the same. I cannot believe for one second that driving is any easier than taking the Disney bus.

One think I can recommend is that if you are planning on staying until park closing do NOT try to exit right away. On our last trip my DS and I watched Wishes and then sat down right across from the castle as the throngs stormed down Main Street to the exits. After 20 minutes or so we took a slow walk down a very quiet Main Street to an equally quiet bus station. Window shop, walk around, do anything for 20-25 minutes and getting back to your resort is easy.

[vinotinto]

Thanks for the responses! The people have spoken - 69% advocate for the bus.

We're planning on 2 days at MK, so we'll be brave and try the bus on the first day. We'll bring our stroller, which reclines fully, since trying to catch the bus back for a mid-day nap sounds like too much work. Thanks again!

[Cotta]

I would suggest taking the bus in the morning but then driving back if you plan on staying for the parade or fireworks. The buses generally get backed up then. Either way has advantages and disadavantages. We have found with our children that if we are in motion they are generally better behaved (and we as parents are much more patient) than when we are waiting! So we prefer driving... But if you try both ways you get to make your own decision.

[Bullseye]

Originally Posted by vinotinto

Thanks for the responses! The people have spoken - 69% advocate for the bus.

We're planning on 2 days at MK, so we'll be brave and try the bus on the first day. We'll bring our stroller, which reclines fully, since trying to catch the bus back for a mid-day nap sounds like too much work. Thanks again!

Good Luck with that... but most people who drive to the parks never go back to the bus. Everyone acts like it's such a big deal to park your car and walk maybe 50 yards to a tram that picks you up in less than a minute and then drops you off right in front of the ramp for the monorail.
Riding the tram and the monorail is part of the Disney experience for us. My kids love the fact that they are riding the "train" through a hotel, it's something they don't forget. Getting on and off a monorail with kids and stroller in tow is a lot easier than the buses, especially if they're crowded.

You already have your car with you, why would you wait for buses (possibly in pouring rain) and fight the crowd to get on the bus and to get seats when you could leisurely cruise right back to your car, plunk your shortie's in their nice safe car seats, reach into your cooler and give everyone a nice cold drink to enjoy on the way home?

[Tozzie]

I am a fan of taking Disney Transportation my sister is a fan of driving, however she hates driving to MK. IF you are leaving late at park closing or after the fireworks there is a mass exodus and it can take as long to get on a monorail or boat as it does to wait for a bus. As for waiting in the pouring rain, well the bus stops at the MK are well covered so that isn't even an issue. I don't rent a car when I am at the world, my sister does and I have gone with her in her car and I personally think it is a big PIA to drive, even when my sister drives I find myself wishing to be on a Disney Bus

[zulemara]

boats/monorails are shuttles that go in a loop all day.

Buses get reassigned at every stop, resulting in sometimes chaotic schedules leading to a much longer wait than you would have with either the monorail or ferryboat.

Drive drive drive. I would bet a lot of money that if I left my apt, which is 7 miles from MK at the same time you went to a bus stop to wait for a bus to MK, I would drive, park, walk, and ferry across the lake and still beat you.

Going back mid day is absolutely going to kill your efficiency.

All I have to say is allow 1 hour for each form of Disney transportation