Should we drive to MK or take bus? - The DIS Discussion Forums

lpoeppelman · 11-24-2009, 01:24 AM

We're going to leave MK right after Wishes... we can drive to MK or take the bus back to our hotel at Animal Kingdom. Which would be the quickest way taking into account the mad rush of people also leaving at that time?

kaytieeldr · 11-24-2009, 07:12 AM

Bus. The bus picks up only a couple of hundred feet from the security entrance - no need for other transportation.

Driving means you must park at the TTC and (often) take the tram from your row to the TTC, then the monorail or ferry to the park. You need to reverse the procedure to get back to your resort - and the monorail lines, especially, can be extremely long at park closing.

cranbiz · 11-24-2009, 10:00 AM

Not to mention the lines for the tram.

The bus, its one line. Hop on and off you go. Even if the bus is full and you need to wait for another one, it will be faster than getting back to the TTC and to your car. Remember, you are not the only one who leaves right after Wishes.

Uncleromulus · 11-24-2009, 10:35 AM

Then again--unless you run as fast as you can to the bus stop, you may find a "full bus" with you unable to get on. And not another bus for 15 minutes. And, you may find yourself standing the entire ride back to the AKL. No fun there.

Brian Noble · 11-24-2009, 10:41 AM

It will *probably* be faster to take the bus, and conventional wisdom says you should bus, not drive to MK.

Even so, I now generally prefer to drive unless I've got watercraft or monorail transportation. On our last stay, we had two afternoon returns to MK take *more than an hour*, because each time we waited 35+ minutes for a bus to arrive. This wasn't AKL/AKV (it was OKW) but still. I'd rather know how long the trip takes even if it's a few minutes longer on average.

wdwgoofeeee · 11-24-2009, 10:41 AM

The worst idea is to try to leave any park exactly at closing time. What we did on our last trip was to sit on a bench right across from the Castle after Wishes. We watched as the masses of people all headed to the exits. After 20 minutes or so we slowly walked down a very quiet Main Street to an equally quiet parking lot.

I would agree with the previous posters and take Disney transportation. But whether you drive or use Disney transport just don't try to leave any park at closing.....it is insane.

lpoeppelman · 11-24-2009, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdwgoofeeee

The worst idea is to try to leave any park exactly at closing time. What we did on our last trip was to sit on a bench right across from the Castle after Wishes. We watched as the masses of people all headed to the exits. After 20 minutes or so we slowly walked down a very quiet Main Street to an equally quiet parking lot.

I would agree with the previous posters and take Disney transportation. But whether you drive or use Disney transport just don't try to leave any park at closing.....it is insane.

I think this is good advice... I know it is crazy after Wishes. I guess I was thinking that it would be nice to get the kids back quicker to go to bed... but now thinking, what's the difference if we wait 20 minutes for a bus at the stop or wait 20 minutes on a park bench eating a snack? Thanks!

Alesia · 11-24-2009, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncleromulus

Then again--unless you run as fast as you can to the bus stop, you may find a "full bus" with you unable to get on. And not another bus for 15 minutes. And, you may find yourself standing the entire ride back to the AKL. No fun there.

Buses tend to come much more often than once every 15 minutes at park closing. The longest we ever had to wait was 5 minutes.

dmoore22 · 11-24-2009, 01:41 PM

Ditto! Other factors to consider is whether this is an early entry or late night Extra Magic Hours. That will impact the crowds. If its late night you will be competing with those staying off site as they rush to their vehicles. If another park is open for late night, specifically Epcot, you may want to take the Monorail then catch a bus to AKL after unwinding some in the World Showcase.

2binak · 11-24-2009, 04:41 PM

We just stayed at AKV. We drove to MK in the morning, went to the resort for afternoon nap and took the bus back to MK that afternoon. The bus was much easier and quicker. It was the only park we used the bus to get to/from though. DD wasn't one for sitting still on our laps on the bus. The carseat in the rental car made for a much better ride for all of us.

I agree with those who say to stick around for a while after Wishes and let the majority of the crowd leave before you head to the bus. There's much more for little ones to see and do on Main Street than there is standing in line waiting for the bus.

CR Resort Fan 4 Life · 11-24-2009, 05:58 PM

I would also go with the bus.

11-24-2009, 01:24 AM	#1
lpoeppelman Mouseketeer Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 265	Should we drive to MK or take bus? We're going to leave MK right after Wishes... we can drive to MK or take the bus back to our hotel at Animal Kingdom. Which would be the quickest way taking into account the mad rush of people also leaving at that time? __________________ Me, DH, and my 4 boys : 11, 8, 4, 2, and 1 on the way! WDW - Caribbean Beach in 2005 WDW - All Star Movies in 2006 WDW - Polynesian June in 2008 WDW - Wilderness Lodge November of 2008 WDW - All Star Movies July 4th of 2009 YIKES- busy!

11-24-2009, 10:00 AM	#3
cranbiz DIS Veteran Join Date: May 2004 Location: Exactly 45 miles from the mouse and 1350 miles from good clam chowder Posts: 2,321	Not to mention the lines for the tram. The bus, its one line. Hop on and off you go. Even if the bus is full and you need to wait for another one, it will be faster than getting back to the TTC and to your car. Remember, you are not the only one who leaves right after Wishes. __________________ Now wearing Purple Pants! Off Site 8-91 Off Site 8-92 ASMU 12-03, 1-06 (AP preview of EE) New FL House 9-04, 11-04, 1-05, 2-05, 4-05, 5-05, 6-05, 7-05, 9-05, 10-05, 11-05, NYE05 at EPCOT!, 4-06, 10-06(X2) (Stopping now - there every weekend) AKL 12-04 CBR 6-05 The opinions and comments in the above post do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Walt Disney Company or any of its affiliates. This post was written while off the clock and off WDW property. Any information or advice in the above post is subject to change at any time without notice and should not, if ever, be taken seriously by anyone. All rights reserved. Your mileage may vary. Offer is valid only at participating locations. Many will enter, few will win. If this post begins to smoke, get away immediately. Seek shelter and cover head. Guarantee void in Tennessee.

11-24-2009, 10:35 AM	#4
Uncleromulus DIS Veteran Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Glen Rock Pa. Posts: 11,682	Then again--unless you run as fast as you can to the bus stop, you may find a "full bus" with you unable to get on. And not another bus for 15 minutes. And, you may find yourself standing the entire ride back to the AKL. No fun there. __________________ 1'st Disney experience-- Movie "Peter Pan", 1953, Naval Air Station Theatre, Pensacola Florida. WDW first meal-Papeete Bay Verandah, Sept. 1975 Victoria and Alberts first dinner Sept. 1988 Vacation Club since 1992 Next trip--May 1, 2010 at BLT!!

11-24-2009, 01:41 PM	#9
dmoore22 Old Rock n' Roller Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Fredericktown, Missouri Posts: 285	Ditto! Other factors to consider is whether this is an early entry or late night Extra Magic Hours. That will impact the crowds. If its late night you will be competing with those staying off site as they rush to their vehicles. If another park is open for late night, specifically Epcot, you may want to take the Monorail then catch a bus to AKL after unwinding some in the World Showcase. __________________

11-24-2009, 04:41 PM	#10
2binak "But if life were only moments, then you'd never know you had one." Stephen Sondheim - Into the Woods Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 510	We just stayed at AKV. We drove to MK in the morning, went to the resort for afternoon nap and took the bus back to MK that afternoon. The bus was much easier and quicker. It was the only park we used the bus to get to/from though. DD wasn't one for sitting still on our laps on the bus. The carseat in the rental car made for a much better ride for all of us. I agree with those who say to stick around for a while after Wishes and let the majority of the crowd leave before you head to the bus. There's much more for little ones to see and do on Main Street than there is standing in line waiting for the bus. __________________ 11/90 Offsite, 11/97 PO, 5/99 DL, 1/00 CS, 1/04 PC, 9/04 Offsite, 12/05 SSR, 5/07 AKL, 10/08 SSR, 5/09 POFQ, 11/09 Kidani AKV

11-24-2009, 07:12 AM	#2
kaytieeldr Dude, Where's My Tag? Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: There is no Pixie Dust on the Transportation Board!!! Posts: 21,127	Bus. The bus picks up only a couple of hundred feet from the security entrance - no need for other transportation. Driving means you must park at the TTC and (often) take the tram from your row to the TTC, then the monorail or ferry to the park. You need to reverse the procedure to get back to your resort - and the monorail lines, especially, can be extremely long at park closing.

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11-24-2009, 10:41 AM	#5
Brian Noble Absent-Minded Professor Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 6,215	It will probably be faster to take the bus, and conventional wisdom says you should bus, not drive to MK. Even so, I now generally prefer to drive unless I've got watercraft or monorail transportation. On our last stay, we had two afternoon returns to MK take more than an hour, because each time we waited 35+ minutes for a bus to arrive. This wasn't AKL/AKV (it was OKW) but still. I'd rather know how long the trip takes even if it's a few minutes longer on average.

11-24-2009, 10:41 AM	#6
wdwgoofeeee DIS Veteran Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Newark, DE Posts: 3,582	The worst idea is to try to leave any park exactly at closing time. What we did on our last trip was to sit on a bench right across from the Castle after Wishes. We watched as the masses of people all headed to the exits. After 20 minutes or so we slowly walked down a very quiet Main Street to an equally quiet parking lot. I would agree with the previous posters and take Disney transportation. But whether you drive or use Disney transport just don't try to leave any park at closing.....it is insane.

11-24-2009, 05:58 PM	#11
CR Resort Fan 4 Life DIS Veteran Join Date: May 2006 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 24,932	I would also go with the bus. __________________ Next Vacation To Walt Disney World 08/10/2010 - 08/20/2010: Disney's Contemporary Resort - Bay Lake View - Atrium Club.

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