We had our car for the first time this last trip and I loved driving to the parks. Parking was never a problem and the shuttles were usually right there. The only time we rode buses was to head to the Magic Kingdom in the afternoon and evening. This was mainly because I didn't want to mess with the monorail on the way home. I figured the bus would be easier. So I think driving to your early ADRs is the way to go.
I never answered your "miss" question! It's amazing that several of the attractions on other lists are must-do things for us!!! Isn't that the joy of Disney???
My DH is very nostalgic about Carousel of Progress so we do it each time. My kids love, love, love Astro Orbiter. We really enjoyed the Conservation Station at AK as something a little educational and relaxing after rushing around so much. Etc...
My misses:
MK: Stitch. We rode it once and never again!
AK: The Bug Show (whatever it's called). We haven't done it but I know it'll freak my kids out!
Epcot: Definitely Honey I Shrunk the Audience. Totally outdated!
DHS: I don't have a "miss" but that's because we've never done a lot of the attractions due to size/time constraints!
Driving question: We've never had a car at Disney but I believe it would be great for everything except MK. I can't justify renting a car but I think it would be great to have a car!!! One of these years we'll do the autotrain....
Amanda
June 2009 was our first trip with no car and we just loved it! My DH loved just being able to hop on a bus and we didn't have to remember where we parked. For most early ADR's, if you tell the bus driver where you're going, they will sometimes take you right there (after they've dropped off the other guests). I love not having to worry about driving, but that's just me.
Joe and I always drive.....everywhere actually. This will be the first time in a LONG time that we are not driving to MK. We'll just take the boat over. We like to be able to come and go and it seems so much easier to get places if we just drive. There is one notable exception.......The Grand Floridian! If you don't let them valet park for you, you have to walk from the parking in no-mans-land. It literally took us about 15 minutes to get from the parking lot to 1900 Park Fare. I got worried because we were so close to our ADR time.
I can't really help with the car thing because the last time we were at Disney with a car, I was a teenager with my parents and they did the driving!
We always use Disney transportation and have never had a problem, but we also never had early morning ADR's until last year when we stayed at the Poly and all of our morning ADR's were either a boat or monorail ride away!
I think if I had a car, I would drive to the early ADR's so I could sleep in an extra 1/2 hour!
Mark and I drive to all of the parks, including MK, and to Downtown Disney. I am not a fan of buses and trains (having taken them for 35+ years for my job) and Mark enjoys driving. We are always there before rope drop so we don't have to worry about the tram (and at the MK we just hop on the ferry boat after we've walked from our car to the TTC).
OH this is a hard question!! We drove for the first time last vacation. We parked the car when we checked in and used the bus and the boat to get to the parks, resorts, etc. Everything worked out great. We were there during a VERY slow time, though.
We did drive to the AK on our last day (checkout day). It was extremely easy to park and the tram was right there. We got on and went to the park. It probably saved us 10-15 minutes rather than waiting for the bus. I have to say, I personally felt that the overall "magical feeling" of being at WDW was lost when we drove. Being on the bus or monorail and driving up to the park makes it so fun. Also, not having to worry about driving there yourself and truly relaxing letting Disney do the work. When you drive to the park yourself, it is a reminder that you are in a theme park and not a magical world
With that said, I can see your hesitation for important ressies like BBB. I guess just play it by ear to see if the buses are late when you arrive. It might just be great to get an early start regardless. HTH!
Hi didn't realize you had posted this....
I love answering all your good pondering questions
MK...I intentionaly skip Stitch and COP...but my older kids are interested in COP this yr...so we may do it...as well we skip Astro Orbitor & Country Bears...I don't dislike Robinson Treehouse...but don't do it each time either, for our trip in Nov...we plan to skip most of the above and have Laugh Factory and TSI on the if time list (the kids are not pleased w/ LF on this list...but the line is rough)
EP...we have skipped Innoventions due to time many trips....but I think there alot of cool things in there...I personally skip Mission Space (though I told DH I'd do the green side ONLY w/ him next yr during our anni trip...since I'll be "ditching" home several times for the thrill rides I also don't mind skipping Malestrom in Norway or the movies...but would like to see them w/out kids in tow
DHS...all for skipping the Animation Tour "talk" but love going inside to find the characters and let the kids look at the computer stations...I will skip the afternoon parade and have never seen the Stunt action show (although Nathan would love to, time wise it just never works for us. We also generally skip the Backlot Tour but will do it this upcoming trip
AK...I plan on skipping the Train to the station this trip and we don't always do the 3 shows
We have do the CoP, we did last time and I thought it was interesting. It is a great place to cool off during the hot weather too. Not planning on riding MS either in EP--not for me. I also do not picture using doing the conservation station either.
I wish I could help you on this...the only time we drove was w/out kids in '95 and once there we just used Disney transportation but didn't really have any TS ressies....
I like your thoughts...I guess just give it a try and you may have to tweak it as you go...also look on the transportation boards
J~
I've never had a problem driving anywhere in WDW. We relied on bus transportation completely last year and it almost made us late for our Hoop Dee Do. It took us over an hour to get there! Definitely drive to your ADRs if they aren't in the park.
ONE MONTH!!!
I love that your giving us a day by day break down of what you'll be doing in one month. I may have to steal that for my PTR.
Woo Hoo for 30 days