Am I stuck at the resort?

[buffett010]

If we plan on solely utilizing Disney transportation, will we be stuck at our resort when the parks are closed? We are going the first week of December, and I know the parks have shorter hours then, but I was hoping to be able to make PS's at some of the other resorts for after the parks are closed. Will I be able to do this and stil use Disney transportaion, or will we need to eat at our property? Thanks so much!

 

[DC7800]

You will never be stuck. Transportation to Downtown Disney (from all WDW resorts) continues until Pleasure Island closes at 2 a.m., so you can always use that location to transfer to/from your resort to another. This connection frequently takes longer than changing buses at a theme park, but it is available when you need it. Really, the only times you are "landlocked" at your resort (in other words, no buses) is after 2 a.m. and before the first park transportaton starts up the next morning, and who would want to be out at those hours (taxi's are, of course, available)!

You will probably end up using park transportation to get to your resort for the Prioroty Seating, but have to return via Downtown Disney.

 

[DebbieB]

Epcot is open in December until 9:30pm, you can use it as a transfer point. You could also use MK as a transfer point on MVMCP nights, open until midnight. Depending on where you are going and where you are staying, they maybe closer than Downtown Disney.

 

[kda]

And, depending on where you're staying, it may only cost $5-10 to take a cab, if you want a speedier return than going to DD. If you like that option, you might select restaurants at resorts closer to where you're staying. Of course, if you eat at DD, it will be a quicker trip home.
Using Epcot as the transfer point is a good option, but if you get there after 9:30, you'll be part of the post-Illuminations crowd. MK on MVMCP nights is also a great choice, but don't try to get there just before or during the first 1 - 1 1/2 hrs of MVMCP. A lot of other people will be using all the various types of Disney transportation to get to the party.

 

[clkelley]

Also, unless you just absolutely HAVE to go back to your room to clean up for dinner, I would just go directly from the theme park to the resort of your choice for dinner, then either take buses to Downtown Disney then back to your resort, or take a cab back to your resort.

Try and plan your dinner around where you will be that evening.

For example, if we are at Magic Kingdom in the afternoon, we will plan dinner at one of the resorts near the Magic Kingdom (Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, Polynesian)

If we are at Animal Kingdom, we plan dinner at Rainforest Cafe, or at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

If we are at the Studios or Epcot, we plan dinner at one of the resorts near Epcot (Yacht/Beach Club, Boardwalk, Swan, Dolphin)

There are also many great restaurants at Downtown Disney. You can only get to Downtown Disney by bus from a resort.

Carol

 

[buffett010]

Whew! I thought I would be stuck at the food court for dinner every night! Thanks so much for all the helpful information. This will be my first trip to Disney since sometime around 1986, and I was in junior high. We also stayed offsite, so I have no experience with Disney transportation. I'm so glad I found all of you experts!

 

[BuffettFan]

We were down there a couple of years ago without a car.
We took a cab over to CityWalk at Universal and had dinner and drinks over at Margaritaville.
Something tells me you might like it there

I think the cab ride was between $12-$15
But it was worth it !!




we're leaving in 60 hours !!

 

[buffett010]

BuffettFan -
Yep, of course we're planning on doing Margaritaville! We're thinking of renting a car for just that one day as it's only about $22, but then again, we might need a cab after all those margaritas!! Okay, I think we'll DEFINITELY need a cab! Have fun on your trip - we still have a ways to go, although the Buffett concert is coming up soon!

 

[FINFAN]

I agree w/the cab for Margaritaville, and even calling to make ressies!It is by far, WAY TOO EASY to hang out on the porch and waste away in Margaritaville. Besides, I think you pay to park over there too...6 or 7 bucks, that's another boat drink! DH took me there last year for my 40th and it was heaven. I hope you get to see the 'volcano blow" if you do get to JB's place, and theres's a small but pricey souvee shop there too.

 

[buffett010]

FINFAN -
We saw the "real" volcano blow at Buffett's concert in Buckeye Lake, OH. The volcano was supposed to go off, it just wasn't supposed to KEEP going off and catch on fire! Last year at his concert in Cinci, he made mention of this fact and was joking around about it! So, just a "regular" volcano blowing might be a little anti-climatic for us. We'll enjoy anything there, though, especially if Freddie and the Fishsticks just HAPPEN to appear!
Can't wait til December for the World and Margaritaville!