Any park not worth driving to?

[AmyDek]

We are a family of four, two adults, a 1 year old and almost 3 year old. Thinking of renting a car while in WDW to avoid the bus rides with two toddlers and a double stroller in tow. My initial thoughts were to drive between all parks and our resort except for MK since to MK we have to go to general parking then take monorail over, rather than be dropped off right in front of the gate with the boat or bus from the resort.

I guess my question is would you drive to MK rather than take disney transportation even given having to take the monorail over? Or is it more of a time saver to take the bus to MK or boat if we stay at a MK resort?

Thanks

 

[bumbershoot]

Most drivers won't drive to MK. That is the prevailing wisdom.

We are weird and we will drive to MK. Because I don't feel that the buses take you "right in front of the gate"; the monorail and boats are closer to the bag check areas. And because no matter how much it seems to be a convenience in the morning, at night I just want to get on the boat (usually), get to my car and GO. I don't want to walk all the way over there and wait at what is, inevitably for me, the second to farthest bus line, wait for 2+ buses to be filled and go, and then get on a bus.

My way of thinking (in this and many other things LOL) is an anomaly though.

We also only have an 11 year old. No carseats.

 

[Frozen2014]

I remember reading conflicting advice about driving vs busing to Magic Kingdom. We had rented a car and liked the convenience of driving ourselves. If you go early, then you'll park at the front. Then it is just a short walk to the monorail which brings you to the front gate. Wasn't a big deal. Can see it being more of a pain if you come later and first have to take the tram to the monorail.

 

[DebbieB]

When I've stayed at OKW, I drove to MK. Until you wait for the bus and it makes all the stops in the resort, it's quicker to drive and take the monorail.

 

[book_junkie]

We are a family of four, two adults, a 1 year old and almost 3 year old. Thinking of renting a car while in WDW to avoid the bus rides with two toddlers and a double stroller in tow. My initial thoughts were to drive between all parks and our resort except for MK since to MK we have to go to general parking then take monorail over, rather than be dropped off right in front of the gate with the boat or bus from the resort.

I guess my question is would you drive to MK rather than take disney transportation even given having to take the monorail over? Or is it more of a time saver to take the bus to MK or boat if we stay at a MK resort?

Thanks

I think the best answer would be a question: what is your end goal- ease to get to and from the front gates of the parks, or a shorter wait/ easier transportation w the babies?

When we meet family with little ones, we always drive- it's a longer hike to and from the gates of any of the parks, IMO, but with our own cars we can leave without waiting on a bus/boat/monorail (or three), and then add in their drive time. The kids have their stuff and extra juice/snacks in the car, as well. We can get back to the cars and just head back- much easier for partial days and park hopping- what could take 30+ minutes from bus pickup to drop off can take 15 once you know your way.

YMMV, but to me, Disney transportation to AK, HS, and Epcot get you closer to the gates than driving. MK I haven't done the buses since they moved them, so don't know; if you're in Contempory, Poly, GF, or WL, Disney transport is closer than driving. But again, you're also waiting to return, and with fussy littles that can be a big hassle. And a longer walk at the beginning and end has always won out for us.

 

[kwdw]

Drive to AK, HS, and EP - pretty much always. We also rarely wait for the parking tram - we typically walk to the front gate.

MK - if we are getting there at rope drop - such that we will be in the front lot - and don't plan to stay late - we will drive. You can walk from car to the TTC and take the monorail or boat without too much walking. If we are park hopping to/from MK - we will drive. If we are headed to a non-monorail resort for dinner - we will drive.

Now - if we plan to leave MK late at night - like after Wishes - or after evening EMH - then we likely take the bus. Typically this means we likely aren't arriving at rope drop - so we would be further back in the parking lot. In addition, it's a huge pain to leave right after Wishes or at standard closing time by ferry or monorail to the TTC - takes forever. And - since we are NOT night owls - it means we are going to be exhausted by the time we leave. This is when we would rather have someone else transport us.

NOW - if I were staying at a monorail loop resort - then I would take the monorail or resort ferry (or walk if BLT/CR) - I would NOT drive to MK ever.

 

[AmyDek]

Thanks everyone! So I have a second part of the question-- if we stayed at BW or BC woudl it still be worth it to rent a car? We would walk or boat to those two and then bus to MK so the only park for driving would be AK which we will prob only go one time! Should we skip the rental car if we stay there?

Is it ever worth it (if you have a hopper) to walk from BW or BC to the front of epcot, take the monorail over to the transportation center then to MK or is that an insanely long trip?

 

[AmyDek]

I think the best answer would be a question: what is your end goal- ease to get to and from the front gates of the parks, or a shorter wait/ easier transportation w the babies?

When we meet family with little ones, we always drive- it's a longer hike to and from the gates of any of the parks, IMO, but with our own cars we can leave without waiting on a bus/boat/monorail (or three), and then add in their drive time. The kids have their stuff and extra juice/snacks in the car, as well. We can get back to the cars and just head back- much easier for partial days and park hopping- what could take 30+ minutes from bus pickup to drop off can take 15 once you know your way.

YMMV, but to me, Disney transportation to AK, HS, and Epcot get you closer to the gates than driving. MK I haven't done the buses since they moved them, so don't know; if you're in Contempory, Poly, GF, or WL, Disney transport is closer than driving. But again, you're also waiting to return, and with fussy littles that can be a big hassle. And a longer walk at the beginning and end has always won out for us.

I guess my answer is kind of both, lol! Not having to fold up the stroller and hubby holding it on the bus while I corral both kids is part of it. And also I've encountered that walking up to the bus stop right when it's leaving moment and been stuck standing there waiting and it sucks!! I guess I kind of answered my question here... sounds like car rental will be best for us. And since the car question is what I'm basing my resort question on I guess I've also decided that too....if we're going to rent a car and drive it makes the most sense to stay at AK since it's the least expensive of the options we're discussing!

 

[elgerber]

Thanks everyone! So I have a second part of the question-- if we stayed at BW or BC woudl it still be worth it to rent a car? We would walk or boat to those two and then bus to MK so the only park for driving would be AK which we will prob only go one time! Should we skip the rental car if we stay there?

Is it ever worth it (if you have a hopper) to walk from BW or BC to the front of epcot, take the monorail over to the transportation center then to MK or is that an insanely long trip?

We rent a car for the BW, but we certainly don't need to. We do walk to Epcot and DHS, and bus to MK. It's an easy bus ride the AK as well if you would rather not rent the car.
Now the 2nd question, no I don't believe it's ever worth the walk. We have done it a few times, but it's just because we felt like it, and had time to kill, not because it was easy or convenient.

 

[loves to dive]

Thanks everyone! So I have a second part of the question-- if we stayed at BW or BC woudl it still be worth it to rent a car? We would walk or boat to those two and then bus to MK so the only park for driving would be AK which we will prob only go one time! Should we skip the rental car if we stay there?

Is it ever worth it (if you have a hopper) to walk from BW or BC to the front of epcot, take the monorail over to the transportation center then to MK or is that an insanely long trip?

I try to stay at the Epcot resorts if they have any openings and I drive down and never see the inside of my car again until I leave. I boat or walk to HS, walk to Epcot, usually bus to MK and AK. I do have an AP and my son (when he goes) has PHs so we have walked to the front of Epcot and hopped the monorail but that is usually if we are already in Epcot and just decide to head over to MK. I don't think it would be shorter since you run the risk of having to wait on a monorail then have to change it at TTC anyway.

 

[galaxygirl76]

There is no way I can ever talk my husband into driving to MK again.

 

[msb578]

Most drivers won't drive to MK. That is the prevailing wisdom.

We are weird and we will drive to MK. Because I don't feel that the buses take you "right in front of the gate"; the monorail and boats are closer to the bag check areas. And because no matter how much it seems to be a convenience in the morning, at night I just want to get on the boat (usually), get to my car and GO. I don't want to walk all the way over there and wait at what is, inevitably for me, the second to farthest bus line, wait for 2+ buses to be filled and go, and then get on a bus.

My way of thinking (in this and many other things LOL) is an anomaly though.

We also only have an 11 year old. No carseats.

I think there are more of us than you think

When we drove, we did everything we possibly could to not have to ride the buses. We didn't mind the walk/ferry at all. We had twin 2 year olds in a double stroller (and a 5 year old).

 

[AmyDek]

I think there are more of us than you think

When we drove, we did everything we possibly could to not have to ride the buses. We didn't mind the walk/ferry at all. We had twin 2 year olds in a double stroller (and a 5 year old).

I'm leaning towards this... hubby and I just discussed and it's the stagnant time that is hard with the kids. If we have a 40 minute round trip from door to door but one version involves waiting at a bus stop only to stand on a bus-- that same 40 minutes would just be more manageable in a car where they're strapped into a seat and not trying to climb out of strollers and walk around a moving bus!! I'm pretty sure we're going to stay at BW so we will only be driving to MK and AK. And if getting into MK is as easy as everyone is saying it may be worth it!

 

[Iamthequeen]

Actually they wouldn't be in the stroller on the bus. All strollers need to be folded up before you bring it on the bus. Getting to/from MK by car is only easy if you get there at rope drop. Otherwise you will be putting the stroller on a crowded tram before you even get to the monorail or ferry.

 

[AmyDek]

Actually they wouldn't be in the stroller on the bus. All strollers need to be folded up before you bring it on the bus. Getting to/from MK by car is only easy if you get there at rope drop. Otherwise you will be putting the stroller on a crowded tram before you even get to the monorail or ferry.

Yes I meant my husband holding the stroller and my corralling both kids! But I understand your points!

 

[winthropf]

We rent a car for the BW, but we certainly don't need to. We do walk to Epcot and DHS, and bus to MK. It's an easy bus ride the AK as well if you would rather not rent the car.
Now the 2nd question, no I don't believe it's ever worth the walk. We have done it a few times, but it's just because we felt like it, and had time to kill, not because it was easy or convenient.

The walking to the front of Epcot route to the monorail also requires a park hopper pass. You can't walk from the Epcot resorts to the front of the park without going through the park.

 

[bumbershoot]

Backing up...I rent a car because I want a car. We go to the store, we go to Sweet Tomatoes, we go to Giftland because they have Disney shirts in larger sizes so dh can get something (same shirts we see at WDW but in more sizes). We drive to parks because we have the car. I've also never chosen a resort based on transportation to the parks, not chosen to visit a park because I'll be at a certain resort.

That's the background of my answer.

And I hate the walk from BW to Epcot. I'd rather drive in and walk/tram (but usually walk) through the parking lot.

 

[happymommy]

Backing up...I rent a car because I want a car. We go to the store, we go to Sweet Tomatoes, we go to Giftland because they have Disney shirts in larger sizes so dh can get something (same shirts we see at WDW but in more sizes). We drive to parks because we have the car. I've also never chosen a resort based on transportation to the parks, not chosen to visit a park because I'll be at a certain resort.

That's the background of my answer.

And I hate the walk from BW to Epcot. I'd rather drive in and walk/tram (but usually walk) through the parking lot.

Walking from the BW to Epcot is shorter than driving. This makes no sense at all to me.

To the OP: if you're at an Epcot resort, I really don't see any benefit to having a car. We've done a huge double stroller on the busses before, and yes it's a bit of a pain to fold, but much easier than dealing with driving and parking. Plus, if we've had a couple of beers, it's a much better idea. You'd also then need car seats I guess as well.

If you don't want to do a bus, then a taxi may be easier. It would also cost less than a rental car possibly! Or you could use Uber. We have taken taxis a couple of times when we didn't want to wait for a bus (like on NYE after Illuminations at Epcot to get back to AKL, we took a taxi from the YC and it wasn't much like maybe $20 or so with tip).

I'd say skip the car personally! One thing I like about a Disney vacation is not having to deal with driving!

 

[keishashadow]

Thanks everyone! So I have a second part of the question-- if we stayed at BW or BC woudl it still be worth it to rent a car? We would walk or boat to those two and then bus to MK so the only park for driving would be AK which we will prob only go one time! Should we skip the rental car if we stay there?

Is it ever worth it (if you have a hopper) to walk from BW or BC to the front of epcot, take the monorail over to the transportation center then to MK or is that an insanely long trip?

not a fan of shared buses @ BW & BC. If having a seat on bus (or monorail for that matter) is a priority, rent a car.

even to MK where it might not be 'quicker', at least we are assured of a seat with a rental

when drinking is involved w/dinner we will take the bus/monorail to and uber back to resort.

 

[AmyDek]

Walking from the BW to Epcot is shorter than driving. This makes no sense at all to me.

To the OP: if you're at an Epcot resort, I really don't see any benefit to having a car. We've done a huge double stroller on the busses before, and yes it's a bit of a pain to fold, but much easier than dealing with driving and parking. Plus, if we've had a couple of beers, it's a much better idea. You'd also then need car seats I guess as well.

If you don't want to do a bus, then a taxi may be easier. It would also cost less than a rental car possibly! Or you could use Uber. We have taken taxis a couple of times when we didn't want to wait for a bus (like on NYE after Illuminations at Epcot to get back to AKL, we took a taxi from the YC and it wasn't much like maybe $20 or so with tip).

I'd say skip the car personally! One thing I like about a Disney vacation is not having to deal with driving!

I hadn't planned on driving to either Epcot or HS, and since it was encouraged not to drive to MK that left us with just AK to drive to and was wondering if it was worth it. But our plans have changed and we are staying at AKL now so it's a moot point and we are def renting a car!! Thank you!