Are the books right about commuting times accurate?

[bluesky1997]

I'm reading the Unofficial Guide to WDW and there is a chart showing the average time in minutes it takes to get to each park from FW via car or the Disney Transporation System. Is this accurate? For example it indicates that the time it takes to get to Epcot by car is 18 minutes versus 48 minutes by DTS. If this is true, it would be much quicker to drive instead of taking the bus. There are some days that we are hoping to get to particular parks at rope drop so all the extra sleep we could get would be much appreciated! And if taking our car to each park is quicker than DTS (with the exception to MK), I am second guessing our need for the golf cart I have reserved.

Is driving and parking a huge hassle? We have Diamond AAA parking, whatever that means, if that helps at all.

We leave in 4 days and now I'm more cornfused than ever lol!

Thanks in advance for any help!

Tracie

 

[Shan-man]

Those estimates sound about right. As I always say, if you are planning on using the Disney transportation you should pack an extra measure of patience. If you are commando'ing it, driving yourself is the way to go. If you are on vacation, and ready to relax, then the DTS is perfectly usable, IMO.

 

[plutospup]

Except for MK, we travel by car to the parks. At FW our car is parked at our site/cabin. The roads are marked pretty well, and we never found parking at any park a hassle. Best of all when we are ready to return to FW we are able to go directly to our car without waiting for a bus. Best of all upon our return we park at our site/cabin that's only a few steps from the door.

 

[Skyw]

Those times are pretty accurate. I use the unofficial guide too. Have for the last 4 visits. We used to use Disney transportation but not anymore. We arrive at the parks for rope drop. We get really good parking at the parks. We also noticed that when we like to leave the parks (2pm) the buses run a bit slower. It was easier just to hop in the car. We do take the boat to MK. It doesn't make sense to drive to MK, then take a boat or the monorail to MK.

The buses aren't that bad. We started driving because we had a little guy. He was able to fall asleep in the car and it was an easy transfer from the car to the cabin.

 

[Memph1s]

Except for MK, we travel by car to the parks....... Best of all upon our return we park at our site/cabin that's only a few steps from the door.

That's the part that really makes a difference to me. When we stay at other resorts we tend to use Disney Trans. more often to avoid the hassle of finding a parking spot back at the resort.

 

[Magicbus]

There are pros and cons of of both methods. I always drive but I know every road, back road, and best way to get to every resort at WDW. The times published include waiting times because the furthest park, AK, once you're on the bus, is about 15 minutes. But you don't have to take a tram from the parking lot. It all depends on your comfort level with the WDW road system.

 

[testtubes]

The Unofficial Guide to WDW is fairly accurate. We have timed car driving to the parks versus Disney transportation and driving yourself is much faster. We do, however, also just take the boat over to MK. It only takes one or two trips and following the signs to make it easier to drive yourself and have your car at your own convenience to sight see or go to a grocery store once you are out and about on your own. Have fun exploring!

 

[ftwildernessrick]

We flip flop back & forth on whether to take our car or the bus, of course, always take the boat to MK.

It is never a problem parking at most of the parks; however, don't assume that you will park at the 'front door' the earlier you get there. Disney tends to rotate the use of the parking lots for wear & tear, so you may be one whole parking zone out further, while the closer lot is getting a break.

If you take a bus & plan on getting to the park at opening, I am always at the Outpost bus stop 40 minutes prior to that park's sceduled opening to catch the first bus over there.

This is one of my insider tips - if you go to Epcot before opening, you will see the usual lines of people waiting for the turnstiles to open. One of the turnstiles to the far left is marked something like 'Princess Breakfast' , that has no line, which allows early entrance to the park for those persons going to the Princess breakfast at Norway. Check with the cast member at this entrance to see if this entrance will become a standard entrance at opening. Usually the answer is yes and you can line up just beside it and be one of the first to enter the park, instead of waiting in the other longer lines.

 

[des1954]

Everyone has addressed the time & transportation issue - so I'm going to address the AAA Diamond Parking. It is a special parking permit issued to you by AAA when you book a Disney resort through AAA that gives you preferred parking at all of the theme parks. AAA parking is up front with the handicapped parking. Beware though - AAA parking is not granted on the busy holidays such as Christmas, New Years, 4th of July, etc.

 

[BradyBz12]

preferred parking at all of the theme parks. AAA parking is up front with the handicapped parking. Beware though - AAA parking is not granted on the busy holidays such as Christmas, New Years, 4th of July, etc.

It can even be an issue during not-so-busy times if you get to the park later in the day (happened to us at AK once).

Also at EP, while the diamond parking is in the front few rows, if you end up towards the end of the row, it's a pretty fair hike to the gates, and the parking trams don't run here.

 

[bluesky1997]

As usual, thanks for the great information! I don't know how any one could plan a trip to WDW without this board!

Only 42 more hours until we leave! Let the stress of packing begin (or continue!), lol!

Tracie

 

[SandrA9810]

AAA diamond parking can really be a hike from the entrance, and totally not worth it as it's not a lot serviced by the trams. I have to say Epcot and Studios are the only two I would use it at. But generally if you park in Unicorn at DAK, it's close enough to walk or take the tram (that way if your kids are sleeping in the stroller, you don't have to wake them up to get on the tram). Epcot you can usually walk or take the tram from the regular lot. The AAA parking is clear across on the other side, and totally not worth it.

And like Magicbus, I know every road to disney (the names and speed limits too). So on occasion, it's not always best to follow Disney signs, but they will get you to your destination if you don't know where you're going.