Best transportation options?

[medic318]

Wife, myself, daughter, soon to be arriving son, and various family members are coming down in October of next year. We currently have reservations at THV. Was thinking about trying to change to BLT, BWV, or BCV at the 7 month mark. My main concern is transportation. Anyone with any input on the 2 bus thing at THV. Any of the above places easier for transportation.(We do enjoy spending time at the Boardwalk, and will be able to have a night or 2 out on our own due to "grandma" coming with us.) BWV and BCV seem to be within walking distance of each other? Any other suggestions or ideas? Help is much appreciated.

 

[katied]

I can't speak to THV, but I have always stayed at BCV or BWV (and next month, my first stay at BLT).

I love the Boardwalk area - which is why I bought at BWV. It's a very easy walk between BCV and BWV - maybe 10 min tops, or you can take the boat across the lake. You can also walk to Epcot and DHS from BCV and BWV. Epcot is closest - you enter right by the UK. DHS is maybe a 20 min walk away, and it's nice to have the option to walk after Fantasmic. Also, there is a boat to both Epcot and DHS. You do have to take the bus to MK and AK, but I've never had an issue with that.

BCV and BWV are especially nice for a night on your own, because it's so easy to get to Epcot in the evening, and the countries in the evening are nice for adult time.

 

[dizfan]

Hopefully someone else can give you more input on THV transporation.


As far as pure transportation, I would say it depends on what park and/or parks you plan to attend the most.
If you're main parks will be DHS and Epcot, BCV and/or BWV will be the easiest transporation wise. (Walk/boat to/from DHS and Epcot)
If you're main parks are MK and Epcot, BLT will have the best transportation (walk/monorail to MK, monorail to Epcot).

For an adult night out (outside the parks), there are three areas that come to mind.
1) DTD (wish they still had Pleasure Island), SSR/OKW would be best location for this.
2) BW area, BWV would be best, BCV would be close second.
3) Hotels around MK (BLT would be best choice, BLT Top of the World Lounge for an adult beverage and great view, CR, monorail to Poly and GF, boat to WL. Second would be WL, boat+monorail).

Really comes down to your personal preference.

Have a great trip!

 

[Cee]

We had a car when we stayed at THV. The bus loop there is small and goes to the Grandstand area at SSR where transfers can be made to other busses. I haven't done this personally, but other posters seem to think that it's fine, for the most part. The THVs are wonderful. I hope you will reconsider and stay there.

 

[dopeygirl76]

For us the bus service had been fine until our youngest was 1. She thought she should stand like Daddy or on buses that we too full and we all had to stand mananging the girls 4 & 1 and the stroller was really tough - we were alone that trip so grandparents/ helpers are great.

Renting a car was AWESOME for us!!! If you decide to stay with THV definately think about renting a car.

 

[medic318]

Thank you for the help. I think we are leaning towards trying to get the week at bwv. We are big jellyrolls fans. So that would make things easier.

 

[spiceycat]

remember that other than OKW, SSR and AKV - the hotels share buses.

so with BWV you will be sharing with D& S mostly - sometimes also bc & yc.

bc & yc share.


blt (cr) shares with Polyn, GF or WL depending upon where you are going.


that say would go with BLT - you can walk to the MK, then ride the monrail to EPcot - at Epcot you can boat or bus to Studios.

 

[hakepb]

.. Also, at BLT you can walk to the MK bus area for bus transportation to any other WDW hotel (i.e BWV) Usually MK is open late and I think it has more frequent bus service than trying DTD from SSR..

If you get on the shared S/D/YC/BC/BWV busses, you can actually get to jeyllyrolls faster by getting off at a S or D stop as BWV is last on that route..

 

[JKnLydia]

.. Also, at BLT you can walk to the MK bus area for bus transportation to any other WDW hotel (i.e BWV)

I think a lot of people are overlooking this part of the transportation equation for BLT. The monorail is great, but DW and I are also looking forward to a short walk to catch a bus to go see Yee-Haw Bob at Port Orleans!

 

[JeffR]

The busses to & from MK are my single biggest complaint at WDW. I'm not saying I have any suggestions on how to make it better, but I HATE them. If you even think you might get annoyed waiting for the busses, avoid them at all costs. And remember, one of the "luxuries" of an on-property stay is that mid-afternoon swim/lunch/nap. This is much less convienent when relying on the busses.

From BWV or BCV, you can also walk to Epcot & take the monorail, but I think you might need a hopper pass to do this and may not be able to get into early entry this way.

My advice is to rent a car if you're not at BLT, or staying at BWV or BCV and don't need early entry. But if the cost of a rental is a concern, go ahead and deal with the busses. Once you've experienced them, it might not seem so expensive the next time you go.

 

[Petraman]

Can't say much about THV other than talking to some folks on my last trip who stayed there. They didn't really mind the 2 bus thing. Their feeling was once they left in the AM, they really didn't go back until end of day. If you are looking to go back and forth, then maybe it is smarter to get more centralized.

BLT (as has been mentioned) may be the easiest access of the bunch. Plus the Top of the World would be a great place for a couple getaway night.

If you stay at BWV, then I highly recommend Captain's Grill or Yachtsmen's at the DYC for night out or better yet, a short walk over to the Swan to Kimono's. Lotta fun... karaoke, sushi, etc.
Also, the Dolphin has a couple nice places to go out (bluezoo and a steakhouse)