Best way from BWV to Magic Kingdom???

[beattyfamily]

We usually stay at monorail resorts but since we're DVC members, I figured it was about time we stayed "home" even though our DD's are still young...ages 4 and 7 by our trip in Nov/Dec.

Anyway, I haven't got a clue now the best way to get to Magic Kingdom from the BWV. This is our DD's favorite park.

We will have a rental car and don't mind using it if it's the best way.

Should I drive to TTC and take the monorail? Or is there parking somewhere else I'm supposed to go to? Or should I just take the bus (but I've heard horror stories on how LONG it takes to wait for one that isn't already full!)?

I know I can either walk to MGM or take a boat, right?
I will probably drive to AK since I also heard horror stories about the buses to AK too.
I can walk to Epcot, right? I've never entered from the back of Epcot. Could you describe it?

Lastly, I will be activating AP's on our first full day (a Sunday, Nov 29) and we want to head to MK first. Where do I activate? Guest Services at MK or is there a better way?

Thanks!

 

[DebbieB]

That's a tough question. Most people would say take the bus but if it was us we would drive. We just can't stand crowded busses, so I prefer to drive. The only place to park would be the TTC. I would take the express monorail from there rather than the boat. You should be able to activate your AP's at the TTC windows or at the MK windows, see how the lines are at the TTC. If you are arriving the day before, you may want to walk over to the International Gateway and get them activated there (they will be effective that day though).

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by DebbieB
The only place to park would be the TTC. I would take the express monorail from there rather than the boat.

This is what I thought would be the best way, BUT I'm a bit confused. When people say to "park at MK parking lot" are they talking about TTC? Or is there also another parking lot just for MK?

Thanks for the quick response.

 

[BillPA]

Yes, the TTC and MK parking is the same place. I would take the bus. It will drop right in front of the MK entrance. Driving and parking, and taking the tram and the ferry or monorail to get to the same place will take much longer. Driving to the other parks is not bad, but to MK the bus is better, IMHO.

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by BillPA
Yes, the TTC and MK parking is the same place. I would take the bus. It will drop right in front of the MK entrance. Driving and parking, and taking the tram and the ferry or monorail to get to the same place will take much longer. Driving to the other parks is not bad, but to MK the bus is better, IMHO.

I realize how close the bus drops you off and how much longer going to TTC could take, BUT I've heard MANY horror stories of the buses at BWV. I've heard they share a route with 3 other resorts and that by the time they get to BWV, they are usually full and then you have to keep waiting for a bus that isn't full.

Should I take my chances on waiting for full buses or drive? That's where I'm confused. I'm most concerned when I have a PS or on EE mornings.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

DW and I are DVC members and BWV is our home resort. We usually visit 3X a year and visit the MK at least twice each visit. We visit during the first week of January, mid-March, and early June most years. I have yet to experience a wait of more than 10 minutes for a MK bus, usually departing from the BW bus stop any time between 8 and 11 in the morning. Although bus routes for the Epcot resort may stop at up to 5 locations (Swan, Dolphin, YC, BC, and BW), most buses during the busier morning rush will not make the complete circuit. The bus-on-demand system dispatches additional buses when buses start to get full. These are dispatched from the parking lot at MGM, so they arrive at the BW pretty quickly. Perhaps Tyler can comment again about how the bus transportation system attempts to deal with varying demand at the Epcot resorts.

Ralph

 

[CarolMN]

We always take the bus to the MK from the BWV. Even if we have to wait a few minutes for the bus, it is better than going through the TTC and fighting crowds for the ferry or monorail. If you plan to do EMH, definitely take the bus. I don't think it is very easy to get to the MK from the TTC before the park opens to off site guests.

Drive to the AKL. It's a fairly long bus ride and in our experience, it can be a wait to catch a bus back, especially if you leave mid day.

As you know, you can walk or boat to both EPCOT and the Studios. Depending on your room location, it can take less time to walk than to go by boat. However if you need to use the elevators (carrying strollers up and down stairs is not much fun), then the boat is very nice!

Enjoy your home!

 

[4407mark]

We are also DVC members who call the BWV home. As for the MK - drive. It's a short distance and you can get there easy enough. The one advantage to the bus is for early entry mornings, especially for PS in the MK, as mentioned in another post. Otherwise, I think driving is better.

As for entering EPCOT from the BWV or BC/YC, you go into EPCOT between Great Britain and France (International Gateway). We always go to EPCOT this way - if it's first thing in the morning when World Showcase isn't open, CMs guide you to Future World. You can walk to the International Gateway from the BWV or you can take the boat. It can be faster to walk at times than to wait for the boat but after a day in the parks, sometimes it's just better to take the boat

Disney-MGM Studios is a short walk (15 minutes) depending on how fast you walk. You can also take the boat. When we were there last month, the boat picked up at BWV and went directly to the International Gateway. When we have gone to the Studios in the past, we left BWV, went to BC/YC, then to Swan and Dolphin, and then to the Studios. Hope this helps...

 

[beattyfamily]

I think the majority suggest I take the bus to MK especially on EE morning, right?

Besides Thursday EE mornign, I'm planning on doing MK also on Sunday till closing and then eating at Chef Mickey's at 7:00p. Should I take the bus to MK and then walk or monrail to Chef Mickey's and then how do I get 'home' after dinner when it's around 8:30p? Bus again or monorail back to BWV via Epcot and then walk back??

How about for MVMCP night? I'll have a PS at 5:05p at CP in MK and then the party.

Would all you BWV experts take the bus for that too? How will it be getting back at night? We probably won't make it to Midnight but probably leave after the second parade.

I'm really confused about all this as you can see!