Best way to get around?

[AA25]

We are planning our trip for next October. We are staying at the Orlando Hilton (by the convention center) for a convention that my husband is attending.

I have 3 kids, 1 will be in a booster, and 1 will be in a carseat (could do a high backed booster; she will be 3.5). There does not seem to be a shuttle from the hotel to the parks. My mother will be meeting us and has a car (but daily parking at the parks is $$$).

What is going to be the easiest and most cost effective way for us to get back and forth?

TIA.

 

[Upatnoon]

The easiest and most cost-effective way is to drive your mother's car. The car gives you the flexibility to leave at any time, which is critical with small children.

$20 seems like a lot, but its small price to pay considering what it costs to visit one of the theme parks. Since you have a car, you can eat a meal somewhere off-property and the savings will likely pay the parking bill.

 

[chalee94]

Shuttles are a bad choice at off site resorts, regardless. Use the car. $20 a day is no big deal - remember that even if you leave the park and go back later in the same day (even if it is a different disney park), your parking ticket is still valid.

 

[bankr63]

Also remember that many hotel shuttles actually charge a fee per rider. For a family of 4, that charge is generally greater than the cost of parking. Uber or Taxi will also be more expensive.

 

[MrKnight]

While the Hilton Orlando does not provide transportation to the parks, transportation can be arranged via the hotel Concierge Desk for a small fee.. I would recommend calling the hotel prior to your arrival, here is the direct line to their Concierge Desk: 407-313-8465

 

[Maryelizabeth]

My husband has a conference in the same hotel this April. He will be working but I'll be at the parks.. I've looked up some info.. if your not planning on going at park opening.. you can park in the garage at Disney springs for free and catch disney shuttles from there to wherever your going. I read on one thread somewhere that the shuttles stark picking up from there about 9:30 am.

 

[writerguyfl]

I've looked up some info.. if your not planning on going at park opening.. you can park in the garage at Disney springs for free and catch disney shuttles from there to wherever your going.

While the part about parking for free is true, the rest is not. Disney buses from Disney Springs only go to Disney Resorts. They do not provide transportation from Disney Springs to the theme parks.

 

[Penmac]

By not having to park a car at the Hilton, you are already saving money. They charge for daily parking. If you had to do that on top of the $20 parking fee at the parks, it would be unfortunate. But, since your mom can pick you up and give you a ride, it's pretty economical to do it this way. We have parked at the parks each trip and still save tons of money by being offsite. The $100 in parking for a 5 day park pass is small change compared to what we would spend on food and accommodation if we had to stay on property with our larger family.
Disney Springs transportation is only good for people staying at those hotels. And if you have a car involved at all, you are going to pay one way or the other. Either you pay to park at DS hotel and shuttle over, or you pay to be in the lot. Either way, the Mouse gets $$ for you having a vehicle.

 

[rg35]

Off site or on, car is the most convenient and fastest way to get around WDW.

Some would argue that bus is better to MK because you can skip the TTC, but that really all depends on where you are staying and how long you had to wait for your bus on the front end.

 

[Maryelizabeth]

While the part about parking for free is true, the rest is not. Disney buses from Disney Springs only go to Disney Resorts. They do not provide transportation from Disney Springs to the theme parks.

While the part about parking for free is true, the rest is not. Disney buses from Disney Springs only go to Disney Resorts. They do not provide transportation from Disney Springs to the theme parks.

By catching shuttles from Disney springs I meant you'd have to go by way of resort from Disney springs.. then catch the direct bus back. No.. it is not a direct route .. you'd have to change shuttles at a resort.