best way to get directions to rest/parks from BWV

[3kidz4dis]

I am very organized and am writing down plans for individual days and wanted to preplan how to get to our Character Meals and/or parks from either our resort (BWV) or another park using either Disney Transportation or our car. Is there any website or resource I can use to get these directions ahead of time?

 

[PCFriar80]

I don't know of a specific web site, however if you want to give us an outline of your plans, the folks on these boards usually offer the best suggestions for
your transportation. Generally speaking, if you're staying at the BWV, walk to/from EC, Boat/walk to/from MGM, bus to AK, and bus to MK. Another option for MK is walk through EC and monorail to TTC, transfer to MK monorail. Reverse the route for return to BWV. I'll be glad to answer any specific questions if you have them!

 

[3kidz4dis]

I don't know of a specific web site, however if you want to give us an outline of your plans, the folks on these boards usually offer the best suggestions for
your transportation. Generally speaking, if you're staying at the BWV, walk to/from EC, Boat/walk to/from MGM, bus to AK, and bus to MK. Another option for MK is walk through EC and monorail to TTC, transfer to MK monorail. Reverse the route for return to BWV. I'll be glad to answer any specific questions if you have them!

You all are awesome, thanks! I just didn't want to take so much of your time. Here is our scheduele:

Thurs Whispering Canyon from BWV (no car)
Friday Magic Kingdom
Saturday we need to pick up car at the Car Care Center from BWV -(husband will walk?)
Next on Saturday from BWV to Downtown Disney (we will have car then)
Sunday Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach (haven't decided where yet) from BWV, then later in the day Hoop Dee Doo from BWV (we will have a car)
Monday - Boma from BWV, then Animal Kingdom from Boma.
Then Epcot from BWV for dinner (we will have a car)
Tuesday - MGM from BWV (we will have a car)
Wedenesday - BWV to Disney Quest (we will have a car)
Then Park Fare from BWV for dinner (we will have a car)
Then on to Marriott Grand Vista from there for a few more days but I can get the directions from Marriott for that.

Thanks so much!!

 

[WillCAD]

You can try his wizzard at Our Laughing Place:
http://www.ourlaughingplace.com/asp/twiz.asp

 

[kaytieeldr]

Thurs Whispering Canyon from BWV (no car)

Bus from BWV to MK, then boat to WL; or walk to MGM then bus to WL. If either park is still open when you finish dinner, reverse that route. If both have been closed for a while, bus to Downtown Disney then bus to BWV.

Friday Magic Kingdom

Bus to MK!!!! Always bus to MK!

Saturday we need to pick up car at the Car Care Center from BWV -(husband will walk?)

No, hubby will not walk Hubby will take free National/Alamo shuttle from BWV to Car Care Center. See Guest Services at BWI for assistance.

Next on Saturday from BWV to Downtown Disney (we will have car then)

Eh, okay, drive. You might want to consider the bus because parking at Downtown Disney on a Saturday might be difficult, but your husband can always drop you off and meet you after he finds a parking space.

Sunday Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach (haven't decided where yet) from BWV, then later in the day Hoop Dee Doo from BWV (we will have a car)

Car, especially if you go early. If you choose to take the bus, the Downtown Disney/Pleasure Island bus will stop at Typhoon Lagoon, and the Animal Kingdom bus will most likely be what you'd take to get to Blizzard Beach

Monday - Boma from BWV, then Animal Kingdom from Boma.

Drive first to Boma, then to AK. It's WAY easier than trying to get to AKL using Disney transportation.

Then Epcot from BWV for dinner (we will have a car)

Walk or boat. Otherwise you have to drive around to the front of Epcot to park, and I bet you're eating in a World Showcase restaurant.

Tuesday - MGM from BWV (we will have a car)

Up to you - walk, boat or drive.

Wedenesday - BWV to Disney Quest (we will have a car)

Depending on the time of day, Disney transportation or drive yourself (that parking space issue again )

Then Park Fare from BWV for dinner (we will have a car)

Drive, or take the bus to MK then the monorail 3/4 of the way around to the GF, or the boat.

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

Epcot is about a ten minute walk from the BWV.
Disney Studios is about a fifteen minute walk.
From both you can (if you want) take the Friendship boats that run between the Epcot International Gateway and the Disney Studios throughout the day. They stop along the route at the Boardwalk, Yacht/Beach Clubs and Swan/Dolphin.
Always use the Disney bus to get to the Magic Kingdom. Only Disney buses are allowed near the MK entrance. All other traffic must go to the TTC. From there you will take a tram to either the boat or monorail to the MK. Driving takes far more time than just hopping on the Disney bus at the Boardwalk.

 

[cigar95]

Just to add a couple things - first, are you interested in *detailed* driving directions, such as which roads to take and where you'll turn? Or just which modes to use? Some driving directions can get pretty tricky, especially up in the area around the Magic Kingdom. How familiar are you with the overall layout of WDW?

Second, will you have younger kids, and maybe strollers? That would making walking from the Boardwalk area to the Studios a lot more difficult. Probably best to avoid that option in that case.

Third, when it comes to parking at Downtown Disney, for the West Side or Pleasure Island, during busier times you will probably have a better luck finding a spot if you head over to the section *behind* Cirque du Soleil, which is right next to DisneyQuest. There's a traffic signal at the far west end of the Downtown Disney complex - turn at this signal and it will take you around to this back lot. (I don't suggest this lot for the Marketplace area - it would be a pretty long walk.)

For getting to the Hoop de Doo, you have a couple options. If you want to drive, you can head for the main Ft Wilderness parking lot, off Vista Blvd. (Look for the signs that say "Pioneer Hall" so you don't turn into the driveway for guests driving into the campground itself.) Then look for the mass of people waiting for a bus that will take you up to the show area.

The other option is to take a bus to the MK, then boat over to Ft Wilderness, which drops you off just a short walk from Pioneer Hall. After the show is over, I believe there are still busses that will run directly back to your resort, rather than having to go back to MK.

For your trip to the Park Fare, driving to the Floridian is the most direct - *if* you're familiar with driving to the MK resorts. You'll be doing valet parking, which is a modest charge. If you choose not to drive, my recommendation is to take the boat from the MK dock. After dinner, take the monorail back to the MK (it's more direct than the boat, unless you want to pay a short visit to the Poly along the way - a beautiful place to visit) and then bus back to the Boardwalk.

If you're taking the boat from the Studios back to the BW, one option is to get off at the first stop - Swan/Dolphin - and then take the fairly short walk to the BW. Staying on the boat will take longer, with two more stops, but it'll save some walking on what might be tired feet.

In general - the folks who hang out on the transportation board know the roads and routes of WDW inside and out. Ask away!

 

[karrit2000]

How come you are getting your car from the Car Care center? You should check if you can get it from The Dolphin Hotel if you can get the same rate. Your Husband could walk there from BWV. I've done this a few times myself.

 

[3kidz4dis]

How come you are getting your car from the Car Care center? You should check if you can get it from The Dolphin Hotel if you can get the same rate. Your Husband could walk there from BWV. I've done this a few times myself.

You are so right, I just changed my reservations when I saw your posting! Thanks

 

[3kidz4dis]

Just to add a couple things - first, are you interested in *detailed* driving directions, such as which roads to take and where you'll turn? Or just which modes to use? Some driving directions can get pretty tricky, especially up in the area around the Magic Kingdom. How familiar are you with the overall layout of WDW?

I guess I was interested in driving directions for the things I would need a car for, or just the mode if I should use Disney Trans. We have not been here in years

Second, will you have younger kids, and maybe strollers? That would making walking from the Boardwalk area to the Studios a lot more difficult. Probably best to avoid that option in that case.

We have a good umbrella stroller for our 4 year old and then we have a 6 and 8 year old

Third, when it comes to parking at Downtown Disney, for the West Side or Pleasure Island, during busier times you will probably have a better luck finding a spot if you head over to the section *behind* Cirque du Soleil, which is right next to DisneyQuest. There's a traffic signal at the far west end of the Downtown Disney complex - turn at this signal and it will take you around to this back lot. (I don't suggest this lot for the Marketplace area - it would be a pretty long walk.)

For getting to the Hoop de Doo, you have a couple options. If you want to drive, you can head for the main Ft Wilderness parking lot, off Vista Blvd. (Look for the signs that say "Pioneer Hall" so you don't turn into the driveway for guests driving into the campground itself.) Then look for the mass of people waiting for a bus that will take you up to the show area.

The other option is to take a bus to the MK, then boat over to Ft Wilderness, which drops you off just a short walk from Pioneer Hall. After the show is over, I believe there are still busses that will run directly back to your resort, rather than having to go back to MK.

Which do you think is quicker?

For your trip to the Park Fare, driving to the Floridian is the most direct - *if* you're familiar with driving to the MK resorts. You'll be doing valet parking, which is a modest charge. If you choose not to drive, my recommendation is to take the boat from the MK dock. After dinner, take the monorail back to the MK (it's more direct than the boat, unless you want to pay a short visit to the Poly along the way - a beautiful place to visit) and then bus back to the Boardwalk.

If you're taking the boat from the Studios back to the BW, one option is to get off at the first stop - Swan/Dolphin - and then take the fairly short walk to the BW. Staying on the boat will take longer, with two more stops, but it'll save some walking on what might be tired feet.

In general - the folks who hang out on the transportation board know the roads and routes of WDW inside and out. Ask away!

Thanks so much, I am printing everything you all are saying!

 

[3kidz4dis]

Bus from BWV to MK, then boat to WL; or walk to MGM then bus to WL. If either park is still open when you finish dinner, reverse that route. If both have been closed for a while, bus to Downtown Disney then bus to BWV.
Bus to MK!!!! Always bus to MK!
No, hubby will not walk Hubby will take free National/Alamo shuttle from BWV to Car Care Center. See Guest Services at BWI for assistance.
Eh, okay, drive. You might want to consider the bus because parking at Downtown Disney on a Saturday might be difficult, but your husband can always drop you off and meet you after he finds a parking space.
Car, especially if you go early. If you choose to take the bus, the Downtown Disney/Pleasure Island bus will stop at Typhoon Lagoon, and the Animal Kingdom bus will most likely be what you'd take to get to Blizzard Beach
Drive first to Boma, then to AK. It's WAY easier than trying to get to AKL using Disney transportation.
Walk or boat. Otherwise you have to drive around to the front of Epcot to park, and I bet you're eating in a World Showcase restaurant.
Up to you - walk, boat or drive.
Depending on the time of day, Disney transportation or drive yourself (that parking space issue again )
Drive, or take the bus to MK then the monorail 3/4 of the way around to the GF, or the boat.

Awesome! Thanks for your help!

 

[cigar95]

Sharon, for a road map to see where's where, check out the WDW resort map here:

http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/maps.html

(This is an all-around good site for other stuff as well.)

It's not quite a current map, but the roads are all there, for your needs the only differences would be
1 - to get to AK Lodge, head towards Animal Kingdom and stay to the left to bypass the AK parking lot. AKL will be right ahead.
2 - The security gate up near Fort Wilderness is no longer there. I would use that direction, coming from the East, to get to Hoop de Doo. It's a simpler and pleasant, if *slightly* longer drive, and it will take you past a couple pieces of WDW you might not see otherwise.

With your kids' ages, I'd avoid the walk *from* the Studios, and probably *to* the Studios as well. If they're like most kids, they'll grumble, and they'll get tired.

If you decide to drive to anything up near the Magic Kingdom (Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, Ft. Wilderness, among the things on your list), do post back and let us know. It's easy to make a wrong turn up there.

(Somewhere in another thread, I have a post on driving around the MK area, that includes directions on how to see a detailed aerial photograph of the area, so you can actually see the individual lanes you need to be in. I can search for it, or you might find posts by me on the Transportation Board maybe three or four weeks ago.)

Quicker way to the Hoop de Doo? Almost certainly driving. But do take a boat ride or two sometime while you're at WDW. I really enjoy them, and so do most kids.

So glad to help. All those years of driving every back-road at WDW may pay off for someone else.

 

[kaytieeldr]

For getting to the Hoop de Doo, you have a couple options. If you want to drive, you can head for the main Ft Wilderness parking lot, off Vista Blvd. (Look for the signs that say "Pioneer Hall" so you don't turn into the driveway for guests driving into the campground itself.) Then look for the mass of people waiting for a bus that will take you up to the show area.

The other option is to take a bus to the MK, then boat over to Ft Wilderness, which drops you off just a short walk from Pioneer Hall. After the show is over, I believe there are still busses that will run directly back to your resort, rather than having to go back to MK.

Which do you think is quicker?!

The bus to the boat. More fun, too.

 

[3kidz4dis]

Sharon, for a road map to see where's where, check out the WDW resort map here:

http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/maps.html

(This is an all-around good site for other stuff as well.)

It's not quite a current map, but the roads are all there, for your needs the only differences would be
1 - to get to AK Lodge, head towards Animal Kingdom and stay to the left to bypass the AK parking lot. AKL will be right ahead.
2 - The security gate up near Fort Wilderness is no longer there. I would use that direction, coming from the East, to get to Hoop de Doo. It's a simpler and pleasant, if *slightly* longer drive, and it will take you past a couple pieces of WDW you might not see otherwise.

With your kids' ages, I'd avoid the walk *from* the Studios, and probably *to* the Studios as well. If they're like most kids, they'll grumble, and they'll get tired.

If you decide to drive to anything up near the Magic Kingdom (Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, Ft. Wilderness, among the things on your list), do post back and let us know. It's easy to make a wrong turn up there.

(Somewhere in another thread, I have a post on driving around the MK area, that includes directions on how to see a detailed aerial photograph of the area, so you can actually see the individual lanes you need to be in. I can search for it, or you might find posts by me on the Transportation Board maybe three or four weeks ago.)

Quicker way to the Hoop de Doo? Almost certainly driving. But do take a boat ride or two sometime while you're at WDW. I really enjoy them, and so do most kids.

So glad to help. All those years of driving every back-road at WDW may pay off for someone else.

thank you so much!!

 

[cigar95]

Here's my instructions earlier for using google maps to see the area around MK. (These were specifically for seeing how to get to the resorts, instead of accidentally ending up in the Magic Kingdom parking lot.)

1 - go to maps.google.com
2 - in the search box, search for 32830 - the WDW zip code
3 - now you'll see a map with Epcot more or less in the center. Just to the left, there's a yellow blurb representing World Drive that ends right about where the TTC Toll Plaza is. Click on that spot (and hold) and drag it to the center of your screen. (It's pretty cool to watch these maps move around)
4 - in the upper left, you'll see some controls for panning and zooming. Click the "+" box three times to zoom in. You'll be able to see Floridian Way, which is the exit road from the TTC area. You'll also see World Drive, which forks in two - one fork heads into the parking lot, while the other fork heads up toward the contemporary.
5 - Now comes the REALLY cool part - in the upper right corner, click on the button that says "satellite", and you'll see a photograph of the entire area you're looking at. It's GREAT. You can see the Toll Plaza itself, and see the roads leading into the parking lot. (You'll also see a giant hidden mickey right in the middle of the screen.)

6 - Just past the Toll Plaza, you can see how the road bears to the left to head into the parking lot. But a small one or two lane road on the right continues straight ahead, toward the resorts.

This is a great tool for seeing all sorts of things around WDW, and lots of other places as well. I used it to figure out a back-road entrance into Universal, for instance.

CAVEAT - I don't know how fast this loads on a dial-up connection. If I'm at home, I use my wife's DSL connection whenever I can, rather than the 56k on my computer.

If I need to explain anything more clearly, please ask.

Once you know your way around the maps, you can also use google earth. (I use google earth to check out the PGA Tour golf courses and see where the trees and hazards are, if there are any other golf fans who use TourCast.) And Microsoft has a new site out as well that has "bird's eye" views of much of WDW. These kinds of sites are really handy for figuring out where stuff is at WDW.

General rule for anyone worried about getting around at WDW - learn where stuff is relative to World Drive and Buena Vista Drive. Most of the World is close to one of those two roads. And if you're lost, chances are good you'll hit one of them if you drive a bit.

 

[PCFriar80]

thank you so much!!

Now, how's that for a days worth of info???!!!! I told you these boards were
great! Your best bet now......don't look anymore....'cause it will get more confusing! Have fun!