Better off driving from Poly to outlying parks?

[MartDM]

Although we've tried several resort areas over the years, in recent times we've stuck with the Epcot resorts area. We're breaking with tradition & trying the Polynesian this time & I'm wondering if we'd be better off driving to areas other than MK or Epcot, which are obviously accessible by monorail.

What do you think? Should we drive to Blizzard Beach, HS, or AK?? Or is it just as quick to bus it?

 

[sharadoc]

I believe you will be sharing with GF for most bus trips. We always drive everywhere, less stressful. Either walking to the front or taking a tram is very convenient.

The only place we have an issue with is DTD. The buses take forever and there is never any parking. They need to install a tram system there so you can park wherever and not have to walk 10 miles to shop or eat. A nice tram, even a bus that runs along the edge from lot 1 to 5 with stops at each lot. That would be nice. What did they ever do with the double decker buses that ran along World Showcase? Put those in use at DTD parking lots.

 

[Tara]

Honestly, it was staying at the GF that convinced me to never go without a rental car again. They are gorgeous, fun resorts, but the monorail resorts have some of the worst bus transportation I've experienced! I'd *definitely* use a rental car to get to areas you mention.

 

[MartDM]

Thanks for the info!

Bus sharing is something I was afraid of. From the Epcot area, many of the routes are shared between the hotels and in many cases, it adds significant travel time & you are so much better off driving. Who wants to spend 45 minutes on a bus when you can drive it in 15?

Looks like we should do the same from Poly...at least for DTD & BB.

 

[pezheadmeg]

The TTC is walkable to the Poky. I do Disney without a rental car, it was much easier to walk the extra 3 minutes and hop the direct bus to the Studios and AK. And I love being able to walk right up the EPCOT monorail without making the loop.

 

[ColoradoDisney]

It depends on your patience level. We never rent a car at WDW. Here are my reasons:

-I hate getting into a hot car. By the time the A/C is working, were are at our destination.
-I don't like worrying about where I parked my car. I can never find my "white 4 door sedan".
-It saves a few hundred bucks
-I don't like trying to figure out if my GPS, map, WDW street signs or the bellman is providing the best directions to a given location.

This doesn't mean, don't rent a car. If having a car will make your trip "happier", then do it.

 

[MartDM]

It depends on your patience level. We never rent a car at WDW. Here are my reasons:

-I hate getting into a hot car. By the time the A/C is working, were are at our destination.
-I don't like worrying about where I parked my car. I can never find my "white 4 door sedan".
-It saves a few hundred bucks
-I don't like trying to figure out if my GPS, map, WDW street signs or the bellman is providing the best directions to a given location.

This doesn't mean, don't rent a car. If having a car will make your trip "happier", then do it.

Thanks for the tips, but my inquiry was with regard to in which cases we'd be better off driving vs. using Disney transport to parks, not whether or not to rent a car.

I don't need any convincing about rental cars - we always rent one for a variety of reasons that make our life more convenient and secure

 

[Polydweller]

We always stay at the Poly and have a rental car. We always drive to AK, which you can drive to in about 10-15 minutes and DTD at about the saw time. It's easily faster and more convenient than bus to these two locations. No bus wait at either end and do it entirely on our schedule.

DHS is a bit different. By car vs bus clearly the car is better for the same reasons. But if you have park hoppers, the monorail to Epcot and then either walk or boat to DHS is a nice alternative. We love the walk especially since you go through the Boardwalk area and have great flexibility for planning your day (and dining) with the two parks and Boardwalk/Beach Club/Yacht Club options.

The water parks are also more conveniently done by car.

 

[joelkfla]

I believe you will be sharing with GF for most bus trips. We always drive everywhere, less stressful. Either walking to the front or taking a tram is very convenient.

It would be the CR for most trips, but the CR and GF for DHS after 11 a.m.

The only place we have an issue with is DTD. The buses take forever and there is never any parking. They need to install a tram system there so you can park wherever and not have to walk 10 miles to shop or eat. A nice tram, even a bus that runs along the edge from lot 1 to 5 with stops at each lot. That would be nice. What did they ever do with the double decker buses that ran along World Showcase? Put those in use at DTD parking lots.

Do you know about the water taxi? It stops at West Side, PI, & Marketplace. I believe it makes a loop during the day, but there are separate point-to-point boats in the evening. I have seen the lines get rather long, though.

 

[MartDM]

Thanks for the info!