Buses from ASMu- first timer

[opieandy1]

We are staying at the ASMu this December for the first time. We have always camped at Fort Wilderness and this will be first time staying at one of the other resorts. In regards to traveling to Magic Kingdom, how convenient are the buses or should we drive to the park. Any help is appreciated.

 

[Missytara]

You are asking a very subjective question.

Some people find the bus system almost exasperating, while others (like myself) find it very convenient and enjoyable.

I think most times, only you can decide whether it is helpful to you or not to take the buses. No resort is different than any other regarding bus transportation.

 

[SusieBea]

We are staying at the ASMu this December for the first time. We have always camped at Fort Wilderness and this will be first time staying at one of the other resorts. In regards to traveling to Magic Kingdom, how convenient are the buses or should we drive to the park. Any help is appreciated.

We always have a car. Sometimes we drive, but usually we take the busses. But the MK would be the last of the 4 parks to which I would drive because not only do you have to take the tram, but you then have to take either the boat or monorail to the front of the park. The bus will drop you off very close to the turnstiles at the MK. Hope you have a good trip.

 

[Lynne M]

If you drive to MK, you'll need to park at the Ticket and Transportation Center parking lot, take a tram from the lot to the TTC, and then take a ferry or monorail to the front gate of MK.

If you take the bus, you'll be dropped off right at the front gate of MK.

 

[SMorgan711]

I agree. This is a very subjective question.

We have been to Disney 10 times. We've stayed at POR, POFQ, Poly, WL, SoG, CB and ASMu. The only reason we stayed at ASMu was because I danced in Disney with my dance studio and we all had to stay at the same resort. This was back in 1999 and it was over Easter so it was super crowded to begin with.

That being said, we ALWAYS use Disney transportation. We like the convenience of it and we've rarely had a problem or had to wait for a long time. The only time we had a problem was at ASMu. Back then (I'm not sure if they still do this) all AS buses went to all three resorts. There was not a specific bus for ASMu, ASMo and ASSp, all buses went to all three. Because of this, the lines for the buses at the end of the night was always super long and I always felt like we spent a lot of wasted time waiting for a bus. This could have been because it was Easter, IDK. Sometimes I still walk by the AS bus waiting area, see a long line and think, "MAN I'm glad I'm not staying there." Also, since our rooms were so far back in the resort, it was quicker to walk through the parking lot to get to ASMo to catch the bus there.

Now this was totally my experience and I hope you have a better one. Things could have changed since I stayed there. IMO, I would rather spring for a moderate than a value.

But on the flip side, I always read how bad the buses were at AKL but we didn't have a problem in Feb. Never had to wait more than 15 min for a bus. This could have been because it was a slower time as it was Feb but who knows. Everyone has a different experience so take it with a grain of salt!

Enjoy Disney!!!

 

[dvcHammer]

MK is the one park you should not drive to for the reasons explained in the above posts.

You can hit long bus waits at the value resorts for the same reasons you will wait in long line for a CS lunch at !2:30pm. Don't try to leave or go to the parks when everyone else is or be prepared for longs waits - especially in the evenings.

 

[ccgirl]

We are staying at the ASMu this December for the first time. We have always camped at Fort Wilderness and this will be first time staying at one of the other resorts. In regards to traveling to Magic Kingdom, how convenient are the buses or should we drive to the park. Any help is appreciated.

I guess that depends on how you define convenient.

For me, waiting 20 minutes for the bus when I could get in my car and drive there by then is not convenient. Being on the bus while they proceed to cram the buses in with standing room only. Standing while holding a sleeping baby is not convenient. I find driving to WDW quite easy and convenient. We are on our own time table and guaranteed a seat. That to me, is convenient. YMMV.

 

[sharadoc]

We always drive, but MK is subjective for us too. Parking lot, tram and ferry is a beautiful way to start the morning at MK! Better than the monorail. Ferry ramp is closer to the front of MK than the bus.

For me, standing and waiting for the bus is painful with really bad knees. Driving is generally better.

 

[Shmily1]

We live 4 hours away and when I park my car at the resort, I don't move it until I'm heading home. I have no desire to drive to the parks and hunt my car when I am dog tired. I want to be carried right back to my resort room so I can rest and not think of directions!