Bussing Around WDW?

[Elias1901]

Hello all,

I'm about two months away from my next trip to WDW. We plan to stay at three resorts over the course of the couple weeks we're there. The three resorts are The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, Disney's Pop Century Resort, and Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Jambo House... in that order! My last trip to WDW had us staying at Disney's Pop Century Resort and we used the bus system and we managed fine. However, I am trying to make a vacation plan, and while we've used the bus system once before, I still have questions about using the buses and how long it takes from place and the connections that can be taken.

How early does the bus system begin service in the morning? I seem to recall it being one hour prior to the earliest park opening time (EMH inclusive)? I was wondering approximately how long the journey takes between each of the resorts I'm staying at and the main points of interest. Those being the Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park, Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, and Disney Springs.

We plan to hit water parks during our stay, so I am curious mostly how buses leaving there work. Obviously they probably have ones going back to the resorts, since most probably need to do that following a day at the water parks. However, do they also have buses leaving the water parks and servicing directly to the parks from there? Or is it like when you're at Disney Springs and have to bus to a resort first and then catch a bus to the parks?

Any tips, tricks, or handy information anybody can pass along concerning bus travel at WDW would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks everyone!

 

[minnie mum]

Buses begin running from resorts to parks at 6:30 every morning.

Rule of thumb is to allow an hour for Disney transportation. This gives wiggle room if you arrive at your bus stop to find your desired bus just leaving. Actual transit time varies depending on where you are and where you're going. It could be as little as 5 minutes (Jambo House to AK) or over 20 minutes ( AKL to MK). Buses run, on average, every 20 minutes. Usually more frequently before and after park opening and closing, a little less frequently in the middle of the day when people are in the parks. Buses from resorts to DS start later.

Disney very recently changed their routings for the water parks. I'm sure someone will explain the changes.

The only tip I've got is for strollers. If you have one, have your bags and kids out of it and the darn thing folded up before you get to the bus door so you aren't holding up everyone behind you.

 

[goofy4tink]

The easiest thing to do would be to concentrate on the parks that are close to resort you are staying in. While at WL, hit MK. You can take a boat over. Or Epcot..boat to CR, monorail to TTC and monorail to Epcot.
AKL, head to AK. Pop has great bus service.
If you rent a car, it will take less time to get to the parks....except MK. Driving there means parking, taking the tram to TTC, then take either the ferry or monorail to MK.

 

[Elias1901]

Thanks for the tips guys!

 

[Elias1901]

Oops, sorry! Double posted!! See below...

 

[Elias1901]

Alright, we're now 18 days out until the trip. I thought I would pop back into this thread to get more help and suggestions on busing (and even perhaps boating when at the DWL Villas) as it is my biggest area of concern. I'm just worried that we will not be making destinations on time and stuff like that... mostly to make opening in the mornings! Below I have listed which resort we are at during each day of the stay and what time each park opens or when we would like to make it to the park by:

23rd - The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge (arrival day, so morning transport is not relevant)
24th - The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge (arrive at Magic Kingdom Park before 7:45 AM for the “Welcome Show”)
25th - Disney's Pop Century Resort (water park in the late morning and theme park later in the day, so early transport is not relevant)
26th - Disney's Pop Century Resort (arrive at Magic Kingdom Park before 7:45 AM for 8:00 AM – Extra Magic Hours)
27th - Disney's Pop Century Resort (arrive at Epcot before 9:00 AM for rope-drop)
28th - Disney's Pop Century Resort (first day at Universal Orlando, so WDW transport is not relevant)
29th - Disney's Pop Century Resort (arrive at Magic Kingdom Park before 8:45 AM for the “Welcome Show”)
30th - Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas (changing resorts in the morning, so morning transport to a park is not relevant)
31st - Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas (second day at Universal Orlando, so WDW transport is not relevant)

1st - Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas (start off at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park for opening at 10:00 AM)
2nd - Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas (arrive at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park before 9:00 AM)
3rd - Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas (departure day, so morning transport is not relevant)

I would like to know when you'd suggest we leave the resort in the morning by to make the times I've listed. THANKS IN ADVANCE EVERYONE!!

 

[AngiTN]

I would like to know when you'd suggest we leave the resort in the morning by to make the times I've listed. THANKS IN ADVANCE EVERYONE!!

Always plan an hour for transportation so be out at the bus stop an hour before you want to arrive. And remember, for opening/rope drop you want to be there 30 min BEFORE the time it's due to begin/open. They tend to do things early

 

[Elias1901]

Always plan an hour for transportation so be out at the bus stop an hour before you want to arrive. And remember, for opening/rope drop you want to be there 30 min BEFORE the time it's due to begin/open. They tend to do things early

Thanks so much for the input!