Calling all Experts!

[Pamjr]

I'm a DW old timer but this year we are taking the trip sans kids and don't plan to go to the parks. But that's the only way I know so I have to learn some new tricks.

I'm staying at OKW and need to travel to various resorts for dinner. I don't have a map of the world handy so I was wondering if anyone can tell me the best (scenic) route for leaving OKW and getting to:

Beach club
Grand Floridian
contemporary
Downtown Disney
Polynesian

Also, since I have never been to Grand Floridian, only used the restaurant at Contemporary, AND haven't been to Polynesian since the 1970's I was wondering if you can give me ideas about what not to miss when I'm at those places.

When we go to Cape May Cafe we always like to take a leisurely stroll along the beach and then the boardwalk. If we time it right we get to watch the fireworks coming from Epcot.

Thanks again for all your help.
Pam

 

[Caskbill]

It's not clear whether you're traveling via Disney Transportation, or using your own car. Thus the answers would be different.

I can answer the OKW to DD question right now. The most enjoyable, and most scenic, method of going to DD from OKW is to take the boat.

 

[vandy]

I don't know about the resorts, but take the ferry from OKW to DD. It passes the treehouses and stops at SSR. We found it to be very relaxing.

 

[Pamjr]

Sorry. I will be taking Disney Transportation in every case. Thanks.

 

[emlutz23]

For the GF, CR and Poly, you can take a OKW bus to the MK and hop on the monorail (you can walk to the CR from the MK bus stop). Or you can take the boat to DD from OKW and from there you can take a bus to all of the resorts you need to get to. Hope that helps!

 

[jbrowna]

As a general rule, Disney Transportation buses are designed to take you from resort-to-park (and back), from resort-to-DTD, or from park-to-park. Resort-to-resort is a little more problematic. To go from resort-to-resort usually involves other forms of transportation, or at the very least a transfer to another bus. Some exceptions: the resort monorail gets you from monorail resort to monorail resort. And there are also boats from some resorts to parks that may stop at another resort (such as going from BW to YC on the way to Epcot or the Studios, or stopping at French Quarter on your way from Riverside to DTD).

As far as from OKW -- I suspect you need to make your first stop at either DTD or a park. Personally, I would take a bus to MK, and then get on the resort monorail for your trips to Poly, GF and Contemporary. For BC, I'd take the bus to the Studios and either walk, or take the boat to Epcot, which will stop at BC on the way. You could also, as others have suggested, take the boat or walk to DTD, but then you'd have to wait for a bus from DTD to go to your chosen resort.

I guess the point is that you do have options with Disney Transportation, but you won't find any "non-stops" from OKW to any other resort -- not that I know of at least!

For what not to miss: DW and I like to walk around the beach at Poly, and love the walk past the Wedding Pavilion to GF. Narcoosee's would be our favorite restaurant there, although we haven't been to Victoria and Albert's (yet!)

 

[Dean]

If taking two transportations options such as two busses or similar as in most of these situations, allot 1.5 to 2 hours to get from OKW to any other resort except SSR. A rental car or taxi might be better options.

 

[goldilocks_63]

I usually take DME to resort, and take whatever transporation is fun and I have time for....

and when get tired, call a taxi. $15 from most places back to OKW....

Just an idea, Goldi

 

[Pamjr]

and a DME would be...?

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Hey Pam... If you want to go Disney, but not WDW.... why not try Vero Beach.... Cheaper, great for the kids, and much to do. JMHO.

 

[emlutz23]

and a DME would be...?

Disney Magical Express

Free transportation from the airport that can be arranged through MS.

 

[doombuggy]

When at the Grand, take time to listen to the pianist or the band....I always enjoy listening to them when I go over to Ivy Trelis to get my hair done.

While I have never done this, hang out on the beach at the Poly to watch the Electrical Water Pagent and/or Wishes.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We usually rent a car, and the ONLY reason we keep it is for grocery shopping and trips to dinner at the other resorts. I'm just too impatient to take the transportation system between resorts. As Dean pointed out, transportation works great to the parks, but between resorts, it's a major headache.

Disney will tell you to take a bus to DTD and then transfer to your preferred resort bus from there. THe problem with that is that the DTD buses are the WORST in the whole system. They seem to take hours between to some of the resorts.

To get to AKL (where our favorite resort dining is), if we didn't have a car, I would probably take a taxi. The other best alternative would be to take a bus to one of the parks and another bus to AKL from there. If you are going after parks close or need to get back after parks close, then a taxi is your best option because of the slow travel times to and from DTD.

For any of the monorail resorts or WL, I would take a bus to MK and the monorail from there (boat for WL). The problem there is that you will want to be sure again that you are going to be returning while the buses are still running.