Car or bus to parks with summer heat?

[KangaFan]

We got a great deal on a last minute rental for our upcoming August trip. In the past, we've usually still done Disney transportation to most of the parks except for evenings when we're staying for fireworks and the bus lines can be long.

This is our first summer trip, however and I'm wondering if the heat changes things. So summer visit-veterans--I'm curious whether its better to drive so you're not waiting for a bus during the heat of the day or if the bus is better because the ac is on when you get on vs. a car that's been baking in the parking lot.

Also--what about the nighttime stuff--I'm sure its still hot & humid even at night, so would you recommend driving in for evening fireworks, etc?

 

[letsgo!]

These were my husband's concerns as well. In the past, we had always relied on the Disney transportation but for our past 3 trips, we have stayed off site and rented a car, so that wasn't an option (travelling in August)

My husband was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to park and get to and from the parks from the parking lots. We liked that we weren't waiting on buses - or cursing as we got to the resort bus stop to see our bus pulling away! It was hot in the car when we got in, but it didn't take long to cool down. We found that we had extra time in the morning because we weren't having to leave super early to make sure we caught the first bus to the park.

We drove to the parks in the morning, stayed until just after lunch, then returned to the parks in the evening. The exit from the park was simple and quick.

Hope that helps!

 

[KangaFan]

These were my husband's concerns as well. In the past, we had always relied on the Disney transportation but for our past 3 trips, we have stayed off site and rented a car, so that wasn't an option (travelling in August)

My husband was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to park and get to and from the parks from the parking lots. We liked that we weren't waiting on buses - or cursing as we got to the resort bus stop to see our bus pulling away! It was hot in the car when we got in, but it didn't take long to cool down. We found that we had extra time in the morning because we weren't having to leave super early to make sure we caught the first bus to the park.

We drove to the parks in the morning, stayed until just after lunch, then returned to the parks in the evening. The exit from the park was simple and quick.

Hope that helps!

Thanks so much--given the option, would you still drive to MK even though you have to use the monorail or the ferry?

 

[MillauFr]

Car all the way. We stayed on property and took the car everywhere, except to Magic Kingdom and Epcot. We were staying at the Poly. Parking is easy and we didn't have to wait in the blazing sun at bus stop with no shade.

 

[wdwrich]

Thanks so much--given the option, would you still drive to MK even though you have to use the monorail or the ferry?

We actually tested getting from our resort (POR on that trip) by bus vs. driving and taking the monorail to MK by splitting our group up one day. Both groups arrived at the MK gates within a minute or so of each other, so it's really a wash as far as travel time is concerned.

 

[KangaFan]

We actually tested getting from our resort (POR on that trip) by bus vs. driving and taking the monorail to MK by splitting our group up one day. Both groups arrived at the MK gates within a minute or so of each other, so it's really a wash as far as travel time is concerned.

Good to know, thanks!

 

[Lori day]

In some ways either way you end waiting either for the monorail or the boat to get you to the other side then you have to walk to the shuttle that takes to your car or walk to your car .I would think by the time you get to the other side and got to your car the bus to the hotels would come .I guess the only advantage to your car is sometimes the buses are jammed so you have to stand.The only other advantage to the bus is when you get dropped off you can get dropped off closer to the front of the hotel in car you have to park and walk across the parking lot but again that depends on what resorts your staying at and if there is parking near your room.So there pros and cons to both .

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

I've weaned off the buses at Disney when onsite, We always rent a car. I have a flexible reflector with Tinkerbell on it for a sun shade, by the time we load the car the AC is working. It just takes out all the variables except the TTC. I tend to hit the Ferry. We got stuck on the monorail an extended time last trip, and I understand with the work being done now they stop the monorail mid day into evening.

 

[KangaFan]

I guess the only advantage to your car is sometimes the buses are jammed so you have to stand.

That's what I was thinking too. We're staying at POP and the last time we stayed here, my daughter and I waited forever for a bus after Wishes and by the time they started coming, the line was so long that we didn't get on until bus#3. I'm thinking that in this instance, the ferry & a car would have been faster--hopefully. My guess is that we might take the bus when we go in the morning for the direct transportation and then drive back for the evening activities so we don't have to wait. Thanks for all the great input!

 

[KangaFan]

I've weaned off the buses at Disney when onsite, We always rent a car. I have a flexible reflector with Tinkerbell on it for a sun shade, by the time we load the car the AC is working. It just takes out all the variables except the TTC. I tend to hit the Ferry. We got stuck on the monorail an extended time last trip, and I understand with the work being done now they stop the monorail mid day into evening.

I'm wondering how the monorail being down impacts the ferry at night--does it take longer to get to the TTC after Wishes or is the monorail back up by then?

 

[KangaFan]

I'm wondering how the monorail being down impacts the ferry at night--does it take longer to get to the TTC after Wishes or is the monorail back up by then?

Oops, just realized that these adjusted hours are only thru July, so it looks like everything should be back to normal now???

 

[madge]

we drove everywhere but MK the week of July 4 ... the only time we had any trouble was leaving Epcot on July 4. That was sort of a mess & we wished we had ridden the bus, knowing the buses would be crammed full.