Car or Not Car?? That is the question.

[Jazz's Mom]

We are renting a car on our trip in September (20th-29th). The reason we are renting is because we are going to Universal for a couple days also. What I need to know is it quicker to get to the parks by car or by Bus System? Thanks in advance for all your VALUABLE advise !!

 

[Rpsemont]

We always drive to the parks - even when we stay on site. OUr first experience with the buses was horrible and since then we have always driven. I find the parking lot trams drop you closer to the gate the some of the resort buses and run more frequently.

 

[BCV23]

We always have a car. We are usually at the Poly and use it for everywhere except Epcot and of course, the MK. Occasionally, we'll split up at MGM and a couple of us will take the bus back to the Poly or TTC. From the Epcot resorts, the bus to the MK is probably the way to go, but I'm sure others with more experience will advise you. For DD, I think a car is the only way to go no matter where you're staying. I personally would always use a car to AKL and MGM regardless of where I was staying, too.

 

[Kermit]

We always use WDW transportation. We drive there, so our car is available, but we don't move it after we check in.

Yes, sometimes the buses take a little longer, but the bus ride is relaxing and gives you a chance to plan your strategy. You also save the time you'd spend walking to your car in the parking lot. Instead of walking through a busy, hot parking lot, you're waiting under the shade with a fan over your head.

The biggest advantage is once you get on the bus. It's air conditioned. Your car will have been sitting in the sun getting very hot all day. Your seatbelts will be hot, and everyone will be cranky. Riding the bus eliminates a lot of the hassle.

 

[TDC Nala]

When I stay at the Beach Club Villas I'll most likely be taking the bus to MK, although it is also possible to walk through Epcot and take the monorail. I might do that on the way back because the Beach Club shares buses with so many resorts, and I'd rather see Epcot than visit 4 bus stops.

I generally don't rent a car - I don't leave Disney property, I don't have kids, and I can save at least $100 per trip, which is almost enough for me to pay for another flight to WDW.

If you're going to PI to drink, take the bus!!! Or bring a designated driver.

 

[DancingBear]

Busses usually are better for MK because if you drive you have to park at the main lot (TTC) and then take the monorail or ferry to MK. The busses go directly to MK.

Also remember Epcot has a huge parking lot so you can be a long way away from the gates, particularly if you don't arrive first thing in the morning. They have the parking lot trams, but that is adding another wait time at the beginning and end of your park visit, making busses look more attractive.

MGM and AK lots are more manageable.

 

[Garretts92]

We used the bus system last year for the first time and had no problem with it. It was worth not having to worry about where we parked the car and letting someone else do the driving. At the end of a long day in the parks, it's nice. You just walk up to the station, pick your destination and go. Sometimes there can be a wait for the right bus to come by at the resort pick up locations, but usually not too bad. Sometimes you have to wait for them to load a handicapped person on, and that takes a few extra minutes, but nothing intolerable.

I guess one of the most annoying things was loud teenagers on their way to DD one night. You do have to put up with things like that on occasion.

Sometimes you get an old timer driving who knows all the cool trivia of the ins and outs of things. I learned lots of things on that particular ride.

 

[kilarney]

If you are going to Universal, you should get a car.
If you don't have a car... by the time you add up taxis and shuttles to/from the airport, you won't have saved much money.

 

[Kaitysmom]

We love having a car - it gives you the chance to drive around exploring the whole resort whenever and wherever you want to go. We used Dollar and they were right at the terminal, so no shuttle buses or waiting at all to get to WDW We have had some bad experiences with the WDW buses (mostly our fault, the drivers are always so nice), but overall they're fine too. The routes the buses take seem really complicated once you get to know the road system there so we found we could get around much quicker on our own.

 

[julfre]

For me, I always take the bus to MK. I think this makes a big difference in time since you don't have to go through the TTC. Epcott and MGM, I usually ride the bus, but I think it would be a tossup depending on how I think the lines at the bus stop will be when I leave. For some reason, I've always had long rides to AK form where ever I stay so I always drive there. The parking lot is as close as the bus stop and most of my bad bus experiences have been from AK.

 

[Jordan's MOM]

We are very happy to use the bus system of WDW. DH says that the best part of a WDW vacation is that he never has to drive the whole week. We go off season and last trip stayed at ASMo and had no problems at all.

 

[pwoodham]

I have to laugh, Jordan's Mom, because my DH would say the worst part about not having a car is not being able to drive anywhere!! (I think it's a control thing)

 

[travelitis]

The Unofficial Guide has average travel times around WDW using your car vs. WDW transportation. Are you staying on site? I'll post their stats if you'd like, but I'll need to know the starting point. For example: Epcot to the MK using your car is 25-46 and Disney system is 16-35. However, Epcot to AK in your car averages 14-17, and Disney system is 26-48.

 

[Otisp]

We rented a car while staying at the Dolphin this year, and we never moved it from the parking lot (it wasn't a waste because we also did the cruise and did some moving around before and after). Whether we rent the next time will depend on where we stay. This time it worked because from the Dolphin we could just walk or take the boat to Epcot and MGM. We took the bus to DD, MK, and AK, but it was a bit frustrating at times. There doesn't appear to be any communications between the busses and when things got backed up because they couldn't get a gate up at YC, we had to wait in a long line of busses, which all went through their route even though there was nobody to pick up.

 

[bpitzer20]

We also rented a car because we were going to Universal and IOA. We only used it to drive to Animal Kingdom Lodge for dinner (they don't have direct bus service between resorts- you have to go to Downtown Disney and then transfer), and to go play Mini Golf. We had no problems with the bus getting to and from the parks. We also used the car to drive to the grocery store and get some snacks and soda and stuff for in the room. Also, we found an IHOP near Universal and ate breakfast there- much cheaper than at Disney or Universal and very filling . Hope you have a great trip!

 

[indigo]

I've found that having a car is great for resort hopping. However, that was before they started to charge for Valet. I'll have to report back after this next trip on the changes and how it affects my opinion..

not that anyone cares.

 

[Uncleromulus]

We always have a car and always use it to get to the Theme Parks. Much faster, more convenient. Haven't used Disney bus system in about 12 years now--.And every time I drive past a large group of people waiting for the bus in 100 degree weather, or standing on the bus when there are no seats--I'm glad we have the car!!

 

[Ballybunion3]

My best simple answer:

to MK, use the bus (especially if you have an early PS for breakfast, or if you want to get there as early as possible - be on the first bus). This avoids the dreaded TTC!

EPCOT - car, but if you hop between MGM & EPCOT, try the boats - another fun ride!

MGM - either is fine. I personally would use the car.

AK - car.

Oh, and if you want to go to the boardwalk, you CAN drive there (we weren't sure when we went last time....)

 

[Micca]

We almost always get a car. I have a vivid recollection of standing outside Epcot at closing time waiting for the throngs of people in line ahead of us to board their bus so we could catch the next bus or the one after that or...you get the picture. At the end of a long day the last thing I want to do is get in another line just to get back to the hotel.