Car or Resort Transportation in July

[Belleoftheboard]

In our past trips, we always flew and used resort buses to parks. This time we're driving (staying at PO Riverside) so we have the option to use a car. Since we're going July 18-23 it will be very busy, but I can't decide which would be the better transportation choice--car or bus. Does it depend on which park we're headed to? Thoughts? Thank you!

 

[mesaboy2]

Bus for MK for sure, the others are personal preference.

 

[ppjluvsdvc]

It really dependsd on the park. I would definitely take the bus to MK. Drops you off closer than parking at the TTC and then taking ferry or monorail. The other parks we tend to drive.

 

[Belleoftheboard]

I'm glad I asked because I totally forgot about MK is situated parking wise--thank you!

 

[Klayfish]

It really is personal preference. You couldn't pay me to ride the WDW buses (well...OK...if you actually paid me enough I guess I would...LOL), I'm driving each and every time. Including MK. The ferry and monorail are integral parts of the MK experience.

 

[Bullseye]

It really is personal preference. You couldn't pay me to ride the WDW buses (well...OK...if you actually paid me enough I guess I would...LOL), I'm driving each and every time. Including MK. The ferry and monorail are integral parts of the MK experience.

This! Drive everywhere in WDW including MK. And yes, Ferry and Monorail definitely part of MK experience for us as well. Also during in our recent 12 day trip we found security at TTC was a breeze whereas once we got to the front of MK, security for the buses was mobbed...really long lines.

 

[loves to dive]

I always drive down and I always park our car and don't get back in it until we leave. It really is a matter of preference, I don't like to drive especially in a different town then the one I live in. Driving around Disney property is pretty easy, there are plenty of signs but I just prefer to let them drive me around. We don't mind the buses, even if we have to stand it's not a big deal and if we want to have a refreshing adult beverage (which we do) we don't have to worry about driving. We drove to a park once, we were doing a split stay and it was move day, we knew we were going to AK that day and we were up early so thought what the heck, let's drive and do rope drop (we aren't rope drop people). We were there around 8 on a 9 opening day. Where we parked was just about the same distance walking wise as the bus stop was. We only stayed until around 2:30 or so that day so when we left there really wasn't any traffic leaving the park but we really hated not being able to grab a beer if we wanted one.

 

[hooch11bear]

We rent a car every year and drive to every park!! Love being able to come and go whenever we like and not having to wait for a bus!!

 

[mco65]

Having your car at the park is always a great thing when exiting the parks at closing.. if your not staying until closing then the Buses are just fine.. We always mix it up a bit but know that if we are staying late either due to late ADR or fast passes, we typically drive just to avoid too much of a crowd on the bus regardless of the park.

 

[bnhonest]

It's so nice having your own car to get in and around the parks. Your own AC, you're not cramming in, or having to wait around. We stayed at PORS last time, and I can't imagine what it would have been like if we weren't in our own car.

 

[mykidsmom]

I just got back from a real quick but wonderful stay at Riverside. The ONLY negative thing I have about the trip are the busses at Riverside. There are always large crowds at the resort and at the Riverside bus pickup at the parks. After the first day of long waits we began driving everywhere. Very simple to park at all (we didn't drive to MK). My daughters feel like the busses are part of the experience but after the hour long waits they were all for driving too.

 

[Karl66]

This question is often asked and the answer is always the same. It's a matter of personal preference. Try it both ways and see which you like best. You cannot rely on my or anyone else's opinion to determine what will work best for you. Have a great vacation no matter how you get to the parks!

 

[Belleoftheboard]

I just got back from a real quick but wonderful stay at Riverside. The ONLY negative thing I have about the trip are the busses at Riverside. There are always large crowds at the resort and at the Riverside bus pickup at the parks. After the first day of long waits we began driving everywhere. Very simple to park at all (we didn't drive to MK). My daughters feel like the busses are part of the experience but after the hour long waits they were all for driving too.

Thanks this was helpful!

 

[tlmadden73]

Personal preference. I drive down and am the type that doesn't want to drive while there. As the driver (if we would drive the car) I find the buses fun and relaxing.

Besides .. depending when you get to a park in your car, you still have usually a long walk, tram ride to get to the front gate (which you don't with a bus).

 

[Shanti]

In our past trips, we always flew and used resort buses to parks. This time we're driving (staying at PO Riverside) so we have the option to use a car. Since we're going July 18-23 it will be very busy, but I can't decide which would be the better transportation choice--car or bus. Does it depend on which park we're headed to? Thoughts? Thank you!

Cars get really hot when left parked outdoors in Florida in July. It will take time to cool it off, whereas a bus will be air conditioned throughout the whole ride.

I'd also much prefer going from covered bus stop to covered bus stop (if you're staying at a deluxe where bus stops are covered), rather than walking in the sunny heat or rain through large outdoor parking lots to get to my car each time.

 

[bigbabyblues]

Car in the morning, leave it at the park and take bus back to the resort if we take afternoon break, bus back to same park, then our car is nice and close at closing.

 

[djc9699]

We (I) drive to our resort and then don't use the car again until we leave, unless it is a no-park day (which we rarely have) and we are eating at another resort. But we are big park hoppers and never know where we are going next until we see what FPs are available or decide what we want to do. We will use the new Express bus and I don't want to have to worry about getting my car from wherever I left it. I don't mind standing on a bus or waiting for a bus. We have met some of the nicest people in the bus line.

 

[Parker Clan]

In our past trips, we always flew and used resort buses to parks. This time we're driving (staying at PO Riverside) so we have the option to use a car. Since we're going July 18-23 it will be very busy, but I can't decide which would be the better transportation choice--car or bus. Does it depend on which park we're headed to? Thoughts? Thank you!

We drive every single year and I have never used Disney transportation. Just our personal choice, but love being on our time, not having to wait / plan when we leave or go somewhere. Also it's hot hot hot and I love just being able to walk to my car and get in and go rather than potentially wait in a line. Just our preference though.

 

[LifeWithLouie]

We ALWAYS choose to drive ourselves. Waiting around for a bus (sometimes waiting through a few buses) and then to be squeezed on (not to mention it going to a number of spots before yours).
Some may say, " it's not like that everytime." But once or twice is enough to make me brissle.
We use a car to go exactly where we want when we want... and now the express transportation inside the parks.

If it helps to remember - or consider in the mix - parking is free for on-property guests.

 

[dprincessmom]

We are in the bus crowd. Like parking when we arrive and putting keys in the luggage not to be seen again until the dreaded departure day. For us (with several POR trips under our belts) we have had only 1 "bad" bus experience (park close, buses coming for everyone but us - got one of the drivers to radio dispatch and soon there were 4 buses to take us home). As others have said personal preference and what makes your family happy.