Catching DTD transportation to the parks??

[MsMulan]

We are staying at the DoubleTree in DTD. I have read that the hotel's transportation leaves a lot to be desired. I am wondering if we can drive and park at marketplace and catch the Downtown Disney buses to the parks and to visit some of the resorts? Or is this just a benefit for Disney resort guests?

Any information you can provide will be greatly appreciated!

 

[CarolA]

Disney no longer runs buses from DTD to the parks since folks took advantage of it and parked there to avoid the parking fees. You would have to go to a resort first and then the parks!

 

[Amapola]

Oh, no! I just booked the DoubleTree thinking it was a great location, but I guess I haven't done my homework What are the problems with the transportation? Limited hours, availability, unreliable????

Our trip isn't until Jan. 1 so I can still change my mind if need be!

TIA

 

[MsMulan]

Amapola,

From what I have read, the transportation for the DTD hotels is often overcrowded and not very timely. Like you, I booked the Doubletree with the thought that I would be able to get a break from driving and with a little planning make adequate use of the DTD hotel bus system. I am getting a little nervous about that plan now and thought that the DTD (Marketplace) buses would be a nice alternative for getting back and forth from the parks. From a earlier poster, I understand that this option will not be available. So, I guess it is back to the drawing board for now.

 

[dizneekim]

My family is staying at Double Tree Guest Suites the 2nd weekend of Sept. for NOJ. The DTGS site says their buses run every 30 minutes to the TTC. We will have our car and AP's, so we can drive to the parks if the DTGS buses don't work out. (We found we actually preferred driving when we stayed at Vistana last Feb.-the parking lot trams take you right to the entry gates at most parks!) I'll let you know how it all works out. When is your trip? Any others stayed there lately?

 

[pooh4evr]

My family stayed at Best Western DTD in May- Ok - all the DTD hotels share them same buses- I think if I remember right Double Tree was the second or third stop when dropping off with @ 6 hotels ? total. We were the second to last hotel to be picked up we never had a problem finding a seat except on the bus that goes to both animal kingdom and the water parks -crowded-. There is a space in back that the drivers had us put or stroller too. It is about a 20 minute drive to the parks from the last hotel getting pick up so if you are one of the first picked up time will be added to your trip. (Sorry if this doesn't make much sense but it will when you are there) For the trip home you are given a slot # like 26 or something - it is the same at all the parks everyday- and these buses leave at every 15 and 45 of the hour. I can't remember how long after the park closes the run 2 hours maybe- the same order applies for drop off as pick up so good news you'll be one of the first off!! I believe the buses start an hour before the parks open, of coures the buses are labeled so you'll know what park it is going to - Magic Kingdom has its own. MGM and Epcot share as do AK and water parks abut that bus comes every hour instead of half hour too if I remember right, but the other are 30 min. We did not mind them because it saved us $$ and from bringing carseats for our 2 and 4 yr olds. We took a cab to Sea world, and to MK when we had early Breakfasr PS at 8 so we (the park opened at nine that day and we wanted to make sure we made it in time- so in all they do get crowded at night and they can take a whilr to get to the parks but it is not too bad if you know what to expect and for the price!! Just our experience and opinions!!

 

[MsMulan]

As usual, you guys have been extremely helpful! My trip is in August so I will try the bus system but I will have my car (taking the Auto train) as backup just in case the buses do not work for us.

One more question, once you are in the park and you want to hop...can you use the Disney transportation to go to another park? Or do you need to be a resort guest?

Thanks again for the help

 

[spiceycat]

you can park hop with Disney transportation not a problem.

WDW also now has reestablished it park to park bus system. So getting from one park to another park will be easier.

 

[Lewisc]

you can park hop with Disney transportation not a problem.

WDW also now has reestablished it park to park bus system. So getting from one park to another park will be easier.

I'm confused. I thought Disney always had park to park buses. I know MK-EPCOT is monorail service and the MK buses go to/from TTC.

 

[greenyskp]

Although it is frowned upon, technicly, you could park your car at DTD, get on a bus to the contemporary and ride the monorail to MK or Epcot, or take a bus to MGM or AK. Its also the perfect opportunity to hotel hop, you can take a bus from DTD to any resort and then walk to the surrounding resorts, and then hop back to DTD and then on a bus to another hotel.

As far as getting to DTD FROM the parks. If your at MK or Epcot, take the monorail to the contemporary, and take the bus to DTD. If you're at AK or MGM, take the first hotel bus that comes, and then get on the bus for DTD.

They dont check resort ID's, the bus system is for everyone to use. (though you wouldnt want to run around screaming that your not staying at a disney resort..)

*puts on flame suit*

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I'm confused. I thought Disney always had park to park buses. I know MK-EPCOT is monorail service and the MK buses go to/from TTC.

Ditto on your thoughts... I didn't know they ever discontined park to park bus service. I know they don't have DTD to park service & the TTC is limited on service as well, but the park to park has never been taken away. How else would their resort guest get from park to park?? They wouldn't take the bus back to their resort & then get on another bus to a different park

 

[spiceycat]

WDW use to have a bus that would take guests from Epcot to TTC - as well as the monrail. they discontinued this a few years ago. sometimes the monrail is so busy (like at night) - that I would take the bus back then transfer to the resort monrail or walk over to the Polyn.

all the parks have had direct transportation to AK - but I don't know about studios - doesn't matter. direct transportation is back and that is what the CM are encouraging.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

WDW use to have a bus that would take guests from Epcot to TTC - as well as the monrail. they discontinued this a few years ago. sometimes the monrail is so busy (like at night) - that I would take the bus back then transfer to the resort monrail or walk over to the Polyn.

all the parks have had direct transportation to AK - but I don't know about studios - doesn't matter. direct transportation is back and that is what the CM are encouraging.

I believe they stopped that when they stopped the bus service from DTD to the TTC. That was how guests would be able to get to the parks from DTD. They were able to park their car at DTD, hop on the TTC bus & from there get a bus to any park they desired. That is why they did away with it. They never stopped park to park at all, only park to TTC & DTD to TTC. Years ago, FW campground guest use to have to go to the TTC to get the bus to any park (other than the MK which they could get the boat there as well). When Disney stopped the TTC service, they start up direct bus service to the parks from FW campground.

 

[Amapola]

We have decided to stay at Pop Century instead of the DoubleTree. It's actually cheaper! I hadn't looked at the Value resorts but a friend (whose taste I trust) just came back from Pop and said it was fine. It's just DH and me, and we don't use the hotels for anything other than sleeping (and showering of course), so resort amenities are irrelevant to us. Fingers crossed that we like it!!

 

[A Mickeyfan]

We have decided to stay at Pop Century instead of the DoubleTree. It's actually cheaper! I hadn't looked at the Value resorts but a friend (whose taste I trust) just came back from Pop and said it was fine. It's just DH and me, and we don't use the hotels for anything other than sleeping (and showering of course), so resort amenities are irrelevant to us. Fingers crossed that we like it!!

You have made the right choice! You will enjoy Pop Century! Now there will be no question about the transportation. You can shop at the parks or in DTD & have your packages sent to your room. You can enjoy the EMH at the parks. Best of all ....staying on property turned out to be cheaper!!

 

[Amapola]

Best of all ....staying on property turned out to be cheaper!!

Way cool!

 

[ottawamom]

I think the opinion on the bus service are quite dependant on what season you travel. We were there in May at the DoubleTree. The bus service while not quite perfect was good. (AK took a while both drop off and picking up again) Sure there are people who will slam the service these are probably the same people who wouldn't touch a bus at home. The DoubleTree was great for other reasons for out family of 5. Disney has very few hotel accomodation options available to us at the price of the DoubleTree. We use the hotel basically for sleeping so it worked out well.

 

[dizneekim]

Thanks, ottawamom! We are also a family of 5, and Disney is definately not accomodating for us. What are they thinking, anyway?! We did enjoy our stays at the Poly and PO, but for 99. a night at DTGS we are getting a much larger room and breakfast. I can't justify the price difference. I'd like to hear more about your May trip-how did you enjoy the hotel, how was travel to the MK?

 

[ottawamom]

The hotel room was great. Lots of room good storage. There is no storage under the sink area in the livingroom however. The beds in the one room had been changed to the new mattresses and were very comfortable. The sofa bed mattress left a little to be desired but I believe they were in the process of changing them. The airconditioning is very effective and unlike some previous reports there was no musty/moldy smell to our room.

The Crossroads shopping mall is a two minute drive away. Different restaurants and a grocery store. The hotel pool, while not quite Disney, was large enough and we used it most days. There was hardly anyone in it when we were there. The mousesavers website has pictures of the room, also Deb Wills (allearsnet.com) has some great pictures too.

The hotel staff was very nice. Be warned you do get one or two timeshare calls but they don't pressure you to come speak with them in any way.

The restaurant service was very quick when we were there and likely will be in September too. The breakfast you get consists of cold cereal, breads, fruit, yogurt etc. They also offer a hot breakfast for an additional charge. We found the cold breakfast to be more than enough for us. We also got to the restaurant each day when it opened and were generally the only ones there. (wanted to catch the first bus to the parks)

The Buses. Hotel Royal Plaza and the Holiday Inn were still closed when we viisited so the buses were great. We caught the first bus of the day usually to get to the parks. They do start out on a schedule, just ask at the front desk. The ride to MK was 15-20 minutes including the stops at the other hotel. You then have to get from the TTC to the MK (another 5-10 min). We found that the buses did pick up on schedule ( 15 minutes to and after the hour at MK). I guess this could be quite different during the busy summer months but you're there at a slower time. The buses to AK are a different matter. We waited for over an hour to get picked up at AK. This might be the park to take your car to.

Have a great trip. I think you'll really enjoy the DTGS. Its not Disney but it is a nice hotel and the price sure is right. Let me know if you have other questions.

 

[dizneekim]

Thanks so much-that sounds great to me! With deals like this, we can go see Mickey more often. I appreciate your report very much!