Disney Bus or own car at Easter?

[blb531]

Going to WDW Easter Week, April 19-25. Never stayed on site before. Staying at Caribbean Beach Resort. Since I know it will be crowded, do you think taking the bus is still the fastest way, or should we drive. Or does it depend which park we are going to? Also, how early do buses start their rounds? If a park opens at 9AM, and it could take an hour to get there by bus on a holiday, do they start running at 7 or 7:30AM? Thanks for any help.

 

[drusba]

Taking a bus is not usually the fastest way except to MK as driving to other parks is often somewhat quicker, but only somewhat. The fact that it is a holiday will not necessarily mean slower bus service. The more crowded it is, the more bus service that is provided. Your most likely time to have to wait in a long line for a bus is when you leave a park at closing simply because everybody is doing the same thing at the same time, and that exists regardless of whether it is Easter time. In the morning you will most likely find some crowds but also more frequent service and if it takes an hour to get to a park that would mean something has gone wrong (like a bus breakdown). Generally you will be looking at 25 minute trips to the parks and actually less to MGM and Epcot from CBR. Buses generally start about an hour before park opening time.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by drusba
Taking a bus is not usually the fastest way except to MK as driving to other parks is often somewhat quicker

Actually, in the only savings in time a car provides is you just hop in the car, versus waiting for the bus. HOWEVER, the time is quickly lost by waiting in the line at the Toll Plaza, parking, and taking the tram in. In fact, often times the car takes longer.

For Easter in particular... if this year is anything like last year (and I hope it is...) the roads will be JAM PACKED. I personally would recommend AVOID DRIVING IF AT ALL POSSIBLE. Last Easter, the line for the MK Toll Plaza was backed up for a few MILES. Past Epcot. And just about at Buena Vista Drive. Cars have to sit in this line... however, Disney Transport can re-route for both Epcot and MK via Bonnet Creek... Also, later in the day some of the parking lots filled up, and were rerouted to the Epcot parking lot.

Now, I will say, the busses WILL be crowded. However, we do run many more busses to meet the demand. Frequency is increased. Driving will not alleviate the crowds... the crowds for the tram, monorail, and ferry boats will be just as long, if not longer. In fact, the demand for the Monorail & Ferry boats are so great, we run additional "Mouse House" busses to/from MK/TTC.

 

[marymrg]

Sometimes we drive to Animal Kingdom..........especially if we plan on getting soaked at Kali River Rapids!

 

[disnurse]

we always go over easter and we rent a car. We always use disney buses and prefer them to fighting for parking, etc. The buses are efficient and not steaming hot like your car will be sittng in the hot sun all day