Disney Shuttles?

[PA4K]

I am trying to figure out if the Disney shuttles (like from the resorts to the parks etc) can be used by guests not staying in the Disney Resorts.

We're probably going to be staying at the Wyndham Bonnet Creek, but they recently started charging $5/per person per ride on their shuttles. With a group of 6 that amount can add up for a week stay.

We'll be renting a car though (in order to get to and from the airport and to church on Sunday outside Disney World). Would we be able to drive over to a Disney resort and ride a Disney shuttle to the parks (to avoid paying a parking fee at the parks)?
This is our first Disney World visit, and I'm still trying to get my head around how everything works.

 

[goofy4tink]

I am trying to figure out if the Disney shuttles (like from the resorts to the parks etc) can be used by guests not staying in the Disney Resorts.

We're probably going to be staying at the Wyndham Bonnet Creek, but they recently started charging $5/per person per ride on their shuttles. With a group of 6 that amount can add up for a week stay.

We'll be renting a car though (in order to get to and from the airport and to church on Sunday outside Disney World). Would we be able to drive over to a Disney resort and ride a Disney shuttle to the parks (to avoid paying a parking fee at the parks)?
This is our first Disney World visit, and I'm still trying to get my head around how everything works.

Parking at resorts that you are not staying at, in order to avoid parking fees, is most certainly frowned upon. Can you imagine what would happen if everyone did that? Free parking is a perk for those paying to stay at WDW owned resorts....it doesn't make sense that anyone would think it's okay to do that when staying offsite.
If you choose to stay offsite, you are going to have to either take your resort shuttle, or pay to park. Parking is about $15 a day I believe. Should be added to your vacation budget.

 

[PA4K]

Parking at resorts that you are not staying at, in order to avoid parking fees, is most certainly frowned upon. Can you imagine what would happen if everyone did that? Free parking is a perk for those paying to stay at WDW owned resorts....it doesn't make sense that anyone would think it's okay to do that when staying offsite.
If you choose to stay offsite, you are going to have to either take your resort shuttle, or pay to park. Parking is about $15 a day I believe. Should be added to your vacation budget.

That makes sense (about not parking at the resorts). I really didn't know (though probably should have assumed it wasn't allowed).

Do I have to pay to park at a resort if I have a dining reservation there? Also, if it's a reservation midday are we able to take the shuttle from the park to the resort for our dining and then back again?

Thanks for the help!

 

[msjprincess]

That makes sense (about not parking at the resorts). I really didn't know (though probably should have assumed it wasn't allowed).

Do I have to pay to park at a resort if I have a dining reservation there? Also, if it's a reservation midday are we able to take the shuttle from the park to the resort for our dining and then back again?

Thanks for the help!

You're allowed to park at a resort if you're visiting the resort to eat or just look around. Sometimes when it's busy they will give you a 3 hour parking pass.

 

[anonymousegirl]

With 6 people, it would be cheaper to pay for parking at the theme parks ($15 per day) rather than pay $30 per day and be at the whim of the hotel shuttle system.

Once you are in the park, you can use the Disney shuttles to go to a resort, or to another park or Downtown Disney (even to miniature golf and the water parks). You can also move your car from the paid parking to the new park. Just keep your paid reciept and show it at the parking toll plaza.

As other posters have said, if you have a dining reservation at a resort you may park there for up to three hours to eat and enjoy the resort.

 

[SteveMouse]

With 6 people, it would be cheaper to pay for parking at the theme parks ($15 per day) rather than pay $30 per day and be at the whim of the hotel shuttle system.

Once you are in the park, you can use the Disney shuttles to go to a resort, or to another park or Downtown Disney (even to miniature golf and the water parks). You can also move your car from the paid parking to the new park. Just keep your paid reciept and show it at the parking toll plaza.

As other posters have said, if you have a dining reservation at a resort you may park there for up to three hours to eat and enjoy the resort.

And the staff at the resort gate can and often does verify that you have a dining reservation at that resort.

 

[goofy4tink]

That makes sense (about not parking at the resorts). I really didn't know (though probably should have assumed it wasn't allowed).

Do I have to pay to park at a resort if I have a dining reservation there? Also, if it's a reservation midday are we able to take the shuttle from the park to the resort for our dining and then back again?

Thanks for the help!

If you have an ADR, at a resort, you are absolutely allowed to park at that resort. But, you are not supposed to leave the car there. But, if you pay to park at, say, MK, you can take the bus to, say, BW. and eat there, and then bus back to MK.
Let us know what resort you need to get to, and what park you intend to be at that day, and we can give you the best way to get there and back!!!

 

[WDWDudage]

You're allowed to park at a resort if you're visiting the resort to eat or just look around. Sometimes when it's busy they will give you a 3 hour parking pass.

Does this mean I would be able to park at the Polynesian Resort for an hour or so while my kids and I walk along the path that goes from there to the Grand Floridian? We will only be in town for a conference my husband is attending so we aren't staying on Disney property.

 

[sam_gordon]

Does this mean I would be able to park at the Polynesian Resort for an hour or so while my kids and I walk along the path that goes from there to the Grand Floridian? We will only be in town for a conference my husband is attending so we aren't staying on Disney property.

Yes. Let the guard at the gate know you want to look around the resort. Unless it's extremely busy, they should let you in. But if not, don't argue, just try another resort.

 

[Lewisc]

Disney Annual Passholders get free parking. IF you think you'll be making a second trip in the next 12 months it might make sense to have one person purchase an Annual Pass. No other trip anticipated..probably makes sense to shell out the money for parking.

 

[WDWDudage]

Yes. Let the guard at the gate know you want to look around the resort. Unless it's extremely busy, they should let you in. But if not, don't argue, just try another resort.

Great, thanks!!

 

[ZetaCPA]

You could always park at Diwntown Disney for free and then catch the shuttles. That's what we so when we stay at the Westgate.

 

[goofy4tink]

You could always park at Diwntown Disney for free and then catch the shuttles. That's what we so when we stay at the Westgate.

Pretty time consuming. Buses to the resorts don't start until past 9:30am-ish. And they aren't going to be all that regular for another few hours. DTD is not a great place to park if you want to travel around WDW. It's slow and very time consuming.
Not to mention, there are no buses to the parks...you would have to park, wait for a resort bus, head to the resort, and then take their park transportation.

 

[Lewisc]

You could always park at Diwntown Disney for free and then catch the shuttles. That's what we so when we stay at the Westgate.

OP wants to stay at WBC. Turning a 10 -20 minute drive into an hour +++ adventure in the morning and 90+adventure in the pm to save .$15 does.t make much sense JMO

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

You could always park at Diwntown Disney for free and then catch the shuttles. That's what we so when we stay at the Westgate.

I am assuming the CPA in your name does not stand for anything to do with accounting?

"Gee Honey if we wait a few hours after the park opens and spend 20 to 30 minutes on a bus we can save $15."


And considering the price of a DIsney vacation it makes perfect sense to waste a few hours of park time to save $15.

Penny wise and pound foolish IMHO

 

[ZetaCPA]

Excuse me? I am a Certified Public Accountant and it doesn't take us long to get anywhere in Disney from Downtown. If you don't agree, fine but don't try to disparage me because you disagree w/ my suggestion.

 

[sam_gordon]

Excuse me? I am a Certified Public Accountant and it doesn't take us long to get anywhere in Disney from Downtown. If you don't agree, fine but don't try to disparage me because you disagree w/ my suggestion.

So how long DOES it take you to get to a park from DTD, from when you park?

 

[ZetaCPA]

We just take the express shuttle to the Grand Floridian and then hop on the monorail. It may take us 15 to 20 mins but we never go to the parks first thing in the morning nor do we care how long it takes. We're on vacation and happen to like ending our evenings in Downtown Disney, so it is convenient for us. Sometimes we'll catch the ferry to Port Orleans. Now that way does take forever but like I said, we're not in a rush.

 

[goofy4tink]

We just take the express shuttle to the Grand Floridian and then hop on the monorail. It may take us 15 to 20 mins but we never go to the parks first thing in the morning nor do we care how long it takes. We're on vacation and happen to like ending our evenings in Downtown Disney, so it is convenient for us. Sometimes we'll catch the ferry to Port Orleans. Now that way does take forever but like I said, we're not in a rush.

Okay, here's the issue. There is no 'express shuttle' to the GF from DTD. There is the regular, every day bus. And it is not an 'express' by any means. It can make addtl stops along the way, and usually does.
Here's a normal breakdown of timing from DTD to MK...
wait at the bus stop.....from 5-25 mins, usually closer to 25!!
ride to GF (for instance).....15 mins
walk to monorail platform....2-5 mins
wait for monorail.....0-15 mins
ride to MK.....5 mins

And those are best case scenarios...it can over an hour. And as pointed out already, you can't do this for park opening due to the buses from DTD not running yet.

I have no issue with people stating how long it takes for them to get someplace. BUT.....when you say it takes you 15-20 to get from DTD to the GF, you are going to find the vast majority of people will say that's unreasonable. I have never, ever made it to a resort, from DTD, in that time..at least not if I count the wait time for the bus to come in addition to the actual bus ride. Then, to add the addtl time to get to a park? Nope..not going to happen.

So, while some have been less than polite here, we have to make sure that actual to be expected times are posted. Otherwise, many people will see your 15-20 min time post and figure that's how it is. And it isn't.

 

[Greysword]

I am trying to figure out if the Disney shuttles (like from the resorts to the parks etc) can be used by guests not staying in the Disney Resorts.

We're probably going to be staying at the Wyndham Bonnet Creek, but they recently started charging $5/per person per ride on their shuttles. With a group of 6 that amount can add up for a week stay.

We'll be renting a car though (in order to get to and from the airport and to church on Sunday outside Disney World). Would we be able to drive over to a Disney resort and ride a Disney shuttle to the parks (to avoid paying a parking fee at the parks)?
This is our first Disney World visit, and I'm still trying to get my head around how everything works.

This is a common question that generates a bit of heat (as you've seen with Zeta, and I'll chime in with later ).

To answer the question in your title, yes, anyone with a valid WDW ticket may use the WDW transportation system to get around the resort complex. The price is included with the admission media.

To answer the question in the body of your post (as Tink already did), no, it is taboo to park at a WDW resort in an effort to avoid the parking fee. Likely, this is exactly why the resort in which you are staying has the transportation charge, as many people not staying there have taken advantage of their "free" shuttle. Otherwise, the price would be included in the room rates/member dues. In essence, you are feeling the pinch of this same thought process.

That said, you are going to enjoy having your own car versus using the WDW transportation as you suggested mainly due to the flexibility this option offers. At the end of the day, you are going to be tired, and a nice comfortable vehicle waiting for you in the lot is going to be much more appealing than waiting for a bus with hundreds of other guests staying at the resort in which you parked. It really is nice to get in the car and drive directly to your resort versus fighting the crowds.

Lastly, as a bit of a purist when it comes to first visits, I feel it is important for first-time visitors to drive to the MK! The excitement of driving under the arch, through the ticket booths, riding a tram to the Ticket & Transportation center (TTC), then hopping the monorail or ferry to the MK is the way entry was designed to be experienced. The trip is just as important as the destination at Disney, and the queues are designed to set the story before getting to the ride. Sit back and enjoy!

Now onto the reason these threads get so much heat....

You could always park at Diwntown Disney for free and then catch the shuttles. That's what we so when we stay at the Westgate.

Excuse me? I am a Certified Public Accountant and it doesn't take us long to get anywhere in Disney from Downtown. If you don't agree, fine but don't try to disparage me because you disagree w/ my suggestion.

<in the immortal words of Johnny Storm; Flame On! >

As a CPA, you should know better, since parking at DTD for the day, taking up a spot designated for shoppers of that complex simply to avoid a parking fee, is completely unethical, and our society hold CPAs to a high ethical standard. There are many threads on here that discuss this ad nauseam, and the conclusion is the same, the act is immoral and unethical.

In monetary terms, the cost for parking at DTD is absorbed by the shop owners (which is not all Disney) in an effort to draw in locals to their establishment. In contrast, Disney World has designated parking areas for those visiting their parks and resorts, separate from DTD. Parking here for park visitation is essentially stealing from them, since a spot may not be available for someone visiting mid-day that would like to spend money at the complex (shop, bowl, or see a movie), thus they do not get a return on their investment.

DTD does not have enough parking for people who game the system by parking there for park visits, and as a person who sometimes is unable to get a parking spot at DTD to shop, I very much dislike this practice (toned down to keep Tink happy ).

Bottom line Zeta, I hope Disney begins to charge for parking in the new garage coming with Disney Springs (planned DTD refurb), which can be validated by a DTD shop if within a certain time. This will keep out the <snip> bitelip that want to avoid the parking charge.

Please don't park there again for the purpose of avoiding the parking fee at a WDW theme park. Please.