We went last June, and rented a car, and not sure if the time we spent parking and then walking would be more than waiting for the bus etc.
No way to know unless you want to play the "who gets there faster" game, where your party splits up. The two times we've done this (one time was because my aunt was grumpy and wanted to take the bus and DH went with her) the bus has lost and lost badly. Especially the time with my aunt. That time was AWFUL.
We make a choice and try to be happy with it.
Taking the Disney bus to the Magic Kingdom from a WDW resort is really the best way.
I disagree. While it might feel like a good way in the morning, in the evening it's awful for us. We are invariably the second farthest away line from MK, and I hate hate hate passing the lines to monorail and ferry to get to a long long line. And to watch the ferry fill and leave while we're still walking to the bus line is sad, too. I'd rather be in motion than in line, and so I'd rather park at MK so I can be in motion than standing in line for that bus.
I do live in the city and am used to taking public transit, so the Disney bus system is like a dream compared to what I'm used to.
Really? We live in a medium city and DH commutes to/from Seattle, and Disney is horrible compared to his commute. He is the biggest reason why we drive (that and my fairly short fuse when it comes to lines and crowds).
just show up and wait 10 min or less, and get dropped off at the gates
Oh I will start traveling with you! I have never even had merely a 20 minute wait for a bus, let alone 10. It's generally over 30 minutes for OUR bus.
Then there's the fact that it's always me who has to figure out the route and do the driving.
No need to figure it out if you don't want to. Know where you are and know where you're going. Follow the signs. EASY.
Oh, and I hate parking lots ( the only accident I've been in was in one on Long Island). They bring out the worst in everyone, inside our car and out! So whenever I get a glimpse of the lots from the bus on the way to a park, I think, glad it's not me.
But Disney parking lots are a dream. In normal parking lots we don't have people directing us to where drive, turn, and park. Or to let us know we need to move up more. But in a WDW lot we have those people! You don't even have to think. Just follow directions.
Then take a picture of the closest sign to your car, so that you don't have the "if we don't find the car in 2 seconds we're getting a divorce because it's your fault" argument in the parking lot, and you're golden.
Checked bags! DH finally packed a change of clothes in his carryon for his business trip this week. And his checked bag never left his connecting city. He found this out when he got to Peru the other day. For some reason he also packed his toiletries in his checked bag. (sigh) He went nearly 2 days (had to wait for the following day's flight to Lima, and that flight is long) with the one set of clothes and shoes etc. Thankfully American got his bag to him. Pack what you need for at least the first 24-36 hours in your carryon!!!!!
We hadn't packed swimwear in our carry-on bag for arrival and checked into the hotel later, around 6pm with no intention of heading to the parks until the next day. The kids just wanted to swim before we went to sleep.
Since all they wanted to do was swim that day, that swimwear needed to be in carryons.
essentials yes but swimwear, sunscreen, pool shoes, pool toes etc we do not bother with on our carry-on.
But swimwear WAS essential for that trip.
I decant sunscreen into 100ml containers and generally have an entire 311 baggie filled with those containers. That way we are covered for a bit if the bags take a different vacation. Especially if you aren't renting a car, getting new sunscreen is expensive! Swimsuits take up very little room. If pool shoes are an essential for your crew (they only are for my family if we're heading to a beach) then they need to be in your bag, if swimming is the one thing they want to do on arrival day.
Public transportation is a novelty for our kids and DH likes not having to find a parking space, remember where it is etc.
See above for parking space and remembering info. Finding a space is a matter of following directions, and remembering is a matter of taking a picture.
Does the DME let you grab your own luggage? I thought them delivering it later was the only choice.
If you tag the bags, you have no choice. So don't tag the bags with the DME tags if you don't want them to take the bags. If you tag them, they pull the bags BEFORE they get to the carousel. If you don't tag them, they go to the carousel.
Did not know they had TVs. Very nice!
The poster was taking about DME, not park transportation, in case that wasn't clear.
How much groceries do you need when you need the food plan.
Not everyone has the food plan.
During HOT weather you are getting into a pre-cooled bus--not need to ventilated the Easy Bake Oven car, then wait for a/c.
That's where rental cars are awesome, because they are NEW and their a/c works wonderfully!
You don't have to worry about getting lost.
I've never worried about that at WDW, though. All roads are signed, all roads lead to signed roads. If you miss a turnoff, eventually you'll find another set of signs telling you which way to go to get where you intended to go.
