disney transportation

[hj8nc]

Hi!! This December will be our first family trip to Disney! We are staying at POP Century, and trying to decide it if it's better to rent a car or use the Disney Transportation. I'm leaning towards Disney Transportation, because it is just one less thing to worry about!

My question is... What is the Disney Transportation like? For those who have used it frequently, is it generally reliable? We have two 8 am pre-park hour breakfasts at Magic Kingdom. We also want to park hop.

If we were to rely on Disney Transportation from Pop Century, what time should we be on the bus to make it to an 8am Magic Kingdom breakfast reservation?

How long would you estimate time to get from Magic Kingdom to Hollywood Studios, and between Magic Kingdom to Epcot?

Sorry for so many questions. But Goolging doesn't get me the real life experiences of people who have actually done it! Would love to hear how it really is!!

 

[subtchr]

You will get varied answers here, but we always use Disney transportation. As you said, it is one less thing to worry about.

I'd say it is definitely reliable, but there are times it isn't timely. You might have an occasional long wait for a bus.

For an 8 am breakfast reservation, I would be at the bus stop at Pop by 6:45, 7:00 at the latest.

For MK to DHS, you would get the direct bus from park to park. 20 minutes plus however long it takes for the bus to arrive.

For MK to Epcot, you would take the monorail or ferry from the MK to the TTC, then switch to the Epcot monorail. Maybe from 30-45 minutes total. Could be a little longer if there are lines; a lot depends on what time you plan to do it.

Have a great trip!

 

[Robo]

This is one of THE most-asked (and debated) WDW questions on these boards.
Each mode has its own set of pro's and con's.

Just take your pick, and have FUN!

 

[alliecat523]

The Disney transportation is good and reliable (obviously things happen sometimes). I've heard especially good things about the service to/from Pop. You should always allow about an hour to get from your hotel to the parks to be on the safe side. The buses do start running ta 6:30am daily so it shouldn't be an issue for an early ADR.

MK to Epcot you can ride the monorail or take the bus. Either way I would say 45 minutes just in case you have to wait for the transport to arrive to pick you up. MK to HS is bus only and I would estimate about the same amount of time. Sometimes you can get to these places super quick, but worse case, I'd say 45 min. Also, you can take a boat and/or walk to from Epcot to HS if you want to alter or adjust your plans. May cut down on some travel time.

 

[journies_end]

Each bus is a direct route between parks and hotels (with the only exception being to Disney Springs) so they are just as fast as taking a car, if not faster, since you don't have to hassle with parking attendants, find a parking space your car, and taking a tram (or making the long asphalt trek) to park front gates.

As for your dining reservation, I'd shoot to be at the bus pickup at least an hour early (during park openings and closings the bus system sees the most traffic and you may have to wait 2 bus loads to get to a park, buses run 15 - 20 mins between pickups so keep that in mind).

 

[hj8nc]

Oh, wow! Awesome!! Thank you guys so much!!!!! You all are great!!

 

[jacksonsmom]

when I have an 8am pre park opening breakfast, we are always at the bus stop by 6:30 so we get on the first bus. We have no issues with getting to any of the parks on time. We have stayed at Pop a few times and never had an issues with Disney transportation

 

[srauseo]

I agree. I am a fan of the buses and have always used them when I stay onsite. One less thing to carry and worry about. Is it occasionally a longer wait or a little more crowded than I would like? Sure. But overall, I think the pros outweigh the cons. During our last week-long visit, we waited longer than normal on two mornings, and one of those days was because there was a car accident right at the hotel entrance and they had to reroute all the buses around. I don't recall having any other issues. But we always allow plenty of travel time so we weren't late. We used the buses to get to 8am pre-RD breakfasts at CRT and H&V and we were just about the first people to arrive at both parks.

 

[siskaren]

MK to Epcot you can ride the monorail or take the bus.

There isn't a bus between MK and Epcot unless there's an issue with the monorail.

 

[lustergirl]

I have stayed at POP before and found their bus system to be awesome.

 

[maxiesmom]

I always rely on Disney to get me around, unless I have an early morning ADR. Then I use taxis. To me, the $20 is money well spent when it gains me an hour of sleep. Disney recommends guests allow 90 minutes to make it to ADRs using their transportation.

 

[hj8nc]

I always rely on Disney to get me around, unless I have an early morning ADR. Then I use taxis. To me, the $20 is money well spent when it gains me an hour of sleep. Disney recommends guests allow 90 minutes to make it to ADRs using their transportation.

I hadn't even thought of that! Brilliant!
20 bucks for an extra hour of sleep???? Yes, please!!!

 

[DisDadDVC]

I hadn't even thought of that! Brilliant!
20 bucks for an extra hour of sleep???? Yes, please!!!

Even better, get an Uber for $10.

 

[ncc1701]

I always rely on Disney to get me around, unless I have an early morning ADR. Then I use taxis. To me, the $20 is money well spent when it gains me an hour of sleep. Disney recommends guests allow 90 minutes to make it to ADRs using their transportation.

After multiple trips we finally used a taxi on a couple occasions last trip. In 2 cases it was to get back quicker to POFQ after eating at YC the other was to get to an early appointment at the Spa in GF.Going to plan on using taxis again when we go back depending on the situation. One point, if you have an early ADR in the Magic Kingdom take the taxi to the Contemporary Resort and walk over . From what I've read on the DIS taxis drop you off at TTC otherwise.

 

[DVCjj]

Even better, get an Uber for $10.

Used Uber for the very first time this trip. By my daughter (who uses Uber often in Chicago suburbs) referring me, I got a free trip at Disney from BLT to BCV. Even if not free, it was $8 no tip. Great driver. Great experience.
Will DEFINITELY use Uber for upcoming trip.