Drive or Disney transportation to parks?

[TigerGuy]

this is our first time staying on resort and curious is it best to drive ourselves to the parks or take Disney transportation if we want to be there before rope drop? Thanks for any advice

 

[ChloesDaddy]

Depends a bit in where you're staying, where you're going, and when. In general, the Disney transportation is hard to beat. MK is the park where the advantage shows most since buses drop off near the gate and cars have to park at the TTC, necessitating a trip on the monorail or ferry to get to the gate area.

 

[TigerGuy]

Thanks, we are staying at Coronado Springs

 

[reyberal]

We've been to WDW 9 times and usually always have our vehicle. Our preference is to drive ourselves to the parks. For us after a long day in the park we like being able to get into the privacy of our own car. It also makes getting to Disney Springs easier, especially if you do a lot of shopping!!

That being said, on days we park hop we generally will use Disney transportation so we aren't spending a lot of extra time trying to get back to the park where we parked.

 

[melana]

We have always used Disney Transportation. We always drive down and it is right at 14 hours with stops..so it's nice to have someone else do the driving..boating..monorailing for a few days.

 

[Bullseye]

We always drive everywhere in WDW including MK.

 

[rwdavis2]

We drive as well. Even to MK.

 

[kandb]

We rent a car and drive. Don't like waiting for busses especially crowded buses at the end of the night. Love getting into our own car at the end of a long day.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

We very rarely use our car.the Disney Transportation is usually great, on time and easy to use. Yes the buses can be crowded at the end of the day, but we plan around that. I am happy not to have to drive, and watch WDW go by the windows. Another advantage is not walking though parking lots or wait for trams. Its fun riding the boats, monorails etc.

AKK

 

[kandb]

I find that the trams come very often and I would much rather wait for one of those then be crowded in a bus going around to 5 bus stops at the end of the night (staying at CBR). I also don't like strangers crammed close to me. They fit people into the monorails/buses like sardines. Just not an enjoyable ride to say the least. Some people report waiting for 3 or 4 buses at the end of the night before they can even get on one. No thanks.

 

[Dacky619]

For me it totally depends on where and what time you will be traveling. We left DHS last Satirday right after Fantasmic and were extremely happy we had our car there. On the other hand, we have regretting driving to MK just about every time we have done so. If you plan on going to a park or leaving a park when everyone else does, I'd drive. But if you travel earlier than others or don't leave with a mass exodus Disney transportation is fantastic.

 

[schoen]

I REALLY prefer driving. Even when Disney transportation is running quickly and smoothly, it is not a fun experience. You have to cram in, and wait in lines, and listen to marketing spiels. It's generally fine on the way to the park, but at the end of a day it is a nightmare. It rarely DOES run quickly/smoothly. Our car, however, is always comfortable, temperature controlled, we can listen to whatever we like, and we never have to squish up next to a stranger, feel compelled to give up our seat, or wait for multiple buses.

Sometimes we want to drink and not worry about driving, so we use Uber!

 

[loves to dive]

I've been driving down for over 30 years and have used my car once, last March on the day we changed resorts we went ahead and drove to AK. I just find it easier to park my car and use WDW transportation, no dealing with riding trams to front of park, no getting in a hot car at the end of the day, being able to have a refreshing adult beverage and not worry about driving and not worrying about getting lost.

 

[newestkg06]

We enjoyed having a car and not waiting around for buses. But, we used the bus for Magic Kingdom and that was easier (no monorail or ferry). I just prefer driving. The map is pretty easy to read and Coronado Springs is a fairly central location. I would especially like having a car at CSR because you can park fairly close to your room (not just one big parking lot). It was also nice because with little kids, I kept an emergency backup set of clothes in the car (which came in handy once), and it was easier with a double stroller. If you plan to drink, I can certainly see how the buses are great. PLus, if you rope drop, you will be parking very close to the front, so no need to use the trams.
So, here's my advice: if you have a big stroller, drive. If you will be drinking, take the bus.
It might have also been our luck, but the buses didn't seem to be very air conditioned. It was awesome to get into our own car (we rented a midsize SUV for a great rate) and have air conditioning blasted on us.