Drive or take bus to parks

[Lucius Best]

We always rent a car, and usually drive to Epcot/AK/HS, and usually bus to MK. But sometimes drive to MK too just to ride the monorail. Also depends on our plan for the day, if hopping, etc. Agree with what a previous poster said, for rope drop AK and HS parking is usually in the closest lot to the entrance, but not so for Epcot.

 

[gwb]

This has been discussed very many times in a lot o different threads. It always has the same responses and almost the same amount of posters for buses and those for cars. Basically it is going to boil down to what you feel is best for you. For example we drive for the freedom and flexibility and we hate trying to get an ECv on a bus. Also we saw a crowded bus at closing time that was full of screaming and crying kids on it. But those who like buses will point out the ease of letting someone else drive. Again it comes down to what you feel is best for you.

 

[Puffy2]

Seriously, take the bus. Leave the car. The parking lots aren't exactly at the front door of the parks. I have never had to wait long for a bus...20 minutes tops, and sometimes I practically get right on. I personally think it would be more a hassle to drive. I fly to Orlando, take Magical Express and use resort transport all the time. No parking fee, no transportation fee, no gas (except airfare)

 

[itchin2go]

I think conventional wisdom is drive everywhere except MK. That extra TTC step puts a damper on things.

That said, you have the option of playing it by ear.

Many people who post have ONLY taken buses, and they will make driving seem awful. Even though they have never done it. Seriously. (Ask them if they have ever driven and parked - go ahead and do it.)

Likewise, there are probably people who will tell you how awful the buses are, even though they've never stayed onsite.

I have done both, many times. Neither is perfect; neither is awful. I prefer driving and parking, except for MK.

FWIW, I have never been frustrated waiting for a bus to GO to the parks. I have MANY, MANY TIMES been frustrated waiting for a bus to take me back to the resort. And that is no fun.

 

[FireMarshallBill]

We find driving to be so much more convenient. Today for example we parked at Epcot, took the monorail to MK where we spent several hours, then took the monorails back to Epcot for the evening. After the fireworks we were at our car (Discovery 18) in what seemed like less time than it would take to even get to a resort bus stop. We were back at our condo before 9:45.

 

[itchin2go]

We find driving to be so much more convenient. Today for example we parked at Epcot, took the monorail to MK where we spent several hours, then took the monorails back to Epcot for the evening. After the fireworks we were at our car (Discovery 18) in what seemed like less time than it would take to even get to a resort bus stop. We were back at our condo before 9:45.

Agreed. It was one of our huge fears after changing to offsite. It actually couldn't have been easier.

 

[kangaroodle]

We always drive to the parks, except MK for reasons stated above. In the "good old days" we used to park at the Contemporary and walk over! But that was about 20 years ago!

 

[aretha30]

We have our car and if we're going for rope drop we drive to the park. When we come back for our break we will bring back our car (because we are hopping to another park) and take Disney transportation to the evening park. We do always take Disney transportation to MK, skipping the TTC makes it so much easier with the kids.

As PP have said it's all about what you feel is best for your family. We hate waiting for the buses in the AM but don't mind in the evening when heading back to the parks. Also when we're tired and ready to head home it's so much better to let someone else do the driving for us! Do what is comfortable for your family, you'll figure it out when you get there!

 

[Kandiwilde]

We use the buses so we can have abfew alcoholic beverages and no one has to be the designated driver.

 

[nooneshome]

For those that drive to the parks, how is it getting out of the lot after Fantasmic or Illuminations?

 

[Lucius Best]

For those that drive to the parks, how is it getting out of the lot after Fantasmic or Illuminations?

We usually go during lower crowd periods. Never had any kind of back-up leaving the parking lot after Illuminations.

 

[wdw4rfam]

we do both. We always take bus to MK, just like others said. Or if we have a morning ADR we will drive. We almost missed our breakfast H&V ADR once because we waited 45 minutes for a bus to HS at POR. We got to the bus stop an hour and a half before our breakfast, and still got there 15 minutes late. But other than that, we love just having some quiet time riding back after long days in thhe park, without screaming, crying kids. we also usually go in september and I'm not fond of sitting or standing right up against other sweaty bodies. the exception is if we are planning on sleeping in and going at an off time, then the buses are great.

 

[johnsonet]

We drive down also. And we take the buses everywhere (except DTD).
Over the years I've driven once or twice to AK and DHS (not sure why). Parking at DHS in particular seems terrible. I much prefer getting dropped off right in front of the parks. For us, the buses are part of the experience
Also, we go mostly in summer and it is hot walking out on that asphalt

 

[aaarcher86]

For those that drive to the parks, how is it getting out of the lot after Fantasmic or Illuminations?

Never had an issue. The traffic seems to move constantly and consistently.

Can't be any worse than waiting for a bus (ended up getting on the third bus that cam through) and standing for 20 minutes on the way back to the resort. At least in my car I'm sitting!

 

[GeraldineW]

You will find some rent a car specifically to be able to drive to the parks and avoid busses. Others don’t want to drive at all. What works for some, doesn’t work for others. We usually have a car, but not always. If we drive to WDW we have a car, we don’t rent one just to have a car at WDW. When we have a car, we often drive to the parks but not always. The decision of whether to drive depends in part on our plans and our timing. We find the car to be quicker and more reliable so if speed and need exists we drive. If we have the time and flexibility we tend to take the bus. I don’t think you have to commit to one way or the other. See how you feel when you are at WDW. Experience both and see what works best for your family. I can tell you we have never really had a wait to get out of a parking lot, if that is a concern. Keep in mind that the parking lots do have an opening time and you have to make sure you don’t have a need to enter before the lots open, if you are driving. Also, although I agree with everyone that bussing to MK makes more sense than driving to the TTC, we have at times driven and valet parked for a fee at the Contemporary and walked to the MK because our schedule for the day just made sense to have the car, although we more often than not bus to MK.

 

[Pbeh]

We are staying at CBR, and are going to MK for morning EMH, we will have a car, first time staying at a resort, never have done the busses before. I know the hassle of doing the TTC, but still nervous about getting there late because of the busses. Is it pretty smooth getting there in the morning, or is there a chance we will be late?

 

[johnsonet]

We are staying at CBR, and are going to MK for morning EMH, we will have a car, first time staying at a resort, never have done the busses before. I know the hassle of doing the TTC, but still nervous about getting there late because of the busses. Is it pretty smooth getting there in the morning, or is there a chance we will be late?

I would say- just to be safe- be at the bus stop at 7am for an 8am park opening

 

[SarahKate]

There is no true answer to this. People feel so strongly on both sides of the fence and it's up to you to decide what you think will work best for you.

If you get tired of driving and looking for a break from it, take the bus. If you don't feel that driving takes away from your experience, drive.

For us, we like to drive but I'm not adamantly opposed to taking the bus. Definitely take the bus to MK, as others have suggested. We like to drive only because we prefer to be in control of our coming and going. We've never had any issues with getting out of the parking lot at the end of the evening. We also like being able to sit at the end of a long evening, as many times we've had to stand on the bus (and stand while waiting for the bus). We've had great experiences with the bus, ok and not so ok experiences.

 

[KrazeeK120]

We are staying at CBR, and are going to MK for morning EMH, we will have a car, first time staying at a resort, never have done the busses before. I know the hassle of doing the TTC, but still nervous about getting there late because of the busses. Is it pretty smooth getting there in the morning, or is there a chance we will be late?

I stayed at CBR over Memorial Day weekend. We were there for the 24 hour day. We had decided to take the bus to MK this time, rather than driving. We got to the bus stop at 5:40 AM (park opened at 6) and there were A LOT of people that had been waiting there since 5! We turned right around and got in the car - I have no idea how long those people waited, but it seemed a little ridiculous to me that it was 20 minutes to park open and they hadn't started running buses yet.

We do prefer to drive. First, we're guaranteed to have a comfortable seat. Second, we're guaranteed not to have to deal with other people's screaming kids. Third, we are guaranteed to have room to breathe! The signs at Disney are very easy to follow - we've never gotten lost. I don't find Disney buses relaxing in the least. It's also an advantage when it comes to rope drop - you can drive to the park earlier than the buses start running.

 

[Minniedap]

We just returned last night. Drove to all the parks except MK for reasons already posted. Went to rope drop everyday so always were parked within walking distance (no tram needed). Also took the bus to Downtown Disney.