Drive Time From Parks???

[planplan]

is it possible to leave the parks and head over to downtown disney for lunch or will it take too long. i have my own car and would like to step away from the parks for lunch. will this take too much time and cut into our funtime??

 

[gismo1554]

It is possible but would suggest not taking the car. If you are in MGM or EPCOT the easiest way is to head over to the Broadwalk/Beach Club/Swan/Dolphin by going on the boat from either the left hand side of MGM entrance or the International gateway (or walking from here). You can then get a bus to Downtown Disney from here which is the quickest option. From Animal Kingdom get a bus from the front of the park to Animal Kingdom Lodge then get a bus to Downtown Disney. Or from Magic Kingdom get a bus to Port Orleans Resort from the right hand side of the main entrance (not the TTC) then get the boat or bus to Downtown Disney.

All options take a bit of time (anywhere between 30 mins to an hour depending on the timing options of the buses. The quickest is EPCOT via International Gateway walking to the Beach Club and then getting a bus. This would probably only take around 20 mins on a very good day but it all depends on when the buses arrive. I always like to eat away from the parks as that way you get to relax more than in a park resturant (always rushed I find in Park) but it does take a bit more time than going to a park one. The only problem is no buses go directly from the parks to Downtown Disney hence you have to go via a resort but it does give you a chance to see a resort which is always nice.

Another option is always to go to one of the resorts for lunch as these are always easier to get to. The Broadwalk has loads of nice resturants.

Of course you can take your car as your parking is valid all day but it can be a bit of a pain as you have to go out then come back in.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Actually getting out of the MK at midday is quite easy in the car--we often leave the MK around noon anyway. And getting back in isn't bad as the morning "rush" is over.
I think driving to DD and back will be a LOT faster than using WDW transportation----

 

[eeyoreiscool]

If you use Disney Transportation, it will take around 45 minutes to get to Downtown Disney on average. It can be quicker to use your own car.

As long as it isn't too late in the afternoon, parking at DD is fairly simple. Later in the afternoon, parking gets more difficult. Getting out of the parks at mid-day is fairly easy as well since most people aren't leaving at that point.

 

[Robert P]

is it possible to leave the parks and head over to downtown disney for lunch or will it take too long. i have my own car and would like to step away from the parks for lunch. will this take too much time and cut into our funtime??

Leaving a park for lunch at DTD (or anywhere outside a WDW park) will cut into your funtime, regardless of the transpo choice. But, driving your own car will most likely be quicker than taking WDW transpo to DTD for lunch. It will also be quicker, in coming back to a park, as there is no direct DTD to park bus anymore.

I'd say if you are going to leave a park anyway for a DTD lunch, and you have your own car, then drive.

 

[planplan]

so, i could say 20 min. or so by car would be a good guess???

 

[becka]

Once you get in your car it will probably only take 20 minutes or so to get to DTD but remember that you have to get out of the park, walk (or take the tram) to your car, find parking at DTD, then go eat and then turn around and reverse the process. Even if you eat fast at a CS place I would think that you are looking at a minimum of 2 hours - closer to 3 hours for a TS. If you don't mind taking that much time out of your day it could make for a nice break.

 

[Aimeedyan]

It'll take awhile, but a car is almost always much faster than Disney transportation.

To me it wouldn't be worth heading to the front of hte park, trekking to the car, going through security again, etc to drive over there. If you want to take a break from the park it'd be easier and less stressful to just eat a hotel close to the park. Many of those can be hopped to very easily.