Drive to park vs. Bus

[geniegirl]

We always ride the bus and don't have any issues with it but this trip we are going to have 3 kids (infant, 4 and 7 yo) and 2 strollers plus all things that you need to care for infant. So we figure using our an may be a better option plus it's a good storage space for the strollers at night rather than in the room.

So is driving to the parks easy and are their any parks that it would just be better to take the bus. We generally get there for rope drop.

 

[seashoreCM]

Generally driving is faster everywhere except to Magic Kingdom where using the bus is better. In the latter case you have to use the monorail or ferry to get from the parking lot to the park entrance.

 

[geniegirl]

Thanks. We drive so we have our van.

That's what I thought. Kinda remembered there was 1 park with a parking issue but I wanted to make sure. Guess this trip we will be moving the van usually it just sits there for 10 days till we go home.

 

[disneynut11]

Definitely...take the bus to MK.....the parking trams with strollers are a nightmare. My husband had to hang the stroller out the side while the tram was in motion( I'm laughing about it now)
It is too stressful to hang onto the strollers, the bags and oh yeah, the children!
For the other parks, we skipped the tram and walked up to the gate. I only remember AK being a bit far.

 

[spiceycat]

driving is definitely easier than taking the bus - with the exception of the MK.

remember the parking lot is not near the MK but TTC.

so once you arrive and get everyone out of the van - sounds like that would take some time - then you can either ride the tram or walk (generally just for HC and AAA prem parking) - then you have to decide the monrail or ferry - the monrail is generally faster - but prefer the ferry myself.

then you are finally at the MK. getting on a resort WDW bus will bypass all of this and drive you immediately to the front.

AK is also a place where I generally take the bus - the walk can be long here as well as getting back to your car in the afternoon/evening. this parking lot was not as well designed as the others. it seems the tram just stopped alot more at AK.

 

[prncess674]

I am going to be the voice of dissent. I would even drive to the MK. Don't bother with the tram to the TTC since you will have two strollers. Just take the longer walk rather than try to pack up the strollers for the walk to the TTC. Also I disagree with taking the monorail once there. The monorail may be a minute or two shorter but pushing up that ramp is tough and CROWDED! If pushing two strollers I would take the ferry which allows you to enter at ground level and has a lot more elbow room!

Also remember that if you take the bus there are no seat belts or safety seats and you very well could be standing while holding an infant and trying two balance to folded strollers.

In your case, I would drive to all the parks.

 

[kwdw]

Two adults, an infant, two walking kids, and TWO strollers..... Drive. Period. And I agree with taking the ferry TO the Magic Kingdom with that bunch in the morning.

If you get there before rope drop - you should be close enough to walk at all the parks instead of trying to take the parking tram with two strollers and an infant.....

Are you sure you don't want to just take one stroller to the park and then see if that 4 year old really needs one? Or maybe rent a double stroller for the trip?

The four year is going to want to walk part of the time. So now - you have two adults pushing two strollers - and a 4 and 7 year old to keep a hold of. I hope they are angels........

 

[cg1200]

I guess I'm in the minority but I'm a believer in WDW transit. Perhaps it's my youth growing up in NY and appreciating good mass transportation. A few years ago, my two youngest were both using a double stroller. We had no problems folding it up and holding on any bus. The monorails and ferries are even better because you don't even have to fold them up. I always found that the parking lots were a good distance from the main entrances and required a substantial work. The buses typically leave you right out front (or at least closer than the parking lot).

We also found dealing with car seats, and having to cool down a super-hot car (if left in the Florida sun all day), trying to find a spot, then trying to find a good spot back at your hotel just felt like a drag.

Driving will almost always be faster in most situations but I bet if if you don't have a long wait for the bus, it's not as lopsided as one may think. Plus I think there's some convenience in letting someone else drive.

That said, we own at BWV and BLT where you can walk to DHS, Epcot and MK depending on which one you're staying at, so what do i know?

 

[disneynut11]

I forgot about the advice with the ferry. Definitely easier since you do not have to fold up the strollers on the monorail to MK. Also if you do drive to MK, we are AAA members and received a special pass once that allowed us to park closer and we were able to walk (although we didnt have kids at the time). If that is an option it might be worth looking into.

 

[geniegirl]

Hmmm good thoughts. If we do a double then maybe the older two can just use it for breaks. I just need to figure out how we are handling the baby then decide which stroller or strollers we bring.