Drive to parks vs buses (we can use handicapped parking)

[quincyoliver]

We are planning to stay on-property during mid-December 2024, and will be driving our own car. With the exception of MK, would we be better off driving to the parks and using the handicapped parking?

We stayed at AKL back in 2016 and I remember the long bus rides. While we never had issues with the buses, I am wondering if just using our car would be more efficient. We are tentatively planning to stay at SSR this time.

Thanks

 

[Disneylover99]

We normally drive to the 3 parks (not MK) if we have a car.We usually find it faster, more relaxing and way less stressful.

However, your dates are pretty close to Christmas. You might run into some heavy duty Christmas traffic as you get closer to the 25th. It may end up being faster to use the bus.

 

[OKW Lover]

I prefer personal car to Disney bus (with the exception of the MK) because of the convenience. There's never a wait for the next bus. My car plays my music and the temperature is set to my preference. Plus the person next to me hasn't had beans for lunch.

 

[Douglas Dubh]

Car, except for MK.

 

[CarolynFH]

We too prefer our car, except for MK. We can leave our resort or the park when we want without wondering how long we'll wait for Disney transportation, transit time from one place to another is relatively short, and we have the flexibility to leave the park, drive to a different resort to eat, and drive ourselves back to our resort.

 

[Ronaldo17]

Car except for MK

 

[MICKIMINI]

Car for sure. Sometimes later in the day we have been able to park really close in HA at MK, though you may have to drive around and stalk.

 

[sam_gordon]

I'm a big believer in using Disney transportation (reasons below). But it's an individual decision.

1) No waiting for trams
2) Potentially shorter walk to the bus (vs walking to the tram and from the tram stop to the car)
3) Vehicle is already air conditioned when stepping on
4) Driver already knows how to get to the destination (yes, there's GPS, but don't have to worry about it)
5) Don't have to concern myself about other drivers.
6) Can zone out, watch out the window, talk to traveling companions, read, listen to music, etc)

I'm simply saying why *I* prefer busses. Not trying to convince anyone to give up their car.

 

[Belle1962]

Why I don’t like buses:

1. GERMS-not only on seats, handrails but so many people coughing and sneezing ( IMHO 2 is too many)
2. Risk of having to stand holding kids or strollers
3. Crowded at end of night May have to wait for several buses.
4. Can be very noisy with conversations and loud kids ( I try to keep mine to indoor voices but that doesn’t always translate)
5. BUBBLE WANDS-turn them off when in line or especially ON a bus
6. Skin to skin contact with Hot, sweaty strangers OR hovering above you holding rails/straps so their armpits are basically in your face

I take buses mid-day but at the end of the night I’m a Mears taxi person for MK and DAK and skyliner of course for Epcot and Studios.

 

[sam_gordon]

Why I don’t like buses:

1. GERMS-not only on seats, handrails but so many people coughing and sneezing ( IMHO 2 is too many)
2. Risk of having to stand holding kids or strollers
3. Crowded at end of night May have to wait for several buses.
4. Can be very noisy with conversations and loud kids ( I try to keep mine to indoor voices but that doesn’t always translate)
5. BUBBLE WANDS-turn them off when in line or especially ON a bus
6. Skin to skin contact with Hot, sweaty strangers OR hovering above you holding rails/straps so their armpits are basically in your face

I take buses mid-day but at the end of the night I’m a Mears taxi person for MK and DAK and skyliner of course for Epcot and Studios.

With all that, why go into a crowded theme park at all?

 

[Robber Baron]

Years ago we used to have a car all the time. After a few times of driving to the parks compared with a few times of always taking buses, we've found you aren't saving any appreciable time by picking one over the other.

I always also thought the whole idea of AKL being far away with long bus rides is pretty much a red herring. The distance from Poly/ GF / CR to AK is the same as the distance between AKL and MK. Everything else is in between.

Now, if you just don't.like.being.on.buses, that's a different story.

But, JUST as far as time goes, not enough difference to choose one over the other.

 

[Belle1962]

Masks. I get them from the UK. The filter technology was developed for Britain’s military. They are meant to withstand everything down to chemical and biological warfare. They last only 300 hours but I’m happy to toss and buy new ones.