Drive to the parks

[officer tigger]

How many people drive to the parks instead of taking the buses. We drove to MGM one day and found the ride back to the resort much more relaxing. It is a far walk to the car as compared to the bus stops. But not being on a crowded bus was real plus.
When we go again in December I may drive to more of the parks. We are staying at the VWL so getting to the MK will not be a problem. How bad is it to get out of the parking lots at EPCOT and AK?

 

[kerri0616]

We just got back from a fabulous trip over Xmas week. We drove to the parks about half the time. We went during such a busy time that we knew we had to arrive at the parks just before opening time in order to ride our favorite rides. So, we drove to Epcot in order to arrive before 8am and parked extremely close to the entrance--no need for the tram. We left the park that day just before Illuminations, so I can't comment on the traffic leaving Epcot after 9:30.

Another day we needed to be at MK before 7am (!). We drove to TTC, parked very close again and didn't need the tram. There were very few early risers that day, so we just walked onto a waiting monorail and were at the gates in time to see the MK opening. The parked closed at midnight, and we were long gone before then, so I can't comment on evening traffic leaving MK.

Same story for AK. 8am opening. Easy parking--no tram.

We did use the buses also if we went to a park later in the day. We just gave ourselves plenty of time to reach our desired park and enjoyed the relaxing ride. If I remember correctly, we only had to stand on 1 bus ride leaving a park, which I believe was MGM???

So, I think it is beneficial to have a car and use it for early mornings (ADR's, park openings). No traffic problems getting into parks. Get there early and you will park close to the gate. Use the bus to get to MK anytime other than opening in order to avoid the extremely crowded TTC. Use the buses when your schedule isn't as tight and try to leave a park before official closing time.

Enjoy!

Kerri

 

[sunny04]

We always drive now. It tends to be so much quicker than the time it takes to wait on a bus. And there is nothing nicer than sitting down in a cushioned seat instead of standing in a line behind tons of people waiting to get on a bus to stand some more!!

 

[disnut8]

We drive almost all the time. The only time we use the bus is for Magic Kingdom. And that's a bit of a pain when we are staying offsite.

 

[S.Poppins]

We are planning to drive to parks for this trip. On our last trip we discovered about half way through that driving was quicker and easier for us.

 

[peacelovemickey]

We drive if we are getting there before park opening, but will ride the bus when we go in the afternoons. Except for MK, we always tkae the bus! We like being dropped off at the gates!

 

[Buttercup Roberts]

We never take Disney busses. We always have our own rental car.

If everyone did that, the roads would be impassable, though, so, everyone who doesn't mind the bus, keep on riding!

But for Joe, he'd rather not go if he can't have his own car, and drive himself everywhere.

 

[The Sweetness]

We are considering bringing our own stroller (and would then drive over. I wouldnt though, unless I could valet ($10 + tip, I know) at GF, or Poly, and take the monorails over to EPCOT and MK . I am not willing to navigate those parking lots, Id rather take a bus and rent a stroller

 

[floridacitrus]

We do not care to waste time on the busses. We rode the trams if we were a bit far from the entrance. We were sure to write down the section that we were parked in...it's hard to remember 8-12 hours later. Also, in July at the end of the day, the standing in yet another line and then standing on the bus was not for us.

 

[AU Tigger]

We've done both, but I think we'll drive from now on. Main reason: Everybody gets to sit down leaving the parks when we drive! And that's very important to us after a long day at the parks.

Busses have their have the advantage of not having to pay attention to where you're going after a long day, but I think I'd rather be assured of a seat and the extra snacks I've left in the car!

 

[mdfdisney]

We prefer driving to the parks unless we are staying at a monorail hotel and visiting MK or Epcot. If you go early in the morning, you park so close that you don't need the trams. If you park hop in the late afternoon you can usually find a spot up close as well.

 

[dpuck1998]

Done both and will take the bus on occasion. Most of the time we drive. Unless we can take a monorail or boat to the destination then we will drive. Much quicker and I find it more relaxing. Other prefer the ease of the bus, but we much prefer driving.

 

[Thumper_ehhhhh]

We also drive. In 2004 we stayed at the all star movies. Took the bus once in 11 days. Never again. We are heading down this may staying at pop and we are going to drive to the parks.

 

[disnutt]

We do about half driving and half taking the bus. Whatever mood we're in that day. If we're going to be there late we usually drive just to avoid the crowded buses at the end of the day.

 

[dawgsgirl]

The only reason I pay Disney's inflated resort prices is for the transportation system. I have stayed off-site and on, and driving to the parks is not bad at all. However, if I'm paying for it, I'm going to use it!

 

[fla4fun]

I tend to stay in resorts closest to the parks I want to visit (I don't always visit all parks on the same trip), so I find myself on boats more than buses. I do tend to drive more if I'm traveling with my Mom, because she has trouble standing for very long (I usually rent her a wheelchair for the parks as well) so after a day in the parks, it's better for her if we're driving. We don't stay in the parks as long when she's visiting for the same reasons. Out of all the times I've driven to Epcot, I've only had trouble getting out of the parking lot once, and that was because there was a big accident on the exit road, so no one could leave the lot. We sat in the car about two hours that night. But otherwise, it's been very easy.

In my experience at MGM, they seem to start parking in the morning in one of the back lots instead of up front, so you have nearly an equal wait for a tram or a bus (that's why I like the Epcot resorts - gotta love those boats!) If MGM always started the parking up close in the morning, I might be more inclined to drive there. As it is, using Disney transport works better for me.

I almost always drive to Animal Kingdom, but I don't visit that park as often as the others. Sometimes my allergies act up too much to enjoy it. I rarely drive to the MK, because you have to use transport to get to the park anyway. I might as well already be on a boat or monorail or bus, as drive, take the tram, and then have to take a boat or monorail anyway.

 

[photobob]

We drive to WDW but once there the car doesn't move. Disney transportation is one of the reasons we've always chosen to stay onsite. Not driving is also a part of our reality escape. I've found the transportation to be quite efficient..

 

[java]

"I loathe the bus"... which is why we stay at one of the deluxes with easy transportation to at least one park. The other ones we drive to. Soooooo much nicer getting into your own car after a long day with your radio station on...not having to hold a child on your lap. Not having to be so ontop of everyone for the 10 minutes in the car can be a welcome thing. The only parking lot we hate is the MK one- that is the one where you park and then still have to take a monorail over the park. so that trip is LOOOOOOONGGGGG and not worth the convenience of the car- we did it once never again. But everyplace else is easy breezy.(well AK is a pain to get to your spot but usually is walkable once you get there.)

 

[daisyduck123]

We always drive...we've never taken a Disney bus.

We often throw our swimsuits & towels in the van. After arriving at a park at opening, we stay for the morning & have then have lunch. Immediately after lunch, hop in the van & drive straight to TL or BB for an afternoon of water fun!!

 

[FatherofFour]

Our last trip (in Sept. 2006) we experimented with driving to all the parks. After six years of being a committed Disney Transportation fan, I will drive to the parks from now on. Even the MK is worth the drive for our family, my boys just love the monorail.

We stay on-site and enjoy the ferrys if they are available at the resort of choice, but taking one's own car is the way to go.

As per the Epcot question, we found Epcot parking to be the easiest and fastest to work. We parked close (relative term) and were able to leave after lunch for an afternoon break and return to our resort in 15 minutes (couldn't do that on a bus). When returning to Epcot in the early evening, the parking still was not an issue (but notice we were there in Sept.)