Driving or WDW transportation?

[pperfectmom]

I'm sure this has been covered but I can't find it. We are staying at ASMo in Sept. and have 2 small kids. We will probably be returning to our room most days for a nap. Will we be better off taking our car or riding the bus? I haven't ever stayed on site so I know nothing about the bus service and, it has been so long that I can't remember how much of a hassle parking is at the parks. I'm almost convinced that for most days it would be best to drive. Any opinions?

 

[Sonno]

Driving IMHO is almost always quicker.

 

[Kimberly815]

I don't have any experience with the buses, however, I would bet that driving would be quicker. Just my opinion. Good luck!

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I have always enjoyed using the bus service. It seems such a hassle to me to drive. Many will have other opinions, but using the bus and parking the car is part of the vacation for me. We have stayed at AS resorts many times, and took afternoon breaks when the kids were small. It was not an inconvenience for us.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

We almost always use a car and we definitely don't like the busses all that much. But we were there a couple of weeks ago and there were several speed traps on the roads between parks and resorts so watch out. We asked and were told the maximum speed limit in the World is 50 and it is less than that in a lot of areas.

 

[BethR]

Every time we give Disney Transportation (other than the monorail) "just one more try" we are sorry that we did.

My vote is to drive. (Unless you or your spouse REALLY hate driving and don't like navigating your way around WDW.)

 

[oxfordcircus]

While at Animal Kingdom Lodge, we tried both driving and using the bus. After missing Wishes because of the bus, we drove the rest of the week. Your mileage may vary.

 

[pperfectmom]

I was thinking we will probably drive most of the time. Are there certain places that are easier to park than others? I was thinking we could drive on our AK day since it is close to our resort and we will be going to BOMA at AKL for supper. We are doing SOA one evening and I thought we would drive to the Polynesian for that. We will probably ride the bus to MNSSHP on Friday night because I heard that stroller rental is free so we won't have to keep up with ours. The other days are still in the air. We are going to MK 2 days and Epcot 2 days. I guess on the day we check out and are going to Epcot we will drive also. Where do the busses drop you off at the MK?

 

[BlindTyldak]

We stayed at ASMo in 2004 with 4 children ages 2-7 and returning mid-day was never a problem using the bus system. However, finding seats for tired kids at peak times can be a real headache. On the flipside, I've heard a lot of people complaining about the trams being full, congestion in the parking lots after parades/fireworks, and waits of up to an hour getting out of the parking lot and back to the hotel from people driving.

if you have a car available no matter what, I'd just play it by ear while you're down there. Busses might be more efficient on weekend days where the parking lots tend to be very busy with day travellers, but your car might be on weekdays.

 

[Bev J]

Most of our trips we have rented a car and always drove to the parks. For the most part driving was pretty quick except the times we missed our turn or got confused with the signs or when we 'forgot' where we parked the car....guess it was sunstroke or something..LOL

Last June we went with 2 other couples and using Magic Express and saving the cost of a van or something bigger was a big incentive to use Disney transportation. We were at POFQ and we really never waited more than a few minutes for a bus and we got dropped off right in front of the parks, no parking or walking in. The bus drivers were very friendly and it was nice to relax on a nice cool bus. We did go back to the resort early afternoon every day to rest/swim and we did not feel it took alot of time. Of course at the end of the day when the parks closed the bus was mobbed but even then they had multiple busses and again we did not wait too long.
It is like an extra perk of our vacation to not have to drive, we will be using Disney transportation again in September.

Bev

 

[disney1313131313]

I am going against the general opinion here, but i am stay-at-home (really in my car) mom and one of the best parts of WDW to me is that for the time i am there, i do no laundry, i make no meals, and i DO NOT DRIVE! Just not driving is a vacation in and of itself to me. Also, it will still fairly hot in September and you will have at least one still in a car seat. I would rather get on an airconditioned bus (even without a seat) than buckle a child into a hot car. We have always had our car available to us, but have never used it. It has stayed parked in the lot the whole time we were there. We have never experienced significant problems with the bus service. We just "go with the flow" and try to not to let the little things bother us. Have a great trip.

 

[G8RFAN]

I was thinking we will probably drive most of the time. Are there certain places that are easier to park than others? I was thinking we could drive on our AK day since it is close to our resort and we will be going to BOMA at AKL for supper. We are doing SOA one evening and I thought we would drive to the Polynesian for that. We will probably ride the bus to MNSSHP on Friday night because I heard that stroller rental is free so we won't have to keep up with ours. The other days are still in the air. We are going to MK 2 days and Epcot 2 days. I guess on the day we check out and are going to Epcot we will drive also. Where do the busses drop you off at the MK?

For us, different resorts tend to influence taking the car or not. When parking is close to the buildings such as SSR, OKW, CBR, POFQ, we tend to drive. ASM was an interesting stay. We wound up deciding to drive after waiting in this huge line for AS bus and having standing room only after squeezing on the 2nd available bus. I'm sure it was just a timing issue but, I'd just rather drive and not risk it.

The bus to MK will drop you off right at the bus depot at the MK entrance. Parking fees on special events such as MNSSHP is not included with a resort stay. Therefore, taking the bus will save you a few bux.

 

[sameyeyam]

I always opt to go with the buses. We have gotten lost, went in circle and paid the same toll booth several times, almost missed reservations, parked 100 miles from anywhere when we had a rental car.

We prefer the convenience of not having to deal with a car while on Disney vacations and love the bus system.

If you are looking for flexibility and convenience you may want a rental car. If you prefer letting someone else do the work and you don't even have to think about it then go for the bus. Just realize that you MIGHT have to stand on the bus if you go during busy hours.

10 minutes of having to stand (maybe) on a bus in the air conditioning beats getting lost while being dog-tired at 1am, trying to read maps, find a parking spot, etc...

 

[lizanne]

Take the bus to MK. The bus will leave you off very close to the entrance. I've haven't driven to MK in many years but from what I remember after parking, you take the tram to the monorail, then you take the monorail to MK.

Drive to the other parks. We always leave the parks in the afternoon and because we drive we can go where ever we want after leaving the park. Sometimes we would drive to other resorts for lunch, other times we would drive off property to pick up some essential we need at the 7-11 (usually Pepsi because my husband won't drink Coke which is all they serve at Disney).

 

[BeckWhy]

If you are driving down in the first place, then probably drive to the parks. But if I'm staying on site, I personally like just relying on the bus system. It may be slower or whatever, but it's like worry free.

I mean, you don't have to worry about paying for gas, or where you parked your car, or waiting a long time to get outta the parking lot when the parks close, or anyone hitting your car.

I've never been with little kids, but I guess it's all personal preference.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Although we had little luck with the Buses and boats last year, I can see them being convenient IF they run frequently, IF there's always available space and IF you're not going park to park or resort to resort.

I happen to love the freedom of having a car available to immediately take us where we want to go. I like being able to spend our time at the parks rather than spending so much time using transportation. If you simply drive to and from the airport and around WDW, you won't use much gas at all.

Also, we did not have to pay for parking at MNSSHP the night we went.

If you booked your package through AAA, they send you the Diamond parking pass which allows you to park up front near the disabled parking at the 4 major theme parks. Nice time-saving perk.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Since 1977, my sole reason for returning to WDw 35 some visits, is having a week or two week vacation and not seeing or using our car. We used to do the Myrtle Beach deal but that was an in the car look for something to do vacation. Went back to WDW ever since. Never had any trouble with the buses, oh, they might be alittle s;ow in arriving but we usually jump on what ever bus stops at our resort and head there. Our plans are very flexible and the buses come about every 10-25 minutes, I'm on vacation, I'm staying at least 10 nights, I'm going to see it all, and I am coming back. No hassle leaving a parking lot, finding a place to park, not knowing where the roads go and getting into a hot car until the A/C catches up is not for us. I'll take the free A/C 'ed bus any day.

 

[juligrl]

Here's my 2 cents -- if you drive and you want to leave the parks you still have to hop a tram to your car and then drive to your hotel, park then get to your room. If you take the bus you may wait a little for the bus, catch the bus to your hotel then get to your room.

Personally, I prefer the bus since I hate driving in unfamiliar territory while I'm on vacation. Also, a car rental would get expen$ive.

 

[hockeymedic2000]

we are going in july,and we plan to drive to wdw , and to the parks. we are staying at asmo too. last time we went, we stayed off property and drove all around. we may try the bus. we will have three tired kids, and i don't want to have to wait in line or be on a crouded bus. like th efreedom of having my own vehicle.

 

[pezheadmeg]

No hassle leaving a parking lot, finding a place to park, not knowing where the roads go and getting into a hot car until the A/C catches up is not for us. I'll take the free A/C 'ed bus any day.

Here! Here! When I was living in Southern Florida (and using a as my vehicle!) I actually flew up to Disney and relied on the busses. Frankly, it's nice to leave MK and not have to monorail to get to the car.