Driving to each park

[twinsurvivor]

I have been trolling through this message board for awhile now as we prepare for our very first Disney trip in late September and we are very excited. The information on CBR has been great, but I am starting to get a little freaked out about the bus system at Disney. You have mentioned several times, Safetymom, that rather than rely on the buses, you drive to each park. I have 4 year old twins and a 30, 45 or even 15 minute wait at a bus stop is pretty much out of the question. I think that we would rather load up in the car, get moving, park and walk in. Can you please give me some tips on utilizing my car at CBR?

 

[photobob]

When I stayed at CBR the buses were outstanding. Give the buses a try first would be my suggestion, it so much better than having to drive from park to park.

 

[disneyatl]

I agree with photobob, we didn't have any problems with buses at CBR. I would much rather ride on the buses than drive. The only park we've ever driven to was the water parks.

 

[tonyk]

I don't know if those who replied so far have little kids, but it does make a difference. What might be considered good, or even acceptable, bus service for adults (or parents with older kids) may not be for those with 2 4-y-olds. It depends on your kids too. I agree with the general recommendation to give the buses a try, but don't be surprised (or upset) if it doesn't work out for you.

Our first trip with our kids (1.5 and 7) was at the Poly. Great monorail trips to MK and Epcot, but one 30-minute bus trip to Animal Kingdom (after a 15-minute wait) was too much for us. Easier to pack the kids and their stuff in the car and drive. Then after the park, they could eat and drink in the car on the way back. On subsequent stays, we have not taken the buses. But that's just us. Your mileage may vary

 

[alien]

Even though we usually stay at the Polynesian - we always get a rental car. The bus system is wonderful, but there are times when it gets slow. The road system is easy to navigate and it's a much quicker trip by car.

 

[maryhenry]

On our last trip (9/03) we stayed at WL, so for MK transportation we relied solely on the boats - which was fabulous. I think that is the best mode of transportation at DW b/c it is so relaxing. There is something about pulling up to the MK on a boat. We did ride the buses, which was a novelty for my then 4 year old DD. We never had to wait long for a bus; however, I have to admit that when we did take our car, it seemed so much easier for us - especially when we went to the water parks.

 

[tkldisney]

We ususally stay at a monorail resort and always get rental car. It's ok when going to MK or Epcot, but to other parks we always drive. It's much easier to us! We had 9yr old get sick once and it was great not to have to wait for bus, then have to stop at other resorts until we got to ours!

 

[XStAnt]

TwinSurvivor,

As a general rule you'll probably never have to wait more than 15-20 mins for a bus. And that assumes you get to the bus stop just as a bus pulls away. Usually the wait is only about 5-10 minutes.

Buses from CBR run a loop and will make some other stops along the CBR resort. The route varies depending on the time of day and demand. Once leaving CBR grounds they go directly to the front entrance of that park. Once the bus leaves CBR the driving time is about the same for the bus as it is for a car since they take the same roads. It may even be less because they can avoid the toll plazas.

When driving you still have to walk to your car. At CBR some of the parking areas could be farther than the bus stops. When you drive to the parks you are directed to a parking area/space by CMs. You then have to unload the car and either walk to the front of the park or grab a tram. Most likely you will grab a tram because the spaces that are within walking distance to the entrance usually are filled first. You then wait 5-10 minutes for a tram, load up, and are taken to the front of the park. (Also note: for MK, you park at the TTC, take a tram to the TTC and take either the monorail or ferry to the front of MK. The bus from CBR drops you off at the front of the MK, saving valuable time).

Although others may disagree, I feel that when you factor in the time to walk to your car, park the car and walk/take a tram to the front of the park, the amount of time is the same as taking the bus.

I understand you have some concerns about waiting 15-20 minutes with 4 year old twins (and you have my sympathies). But would this be any worse than loading everything in a car, unloading the car, waiting for a tram, loading in a tram, unloading from the tram, etc. ?

I don't have children (and certainly not 4 year old twins ), so I am not an expert on this. I just thought you should consider these factors as well.

 

[CarolA]

I think a 15 to 20 minute wait is fully acceptable. This is public transportation and they do NOT come on your schedule. If you expect the bus to be waiting for you when you step to the stop you are going to be disappointed no matter what. Even on monorail and boat hotels you have to wait on the transport.

As for the MK. I took my car on my last trip since I was not staying on Disney. YUCK! Wait on the monorail. Wait on the tram. Hike to the car! It was raining and just not fun at ALL!

If I am at Disney I take the bus to the MK. Nothing beats being dropped off at the door.

 

[antmaril]

We ALWAYS rent a car. I don't use a bus at home, and I don't want to ride a bus on vacation. I don't even want a shuttle to a rental car. I like being able to go to a restaurant other than at WDW and or do some shopping. I just like the freedom a car gives me.

Just my two cents!

 

[tonyk]

Originally posted by CarolA
I think a 15 to 20 minute wait is fully acceptable. This is public transportation and they do NOT come on your schedule. If you expect the bus to be waiting for you when you step to the stop you are going to be disappointed no matter what. Even ...

I don't think anybody suggested that the buses be available on demand. Nor was the OP being judgemental about the bus system...only asking for the pros and cons of taking the buses with kids.

 

[Lesley]

We never used our car until recently....now we decide day by day whether we want to use the car or not. I've been traveling at WDW with kids since ds was 4yo. Now my kids are 8yo and 3yo. My younger one would rather be on the bus than in a car seat and my older gets a kick out of being able to stand up and ride that way. But there are times when the busses are too crowded and more of a hassle than the car.

I really do consider taking the car a hassle....the parking lots are huge and I hate riding a tram (might as well have taken the bus....) But there are certain situations where driving is a better choice. If you're going to DTD or a water park...or to another resort...you want to drive. The bus system to DTD is absolutely atrocious....often waits of up to 45 min. and occasionally the bus will show up, but not be able to take any riders. Other than on the DTD/water park routes, we've only had a terrible bus experience once. And that was just a very long wait leaving Epcot one night....got to the bus stop just as Illuminations started and waited half an hour with nowhere to sit carrying a sleeping toddler. By the time a bus came everyone had come out from Epcot and there were enough people for 2 busses. It was extremely packed. Luckily, being 1st in line we got seats. But from my experiences...this is not typical. Also, if you need to leave a park early and head to a resort (like if you go to the park and plan a late breakfast/early lunch at a resort) its sometimes better to have a car. The transportation system isn't really expecting folks to be going back to the resorts early....and we've had to hail down bus drivers to get a ride...but, if you let them know where you need to go they'll call it in on their cb's and get someone to take you there.

Also, even if you decide you prefer the car....I suggest taking the bus when going to the MK. If you drive you have to park, take a tram to the TTC, then ride the monorail or the ferry to the MK....much easier just to bus it.

 

[alien]

tkldisney,
We had a similar incident! Back in '97, we stayed at the CBR. Usually stayed at the Polynesian, but money was short this time. Anyway, had a rental car but took the bus to MGM on this day. 10 YO daughter had her first migraine. She ended up getting sick on Hollywood Blvd on the way to the First Aid Station. After an hour in first aid, we knew she had to get back to the hotel room. Knew we couldn't take her home on the bus. Luckily, someone from MGM took us back in a courtesy van. Really wish we had the car that day!
Cindy

 

[KarenMick]

We always rent a car. I don't like to rely on a bus to get where we're going. On our last vacation in May 2003 we rented from National Car Rental and for 1 week the cost was $160.00. It was very easy to pick the car up at the airport and then we had the freedom to come and go as we pleased. We stayed at AKL so we found it very convenient just to hop in the car and go wherever we wanted. .

 

[>>^..^<<]

I don't want to get into a child rearing debate here.. but kids have to learn to wait their turn.. buses included... I don't think 15-20 minutes is an unreasonable time to wait for transportation to the parks and if you are worried about it - then what are you going to do when Dumbo has a 75 minute wait?

I am not thrilled with having to wait for buses and you can bet my DD is not either - but she has to learn to behave herself and not throw a tantrum because things are not going as quickly as she would like ~ and if she does act up - then she is not going anywhere but back to the room

Anything over 30 minutes is a bit much for adults and kids to wait ~ you have my sympathies... especially in the heat ~ I hope the your twins enjoy their trip and everything goes well.

The car scenario sounds like a huge hassle.. especially with tired kids on the way back.... sometimes I grab a cab if I am going to a hotel for dinner and I am running late.

Good Luck!


>>^..^<<

 

[rugratsmom66]

We always rent a car now. When we compare the cost of a shuttle/limo from the airport to WDW and the cost of a rental car (using discounts of course), the rental car doesn't cost that much more. We then have the convenience of being able to go the grocery store to pick up snacks and drinks.

Depending on which park we are going to, we decide whether to take the WDW transportation or drive. I don't think driving is much of a hassle at all. Especially if you have strollers. I found that when we used to have a stroller, it was always a pain to travel with the stroller on the busses, especially when they are crowded.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Even before we had kids we always loved the freedom a car gave us. Since we have had kids (now 4, 2, -1 month [#3 due in Sept]) we are even bigger car fans.

As for driving to anything other than one of the theme parks, a car will save you a ton of time and be much more confortable/convenient. That includes other resorts, DTD, water parks, etc.

As for the theme parks..............

Driving to the Studios and AK is very easy and rather convenient. We always drive to those parks. The parking lots are not that big and it is very easy to walk to the gates as opposed to taking the tram. If there happens to be a tram waiting when we park we may jump on, otherwise we walk. As for all the loading and unloading, I find it easier to load the kids/strollers/stuff into my own car, on my own time, in the morning as opposed to waiting for a bus and then trying to load it all on the bus when it gets there. Now here is where the car is really key - at the end of the day. If you happened to take the bus there is a good chance you may find yourself, tired, lugging the kids/strollers/stuff/whatever you may have purchased in the park out of the park. If it is late the kids may very well be asleep. Try getting all that stuff and sleeping kids on a very crowded bus, then keeping it all safe and contained for the ride, only to have to get it all off the bus again when you get to the resort. Now that can't be much fun. Now if you have a car you simply roll the strollers, sleeping kids and all, out to the car. A quick transfer from stroller to car seat leaves them comfortable and/or asleep. You pack everything up, no rush mind you, and head back to your resort. Once you get there you can get the stuff out of the car at your own pace, keeping the kids asleep if they happen to have gone off to slumber land, and easily back to your room.

Driving to the MK and Epcot can be a little different. The parking lots there are much larger and further from the gates. It isn't all that convenient, or even possible, to park and walk, so you may be forced to use the trams, monorails, or boats. For these parks the bus transportation might be a good option. Now, I would never tell anyone else to circumvent any parking rules for the sake of convenience, but I have seen people suggest valet parking a car at a resort that is convenient to one of these parks. By doing so you wouldn't be subject to any time limitations (usually 3 hrs) that resorts have on parking and you could leave yor car there and go to the parks. I still don't know if that represents a parking infraction, but it has been done, and condoned by the CM's at these resorts who park the cars. Unfortunately, such convenience would cost you $6 a day as valet parking is no longer free. Truth be told, we have had a meal at a MK or Epcot resort without valet parking and then popped into the park for an hour or two, but anytime we did so we obeyed the limit on any parking pass we may have received.

There you have my rambling thoughts on cars and the theme parks................hope it is of some help.

 

[franw]

We have had trips to the CBR where we seldom waited 10 minutes for any bus. In fact, often the bus was arriving just as we were. Of course, when leaving or going to parks at peak times - well, it is just like rush hour anywhere but Disney does an amazing job of having buses lined up when needed. Every now and then things get off-kilter but some people get irked if they have to wait 10 minutes. We always rent a car because we like to go to the different resorts to walk around or to the Boardwalk, etc. It saves us time as we aren't as "efficient" as a lot of folks are. By the time we pay for trips to and from the airport and the savings on buying water, etc. at Goodings, and the cheap rates on car rentals in Florida, it almost pays to rent one. We almost never drive ourselves to the parks though. We like taking the buses, boats and monorails. It's all part of the experience but if you had sleepy or cranky little ones you might feel differently.

 

[Kallison]

We always used bus transportation. But on our first trip in 98 I looked at DH and said I can't believe our kids are STANDING on a moving vehickle while it hurtles down the highway at 55 mph. So safety might also be a consideration. Hey it's vacation, if driving your own vehicle makes you happy then go for it.

 

[Spartan]

We probably go about 50/50 on using buses and our car while we're there. I agree with others that DTD, resort hopping, and water parks are much easier with a car. We also hate using the buses when they are too crowded. It wasn't bad when it was just myself and my wife, but now with a little one with a stroller, I always feel guilty taking up space with the stroller.

Our strategy, and it seems to work good for us, is to use the buses in the morning after the initial rush. We usually go around 10 or so, and the buses are fairly empty. Typically we head back to the resort late afternoon for a while, and then head back to a park (usually Epcot) for closing. At this point we take our car because it seems at that time of day we can park fairly close and we don't have to fight for a bus after Illuminations end. The only park we don't do this in is MK where we always use the buses.