Driving to MK and AK from Epcot resort

[Susiequsie60]

We're staying at the BWI with a rental car. While I love the convenience of walking to 2 of the parks, I'm thinking about the best way to get to the other 2 parks.

Do you think there are any downsides to taking our car over to MK and AK, especially when we're going to be there for rope drop? I'm not generally a hater of the bus system (we've only stayed at moderates in the past, and never really had an issue,) but if taking the car is easier, I'm up for that.

Thanks -

 

[morethananyonex]

Car is easier for AK, hands down. No downsides there, unless you consider the act of driving a downside.

It depends for MK. Remember that if you drive to MK you still need to take a monorail/boat from the TTC to the gates. That tacks on some extra time. Before our first Epcot resort stay our family was used to moderate buses too. We never really found the multiple stops at the Epcot resorts a big deal, and if you don't mind them when you stayed at a moderate it might be a better idea to stick with the bus for MK.

 

[JimmyV]

Car is easier for AK, hands down. No downsides there, unless you consider the act of driving a downside.

It depends for MK. Remember that if you drive to MK you still need to take a monorail/boat from the TTC to the gates. That tacks on some extra time.

Agree. We are big proponents of having a rental car for most trips, but even when we do, we take the bus to the MK since they moved the bus depot away from the TTC and over to the MK itself.

 

[sethschroeder]

You shouldn't have an issue with riding the bus I don't think. Just ask when you check in and they likely can give you the time of the bus and how far in advance you should arrive at MK before rope drop.

Personally I would avoid driving but we never had a rental car to worry about that part.

 

[Susiequsie60]

Car is easier for AK, hands down. No downsides there, unless you consider the act of driving a downside.

It depends for MK. Remember that if you drive to MK you still need to take a monorail/boat from the TTC to the gates. That tacks on some extra time. Before our first Epcot resort stay our family was used to moderate buses too. We never really found the multiple stops at the Epcot resorts a big deal, and if you don't mind them when you stayed at a moderate it might be a better idea to stick with the bus for MK.

Do you think that if we've always been satisfied with buses at a moderate (specifically the Caribbean Beach) that we should find the buses at the Boardwalk Inn as good? (Specifically for the MK.) For some reason, I feel as though things I've read on here seem to imply that bus service from BWI is not that great. But maybe that's a relative thing for people who are used to staying at other Deluxe hotels and used to the monorail.

In all honestly, my main concern is trying to squeeze out a few minutes more of sleep on the morning(s) when there is the extra hour at MK. I like to get there as early as possible, and if one method is quicker, I'd go with that! Any other time of day I'm sure the buses will be fine.

Thanks ~

 

[morethananyonex]

Do you think that if we've always been satisfied with buses at a moderate (specifically the Caribbean Beach) that we should find the buses at the Boardwalk Inn as good? (Specifically for the MK.) For some reason, I feel as though things I've read on here seem to imply that bus service from BWI is not that great. But maybe that's a relative thing for people who are used to staying at other Deluxe hotels and used to the monorail.

In all honestly, my main concern is trying to squeeze out a few minutes more of sleep on the morning(s) when there is the extra hour at MK. I like to get there as early as possible, and if one method is quicker, I'd go with that! Any other time of day I'm sure the buses will be fine.

Thanks ~

Yes, I think that if you were satisfied with bus service at a moderate, especially a big one with multiple stops you won't have too many issues at BWI. We never noticed a difference in service between any of the moderates we've stayed at and BC (our Epcot resort). We never felt we waited longer for busses, and the multiple stops were not a big deal. On some days we even had to stop at BWI/Swan/Dolphin/YC before we made it to BC, not a big deal to a family used to that many stops at a moderate. That was unusual, and I believe that doesn't happen at peak times of the day, but worst case wasn't too bad for us.

It all depends on your bus luck. A car is hands down faster at all parks that aren't MK. MK is tricky, and depends on how long you have to wait for a bus. Could be 2 minutes could be 20.

 

[Robo]

In all honestly, my main concern is trying to squeeze out a few minutes more of sleep on the morning(s) when there is the extra hour at MK.

Then you absolutely want to take the MK bus on those mornings.

Guests at the MK parking lot (TTC) on AM EMH days are held at TTC
until much closer to MK regular hours opening time.
That's because it is assumed that most guests from the resorts (AM EMH qualified) would be
arriving at the MK gates by bus.

You CAN get to MK from TTC via the Resort Monorail on MK AM EMH days, but that can take some extra time
(and possibly a "full monorail" or two) to accomplish.

 

[JimmyV]

In all honestly, my main concern is trying to squeeze out a few minutes more of sleep on the morning(s) when there is the extra hour at MK. I like to get there as early as possible, and if one method is quicker, I'd go with that! Any other time of day I'm sure the buses will be fine.

Thanks ~

The buses from BWI are fine, but if your interest is in timing, it cannot be debated that driving (to AK) is faster. The distance of travel is a constant, and assuming that the speed is also a constant, the bus cannot arrive faster than a car. The car will have to get waived through the parking booth, but that won't slow you down, and in the early hour, you will park very close to where the bus lets you off. So a car will be the same as the bus once you are under way. The only difference in timing is: Will it be faster to walk to your car in the BWI parking lot or to wait for the next AK bus. That is an unknown. If you are walking out of the front entrance and an AK bus is loading people or pulling in, you might as well get on it. But if you get to the bus waiting area and there is no AK bus there, you might do better by driving. But know that we are talking about mere minutes here. But say an AK bus was pulling out of the pick-up area and you just missed it, and another bus is 10 minutes away. You would be in your car, have driven to AK, and would be pulling in to the parking lot around the time the next bus was arriving at the resort. Bottom line, the car might be faster, and would only be slower if there is a bus waiting for you to depart or just pulling in.

With the MK, it's a whole different story. It is hard to make the car ride faster, given that you have to park and take a monorail or boat across the lagoon. The buses take you right to the entrance. That is hard to beat.

 

[Robo]

Also, if you want to attend AM EMH at DAK, that would be a good "take the bus" situation, as well.

The DAK parking lot is notorious for opening much later than the other parks' lots.

It MIGHT cause a useless delay for AM EMH guests.

 

[quest4dl]

I have read several complaints about the bus service from BWI to MK and also of people having to take a bus back to yacht club/beach club and walk. BWI is also the last stop after Swan and Dolphin to MK so there is a possibility the bus could be full.

Also depending on when you are going, the MK monorail may be down for rehab. Not sure how that is affecting transportation from TTC to MK. It could be good - in that more buses may be put on the regular runs or it could mean more crowded buses.

I have rented a car for our stay because I am not patient about waiting for buses. Just one more line to stand in!

 

[Susiequsie60]

Thanks all.

Sounds like bus to the MK for early hours, and the car to the AK.

 

[Sandy Fisher]

Even when we lived in FL and had APs, we'd often park at Epcot, take the monorail to TTC and then the monorail to MK. We hated the parking situation if we went to MK.
However, when we spent the night (and drove to the resort with our own car first), we'd take the MK bus. Never lucky enough to stay at Boardwalk, but always wanted to.
Enjoy!!

 

[Susiequsie60]

Even when we lived in FL and had APs, we'd often park at Epcot, take the monorail to TTC and then the monorail to MK. We hated the parking situation if we went to MK.
However, when we spent the night (and drove to the resort with our own car first), we'd take the MK bus. Never lucky enough to stay at Boardwalk, but always wanted to.
Enjoy!!

Thanks Sandy. I really couldn't imagine the day when we'd be lucky enough to stay at the Boardwalk either!! We dreamed and talked about it for a long time and are so super excited that it's actually happening - in 2 days!!!!

 

[wiigirl]

Thanks all.

Sounds like bus to the MK for early hours, and the car to the AK.