Driving To Parks From Resort vs. Disney Transportation

[Dixiemom]

Does anyone ever do this? If you drive your car to a park how does that work? Do you pay for parking if you are staying on property? Just thinking that may be a better option on one day for us since we have a really full day from rope drop thru 10 p.m. Wishes and one of our kids may poop out, the thought of the Disney bus doesn't appeal to me. Thought or ideas?

 

[livie1205]

we always stay on property and we drive to the parks...I never take the buses! With 3 kids I do not want to be stuck waiting to leave if I need to leave...plus it is faster..it takes all of 5 minutes to drive from place to place on wdw property.We are going in April and staying at the poly so that will be the only time we do not drive because we will just take the monorail to MK and Epcot.

 

[MomtoGKC]

We drove this last trip because it was a long walk from our room to the bus stop and it was a short walk to our car! We did have to pay at the parks. The only time driving is a bit of a pain is to MK because you have to drive then take the parking lot tram then take the monorail or boat before you can get tot he park. DS was SO simple - park, shuttle right to the front of the park.

 

[buzzgirls&dad]

You will get many people on both sides of the fence for this inquiry. We always rent a car. When our DD was little we just liked the idea of being able to come and go as we wished and not be at the mercy of anyone else's schedule. After years of seeing huge lines at the bus stops, people standing in the rain, and all the strollers and equipment we feel we have made the right decision for our family. I know you can get closer to MK when you take the bus but we love the monorail and really enjoy riding it. Also, don't be afraid to take the big ferry boats back to TTC after fireworks at the MK. It will look like a sea of people but they can put huge amounts of people on these so the line does move along pretty good. If you parkhop or go back to your resort for an afternoon break it is quick and easy as well. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Chip's My Hero]

We drove in May/June last year. We received a parking permit when we checked into the POP and parked for free as resort guests. We've done both drive and buses and driving was easier, especially at park close. No wait and no standing. LOL

 

[grace&philipsmom]

We didn't pay to park at DHS on our last trip when we drove over. That was the only time we drove because we were at a monorail resort. We had an 8:00am ADR at DHS and drove over no problem.

 

[pixiemagic30]

We always drive too, as my DH can't stand the buses, but they are quicker. As long as you are staying on-site, you do not have to pay for parking. When you check-in, you will receive a print-out that has the dates of your stay and which hotel your at. Just place that in your windshield and you're golden!

Have fun!

 

[MomtoGKC]

Oh no! I thought we should get free parking but forgot to tell DH! I wonder if I can call WDW and get the money back?

 

[kymom99]

Parking is free if you stay onsite. We have never driven to the parks. My husband HATES to drive in unfamiliar places. the first time we went to Disney, we drove down and the car never moved out of the parking lot. However, last trip we flew but daughter and family drove . They drove to the parks most days. They would call when they got to the gate and often we were just boarding the bus at the resort. So yes, driving can be a big time saver.

 

[GOLFDISNEY72]

We take the car to the parks. We think it is easier to get around.

 

[nhl66pens]

I rented a car because we were going to the MVMCP and had to go to DTD for my DD's appointment at BBB. There wasn't much slack time built into the day and I didn't want to be rushed. Aside from that, the only other time I drove was to AK and the rest of the time we used Disney Transportation. We stayed at BWI so that gave us the ability to use the boats for access to Epcot and DHS. The boats are awesome unless you are late getting going or it is busy that day. Then, they only take a certain % of people from each resort dock that they stop at. It could take 3 or 4 boats to get on board. You can easily walk to Epcot at a leisurely pace in 10 minutes or at a faster pace in 3 to 5 minutes from BWI. The buses to MK were usually (95%) easy to get. You get dropped off right outside the gates and don't have to worry about parking. The only time we had difficulty with the bus was after MVMCP when everyone was leaving at the same time. My opinion, is that Disney Transportation is excellent as long as you have the ability to plan and not be rushed or if you are staying at the deluxe's near Epcot. If you plan your schedule so exact that you cannot afford an unexpected delay, then drive.

 

[Dixiemom]

Thanks so much everyone, you have made my mind up for me!!!!!

 

[trekker93]

Saves $300-500 per trip to be used on other things. Also, the buses are easy to use, are not hot like a car is when you get to it, and quicker to the parks. At MK, you save a 1/2 hour getting into the park by having the buses drop you off closer to the gates. Also, at HS, they drop you off right in front. We used to rent cars but not anymore, it's not worth the lost time, extra $$$ or the hassle of it.

 

[Shmily1]

We drive from home to the WDW resort, then we see the car again when we start to load up to head home. I don't drive to the parks because when I am tired from being at the parks all day, the last thing I want to do is watch the signs and try to maneuver through traffic to get back to the resort. We pile up on the bus and sleep back to the resort!!

This also works well for us in case part of us want to stay at the park and part want to go back to the resort. Whoever wants to go back can just get on the bus and go! (BTW, that will NEVER be me....)

 

[TLinden16]

I'm going to move this over to our transportation board in case the folks over there have additional input.

 

[AJKMOM]

The only time we take a bus from our onsite resort is to the Magic Kingdom. The bus drops you off very near the main gate. If you drive, you need to take the tram to either the monorail or ferry; then you get to the main gate after that trip.

 

[Uncleromulus]

We always drive EVERYWHERE in WDW--

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

We drive everywhere, as well. It's a fallacy that the bus is always faster to MK. If you add in the time waiting for the bus to arrive, a car is just as fast if not faster. We've proved this through testing on 3 separate occasions. Only once did the bus passenger arrive first, and that was by 40 seconds.

The way we tour WDW, having a car saves us easily 2-3 hours out of our day. Time we spend in parks, waterparks, dining, you name it. Traffic is virtually non-existant in WDW. Yes, there are other cars on the road. No, you will NEVER ever be in bumper to bumper traffic. Plenty of parking. Lots of signs. Car is always the right temperature and always headed in the right direction. Having easy access to the Burberry outlet is a plus, too!



PS- never paid more than $170 (total) for a 10 day rental in Orlando.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

We always take the buses. We always fly from Michigan. I do not see any reason to rent a car since we never leave Disney property.

 

[VIVIAN1113]

You will get many people on both sides of the fence for this inquiry. We always rent a car. When our DD was little we just liked the idea of being able to come and go as we wished and not be at the mercy of anyone else's schedule. After years of seeing huge lines at the bus stops, people standing in the rain, and all the strollers and equipment we feel we have made the right decision for our family. I know you can get closer to MK when you take the bus but we love the monorail and really enjoy riding it. Also, don't be afraid to take the big ferry boats back to TTC after fireworks at the MK. It will look like a sea of people but they can put huge amounts of people on these so the line does move along pretty good. If you parkhop or go back to your resort for an afternoon break it is quick and easy as well. Just my 2 cents.

You make a great point!!!!!