Driving to parks?

[Ellielovesdisney]

I have always used disney bus transportation from our hotel (this time AKL) to the parks. I am considering driving on our upcoming trips. I am wondering how people like driving to the parks vs bus transportation. Also....how does the parking work at MK?
thanks - Holly

 

[WillCAD]

Some people hate it. They feel that driving is a hassle, or confusing in an unfamiliar town, or that it's hard work, and they prefer to sit back and let Disney do the driving for them when on vacation.

I'm the opposite. To me, driving is like breathing; if I can't do it for myself, I turn blue and pass out. I rent a car on all of my trips, whether I'm staying on-site or not, and I drive just about everywhere. By self-driving, I save TONS of time over the WDW buses, I have total control over my own schedule, and I can change plans at the drop of a hat. I can also go off-site any time I want for shopping and dining, and for my mandatory visit to Universal Studios.

MK is the only destination where driving is not faster than the buses, because the buses go directly to the park gates, while the parking lot is at the TTC, on the other side of the Seven Seas Lagoon. To get from TTC to the park, you have to take a monorail or ferry boat; but I don't mind that at all, because I regard the monorails and ferry boats as attractions, not transportation. My Disney Day doesn't start when I reach the park gates - it starts the moment I get on the ferry in the morning, and doesn't stop until I step off the monorail in the evening.

 

[lillylynnb]

We just got back from our trip to wdw and we drove our self every were. (first time trying this) To me it was so much easier. We stayed at CBR , and even though we could have used Disney transportation. We found for us it was the BEST way to go, and now plan to do it the same next year on our trip..

 

[poohbear8]

I took DD last year alone. I had a rental car and really enjoyed being able to go when and where I wanted. I do think it was quicker than waiting for the buses. DD actually wanted to ride the bus but in the end, we both agreed we didn't want to waste time waiting for them.

I plan on having a car for this trip also, though we might take the bus to MK the first day since we will be leaving after brunch.

 

[islandsnoopy]

We drove to WDW from Virignia and stayed off-site. You have so much more flexibility with your schedule and avoid waiting in the long bus lines which we observed as we were leaving the parks. AK, DHS and EPCOT have parking lots so you park and just walk or take the tram. As someone else said earlier, for MK you go to TTC and take the monorail or ferry. There is a $12 fee to park for the day but not sure if you pay since you're staying at AKL.

 

[Goofygirl17]

We have only stayed on-site once and used the bus system. We usually stay at a timeshare. We really missed having a car so we could go out to eat etc. We've also found it easy to drive to the parks. We're staying on-site this time but will still be renting a car. We'll probably take the bus to MK.

 

[WOODY13]

We drove to WDW from Virignia and stayed off-site. You have so much more flexibility with your schedule and avoid waiting in the long bus lines which we observed as we were leaving the parks. AK, DHS and EPCOT have parking lots so you park and just walk or take the tram. As someone else said earlier, for MK you go to TTC and take the monorail or ferry. There is a $12 fee to park for the day but not sure if you pay since you're staying at AKL.

You do not pay for parking if you stay on site. Another good thing about driving is if you have ADR's at a resort restaurant you can drive and park right at that resort. The buses don't go from resort to resort.