Driving vs. Disney Transportation?

[KrazeeK120]

I've done both and I much prefer driving. I like not having to wait for a bus. I can just walk to my car at the end of the day and be on my way. I also like not having to walk all the way from the bus stop to my room.

 

[racinjunkie]

I'm confused about something...If you drive to the parks you still have to pay to park, right? How much is that now? We've not had a car with us since your honeymoon back in... cough, cough... 1995. But we're driving for this trip and I never even thought about driving to the parks. We've always used Disney transportation and the only time it bothers me is at the end of the day/evening because I have terrible foot pain and the standing and waiting for 2 and 3 buses until we get on is pretty rough.

 

[DentalDana2]

I'm confused about something...If you drive to the parks you still have to pay to park, right? How much is that now? We've not had a car with us since your honeymoon back in... cough, cough... 1995. But we're driving for this trip and I never even thought about driving to the parks. We've always used Disney transportation and the only time it bothers me is at the end of the day/evening because I have terrible foot pain and the standing and waiting for 2 and 3 buses until we get on is pretty rough.

You park for free if you're staying on site at WDW resort!

 

[racinjunkie]

You park for free if you're staying on site at WDW resort!

Oh Wow!! Well that's of horse of another color... Thanks so much for the info!

 

[DentalDana2]

Oh Wow!! Well that's of horse of another color... Thanks so much for the info!

You're quite welcome! It's nice to have options.

 

[letsgoreds]

I have always been a bus/transportation person...until the last trip, and now, if we have a car, we're taking it. Such a great feeling to walk back to your car at park close vs. stand in line waiting, waiting for a bus to take your tired self home.

We were at Kidani, and it took us maybe 3 minutes to get to our car (close to Zazu elevator, car maybe 10 feet from elevator under the resort. Bam, on our way!

That being said, I have never had an issue with WDW transportation, and suggest that the OP try it both ways. Doesn't have to be one or the other.

 

[remlover]

I'm in the same boat as a lot of people. Unsure what I will do. I have a AAA parking pass for closer parking (however MK is part of the blackout date).

We are staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and the idea of being on a bus for long stretches of time is not ideal. Does AKL have direct routes to each park and are they frequent? My brother who stays at the AKL all the time and goes many times a year swears by Disney transportation.

My feelings are, on vacation, I want to get to the parks ASAP and don't want to wait around for a bus.

 

[pepe of ohio]

I'm in the same boat as a lot of people. Unsure what I will do. I have a AAA parking pass for closer parking (however MK is part of the blackout date).

We are staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and the idea of being on a bus for long stretches of time is not ideal. Does AKL have direct routes to each park and are they frequent? My brother who stays at the AKL all the time and goes many times a year swears by Disney transportation.

My feelings are, on vacation, I want to get to the parks ASAP and don't want to wait around for a bus.

Everyone will have different opinions on transportation but for us, a rental is an unnecessary expense, and when we do drive to WDW, ours sits in the lot untouched until we go home!

We've done 47 trips so far and have relied on Disney transportation every trip... Been really decent all around but at times could have been a little better, but it's free, few minutes here or there is not going to break or ruin my vacation.

We also prefer to book a resort that will compliment our park travel time, a resort closer to our favorite park, usually means 2 modes of transportation to get there, yes we pay more for that convenience but even traveling 1100 miles, we prefer to be pampered, wined and dined and the extra expense we're willing to pay .....

AKL was one of our downfall resorts... Not close to any of our favorite parks (AK is not a park we visit) and when staying at AKL, bus to AK was the longest wait....hope your trip is better, it's all in the eyes of the beholder .

 

[Albytaps]

Also, if you have an AP you don't have to pay either.

 

[racinjunkie]

I'm in the same boat as a lot of people. Unsure what I will do. I have a AAA parking pass for closer parking (however MK is part of the blackout date).

We are staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and the idea of being on a bus for long stretches of time is not ideal. Does AKL have direct routes to each park and are they frequent? My brother who stays at the AKL all the time and goes many times a year swears by Disney transportation.

My feelings are, on vacation, I want to get to the parks ASAP and don't want to wait around for a bus.

We LOVE AKL and have stayed there several times. The buses typically go to both the Lodge and Kidani Village during each run. Some hit KV first and then the Lodge some the other way around. We never waited more than 15 or so minutes and they have benches where the buses pickup/drop off which is a nice park of a deluxe resort. AKL is farther from MK, Epcot and DHS but we enjoy the amenities particularly the savanah view rooms.

Our upcoming trip is a budget trip but we're having dinner at Boma just to visit AKL.

 

[sharadoc]

You park for free if you're staying on site at WDW resort!

of if you have an Annual Pass, even if you're staying offsite.

 

[KrazeeK120]

We LOVE AKL and have stayed there several times. The buses typically go to both the Lodge and Kidani Village during each run. Some hit KV first and then the Lodge some the other way around. We never waited more than 15 or so minutes and they have benches where the buses pickup/drop off which is a nice park of a deluxe resort. AKL is farther from MK, Epcot and DHS but we enjoy the amenities particularly the savanah view rooms.

Our upcoming trip is a budget trip but we're having dinner at Boma just to visit AKL.

The values have benches at the bus station too...or at least Pop does. I definitely sat on one in January!

 

[Sheila E.]

Wondering if we should drive or take the bus to MK, we will be staying at Pop Century and I am planning to come back to the resort between 1 and 1 :30 for the afternoon and then returning for the evening, I've nver done this before and was just wondering how many buses are running in the afternoon if it will be a long wait and whether or not we should drive because it would be quicker when we want to return in the afternoon. Thanks