Driving your car to parks

[Pookasaurus]

We always drive - its just easier for us. Our first two trips we drove so we had our own car anyway. This time we flew, but rented a car so we could drive to the park. Having extra time in the morning or after midday breaks was nice instead of having to go wait for the bus. Additionally it just seemed like there was more freedom.

We did take a boat to DTD and then rode a bus back one night (it was cold!) and that was really nice - didn't have to wait long and the bus was empty. DH doesn't mind the buses - maybe when the kids are older we'll give it a shot but for now I plan to drive even if that means renting a car

 

[pigletgirl]

I think it'll definitely be easier to drive your own vehicle, especially with small children! We did the bus thing this past September and I found it to be one of the most stressful parts of our trip. I have gone back and forth if we want to have a car and for us, the answer is, YES! It'll be totally worth the money, IMO.

 

[MidgeD79]

We have always taken the bus to the parks(except water). I get totally confused because we never go out the way we came in and I get all turned around.

 

[buzznina]

We always drive to WDW and at the beginning we drove to all the parks. But after taking buses etc. a couple of times, we found that except for a few times it really did not save as much time as we thought. It felt like it did, but once we started to actually clock it, it was not that much. Plus our DDs love riding on the buses and boats and I do not have to worry about the drivers who do not know where they are going and cutting you off. We also do not leave the parks after fireworks etc. because everything will be packed, even the parking lot trams. We do use our car when we want to go to another resort or off-site.

 

[candacewi5]

We are at Pop now and have been here for 5 days now and with a rental car. This is our first trip to WDW and we weren't sure if our rental would even be used for anything more than airport transportation. (We are flying through Tampa.) we have found having a car very useful! We have alternated between using the car and using the buses. This is what we have found:
MK- we like to drive and arrive before rd. We get a nice and close parking spot that becomes a valuable commodity at the end of the night. Taking a mid day break, on the other hand, we just use the buses. No sense in losing our parking spot, and the buses aren't crowded at that time or day. At the end of the night we avoid the long bus lines, crowded buses, and the unknown waiting times. It is actually less walking for us to catch the monorail to the ttc and then catching the tram to the parking lot. The walk to the bus at night in the crowds seems take forever.

Epcot- absolutely drive! It was so fast and easy to get there. We took a team from the parking lot to the gate and then walked in the gates. It was quick and easy without needing to wait for the bus, nor being stuck in the crowd.

HS- CAR! It is a very quick and easy drive!

DTD- take the bus! There is still a lot of construction. Parking isn't easy and the area is very congested. Plus, the hubby and I were able to relax with a much, much needed cocktail after dinner and didn't have to worry about driving back. ( we are very weird and will not drive if we have had even one drink. It isn't a risk we are willing to take with our kids).

The Boardwalk- we prefer to drive. We could come and go at our convenience without any waiting.

We won't be at AK until Friday, but we are planning to drive. We find using our car much easier and convenient overall. We also travel with my son's service dog which also factors into our preference.

We will probably have our car for our August trip. Planning on driving to all parks, except MK, for RD. Question - if we take an afternoon break and come back, it is better to take the bus or drive back in afternoon? Just wondering how crowded the parking lots are if we come back around 5 for dinner and nighttime entertainment?

We are at WDW now and staying at Pop. For the midday break we prefer to leave the car parked at the MK and use the bus back and forth at our break. We arrived at MK before rd and ended up parked very close. That close parking spot will be very precious to me at the end of the night when we are all beyond exhausted and ready to go back to the room. We also won't have to fight really crowded buses either.

 

[growinupdisney]

First, part of my husband enjoying Disney so much is parking our car and not driving again til we leave to come home so we do Disney transportation, we always find a way to get on boat, monorail, or bus when we are there!

2nd my kids especially when they were younger thought of the buses as just another ride!'
They can be aggravating at times ( being full and having to stand) but we still will always take Disney transportation over driving

 

[jtopp]

Since pop is a value resort, the bus schedule is not as frequent as some of the other resorts. We have taken buses, and also driven to the parks. mostly depends on daily plans as to which. Early mornings or late at night we tend to drive, or if we are going to various areas that require multiple buses/transportation. Other times, the buses/transport system is the way to go. We like the option of driving when we want. That being said, if we are going out and having a drink, we don't worry as Disney transport will see that we get back without a DUI---lol.

 

[OKW Lover]

We drive to all the parks except the MK. Going to/from the MK the buses have the edge. If you drove from Pop to the MK you'd have to park in the main lot and then take the tram to the monorail/ferry in order to get to the MK turnstiles. The bus will drop you off much closer.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

We will probably have our car for our August trip. Planning on driving to all parks, except MK, for RD. Question - if we take an afternoon break and come back, it is better to take the bus or drive back in afternoon? Just wondering how crowded the parking lots are if we come back around 5 for dinner and nighttime entertainment?

Sometimes, there are really good parking spots early evening in our (limited) experience. But tram service that time of day is spotty compared to rope drop and/or closing. Unless you just hit it right with the tram, it's probably faster to just make the hike.

 

[kam1011]

I hate the bus. We drive everywhere.

 

[amber_cntrygrl]

We always drive our car to the parks. We like being able to walk straight to our own car, that's not full of sweaty strangers, and blasting the air conditioner.

 

[Elacklen]

Thanks for the info. Driving seems to make sense because we are staying off property at Bonnet Creek. It is cheaper to pay to park instead of rt bus tickets for 5.
My husband's friend seems to think you can drive to a nearby resort, tell them you have an ADR, then park there for free all day. It's too unethical for me, but is there truth to this?

 

[OKW Lover]

Thanks for the info. Driving seems to make sense because we are staying off property at Bonnet Creek. It is cheaper to pay to park instead of rt bus tickets for 5.
My husband's friend seems to think you can drive to a nearby resort, tell them you have an ADR, then park there for free all day. It's too unethical for me, but is there truth to this?

Yes, that would be too unethical for me to.

 

[cariann77]

Last time we went, we drove to all of the parks. We found it much easier then lugging a stroller and two kids on busses. We plan to do the same thing this time around.

We haven't been since 2011. Do they still offer special AAA Diamond parking? Last time, I was able to buy a pass off of eBay. Didn't see any on eBay this time when I looked.

 

[mickeygirl14]

We decided to drive to the parks after a nightmare wait of about an hour and a half one time trying to get out of AK - and not at a busy time. Like other posters have said, the only park it's not as convenient is MK, but if you're going for RD, it's easier than the buses, IMO. We've stayed at value resorts, moderates and deluxes and always had issues with the buses. We figured out for our family that driving makes it much less stressful and more enjoyable to get back and forth. After a long day in the parks, it's nice to sit in your own air conditioned (or heated) seat and relax.

 

[MandiC]

Thanks for the info. Driving seems to make sense because we are staying off property at Bonnet Creek. It is cheaper to pay to park instead of rt bus tickets for 5.
My husband's friend seems to think you can drive to a nearby resort, tell them you have an ADR, then park there for free all day. It's too unethical for me, but is there truth to this?

I am sure Disney has a way to avoid people doing this or else their resort parking lots would be packed full of people doing this.

 

[Elacklen]

Aside from the ethical dilemma, it doesn't seem to save much time to drive/park and walk to a monorail/bus, vice just taking the bus. I think there are better ways to save $$ at Disney than this loophole.

 

[michael's mom]

Is there a cost for parking at each Park if you stay on resort? and what about driving between hotels? We are staying at All Star and have dinner reservations one night at the Swan, can we just drive there?

If you are an onsite guest, parking at the parks is free. They will give you a parking permit for your dashboard and they wave you through to the lots at the parks. As for at hotels, that parking is free as well I believe, unless you use valet (which I've found to be reasonable and worth it most times).