First time with no Disney transportation! Please Help!

[harleyquinn]

Hi everyone!

Next fall I plan on staying offsite at Cypress Pointe, which is about a mile from DTD. I've never stayed offsite, and I'm very nervous about navigating around WDW.

Could you all ease my fears? I know there are a ton of people who stay onsite and don't use the buses, so it can't be that bad.

My father will be doing the driving (he is great at finding his way around), so that's a plus.

How annoying is it to park at the parks ? do you have to do a lot of walking to and from your car? I always thought the Transportation Center for MK was insane looking.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Bob P]

Hi Sarah,

MK and the TTC can be a pain if you are used to WDW transportation. The other parking lots are pretty manageable.

We had a car and used it to drive to the parks the first five or six times we went. Don't worry, just relax and enjoy the new experience!

Have fun,

Bob

 

[DBC]

We stay on property and rent a car. It is much better IMO than using the Disney transportation.

I'm shocked at how fast you can get from one place to the next driving. If you're unfamiliar with the area you'll need to get a good map though. Our in-laws are always getting lost driving around.

Our youngest is autistic and freaks at the lines that can happen at busy times on the busses.

Of course, you'll need to pay for parking. When staying on property that's free.

 

[harleyquinn]

Thanks!

My DF is a good navigator, so I'm not really afraid of getting lost.

So how is the walk from the parking lot to the park. Do all of the parks have trams?
Thanks again!

 

[spiceycat]

yes they all have trams - but at AK, EPcot or Studios if you arrive early in the morning - you don't really need it. You can walk in to the parks.

that is the problem when you stay offsite and need a break back at your resort - you can definitely lose your great parking place....when you stay on site you just take the buses back to the hotel.

some of the parking lot in Epcot is really closer to the front entrance that the bus lots are.

they make sure at AK and Studios that they DIDN'T do that.

 

[DemoBri1]

I wouldn't fret about driving around WDW whatsoever. When you're inside the boundaries of WDW, the signage directing you is really good. The last three times I've been down at WDW, I've rented a car and driven everywhere. I just didn't want to be tied down to a bus schedule with two kids.

The only time that I really got turned around and going in circles, was coming out of the CR parking lot. There really wasn't a good way to get back on the main thoroughfare to get back to the Epcot Resort area, so I ended up having to take a roundabout way back.

Navigating the lots hasn't been that much of a problem. Staying at BCV we walk to Epcot, and boat over to MGM, so we really don't deal with those lots. The MK TTC lot isn't that bad, and neither is AK. Trams are running constantly. Just make certain you remember what row and section you're in, and you shouldn't have a problem.

HAVE FUN!!!

 

[harleyquinn]

Thanks!
Spiceycat I wish we could stay onsite, but I have 5 adults on a budget. I would cost us 3x as much to rent DVC points than to stay at Cypress Pointe. I know I'll miss the disney transportation and being able to easily get to the resort, but I have to sacrifice so I can take my parents on there first visit to WDW!

Thanks again everyone!

 

[DebbieB]

Are you sure they don't have any transportation to the parks? I know some of the offsite hotels do.

We always rent a car and it's never a problem. Get a map to get familiar with the main roads. We drive almost everywhere, including sometimes MK.

 

[harleyquinn]

I'm pretty positive they don't, but I'll make sure.
Thanks for the suggestion!