First Timer? Parking/shuttle off site

[mlg32]

Hi, I am planning my first trip to WDW this August with my 2 toddlers(3 & 5). I am thinking about staying at the Embassy Suites on Palms Pky(hotel says it is 4.5mi from WDW), the day plan I have in mind is to go to the park in the am and go back to the hotel for the late afternoon and return to WDW in the evening. Can anyone tell me about their experiences using the shuttle at an off site hotel(especially if you have stayed at Embassy Suites)? We will have a car would it be easier to drive? What is parking like at the parks? Also will there be traffic delays? I am really stressed about this because I can't decide if it will be a total hassle with the children getting back and forth from the parks or should we just spend the extra money to stay at the Dolphin/Swan even though they are not suite rooms like Embassy?? Any input would be so appreciated!!

 

[Disney Fool]

Oh, dear, oh, dear. Because you have two toddlers, I would go for the Swan/Dolphin resort if you can; They also have suites. It would be much easier for naps, less hassle, etc. You'd be able to walk from Epcot, or MGM, as opposed to driving off-site. Disney's a lot bigger than you think. Just getting off the property will take some time. Then you have to deal with folding up strollers,the trams, the parking, superheated cars,etc.) For whatever it's worth, my vote would be for an on-site resort. What do all you other DIS'ers think?

 

[LoveToDisney]

If you can swing the extra bucks, I would definitely stay onsite. It is much easier to head back to the hotel for a swim and nap for the little ones. Plus, you will enjoy the rest as well and be ready to enjoy the evening. You will enjoy the whole trip so much more. Also, be sure to check out the various websites like this one and Deb's so you have a good idea of what to expect your first time. Have fun!

 

[karemore]

Staying off site is not a problem.

I've stayed off site several times, and used both the shuttles and my own car.

With toddlers, I'd pay the $7 a day for the flexibility of coming and going when you want to.

You don't want to be stuck waiting for a shuttle, trust me.

It's not far or hard to drive from the off site locations, just don't wait too late in the morning to set out for the parks.

If you are leaving for an afternoon break, it will be good to have your car waiting for you in the lot when you decide to head back for your break!

Plus you can keep extra items on hand for the kids in the car, and carry less in the park with you.

Good luck!

Karen

 

[XStAnt]

When they say 4.5 miles to Disney they usually mean from the an entrance to Disney property. The MK is about 6 miles into Disney property, meaning you're about 10.5 miles from MK. The other parks will be a little closer.

I don't know anything about the Embassy Suites shuttle. However I have heard that often these hotels share shuttle service with other hotels so you could be making many stops before getting to the parks. Also, they tend to make a few runs in the am and a few in the pm. If you want to leave the park in the early afternoon for a rest, you are out of luck. If you miss the last bus, you are out of luck.

If you are staying off site then definitley drive to the parks. For MK you park at the TTC (just follow the signs to MK). From your parking space you will either walk or take a tram to the front of the TTC. From there you take either the monorail or a ferry to the MK. All other parks have parking lots near the entrance to the parks (although they also have parking trams). Just follow the signs to each park. Once you are on Disney property the Disney people move the traffic very well. Therte may be a little back up at the toll plazas.

I agree you should consider staying on site. I don't know what the Embassy Suites gives you besides some extra room. Do you plan on doing any cooking while on vacation? You could get 2 adjoining rooms at a Disney resort for extra space. Try two adjoining rooms at the All Stars or POP if money is tight. Check out www.mousesavers.com for info on discounts at Disney resorts (and many other Disney discounts). It's a little early for discount codes for August but you can see what the historical rates have been with codes in years past.

You may find it is more affordable than you think. Plus, Disney transportation is much better than off site shuttles. From All Stars or POP buses run to each of the parks every 20 minutes or so (more often at peak times of the day). They run constantly all day long. From Swan/Dolphin you can walk or take a boat to Epcot or MGM, and take buses to MK or AK. Other resorts have differing methods of transportation, but they all run regularly all day long and are very convenient. Staying on site also makes it easier to go back to your resort for a mid day nap, which is very important for 2 toddlers.

Good luck planning.

 

[jaysue]

That area can get pretty busy with traffic especially in late afternoon/early evening (rush hour, park traffic, hotel plaza blvd, employee traffic etc)

I too would agree that if you can swing the cost difference, that the S&D would be a good choice or renting points on the DVC Rent/Trade board would work as well. You will have a central location at least for WDW for the kids and your own sanity as well.

The pool at the S&D and all the activities nearby - Boardwalk, Fantasia Mini-Golf etc......all reasons to stay there

thanks
jaysue

 

[amyrajo]

My family and I just got back from our first trip ever.....and I'd stay on-site if you can. We have 2 kids ( 9 and 5) and it was so convenient to head back to the hotel for a much-needed afternoon rest. We DID rent a car, as well, but we used the shuttle buses for going to all the parks. ...much easier, I'd say! Staying on-site or off was a big decision for us, and now that we've gone we will always stay right on-grounds for our future trips!

 

[moinab]

I have found that most people on these boards are very loyal to staying onsite, but we usually go once a month with our 3 yo and 14 month old, and we always stay offsite. If we stayed onsite, we wouldn't be able to go as often (even with FL resident discounts, the WDW resorts are still beyond our price range). In our experience, it is best to stay within a couple of miles of the maingate. It has never taken us more than a half hour travel between a hotel and a park, including parking and tram ride or walking to the turnstiles. We took a Disney bus from MGM to MK once, and it took over a half hour. First we had to wait 15 minutes for the bus to show up, and then it was full before we could get on, so we had to wait for a second bus. It was very crowded and uncomfortable with two small children and a stoller. I would definitely drive and pay the $7 for parking every day (the parking stub is good for all Disney lots for the day, so you can leave and come back or park hop.) The hotel shuttles are horrible.

We always go early in the morning (we try to aim for arriving at the parking lot by 8:30. The only time we had a problem was the one time we arrived at MK at 11 AM and there were lines to pay for parking, lines to park, lines for the trams, and huge lines for the monorail/ferry. We've never had any problems at various times in the afternoon/evening.

One thing it took us several trips to realize is that it's often not worth taking the parking lot trams. All of the parking spaces are within walking distance, so if there are lines for the trams, it will be much quicker to walk to your car.

HTH

 

[Musky]

I think you'll be just fine offsite as long as you drive your own car. I wouldn't want to depend on your hotel shuttle in case one of the kids got sick or something, just as I don't like to depend on Disney transportation. Sometimes it's fine, sometimes it's terrible. And you would still have to deal with folding up strollers to get on the Disney busses. With two toddlers I think having lots of room would be my main priority. Of course, you could get two rooms at the All-Stars, but I doubt if two rooms there would give you as much space as one Embassy suite, and you'd just have two rooms with four beds, no couch, no refrigerator, etc. (although two bathrooms would be a plus). I've always found parking at the parks to be a breeze, but as to whether you'll have traffic problems outside the park, it's hard to say. People tend to make such a big deal out of the "hassle" of staying offsite, but having done both on our last trip, we found our time offsite to be much more restful and relaxing, not to mention 1/4 of the cost of onsite. JMO. Whatever you do, you'll have a great time.

Musky

 

[Shooby doo]

Mlg32 having never stayed on-site I can't comment on the pluses for that but staying off-site,especially at Lake Buena Vista is not a problem.I haven't stayed at the Embassy suites but have stayed on Palm Parkway & the area every trip. I would advise having your own car as it gives you more freedom,I4 is 2 mins from the Embassy Suites & from there you're 10/15 mins to the majority of the parks at WDW.Traffic can get busy but if you aviod peak periods ie people going to & from work,then I don't forsee a problem.
The main reason we've always stayed off-site is cost,for the same money/or less we can stay at a higher standard & be right on WDW's doorstep
SD

 

[mlg32]

Thanks so much for all of your help! We did decide to stay onsite at The Swan basically because I think it will be easier on the girls since we are going in August when it is going to be HOT!!! and they will definetly need afternoon pool breaks. All the input is much appreciated!

 

[goofyernmost]

I would like to vote for using your car. You will not know just how large WDW is until you get there. To try and time things so that you will be able to catch a shuttle with two toddlers in tow is just asking for frustration at its highest level.

Yes, you have to pay $7.00 for parking but that is a once a day charge. You can come and go as often as you please that day and not pay anymore. The mear knowledge that you have transportation available WHEN YOU NEED IT is well worth the extra cost. Let's say one of the kids, or yourself, gets over taken with fatigue or heat or whatever, do you really want to have to wait for a shuttle to get you back. Believe me you do not.

Staying on site, for those that can afford it, is cool, and I see that you decided on that option, but it is understandable that some have to stay off site. I will state my reputation here that you will not regret driving yourself to the parks even if you stay at the Swan. (does the free parking apply to the Swan as well? Don't know!) It is easy to find your way around (signs everywhere) and so, so convenient.