For those who have stayed at POP

[eventsdj]

Do I need a car? My package is booked for Feb., but I've been thinking more about it.
I'd obviously like to do it free (ie.. disney transportation), but if its going to take 1 1/2 hour each way from the parks if my dd needs downtime, I may reconsider.

WHat do you all think??

 

[MomOf2DisneyKids]

we were really pleased w/the busses from POP last month...there was only one time that we really had to wait (and it was because we had JUST missed the bus that we needed).

 

[DisneyBride'03]

I am stalking you now...lol

We loved POP!!! And found the bus transportation great...was crazy busy for MK EMH..but we took an empty bus to Epcot and hopped onto the monoraiul to MK..not sure if it saved time, but was pleasant

 

[MomOf2DisneyKids]

I am stalking you now...lol

just wrote to you in the other thread!!

 

[clombardi]

In the hotter busier months, I always rent a car because I hate being crammed into the bus like a sardine. In February, I find the bus transportation from POP to be just fine!

 

[tiki23]

Do I need a car? My package is booked for Feb., but I've been thinking more about it.
I'd obviously like to do it free (ie.. disney transportation), but if its going to take 1 1/2 hour each way from the parks if my dd needs downtime, I may reconsider.

WHat do you all think??

Your longest bus ride shouldn't be more than about 25 minutes, once you get on the bus.

We stayed at POP last November (and will be there again this December! ) and the longest we waited for a bus was about 10 minutes.

We'd rented a car for a few days but I was so happy when we turned it back in - we had no need for it.

 

[Suzanne74]

It all depends what your trip will entail.

If you plan on only going to the parks, taking a break and then back to the park but leaving before closing, I probably wouldn't recommend getting a car.

If you plan on checking out other resorts, staying early and late at EMH, going to restaurants in other Disney hotels, going to Ft Wilderness, heading over to Boardwalk for a night, going to DTD more then once - I would recommend getting a car.

I personally wasn't thrilled with the buses at POP although I love the resort, especially at the end of the night. Waiting and waiting in those long lines can be tough. The line at AK after their evening EMH was SO bad and it wasn't moving after 30min, we took a bus back to TTC and took a cab back. We did this again on EMH night at MK.

On the flip side, if you plan on park hopping it may be easier to NOT have a car. (Example) You are in the WS at Epcot and decide to go to MGM. If you had a car, it means walking all the way back thru Future World, getting in the car and driving to MGM as opposed to hopping on the water taxi and then taking a bus back to POP from MGM. Same with being in MK and wanting to go straight to Epcot.

If you get a good deal though, I think a car is worth it for a little one.

 

[jordanyosh]

I was at POP in mid June this last year. I don't think I waited more than 15-20 minutes for any bus--the norm being more like 5-10 minutes. Just one time at MGM closing did I wait longer than that. The line was REALLY long and we waited about 30 minutes.

 

[audisight]

DF and I always rent a car when we stay at POP. The buses can get crazy and full after the parks close. Also with a car you have more freedom to come and go as you please and DD can get to the hotel faster for her nap.

 

[jessieroo]

We have never rented a car when we go to disney. The only time there was ever a wait for a bus was when we left MK right after the fireworks. The POP buses were a lot less cramped then the buses for the All-star resorts. Enjoy your trip!

 

[KimWDW]

We've been to Pop three times and never rented a car and never needed one! We've found Pop's bus transportation to be the best. They don't share buses or have multiple stops, so it's much faster than other resorts. It's a straight shot from the bus stop to the park. And you save so much time over car drivers because you don't have to go through the parking fee booths, find a parking spot, wait for the tram, take the tram to the park. Plus at MK the bus skips the transportation center completely. Saves you tons of time!

We usually wait 5 minutes for a bus and get seats 90% of the time. The only times we've had to stand are leaving the parks at a bad time (like after the fireworks). We always go in the off-season, so your mileage may vary at other times of the year.

 

[MSC]

In my estimation, there's not much to commend about Pop (sorry Pop fans, just not my cup of tea!) But looking at my list of things I didn't like about it, bus service isn't one of them.

I just got back, and the waits and crowds for the buses at the Dolphin were as great as those at Pop, as far as I could tell. The virtue of Pop's busses are that they don't share with anyone else, and they only have one stop. Yea, it's a big resort, but having one bus stop means a lot. Sure, the lines can get long, but I don't ever remember not getting on the first bus that came. The busses for the Dolphin also serve the Swan, YC/BC, and Boardwalk. So while there were never more than 10 people waiting with us at our bus stop at the Dolphin, by the time we were on the road to a park, it was invariably standing room only on the bus anyway.

Say for example you want to go to AK. At Pop, you get on the bus, stop to drop some folks off at Blizzard Beach, and continue on to AK. Pretty simple and relatively quick once you are on the bus. At the Dolphin (a "deluxe" resort, mind you), you get on, stop at the BC, stop at the YC, then stop at the Boardwalk, then stop at BB, then on to AK. It seemed to take for ever! (Of course, the S/D's location makes up for this by being able to walk to MGM or Epcot).

And, I don't know where you are getting the 1 1/2 each way. Not even when everyone poured out of the PPP at midnight did it take 1 1/2 hours, and the line was so long that I think we got on the fourth bus!

Don't waste your money on a car.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I agree with MSC - I'm not sure where you heard hour-and-a-half bus rides. I mean, I'm positive I never did a trip report that included the ONE time our bus went from Magic Kingdom to Pop Century via... Miami. No, I'm joking - but that one ride, out of maybe three dozen, seemed overly-long. And when you go to Disney Hollywood Studios? The bus is there practically before it even leaves Pop, they're so close to each other!

 

[eventsdj]

Thanks for the responses!
I guess my 1 1/2 hour wait for a bus, I was mostly kidding, but I know people have said they've waited a loonng time!

I think I'll keep the car out of it, if it were that bad at some point, and I hope in Feb. its not, I would have to rent quite a few taxi's to make up the cost of a $200 weekly rental.


Thanks everyone!

 

[tinkerbell60]

We were just there in August too - the rides to MGM and Epcot are short. MK is the longest, about 25 minutes....we never had a long wait...my only complaint was that Pop was the furthest bus stop from the park everywhere except at MGM....it was a long walk after a long day!

 

[spiceycat]

timed it once - drove over to Epcot - mid morning - starting timing when I left the room. took me a 40 minutes to get in the park. had to take the tram.

then next day (tried for the same time) took Pop bus. well the bus pulled up why we were walking up (that won't always happen - by any means) - took about 20 minutes to get in the park with the bus. (security lines also were less)

timing from the time I left my room until I was inside the park.

best yet walking back to catch the bus - there was one waiting. Now I agree that doesn't happen often - but when it does.

 

[dyna]

We always have transportation of our own in parking lot at the resort but have yet to drive to a park. To us that is one of the benefits of staying on property is not driving.

I for one sure don't see how driving to park could possibly be faster than riding the bus by the time you park an walk into park or take tram the bus should be there same with returning to room.

 

[michelle1]

We used to rent cars before ME came along so now we don't bother and we don't miss it at all. Time isn't even a factor because as OPs have mentioned, it takes just as much time to get to parks if you are parking and then taking the tram and of course MK you have to take the monorail or ferry whereas the buses drop you right to the gates. Our only reason to get a car would be if we were doing a lot of shopping, eating off site or adding Universal to our trip.

 

[Suzanne74]

Well, I usually go off season and go first thing in the morning so at Epcot, I park right up front. My parking spot is always closer to the main gate then POP. At MGM and AK, it is the same thing. I may have to walk a tad further to my car then the bus port but it is right there. I hop in, put the air on and go. No waiting, no standing, no smushing with sweaty people. We have waited up to 7 buses at times at MK to get home so there is no doubt in my mind, I could have taken the monorail and tram back to TTC and have been home before the bus. Not always but enough for me to realize that having a car is nice. The ME is a great option but since 90% of POP uses it, I just prefer not to from now on. Even during off season - those buses are packed. And don't get me started on how infrequent the DTD buses are!!

 

[TINKB72]

DBF and I have stayed at POP 3 times (2003, 2004 & 2005) and we're going back 11/30-12/7 for Xmas We LOVE Pop!! We've never had a problem with the busses or experienced a long wait. If memory serves me correctly, I don't think we ever waited more than 10-15mins for a bus. I think it's a great resort and I think you're going to love it!