Getting around from Carribbean Resort

[hforman]

Hi,

My extended family of 13 is spending 6 nights at the Carribbean Resort at the end of June. My mother bought a Frommer's Guide that said if you're staying at this and many other resorts you should rent a car because it takes so long to use the Disney bus system to get around. Is that true? Renting really wouldn't help us anyway, since we're such a large group.

Thank you,

Heather

 

[skelooch]

IMHO yes it is faster to get around having your own vehicle, but as you say with a group your size it would require at least 2 vehicles (mini vans) which might be cost prohibitive.
But you should check it out just to satisfy yourself.

 

[Alesia]

The bus system really isn't that bad. Generally speaking, you should allow an hour to get from the resort to a park. It won't take that long, but that's sort of a worst case scenario. It sounds like a long time, but I would allow at least 45 minutes if I were driving, so it really isn't that much of a difference.

Renting a car (or cars, really) isn't really practical for a group of 13. Keep in mind that most of the things you read in a guidebook are really just someone else's opinions, even when they're presented as facts. The fact is, there are pros and cons to both driving and taking the bus

 

[hforman]

Thanks everyone,

What about getting from Caribbean to other resorts? I've made ADRs at the Contemporary, Polynesian and Wilderness resorts.

 

[LWQuestie]

Are your ADRs for breakfast, dinner or lunch?

Going from Resort to Resort, you have to find a transfer point. Caribbean Beach is near both Epcot and the Studios, so those would likely be good transfer points.

You could also use Magic Kingdom as the transfer points for the three resorts you've listed, because they are all up in that area. If you did that, you'd take the bus from Caribbean Beach to Magic Kingdom, then monorail to Contemporary or Polynesian, and boat to Wilderness Lodge.

 

[joelkfla]

You could also use Magic Kingdom as the transfer points for the three resorts you've listed, because they are all up in that area. If you did that, you'd take the bus from Caribbean Beach to Magic Kingdom, then monorail to Contemporary or Polynesian, and boat to Wilderness Lodge.

You can also walk from the MK bus area to CR. I believe it's about 1/3 of a mile, and may be faster than the monorail.

And you can take either a bus or a boat from MK to WL. The bus will usually be faster, but usually just by a few minutes.

 

[hforman]

Thanks for your help! I think I may cancel Whispering Canyon Cafe. It's a breakfast and I can't see us heading out at 7:30 with 6 kids and making them wait until 9:15 to eat.

 

[DopeyDame]

We just got back from Carribean Beach a few weeks ago, relying entirely on WDW transportation. It was very painless! Some people swear by renting a car, but I love not having to think about directions, traffic, parking, etc.

 

[hforman]

We just got back from Carribean Beach a few weeks ago, relying entirely on WDW transportation. It was very painless! Some people swear by renting a car, but I love not having to think about directions, traffic, parking, etc.

Thank you, that's great to hear! Just 73 days!

 

[connie1042]

You will be fine. I like using Disney transportation. I am not in that big of a hurry to get anywhere. I feel much more comfortable getting on a bus, where the driver knows where he is going, compared to driving a car that I am not use to, and 5000 people leaving at the same time, and none of them know where they are really going, so they are quickly changing lanes and stopping. I feel much safer on the buses, boats and monorails. I think it is great entertainment just listening to the kids talk on the bus, and just people watch. Time goes really fast. We are staying at CBR in May. Love this resort. Have fun.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Yes it does take longer to take Disney buses. Just this Feb we did a test. My husband drove the car from Epcot to SSR while I took the bus. It took me 40 minutes to get to SSR! Just think if every trip was 40 one way and you ride the bus 10 times. That equals 6 hours of your vacation spent waiting/riding buses.