Going to Hoop-Dee-Doo from Pop: Drive or Disney Transport?

[Writer325]

Left Disboards.

 

[grimley1968]

You can't drive directly to Settlement Hall, where HDDR is held. You'd have to park at the front of FW and then take an internal bus toward the back of FW where Settlement Hall is. Just something to consider if you'd prefer to drive. If you'd prefer to take Disney transportation, I'd take a bus to MK and then the boat over to FW. The FW dock is less than a 5-minute walk from Settlement Hall. If MK is closed when the show ends there will be buses outside Settlement Hall that go directly to resorts. If MK is still open you can take the reverse path back to Pop.

I doubt taking Disney transportation is any faster than driving, but since HDDR offers all-you-can-drink beer, I prefer to let them do the driving.

 

[Writer325]

Thank you for this info! I am going to print it out!

 

[goofy4tink]

I much prefer letting Disney get me there. I go to MK and then take the boat over to FtW. It's a very short walk up the path to Pioneer Hall. Then, if MK is still open, take the boat back and then the bus to your resort. If MK is no longer open (can happen after the latest show) there will be buses close by that will get you back to your resort. It won't be fast due to the bus making multiple resort stops along the way, but since I always get turned around in FtW, it's the best way for me to go!!!!

 

[Cedarmom]

The buses that will take you back to the resorts run after the last two shows. They do make several stops but it is luck of the draw. Some of the buses were packed. Our bus was almost empty and we were the first stop. We were 'home' very quickly after the show.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

to OP I would allow 40 to 45 minutes to get to HDDR after you arrive at MK, this allows for the ferry to just pull out as you walk up. it is about 20 minutes from MK. add to that the time it takes you to get to MK. as others have said their is no car parking at that end of campground. it will be about a mile hike if you decide to walk from parking lot, so I am guessing you will want to take bus and it will stop at loops to let campground guests off for their sites. no bus goes straight from front of campground to HDDR unless you get lucky and no campground guests are riding or waiting to board at the loops

 

[SmallWorld71]

I've done both. For us, driving was faster, even with having to wait for the bus.
That said, the boat ride from MK to the Fort was so relaxing and enjoyable. Plus, there is the bonus of not having to worry about the alcoholic beverages.
If you go to the late show, there are buses to take you back, but they can take a while as they make multiple stops. If you are at the first resort, then great. If you are at the fourth or fifth, it could be quite tiresome.

If the weather is inclement, or the time is really important to you (particularly after the show), then I would suggest driving and taking the internal bus.

If it's a lovely evening, take the bus to MK and enjoy the boat ride to the Fort.

Also, as has been mentioned, allow plenty of time no matter how you travel. If you are early, you can always take in the wonderful relaxing atmosphere of the Fort.

 

[SnackCredit]

If you take a boat from the MK, get there VERY VERY early. We saw the HDDR last Saturday at 8 :30, and got to the boat dock about an hour in advance, at 7:30. The boat there was casting off the dock, and the crew told us to wait for the next one, which would come in "10-15 minutes." The next boat didn't come for 45 minutes, and all of us in line were getting restless! One of the crew guys at the dock said there were normally 3 boats running the MK-WL-FW route, and one was out of commission... but it seemed like there was a second gone, too. Then, the catain of the delayed boat said that a pirate cruise got in the way.

We made it to FW at 8:31, but they didn't let eople inside Pioneer Hall until a few minutes later and we were able to check in with no problem. The lines at the FW dock to go to the MK were VERY long. (my mom estimates 2,000 people were there)