Having a car for the first time at DW - tips?

[pfeifer14]

We haven't been to DW for a long time and we decided to get a rental car for our upcoming trip in Nov/Dec. Any tips on where/how to park to be most time efficient way to get around DW and take advantage of having our own transportation? We will be staying at CBR. Here is my brief itinerary:

Day 1: EP then Dinner at Narcoossee
Day 2: MVMCP at MK - I was hoping to drive to MK so we won't have to wait for the bus at midnight when everyone is out. But I heard MK is the park that I should avoid to bring my car. Any tips?
Day 3; AK then Dinner at Jiko
Day 4: Disney Spring in the morning and EP at night
Day 5: MK then dinner at Ca. Grill - I think I use bus to MK then head back to hotel and drive to dinner?
Day 6: HS

Final Day: Our flight is at 145pm. What time should I leave DW to have enough time to return rental car and take our time at the airport? I am trying to see if we have time to go to breakfast at BOMA or Kona Cafe.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Well usually you go and park where ever it is that you are going to. Why park else where to get where you are going??

MK parking is not an issue for Day 2. Your only options that day are bus or drive or pay $25 to valet at the Contemporary and walk to MK
For your final day you will want to leave no later than 2 hr 45 minutes for your flight. You will need to stop for gas and on good days it takes 35 minutes to get to the airport. Security can take up to 35 -45 minutes to get through on bad days which you can't predict so plan accordingly. If you are doing a sit down breakfast I would make an early reservation. You want to be on the road no later than 11:00.

Day 5 allow 2 1/2 hrs to catch a bus- get to the hotel- shower and change- then drive to the restaurant.

 

[loves to dive]

Personally, we drive down and park our car and never take it out again until we leave but if you want to drive here is what I think.

Day one - drive to Epcot and park. You don't say what time your dinner is but if you are going to get out earlier than when the monorail stops running I'd just take the monorail from Epcot to GF and then back to your car at Epcot. If you are want to change your clothes before dinner, you can park at GF since you have an ADR but be warned, if the lots are full you will have to pay for valet parking. Alternatively, you could drive to TTC park there and then hop the monorail to GF.
Day two - You have to park at TTC and either take the monorail or boat to get to MK, personally I'd take the bus that day.
Day three - I'd park at AK, take the bus to AKL then back to your car at AK.
Day four - I hear parking at DS has gotten a lot easier since the parking deck, we don't do DS but I'd guess drive to DS and park there then back to your resort and either drive to Epcot or bus it.
Day five - Your plan sounds about right.
Day six - drive and park at HS.

Since I don't do rental cars I can't help with what time to leave.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

:

Personally, we drive down and park our car and never take it out again until we leave but if you want to drive here is what I think.

Day one - drive to Epcot and park. You don't say what time your dinner is but if you are going to get out earlier than when the monorail stops running I'd just take the monorail from Epcot to GF and then back to your car at Epcot. If you are want to change your clothes before dinner, you can park at GF since you have an ADR but be warned, if the lots are full you will have to pay for valet parking. Alternatively, you could drive to TTC park there and then hop the monorail to GF.
Day two - You have to park at TTC and either take the monorail or boat to get to MK, personally I'd take the bus that day.
Day three - I'd park at AK, take the bus to AKL then back to your car at AK.
Day four - I hear parking at DS has gotten a lot easier since the parking deck, we don't do DS but I'd guess drive to DS and park there then back to your resort and either drive to Epcot or bus it.
Day five - Your plan sounds about right.
Day six - drive and park at HS.

Since I don't do rental cars I can't help with what time to leave.

On Day 3 i would not take the bus to AKL. Soon AK will start closing early on certain days and you would have to be at the bus stop by 6:15 to catch a bus back to AK. because they close at 7pm. Since Jirko does not open till 5:30 this would be tough one. Not to mention Jiko has a dress code so you may need to go back to your hotel to change. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/animal-kingdom-lodge/jiko-the-cooking-place/