HELP! Transportation wizzes

[scoobygrl79]

Hello my DIS buds! Thank you for reading my post as I am feeling so overwhelmed . and I also apologize in advance for the very long post and I do promise that I tried to use the search tool to get started, but there is just too much I don't know....I have a very last minute, scrapped together trip coming up in May (with a 1 yr old and a 2 yr old.....see, I had always intended for that first magical experience to happen around fall 2011 where I'd have a 2yr old and 4yr old instead, but with a little (and i MEAN little) extra breathing room in the bank PLUS a very small (but VERY enjoyable) "taste" of the magic from a one day trip to Disneyland, I realized that now is just as good time as then...okay, enough with the boring details....hee hee!) and I notice that some of you are BRILLIANT when it comes to knowing what kinda motor vehicle(IE monorail, bus, ferry, etc) goes from point A to B and how to navigate all OVER the place. So I am beyond jealous! I always envisioned myself spending day/night researching and exploring everything about disney a good 6-9 months out before the trip , but I obviously do not have that luxury. The point: is there ANYWHERE that lists some sort of breakdown of common routes, connections, suggestions, etc if one plans on using disney transportation only? I understand I will have access to a current route schedule upon arrival, but there has to be some kind of standards that do not change. And, I'm talking I know NOTHING....like, (and I feel so dumb even putting out sample questions ) but does every WD resort have buses that go to/from all the themeparks? Or are connections involved? What is the route of the Monorail from MK? I'm willing to take any bone anybody is willing to throw me! thanks again

 

[Traveliz]

Hello my DIS buds! Thank you for reading my post as I am feeling so overwhelmed . and I also apologize in advance for the very long post and I do promise that I tried to use the search tool to get started, but there is just too much I don't know....I have a very last minute, scrapped together trip coming up in May (with a 1 yr old and a 2 yr old.....see, I had always intended for that first magical experience to happen around fall 2011 where I'd have a 2yr old and 4yr old instead, but with a little (and i MEAN little) extra breathing room in the bank PLUS a very small (but VERY enjoyable) "taste" of the magic from a one day trip to Disneyland, I realized that now is just as good time as then...okay, enough with the boring details....hee hee!) and I notice that some of you are BRILLIANT when it comes to knowing what kinda motor vehicle(IE monorail, bus, ferry, etc) goes from point A to B and how to navigate all OVER the place. So I am beyond jealous! I always envisioned myself spending day/night researching and exploring everything about disney a good 6-9 months out before the trip , but I obviously do not have that luxury. The point: is there ANYWHERE that lists some sort of breakdown of common routes, connections, suggestions, etc if one plans on using disney transportation only? I understand I will have access to a current route schedule upon arrival, but there has to be some kind of standards that do not change. And, I'm talking I know NOTHING....like, (and I feel so dumb even putting out sample questions ) but does every WD resort have buses that go to/from all the themeparks? Or are connections involved? What is the route of the Monorail from MK? I'm willing to take any bone anybody is willing to throw me! thanks again

Yes every resort has transportation to the parks - some by bus, some by monorail, some by boat or monorial, a few within walking distance. Generally no connections if you are going from resort to park (you may stop at another resort but you will not change buses.)

The Monorail has a stop at the MK and then stops at the Contemporary, TTC, Poly and GF. There is also an express route from the TTC (but it is not always running).

If you are in a Disney resort your bus (or boat, or monorail - depending on hotel) will take you directly to the front of MK.

Hope that helps a bit.

Liz

 

[vicki_c]

Our Laughing Place has a transportation wizard/calculator that is not 100% accurate, but can be a good start.

The Unofficial Guide to WDW has a chart that shows transportation times and Disney options available for getting around.

A few important things to know is that buses from Downtown Disney only go to resorts, not parks. There is no direct resort to resort bus transportation.

If you ask specific - how do I get from A to B - questions here, everyone will help you out.

Just remembered that wdwinfo.com also has a transportation wizard of some kind.

 

[TheWog]

The monorail will also bring you to Epcot from the TTC (and the MK by way of TTC) and there are boats from Epcot to DHS and back.

You can even take busses from park to park as well - may involve a transfer if going to MK, but can be done.

 

[goofy4tink]

Once you get to WDW and your resort, you will see how easy it is to get around. Everything is very well marked. Once you've been there for about 2 hrs, you'll be an old hand at it.

 

[backyardponder]

When you check into your resort you'll be given a pamphlet "Your Guide to the Magic". In there is a map plus a page on how to get from A to B. My only caution with this...if you are going from resort to resort the instructions say to go to DTD by bus and then switch to a different bus. This isn't always the best choice. If you are going resort to resort, ask at the front desk for their advise.

John

 

[scoobygrl79]

WOW! Thanks so much for your input, everyone! Also, those transportation calculators are the bomb diggity!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Please DON'T rely on the transportation calculators. Sometimes bombs blow up at the wrong time, other times they're just complete duds.

PLEASE let us know where you want to go. May might seem 'last minute', but you still have over a month to plan. You tell us where you're starting and where you're going, and we'll be genuinely THRILLED to provide you with the best route in each case (and if somebody steers - no pun intended - you wrong, don't worry - others here will quickly set them, and you, straight!).

 

[Magicbus]

Yes every resort has transportation to the parks - some by bus, some by monorail, some by boat or monorial, a few within walking distance. Generally no connections if you are going from resort to park (you may stop at another resort but you will not change buses.)

The Monorail has a stop at the MK and then stops at the Contemporary, TTC, Poly and GF. There is also an express route from the TTC (but it is not always running).

If you are in a Disney resort your bus (or boat, or monorail - depending on hotel) will take you directly to the front of MK.

Hope that helps a bit.

Liz

Liz,
Slight correction re:your comment that "Generally no connections if you are going from resort to park". There are never any connections.

 

[cranbiz]

To get from resort to resort, go to the nearest open park and transfer. Don't always automatically head for DTD.

Also, if you want go go to DTD from a park, at MK walk over to the Contemporary, from EPCOT or Studios, head for Boardwalk and from AK go to AKL and transfer.

 

[scoobygrl79]

Please DON'T rely on the transportation calculators. Sometimes bombs blow up at the wrong time, other times they're just complete duds.

PLEASE let us know where you want to go. May might seem 'last minute', but you still have over a month to plan. You tell us where you're starting and where you're going, and we'll be genuinely THRILLED to provide you with the best route in each case (and if somebody steers - no pun intended - you wrong, don't worry - others here will quickly set them, and you, straight!).

Thanks Kaytieeldr I appreciate the hospitality. Well, the couple of times I was planning on straying from just a normal path of "resort straight to park, then park straight to resort" were a day I wanted to head over to DTD from Animal Kingdom, and then an ADR at CR (which I will be coming from MK, but I'm not staying at CR). I guess I was too much of a scaredy cat to dare try too many ADR's at other resorts out of fear that I would not know how to navigate. How do most people travel resort to resort, anyway? By any chance, would you share with me some of the mistakes the transportation calcs reflect? That would be such a bummer! lol Thanks again!

 

[scoobygrl79]

To get from resort to resort, go to the nearest open park and transfer. Don't always automatically head for DTD.

Also, if you want go go to DTD from a park, at MK walk over to the Contemporary, from EPCOT or Studios, head for Boardwalk and from AK go to AKL and transfer.

haha...thanks cranbiz, you basically just answered one of my most recent questions..

 

[shafke]

For travel times I always allow 30 minutes per leg of a trip and that is just gate to gate(more if you need to transfer at DTD). If you are trying to get to a dinner reservation you need to add walking time to the restaurant.

 

[Traveliz]

Liz,
Slight correction re:your comment that "Generally no connections if you are going from resort to park". There are never any connections.

I only said that in the event they were going to Epcot and taking the monorail from say GF to the TTC and then have to switch monorails.

Liz

 

[Magicbus]

i only said that in the event they were going to epcot and taking the monorail from say gf to the ttc and then have to switch monorails.

Liz

ic

 

[TheWog]

Thanks Kaytieeldr I appreciate the hospitality. Well, the couple of times I was planning on straying from just a normal path of "resort straight to park, then park straight to resort" were a day I wanted to head over to DTD from Animal Kingdom, and then an ADR at CR (which I will be coming from MK, but I'm not staying at CR). I guess I was too much of a scaredy cat to dare try too many ADR's at other resorts out of fear that I would not know how to navigate. How do most people travel resort to resort, anyway? By any chance, would you share with me some of the mistakes the transportation calcs reflect? That would be such a bummer! lol Thanks again!

Since you are on a budget, you probably would not want to use a taxi. That would be quickest, most direct route from resort to resort. You can walk from MK to Contemporary or take the monorail. Both are very easy. Animal Kingdom, as mentioned, go to AKL and grab the DTD bus from there. Very easy again, AKL is less than 5 mins away and DTD is about 20 mins from there. Factor in wait times. If you are going at busy times there may be a wait.

 

[goofy4tink]

You asked about the 'wizards'...'our laughing place' gives some good advice but it also gives some just plain bad and outdated advice. You can get an 'idea' of what you need to do and where you need to go, but don't depend on OLP for transportation advice.
If you have an idea of where you need to get to, and from where, just ask here. You'll get a ton of advice.