Here now - just arrived...panicked about shuttles to the park

[crowls]

We just arrived this afternoon....staying at POR (it is beautiful here!) but I am now panicking slightly about the shuttle bus situation. Front desk mentioned the buses start running 1 hr before park opening...will this get us in good position for rope drop? Does anyone have experience with this at POR? We want to take advantage of the early mornings, particularly the 7am at MK. Thoughts? (Should I rent a car to ensure I am there on time?)

 

[Alesia]

The front desk always says that. They are 100% incorrect.
Buses start at 6:30 on days when the park opens at 9:00 - earlier when the park opens earlier.

Being at the bus stop an hour before the park opens will give you plenty of time. No need to panic.

 

[Sleepy425]

They will be running earlier. They officially say an hour before, but they start early. And I would say that being at your resort bus stop by 6am will be fine for 7am opening - from reports here there isn't the normal crowd of people to compete with at opening like on a normal day, so it isn't as important to get there super early to be in the front.

We don't rent a car and are always right in front at park openings.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[crowls]

Ahhhhh thank you!!! I appreciate the quick responses.....after all the (neurotic) planning I was suddenly concerned that my plans may crumble......I feel much better now.

 

[cgattis]

Keep calm and DIS on

 

[kaetra]

Let us know how it goes!

 

[crowls]

Will do!! I keep thinking perhaps I should do a trip report.....something like "Newbie over-plans Disney, family revolts against touring plan protocol"......we will see how it goes tomorrow. I am relieved at the shuttle info, I should rest easy tonight knowing my plans are safe?! thanks again everyone!

 

[lovndisney12]

You will be fine. We have been there during peak (Christmas) and the AM early hours are the best. AND don't panic in the morning when the crowds begin to build at rope drop and then push past you (not in a stampede but sometimes close - some people feel they have to be first). Just make your way to your first choice and you will be fine. No need to rent a car - you will just stand at the rope drop line longer to have people race past you to get on the ride a few minutes before you. We also have a knack of picking the malfunctioning turnstile and have other lines zooming past us - again in the end it really isn't a big deal. Just don't worry. If you are in the first half of the crowd at rope drop (which you will be if you grab the early bus) you will get through that first ride rather quickly - and probably a couple more depending on your choices.

 

[larryz]

Will do!! I keep thinking perhaps I should do a trip report.....something like "Newbie over-plans Disney, family revolts against touring plan protocol"......we will see how it goes tomorrow.

Maybe we'll read about you in the Orlando Sentinel tomorrow morning...

 

[jmkjr72]

Busses start running earlier then an hour before as the restraunts open up before the parks unless it's am emh and they always get you there plenty early for the restraunts

 

[bumbershoot]

I keep thinking perhaps I should do a trip report.....something like "Newbie over-plans Disney, family revolts against touring plan protocol"

If you do, it would be a pretty common theme for a trip report.

 

[WEDWDW]

OP,here is a little "study" I did on a trip to All-Star Sports as to when the first bus to each Park came.

Just keep in mind,this is a "snapshot" of one particular Resort on two particular mornings.

Day 1
6:18 AM----Magic Kingdom
6:56 AM----Magic Kingdom
6:58 AM----Magic Kingdom
7:00 AM----Magic Kingdom
7:01 AM----Hollywood Studios
7:12 AM----Magic Kingdom
7:12 AM----Epcot
7:16 AM----Animal Kingdom
7:16 AM----Hollywood Studios
7:17 AM----That's one hour of my life I won't get back!lol
Day 2
6:17 AM----Magic Kingdom
6:30 AM----Magic Kingdom
6:38 AM----Magic Kingdom
6:54 AM----Magic Kingdom
6:55 AM----Hollywood Studios
7:11 AM----Magic Kingdom
7:11 AM----Hollywood Studios
7:11 AM----Epcot
7:15 AM----Animal Kingdom
7:16 AM----Time To PLAY!

 

[nilla]

Ahhh, I remember the overplanning and overworrying days

 

[lllGurulll]

OP,here is a little "study" I did on a trip to All-Star Sports as to when the first bus to each Park came.

Just keep in mind,this is a "snapshot" of one particular Resort on two particular mornings.

Day 1
6:18 AM----Magic Kingdom
6:56 AM----Magic Kingdom
6:58 AM----Magic Kingdom
7:00 AM----Magic Kingdom
7:01 AM----Hollywood Studios
7:12 AM----Magic Kingdom
7:12 AM----Epcot
7:16 AM----Animal Kingdom
7:16 AM----Hollywood Studios
7:17 AM----That's one hour of my life I won't get back!lol
Day 2
6:17 AM----Magic Kingdom
6:30 AM----Magic Kingdom
6:38 AM----Magic Kingdom
6:54 AM----Magic Kingdom
6:55 AM----Hollywood Studios
7:11 AM----Magic Kingdom
7:11 AM----Hollywood Studios
7:11 AM----Epcot
7:15 AM----Animal Kingdom
7:16 AM----Time To PLAY!

What were you thinking man!!! LMAO

 

[Ashley Christensen]

I was suddenly concerned that my plans may crumble

 

[rainboots]

You will be golden- except for the revolt part! Haha! . My family was thrilled last year when I made them all wait in the rain at the MK gates 45 min early, so we could see the show. That meant we had to get up obscenely early to eat breakfast at POR food court, then catch that first bus. They have made me promise to NOT do it again. I can't promise anything, that was my idea of fun!!!

 

[kaetra]

I swear I'm gonna make it to the MK Welcome Show this trip. The family is not keen, but we'll make it this time, even if it kills them.

 

[WEDWDW]

What were you thinking man!!! LMAO

LOL,Yes that was my WDW GEEKDOM coming out!

I find EVERYTHING about WDW interesting!lol

It is always mentioned that the Park buses to each Park start at 6:30 AM,so I wanted to see how accurate that was-turns out it was very accurate for the MK buses,but not so much for the others.

Again,though,that "study" was just one Resort on two days.

 

[DisneyFive]

Just go have fun! Don't sweat the little things. Take some time to just soak things in. Sounds like you've done the proper planning, now let it all happen organically.

Dan

 

[crowls]

Thanks everyone!! First day down and the bussing went well...at Epcot with plenty of time to spare, did all the majors and Fastpasses with plenty of time before our ADR for lunch. Family totally revolted against my obsessively marked out touring plan but in the end we covered the bases and made it out alive (And wet - they even revolted against my pre-packed ponchos....their loss