Hotel Shuttles (non-Disney)

[qman]

We've stayed "on property" during our trips to WDW and were happy with the internal shuttle service. How do the shuttle services for non-Disney hotels rate? In particular, how well do they operate a day's end when thousands of folks are streaming out the gates at the same time?

I've always been of the opinion that if you stay "off property" you should rent a car, is that a fair assessment?

 

[isla bonita]

Very fair assessment.

I wouldn't even stay on site with out a rental car.

 

[amyminzey]

We have been researching offsite hotels, and we e-mailed some of them to get their shuttle schedule. Most places are pretty limited with their pickup/drop off times (especially picking you up from the parks to take you back). I think the best schedule I have seen for offsite is Quality Suites Maingate. And I have always heard that the trip is very long on offsite transportation.

 

[BrerMama]

Something to remember is that Disney transportation drops you off at park entrance, while offsite shuttles do not. I know that for the Magic Kingdom, for example, drop off is at the TTC, and you still have to do the monorail or ferry. Not sure where the drop offs are at other parks. Also, the offsite shuttle probably doesn't have 4 buses, one going to each park, but rather one bus, that makes stops at all 4 parks. That would add significant amounts of time to the trip.

I wouldn't consider staying offsite without a car.

 

[AJKMOM]

I agree, the shuttle service from off-site hotels is not great. I have read here where people end up taking cabs because they miss the shuttle or it is much later than they need. Better to budget for a rental car and parking; that's what we are doing since we are off-site this trip.

 

[Emmo]

No need for a car or to rely on the hotel free shuttles. During our 3 trips to WDW and for our up-coming trip next November my Husband and I don't rent a car so we can have a drink when we like and we book Mears transfers to and from the hotel. They have been very reliable. You may go in a small minibus/10 seater van or if they do not have one in your area at that time they will put you in a taxi for the same price!
We used the free hotel transport last June from Sheraton World and they had people standing on a coach, was very bad!

You can call Mears 2 hours in advance to get a transfer arranged, I even managed to get one in half an hour when I was sick in DTD last year! Then it cost $14 pp round trip from I-Drive to WDW. Very good value in my opinion, but that is for two people.

 

[f7prez]

We rent a car if we stay on-site or off-site. Taking Disney transportation from the Wilderness Lodge to Animal Kingdom Lodge for dinner will take at least 45 minutes. Driving your own car will take 10 to 15 minutes.

Downtown Disney Hotels have their own buses that are very reliable, run all day and night and are more confortable than the Disney Buses. Plus you have fewer people waiting in line when the parks let out.