How do i get to the disney parkd from INTERNATIONAL DRIVE?

[LSchrow]

other options are to call the resort (1-407-354-4447 ) or e-mail their guest support (link on the web-site:
http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/hotels/services.jhtml?ctyhocn=MCOCCHX

hopefully, they would be able to tell you the transportation options available nearby.

hth

 

[JPN4265]

Go to I-4 south bound and follow the signs.

 

[Brian Noble]

I hate to pile on, but the travelocity "popularity rankings" may not mean what you think. I can't imagine any two-star hotel being amongst the top four compared to the likes of the Ritz Carlton, JW Marriott, Grand Bohemian, etc.

In fact, I've never been able to figure out what they mean.

 

[goofy4tink]

Rather than denigrate the OP resort choice (or her parents choice) perhaps it might be better to just offer suggestions as to the best way to get to the parks.
To the OP...you, and your parents, are finding out one of the negatives of staying off-site from WDW. There are some resorts/hotels in DTD that provide bus transportation to WDW parks, and you can sometimes get a decent rate at them. There are also resorts/hotels that are close to WDW that will give you shuttle transportation of sorts, at a cost. But remember, none of them are all that efficient.

Sure, we can sometimes find much less expensive lodging, but there are going to be other costs involved...as in your case and transportation. If you have to rely on cabs, it is going to add up quite fast. Using the Lynx system will work but it will be time consuming...there are no direct buses to WDW. Yes, there is one from SW but you would have to get there to begin with. So...bascially, I'm not sure what to tell you. With your trip being so close now, it isn't feasible to try changing resorts, even if your parents wanted to. But, they may just have to accept that there are going to be cab fares involved.
Hope your trip is terrific and you all have a wonderful time.

 

[BethEJo]

yep - kinda regretting starting this thread. its nice how people want to put a damper on things for otherss

thanks anyway,
Beth

 

[goofy4tink]

yep - kinda regretting starting this thread. its nice how people want to put a damper on things for otherss

thanks anyway,
Beth

Please don't regret starting this thread. You had a question, you deserve an answer. And you deserve an answer that doesn't question your family's choice of hotels. Most that post here tend to stay on-site...many just don't understand why anyone would choose to stay off-site. And you know what?? It truly isn't any of their business.
Others here could have chosen a nicer way to let you know that there were no easy ways to get to the WDW parks. From what I can see on the site for your hotel, WDW is about 10 miles away...that will add up to some hefty cab fares. Could you do me a favor??? When you get back, could you post here and let us all know how you got around? I'm sure it would be helpful to others in the same situation, and I know I would like to have some kind of info to offer others when they ask that same question.
So...again, have a wonderful trip, no matter how you choose to get around.

 

[Lewisc]

I'm not trying to put a damper on your trip. At least two of us suggested checking with your hotel for some suggestions. My guess is they can set you up with some kind of shuttle (that you'll pay for).

Orlando doesn't have great mass transit. A rental car is the best solution. The next best solution is to spend $$$ on cabs.

Your hotel is located near the convention center. I suspect the target guest is attending a convention.

It's not an ideal location for a guest, without a car, who wants to visit theme parks. I don't know if it's too late to switch hotels...if it's not tell us what hotels are available (in your price range).

Another suggestion--check with whatever TA, tour group you booked through. They may have some kind of transportation you can purchase.

Just my opinion but guests who don't want to rent a car are best served:
1) Onsite--Disney transportation is very good
2) DTD---Buses run every 30 minutes or so. Good.
3) Offsite hotels that offer reasonable shuttles and are close enough to supplement with a cab. Nick Hotel, Caribe Royale, MOWC...
4) Offsite hotesl that have reasonable shuttles but aren't close enough to supplement with reasonable cab service.

Just my opinion but guests who don't want to rent a car should consider transportation in deciding where to stay. I won't second guess your decision not to rent a car, I don't think I'd want to rent a car in a foreign country.

yep - kinda regretting starting this thread. its nice how people want to put a damper on things for otherss

thanks anyway,
Beth

 

[BethEJo]

ok guys, its cool - no worries

i understand why people dont get where i'm coming from - but it's ok.

whatever happens, we will have a great time! i know it and we'll figure something out.

if we have to spend an hour on a bus, then so be it. it's disney - it's worth it.

thanks for your suggestions, and i'll let u know how we got off.

 

[clkelley]

I just went to the actual website for the hotel in question.

http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/hotels/services.jhtml?ctyhocn=MCOCCHX

Under services, it lists the following:

Automated Teller (ATM); 2.00 USD
Baggage Storage; 5.00 USD
Barber Shop
Beauty Salon
Beverage Area, Complimentary
Breakfast Area, Complimentary
Clothing Store
Coin Laundry; 3.00 USD
Elevators
Gift Shop
Laundry/Valet Service
Local Area Transportation
Lounge
Luggage Hold; 5.00 USD
Multi-Lingual Staff
News Stand
On-Site Convenience Store
Room Service
Safety Deposit Box
Shoe Shine Stand
Tour Desk

Note the two items I bolded. Local Area Transportation. Now that "may" mean the I-Ride and Lynx, but I'm almost positive there is a desk where you can arrange shared paid rides to all area theme parks. There is also a "Tour Desk"

 

[Lewisc]

Tour desks (in Orlando hotels) are sometimes staffed with time-share sharks. BE CAREFUL.

I just went to the actual website for the hotel in question.

http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/hotels/services.jhtml?ctyhocn=MCOCCHX

Under services, it lists the following:

Automated Teller (ATM); 2.00 USD
Baggage Storage; 5.00 USD
Barber Shop
Beauty Salon
Beverage Area, Complimentary
Breakfast Area, Complimentary
Clothing Store
Coin Laundry; 3.00 USD
Elevators
Gift Shop
Laundry/Valet Service
Local Area Transportation
Lounge
Luggage Hold; 5.00 USD
Multi-Lingual Staff
News Stand
On-Site Convenience Store
Room Service
Safety Deposit Box
Shoe Shine Stand
Tour Desk

Note the two items I bolded. Local Area Transportation. Now that "may" mean the I-Ride and Lynx, but I'm almost positive there is a desk where you can arrange shared paid rides to all area theme parks. There is also a "Tour Desk"

 

[BethEJo]

Just my opinion but guests who don't want to rent a car are best served:
1) Onsite--Disney transportation is very good
2) DTD---Buses run every 30 minutes or so. Good.
3) Offsite hotels that offer reasonable shuttles and are close enough to supplement with a cab. Nick Hotel, Caribe Royale, MOWC...
4) Offsite hotesl that have reasonable shuttles but aren't close enough to supplement with reasonable cab service.

Just my opinion but guests who don't want to rent a car should consider transportation in deciding where to stay. I won't second guess your decision not to rent a car, I don't think I'd want to rent a car in a foreign country.

i do value your opinions, and they are good suggestions when we used to stay on International drive (a good few years ago) the hotel offered free transport - it was brilliant, and we had no problems. however, the hotel seems to have gone down hill a little and it doesnt look like such a nice place anymore (i'm only basing this judgement on the opinions of ppeople who i have spoken to who have stayed there within the last 2 years). therefore, we wanted a different hotel this year, and it ended up being the hampton inn.

i will definitely contact the hotel to see what they have to offer - and i'm aware of those time share people haha!

i read about them in the unofficial guide and they said they were offering free park tickets to tourists on the premise that the tourists attended a 90 min talk but then they ended up not being able to leave and were there for most of the day etc etc etc...

don't worry - this wont happen to us! my parents absolutely hate people trying to sell us stuff, and they know you cant get something for nothing

is the time share thing a problem with tourists in orlando?

Beth

 

[Brian Noble]

i understand why people dont get where i'm coming from - but it's ok.

Actually, I do get where you are coming from, because I usually stay offsite. In fact, I'm only on Disney property when I can exchange one of my timeshare weeks into DVC. I never pay Disney's cash rates. Even at a discount, they are steep compared to what is possible offsite. But, I always rent a car offsite, because the other options are either inconvenient, expensive, or both.

I'd echo the others---call the resort and see what they can arrange for you. In the limit, you can get Mears to take you back and forth for $16 per person per day. That's going to be cheaper than a cab or private car for three people. It's probably cheaper even for four.

http://www.mearstransportation.com/pdf/Rates2008.pdf

 

[clkelley]

I just looked at the I-Ride and the Lynx. It looks like right next to your hotel, you would need to take I-Ride G11 South to Sea World, then get on Lynx 50 to the TTC. The first I-Ride starts at 8:00am then they could transfer to the next 50 going to TTC. From TTC, they could take a Disney bus or monorail to any park.

Returning, they would need to get on the 9:01pm #50 Lynx bus at the very latest to make the last I-Ride trolley back to their hotel at Sea World.

 

[BethEJo]

thanks for the link - i'll refer back to that closer to the time i expect.

i am also gutted that we dont have a hire car - but my parents refuse to drive in a foreign country.

i have been driving for 2 years, and would loved to have driven around orlando - would have been an "interesting" experience. unfortunately, most hire companies asked for a minimum age of 21, and therefore a car was out of the question.

next time we go back to orlando, i should be old enough to hire a car and chauffeur my family about hehe!! but that will be in a couple of years i expect.

never mind, we'll manage

 

[Lewisc]

Most car rental companies have large surcharges for any driver under age 25.

 

[BethEJo]

yeah, its not worth it. i suppose they have to do it with young drivers not being hugely experienced and all

 

[Scot-n-Michelle]

we stayed on disney property but did you the lynx busses to do some shopping on International drive and they were right on time - no problems with them!!! hope you have a wonderful trip!!!

 

[lovetoscrap]

I am going to move this to the Transportation Board. We have some Orlando Locals there that can probably answer this question for sure!

 

[jodifla]

hey there,

in 3 weeks i'm going to be staying on international drive with my family. we chose to stay here because we wanted to save money on accomodation and it was a lot cheaper to stay on I drive.

However, the hotel we're staying at doesnt offer a free transport service to disney this time and therefore we are going to have to use public transport (my parents wont hire a car unfortunately as they dont fancy drivin abroad - we are from the UK - and i am too young to drive a hire car )

i have no idea about the transport on international drive - all i know is there are lynx buses and the i ride. can i use these to get to disney? does anyone have any idea about how its best to get to disney, and does anyone know which to take?

Hope someone can help,
Beth

You really might be best off hiring a car service, kind of like a taxi only they have cheaper rates because you set things up in advance.

Orlando is not that public transportation friendly. You'll spend a lot of your time on busses, or waiting for buses, and I've never seen one near WDW.

 

[BethEJo]

You really might be best off hiring a car service, kind of like a taxi only they have cheaper rates because you set things up in advance.

I've never heard of this, do you know the names of any companies that would do such a service? i could make some enquiries then...