How do the busses work for Park Hopping?

[cheesehead7]

On my first trip to Disney we did not park hop. We just took the bus back and forth to our resort.

My question is how do you go between the parks? Are there specific loading areas for busses that go back and forth between the parks? Do they run frequently? Is the monorail an option and how does that work?

 

[punkin413]

subscribing. i'm kinda wondering about this too!

 

[TaraPA]

How do they work for hopping between parks? They don't! Unless they've changed it since December, there are no buses that run directly park-to-park. You have a few options though, but all are lengthy if you ask me. You can: take the bus to any resort, then that resort's bus to the other park; take the bus to the transportation center at MK - where you can then take the monorail or boat to MK only. We did this to get from AK to MK & it took about 45 min. You could also take the bus to any of the Epcot resorts & then walk to Epcot from there (or take the boat). Aynone else find something quicker (other than renting a car or taking a cab?)

 

[pepe of ohio]

To answer some of your questions, when we hop we pick a park for the am hours, return to our resort for a rest, swim or lunch and head to a different park for the evening from our resort by bus. If you're at the MK, you can monorail to TTC and transfer to the EPCOT line. At EPCOT, you can leave via the International Gateway and boat or walk to MGM. We split parks every day and return to the one that has EMH's in the evening. Really easy but I believe transfers from park to park by buses will not work, only park to a resort then to another park. Others may know the real facts and correct me.

 

[Barbers2005]

To make the bus trip a little quicker, pick a bus going to a resort that's near the park you're at, or near the park you're going to. Another idea is to plan your "split day" around a meal at one of the resorts. That breaks up the trip nicely.

 

[Robo]

How do they work for hopping between parks? They don't! Unless they've changed it since December, there are no buses that run directly park-to-park.

Sorry, but that is incorrect information.
There have been park-to-park busses for years.

Here are the "park-to-park" direct connections:

MK/TTC> Epcot = Monorail
MK/TTC> MGM = Bus
MK/TTC> AK= Bus

AK> MGM= Direct Bus
AK> Epcot= Direct Bus
AK> TTC/MK= Bus

MGM> AK= Direct Bus
MGM> Epcot= Direct Bus (Epcot Front Gate) or Boat (Epcot Intl. Gateway)
MGM> TTC/MK= Bus

Epcot> MGM= Direct Bus (Epcot Front Gate) or Boat (Epcot Intl. Gateway)
Epcot > TTC/MK= Monorail
Epcot > AK= Direct Bus

 

[PCFriar80]

How do they work for hopping between parks? They don't! Unless they've changed it since December, there are no buses that run directly park-to-park. You have a few options though, but all are lengthy if you ask me. You can: take the bus to any resort, then that resort's bus to the other park; take the bus to the transportation center at MK - where you can then take the monorail or boat to MK only. We did this to get from AK to MK & it took about 45 min. You could also take the bus to any of the Epcot resorts & then walk to Epcot from there (or take the boat). Aynone else find something quicker (other than renting a car or taking a cab?)

Not true at all. There is park to park Disney transportation. Bus service is available from AK to MGM, EC, or TTC (for monorail or boat access to MK) and vice versa. Boat service is available from MGM to EC and reverse route as well. Bus from MGM to AK or TTC. Monorail from EC to TTC for MK access. Bus from from EC to AK, and I believe there may be bus service between MGM and EC. All MK access from the parks goes thorugh the TTC. Hope this helps!

 

[cheesehead7]

How do I find out more info? Will my resort have a schedule?

 

[Robo]

How do I find out more info? Will my resort have a schedule?

You don't need a "schedule".

Like all Disney buses, they just arrive and depart all day long at a roughly 15 to 20 minute interval.

All of the bus areas at the parks are marked as to where the buses will stop, as are all of the buses.

Its really easy.

 

[java]

hmm I think I would rather be stuck on it's a small world all day than take the bus between parks... When hopping I do the same- back to the hotel and then rest then onto another park... Unless we are at MK and heading to Epcot- we hope the monorail. Try to plan your hopping... like MK to Epcot or Epcot to MGM(boat from the international gateway- i don't remember if you will have to get off at the swalphin to transfer or not) And then AK- not condusive to park hopping without a car... The bus takes longer than you think and is never there when you need it- That is just our experience with it.
Have I mentioned I LOATHE THE BUS!

 

[pigletforever]

We found the buses to be very convienent. Never had to wait long to go anywhere. The only day hopping I remember is going from AK to MK and from MGM to Epcot (that was via boat) The rides were never horrible and we never waited more than 15 mintus which I didn't think was too bad.

 

[Robo]

hmm I think I would rather be stuck on it's a small world all day than take the bus between parks... When hopping I do the same- back to the hotel and then rest then onto another park... Unless we are at MK and heading to Epcot- we hope the monorail. Try to plan your hopping... like MK to Epcot or Epcot to MGM(boat from the international gateway- i don't remember if you will have to get off at the swalphin to transfer or not) And then AK- not condusive to park hopping without a car... The bus takes longer than you think and is never there when you need it- That is just our experience with it.
Have I mentioned I LOATHE THE BUS!

Its OK to loathe anything you'd like, but to add another side for balance for first-timers...

The buses between parks can be a very pleasant, usually nearly EMPTY ride during the day.

It takes about 12-14 minutes, at the longest, after your driver departs (that longer run would be between AK and TTC.)

I am speaking as one who DOES ride the buses (and the monorails, and the boats) and have done so dozens, no hundreds, of times.

BTW, EVERYTHING at WDW (including the walk between attractions, or to restaurants, takes "longer than you think."
Its a HUGE place. With a little planning, we enjoy our many trips... park-hopping once (maybe even twice) every day we are there.

 

[java]

I should add that we have 4 children- hence the loathing of the bus- folding strollers- keeping everyone together.. So that has added to my hatred of the buses. And for every smooth story there are some waiting 30 minutes then traveling from hotel to hotel before reaching your destination. Now we are boat riding, monorail riding, car driving, walking disers. But if we were just a couple then I would try the buses again. *our last bus trip had a cursing father (not ours ) and screaming children......Oh and the I loathe the bus is a quote from Sixteen Candles... a movie classic. well in my world anyway.

 

[punkin413]

our last bus trip had a cursing father (not ours ) and screaming children

that always makes for a pleasant vacation.

it's just me and DH, so i'm thinking we'll probably be using the buses since it's just a hop-on and hop-off kinda thing.

 

[corinascot]

We always park hop, but usually go back to our resort in btwn. But on our last trip we did some park to park stuff. MK to Epcot or vice versa is easy, of course, with the monorail. It was relatively painless to get from MGM to Epcot and vice versa. The only unpleasant bus trip was from MK to AK. You have to go to TTC. It seemed like we waited FOREVER in the hot, hot sun.

 

[cheesehead7]

Thanks for the info. Another question......What is the TTC?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Ticket & Transportation Center - from there, you can board the monorail to Magic Kingdom or Epcot; the ferry to Magic Kingdom; buses to MGM and Animal Kingdom; and, well, park tickets Oh, and the Lynx (public) bus to SeaWorld and beyond; and it's where offsite hotel shuttles drop off, and where taxis pick up, and...