How long from CSR to parks via WDW transportation

[sadiwest]

Good morning!

I'm wondering, realistically, how long it takes to get from CSR to each of the parks via WDW transportation system. Let's say one wants to be at each park before or at opening, how much time for travel should one allow?

I hear conflicting reports from "excellent" all the way up to "forget it" when it comes to the time it takes. Likewise, if we want to take a mid-day break and return to CSR, then go BACK to a park, are we looking at HOURS worth of travel to do it?

My goal is to be at the parks as close to opening as we can....but I'm unclear how much time to allow for travel.

Any input is appreciated.
Thanks,
Sandi

 

[rangebob]

From the time that you get on the bus it shouldn't take more than 10 minutes to drive there. Getting on the bus at park opening time is the main story, I've seen lines at all of the resorts. I'd give it at least 30 - 45 minutes to get there and then wait in the lines to get into the park. This also allows you the walk time to the gate.

 

[Flanigan]

We just got back from CSR about 3 months ago. All of the rides to the parks were 15 mins and under. What could seem to take the longest would be getting out of the CSR Resort itself. We were pretty lucky and ended up staying toward the end of the bus loop we were in Cabanas 8B, so there was only 1 other bus stop to get out of the Resort. I had always heard "leave the resort an hour before the park opens to make sure you're at the gate before it opens" but honestly we didn't do that and were still able to get to the gates before opening. Of course we were there in the off-season as well, so I guess it would depend on when you go.

Just FYI the Unoffical Guide has some time estimates here are the ones from the 2005 edition:

CSR -> Magic Kingdom 11-31 mins
CSR -> EPCOT 8-28 mins
CSR -> MGM 7-27 mins
CSR -> AK 8-31 mins

 

[wvgoofyfan]

Bus service at CSR was exceptionally good I thought! The only time we had problems was getting to MNSSHP. The buses were extremely busy and very full and it took us over an hour and a half to get to the Magic Kingdom...

CSR has four bus stops. We were in Ranchos and were at Bus Stop #4 which is really bus stop # 3 when they were picking up to go to the parks. CSR is really the furthest from MK and closest to AK. Buses ran every 20 minutes or so and started about an hour before park opening. CSR bus stops are pretty close to the entrance to each park so walking was not much of a problem.

One nice thing I think about CSR is that all the convention attendees are not using the buses first thing in the morning. Getting back and forth from CSR during the day was no problem at all. We came back to the resort and swam and napped several days during the week we were there.

Disney has a bus transportation system which generally works very well. When bus drivers see a completely full bus stop at any of the resorts, they are supposed to call in a code for that resort and extra buses are supposed to be dispatched. Oh, and MK buses very very early in the morning are generally very full with "princesses" going to have breakfast in the castle.

Be especially forwarned that buses going to a "early entry magic hours" are generally more full.

The worst bus service of all is getting to and from DTD.....We waited almost an hour and a quarter for a bus home from DTD one time.

 

[patrizella]

Don't remember the exact times ( i think all less than 15 minutes)but CSR has been the best bus service of all my stays (4) at WDW.