How long is busride to MK?

[Bloomingbeauti]

So we are staying at Pop from this Thurs til 10/03. We want to take advantage of the little ones Extra Magic Hour (the last one) on Friday 9/29. Mk opens at 9 so the EMH should start at 8. If im taking a bus from Pop any idea what time I should get on the bus?Ive heard taking a bus is easier than driving to MK. We would like to get there right at opening if possible
Thanks

 

[tinkermomto2]

We will be at Pop the same dates as you. I was wondering the same thing and some travel calculators I looked at gave me different results, so I called the resort and they said that since it is the last day of Magical Beginnings, and the resort is booked up, we need to try to be ready to board the bus by 7 am. Apparently this is expected to be a VERY busy weekend at the value resorts with it being the tail end of Magical Beginnings and Free Dining promotion. We have decided that we will just drive our own car to MK that morning (probably) but if that is not an option, get to the bus stop an hour before you want to be at MK, because you may have to wait for the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th bus that comes along! I've been so excited about this trip. I hope it doesn't turn out to be busier than what I've been planning on. I'm starting to get nervous about the whole place being PACKED with toddlers! Probably just my overactive worry gene. I know we'll have a great time anyhow.

Oh, to actually answer the question, they said the bus ride itself only takes about 8 minutes as it goes directly to MK, no stops. But you may have to wait on a bus and you want to get to MK early if you want to be among the first through the gates.

 

[dsnymomof4]

I find that 8 minutes very hard to believe! I think most of our bus rides this past August were around 20 minutes. I would allow at least 30 minutes, if not more. Last year, when we had 8:05 ressies for Crystal Palace, we arrived at the Pop bus stop at 7:15 and we were late for our breakfast! That's because the bus didn't come right away, then it takes time to walk from the bus to the gate, go through bag check, etc. Good luck!

 

[beattyfamily]

Well, Pop isn't far from All Star Movies, where we stayed this past August, and it seemed to take forever!

Also you have to wait for a bus to come as well.

So, if I wanted to be at Mk for park opening whether for the extra hour or regular park opening I would get to the bus stop one hour before you want to be there. So I'd get to the bus stop at 7:00a.

Eight minutes is not believable to me either!

 

[bnorm27]

Just back from POP. We experienced bus rides on average to MK of about 18 minutes. It does depend on the driver too. There was a driver who got lost, who was just off training. She had people out for almost 40 minutes! If you are really concerned about time, call Yellow Cab. I needed two car seats and they dispatched a van for my dinner at O'Hanas. We were running late beacuse my DD4 wasn't feeling well. They had us to the POLY in 15 mins from POP. I thought we were going to be late, and we ended up being 15 mins. early!

 

[lisadisney2003]

In my option, if you need to be somewhere at an exact time, you should always plan on an hour or more. You may not really need that much time but, you are on vacation and don't want to have to be rushed. Any, with kids, something always happens. I always plan on 1 hour commute time. Then if we arrive early, we just shop or look around until opening time or dinner time.

Good Luck!

 

[fakereadhed]

Here is a link to a calculator to estimate travel time. For everywhere I wanted to go, it looked like about 40 min., so we will plan on an hour.

transportation wizard

 

[tinkermomto2]

I find that 8 minutes very hard to believe! I think most of our bus rides this past August were around 20 minutes. I would allow at least 30 minutes, if not more. Last year, when we had 8:05 ressies for Crystal Palace, we arrived at the Pop bus stop at 7:15 and we were late for our breakfast! That's because the bus didn't come right away, then it takes time to walk from the bus to the gate, go through bag check, etc. Good luck!

I didn't say that I knew it to be an 8 minute ride, just that the person AT POP who I spoke to on the phone said the distance to the MK from Pop is actually about an 8 minute ride. This does not take into account wait time, loading time, unloading time, etc. I have seen the time estimated on various sites anywhere from 10 minutes to 30 minutes. And the desk attendant did recomment getting to the bus stop AN HOUR ahead of time, which is much the same as what many of you have suggested. I really think she was telling me that, the drive should theoretically only take 8 minutes. It's a very short distance. But to plan on much, much longer than that! LOL

 

[Schmeck]

One caution about driving to MK - make sure that they'll let you through the tollbooths and onto the ferry or monorail that early. For EMHs in the past, I've read reports on this board that said the ferry/monorail form the TTC wasn't running for EMH. I've never experienced this situation myself, I just remember reading about it here.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I've had speed demon drivers where I've practically been thrown from my seat to drivers that don't seem to realize that they are working and not out for a Sunday drive. I guess 8 minutes is possible if you get a speeder but 20 is also reasonable if you get a leisurely(sp?) driver . Overall I guess 1 hr door to door sounds reasonable 'just in case'.

As for the busses being easier than a car at the MK I would have to vote a definate yes. Even if you add in the time for a slow or crowded bus you never get stuck in the traffic because the busses have their own 'special' way into the parks. If you ask me the busses are worth the effort ESPECIALLY if you want to be there for opening.Ask the front desk when bus service begins and they will give you the most up to date info available.

Have fun