I don't want to take the buses.....

[Debbie6221]

Hi fellow disers..a couple questions for you... .

My family can't keep going back to WDW each year if we stay on the monorail every time so I am going to have to throw something else into the mix if I want to keep going so often. What are your suggestions for a short trip in June where we will primarily be going to MK. I have considered the resorts that have walking access to Epcot. Are they reasonable? Does it seem silly to walk thru Epcot to take a monorail to MK?

I hate taking the buses at Disney. I know it makes me a brat but I just dread it, especially with two strollers and two little ones.

We WILL have a car. Is it terribly crazy to park at the transportation center???

If we have breakfast ADRs at a resort on the monorail can we stay in that parking lot all day while we go to MK after breakfast?

What do you guys do to avoid taking the buses? What resort should I stay at for a quick 2-3-night trip where I want to mainly go to MK possibly Epcot but without taking the buses.

Thanks…

 

[dudspizza]

Hi fellow disers..a couple questions for you... .

My family can't keep going back to WDW each year if we stay on the monorail every time so I am going to have to throw something else into the mix if I want to keep going so often. What are your suggestions for a short trip in June where we will primarily be going to MK. I have considered the resorts that have walking access to Epcot. Are they reasonable? Does it seem silly to walk thru Epcot to take a monorail to MK? I personally would not walk through Epcot, just so I can ride the monorail. The buses can be very busy at peak times, but I really don't mind them.

I hate taking the buses at Disney. I know it makes me a brat but I just dread it, especially with two strollers and two little ones. Can't say I blame you there

We WILL have a car. Is it terribly crazy to park at the transportation center??? TTC is fine to park at when going to MK. You take a tram to the TTC where you grab the monorail. If staying on site, you don't have to pay the parking fee. Many people do this as they feel it is faster.... parking at the other parks is much easier and closer...

If we have breakfast ADRs at a resort on the monorail can we stay in that parking lot all day while we go to MK after breakfast? No, you can't, unless you use valet parking, I believe. If you need to drive, park at TTC and take the monorail to the resort you are eating at OR take a cab to that resort.

What do you guys do to avoid taking the buses? What resort should I stay at for a quick 2-3-night trip where I want to mainly go to MK possibly Epcot but without taking the buses. What about Wilderness Lodge? It is deluxe, but much cheaper than the monorail resorts. I really like this resort and you can take the boat to CR or MK and then monorail from there.

Thanks…[/QUOTE] You're welcome! Duds

 

[bicker]

Good advice from Duds. Wilderness Lodge is a good choice, since you can take the boat to and from the Magic Kingdom. However! Do be aware that they sometimes they don't run the boat during high winds, and so you'll end up on the bus then anyway.

Personally, I think the BoardWalk is best. From there you can walk into two theme parks (Epcot and Disney-MGM Studios). You would only need to take the bus to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom.

 

[DebbieB]

I've parked at the TTC when I've rented a car. I can't stand the busses either. I timed it one time from OKW, it was 25 minutes from leaving the room to the turnstiles, using the tram & monorail.

 

[cranbiz]

I can understand your concern with the strollers and the bus, however, you still have the same problem with the trams. Your little ones still need to be removed from the strollers and the strollers still need to be folded up.

I also like the suggestion of WL. You can roll the strollers right on the boat to the MK and you can use the boats to transfer to the monorail to get to Epcot. A monorail resort is your best bet although more expensive than WL.

Of course, with your car, you still have a lot of the issues that you would have it you used the buses, except that it would be on your schedule and the little ones would have their own car seats. If you time your arrivals and exits right, the buses are not usually crowded.

Whatever you choose will be right for you, have fun!

 

[clkelley]

If you are talking about more reasonable in cost, the Epcot resorts are just as expensive as the monorail resorts. Wilderness Lodge is also a Deluxe resort, but is a bit less expensive than the monorail resorts or the Epcot resorts.

Ft. Wilderness Cabins may also be a good choice. You have a full kitchen, a bedroom with a full-size bed and bunkbeds and a pull-down bed in the living room. The cabins are similar in price as the Deluxe resorts. Ft. Wilderness also has boat service to the Magic Kingdom. At the cabins you could cut some cost by purchasing breakfast foods. The campground also has lots of activities for the little ones so you could have a bit more "vacation" in your vacation. (The only drawback is at the cabins, you would have to get on a bus to get to the marina to take the boat to Magic Kingdom, or if you enjoy walking, it's about 3/4 mile walk to the marina from the cabins). You could rent a golf cart to avoid that, but then your cost is back up to the monorail resort level.

Unfortunately, if you want to drop in price significantly on the resorts, you will need to forgo some of the convenient transportation.

 

[JoeCathyAngelina]

I've parked at the TTC when I've rented a car. I can't stand the busses either. I timed it one time from OKW, it was 25 minutes from leaving the room to the turnstiles, using the tram & monorail.

We stayed at the Beach Club, walked through Epcot to get the Monorail to TTC, then took the other Monorail to MK. It took us over an hour to get to MK that way. It took us 15-20 minutes from the Beach Club to MK by bus.
Good luck all,
Joe

 

[dcgrumpy]

You could try to rent points and stay at BWV or BCV. That would be a huge savings.

 

[Debbie6221]

Your opinions are all really great and are answering my questions exactly as I needed them to be answered! Thanks so far! I would love to hear more.
BTW I hate packing up the stroller and kids to go on the trams too! I am a transportation snob I think!

cranbiz I love your siggie! Cracked me up!
DebbieB...your answer HUGE help!
Same with JoeCathyAngelina. It really helps a ton to know how long things take.
If we are only going in June for two or three days we won't have a lot of time.

Thanks everyone else too. I really appreciate your help and this has all been VERY helpful!

 

[UKDEB]

I just popped over to the Transportation board to check out some info on Magical Express, but I can't help noseying around!

I hate buses, too and have to be dragged on kicking and screaming, but, if you're considering a non MK resort, for mainly MK touring, the bus is definitely the way to go. It's the only way of getting directly to MK. Every other option takes you via the TTC which adds time. Generally speaking the BoardWalk and Yacht and Beach Clubs will be more expensive than the Contemporary or the Poly. You could consider the Swan and Dolphin (there are some great rates available through Dreams Unlimited), but you won't get the Disney touches.

You say you visit often. If you're not already AP holders, have you considered purchasing one for the room discounts?

 

[Debbie6221]

I just popped over to the Transportation board to check out some info on Magical Express, but I can't help noseying around!

I hate buses, too and have to be dragged on kicking and screaming, but, if you're considering a non MK resort, for mainly MK touring, the bus is definitely the way to go. It's the only way of getting directly to MK. Every other option takes you via the TTC which adds time. Generally speaking the BoardWalk and Yacht and Beach Clubs will be more expensive than the Contemporary or the Poly. You could consider the Swan and Dolphin (there are some great rates available through Dreams Unlimited), but you won't get the Disney touches.


You say you visit often. If you're not already AP holders, have you considered purchasing one for the room discounts?

No. but we always discuss it. When I say often though I mean once a year with a goal of twice a year!

Thanks for nosing around. You make very valid points!

 

[Boston5602]

No. but we always discuss it. When I say often though I mean once a year with a goal of twice a year!

Thanks for nosing around. You make very valid points!

Even if you continue with once a year trips and slide the week a little ,an AP for the discounts could be a huge help. Go second or third week this June and then first or second week next year and get two trips from same AP. Get anywhere between 5-30 % off rack rates. Use to be more but not lately.

 

[pbharris4]

We rarely ride the buses for the same reasons. We drive to MK. We get there early and park really close up front and actually walk to the TTC (hope the monorail or boat if going to the park) OR walk to the Poly for Breakfast. WIlderness Lodge is close to MK and you have direct boat access and also to the Contemporary Resort as well.

If you have ADRs say at Poly or CR, the guard will ask you why you are there and ask your name, check it against his sheet and then give you a 3 hour pass. Most of the time they do this, there was once they didn't do it to us, but I think it's because it was WL and we're DVC members.

I'd see if you can rent DVC points for VWL, BCV, or BWV. Or better yet...join us DVCers and buy some points and then you can go two times a year like you want. The Beach Club has an awesome pool.

 

[keishashadow]

While we luv the WL and the boat to MK, be aware that the water level can determine if you can roll on a stroller/WC.

May have to take kiddies out, then plop them back in when you board.

Perhaps it's just me, but while the monorails are convenient, the bus service suits us just fine. Of course, we always wind up giving up our seats to elderly or parent w/small child lol.

If it really bothers you to ride the buses, why not catch a cab or just rent a car either @ MCO or onsite?

good luck.

 

[DJEd]

One other thing to consider if parking at the TTC - AAA!

The AAA area is very close to the TTC, so there is no need to hop a tram.

Of course it depends what time of day you get to the lot, and how crowded in general it is - but on our last trip in Nov. 2005 it worked out great.

The first morning we were one of the first cars in the AAA lot, and it was an easy walk (we had a stroller) to the monorail or boat. Even later in the day we were still pretty close using the AAA lot.

From what I recall, the AAA lot for AK was also very close. MGM and Epcot weren't bad - but not much of an advantage. MGM I believe we still had to take the tram - but the lot was in the first few rows by the tram stop.

The last trip we stayed at CBR, and did a mix of bus and car. Didn't have a problem with either - even using the bus with a foldup stroller.

This time (Nov 2007) we will be at AK, but will probably do the same - mix of car and bus.

Ed

 

[Debbie6221]

Thanks everyone!
The more opinions the merrier!
Everyone has been very helpful!