If you have a car, which parks do you drive to?

[shatzjsl]

I will have a rental car this year and am wondering which parks would be easier to drive to instead of taking the bus. We probably won't do morning EMH so we will be with the non-resort guest crowds getting into the parking lots. Is it beneficial at all to drive to any of the parks?

Thanks!

 

[debster812]

It depends on where you are staying.

For example last year, we stayed at the Cabins at Ft Wilderness, and we drove to AK and the Studios, and took the launches/monorail to MK and Epcot.

The year before we were at PO-R and drove EVERYWHERE.

 

[shatzjsl]

Good point, Deb. We are staying at CBR.

 

[debster812]

Good point, Deb. We are staying at CBR.

If it were us--We would probably be driving everywhere. But, I also have a DH who is very adverse to public transportation, and does not care for the busses, and does not mind driving.

 

[Hockeychic]

We always have a car, regardless of if we have driven or flew.

We take the car everywhere expect maybe DTD if we decide we might want a alchol beverage I know the transportation is convenient but to be honest when I want to leave I want to leave I don't want to wait for a bus.

 

[spiceycat]

stay at OKW and generally EPcot or studios - sometimes the AK - but NEVER to the MK - it just isn't worth it.

 

[shatzjsl]

stay at OKW and generally EPcot or studios - sometimes the AK - but NEVER to the MK - it just isn't worth it.

I was thinking the same thing about MK. Seems easier to take the bus than to park at TTC then monorail or boat across. However, I have never been on the boat so that might be neat.

 

[LoraJ]

I would drive everywhere but MK. Although sometimes I like to drive to TTC because I enjoy taking the monorail.
I decided to do the bus for my park-hopping palooza on Tuesday. I think we wasted 90 minutes of our day in waiting time for buses.

 

[weluvpluto]

We drive everywhere, even MK. We just hate waiting for buses

 

[WillCAD]

I drive everywhere, too. MK is definitely the worst for driving, but I drive there anyway because I like riding the monorail and ferryboat from the parking lot to the park gates.

 

[scoutsmom99]

The bus ride from CBR to MGM is like 5 minutes. You probably wouldn't need to drive there.

 

[Jamesbyr]

Everyone has summed it up well. You don't drive to MK unless you want to take the monorail. (And why not?) Other parks, a car is usually better than the buses.

This may change as Disney adds more on-site resort rooms.

 

[ryan840]

Ok, please give me your suggestions for this itinerary- We are staying at OKW, and are going to go to Epcot one morning, and after lunch head to MGM. We were planning on driving so our son would nap, but is it worth it, especially with the parking costs- is it close enough that we can head back to the room for a nap instead? On the other day, we are only going to MK, but we will be leaving mid-day for a break (heading to AKL for lunch at Mara's and to see the animals, and our son can nap in the car again) and then returning. Should we park somewhere else or leave the car at OKW and take a bus/monorail instead? Thanks! BTW- I know the drives are short, we'll make them longer to keep him sleeping if we have to.

 

[cdntourguide]

I drive to all parks except for MK.
Driving saves time and gives flexibility if I want to go to DTD or go shopping.
the MK lot is just too big and too far away from the park, so I use the resort bus/

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

I rent a car because I visit relatives near Daytona. Once on WDW property, though, I've never driven to the parks. I've used the car to get to PS at Boatwright's and Boma to save the hassle of resort to park to resort, but I like the idea of someone else taking the responsibility of driving to the parks - I feel more pampered that way.

 

[shatzjsl]

Thanks for all your input! I think we'll drive to all but MK. We'll take a monorail trip when we eat at Chef Mickey's.

 

[Uncleromulus]

WE drive everywhere--even to the MK. Hate waiting for a bus, then perhaps not getting a seat, then perhaps having to listen to some clod on his/her cell phone talking about next weeks dental appointment!!

 

[mkymouse4ever]

We drive everywhere, except MK. Remember, when staying at disney resorts, parking is FREE (or part of your room price) at any park, simply show them your resort parking paper when pulling up to the gate.

Sometimes, if I'm not sure if I feel like driving we walk to the poly bus stop and if a bus is not right there or in sight we go to car. Or if we do think we are taking bus, I take the keys, just in case it is a long wait. You never know. Sometimes though I prefer the car after the park more because, the poly is a little out of the way from dtd, or other resorts / resturants etc.. . except mk things if your out and epcot, mgm, etc.. closes at 9 pm, you still might want to do something else. Or not wait in the last minute monorail crush, or ak last bus line etc... . This way you don't go all the way back to the resort and get the car, you can go to mini golf, or get a bite to eat, or visit another resort etc.. .

MKY

 

[magsmom]

When we stayed at CBR in 2003 we had our car and drove everywhere, even to MK. This past August we stayed at POFQ and still drove everywhere. DH and I feel that this option gives us more freedom.

It's usually a different story if you are staying at BC/YC/BW/Swan or the Magic Kingdom resorts. Even staying at these resorts I still budget in a car no matter what.

 

[magsmom]

We are staying at OKW, and are going to go to Epcot one morning, and after lunch head to MGM. We were planning on driving so our son would nap, but is it worth it, especially with the parking costs- is it close enough that we can head back to the room for a nap instead? On the other day, we are only going to MK, but we will be leaving mid-day for a break (heading to AKL for lunch at Mara's and to see the animals, and our son can nap in the car again) and then returning. Should we park somewhere else or leave the car at OKW and take a bus/monorail instead? Thanks! BTW- I know the drives are short, we'll make them longer to keep him sleeping if we have to.

Probably the best way to get from Epcot to MGM without driving would be to take the boat from World Showcase past the Epcot Resorts/Swan to MGM. More relaxing, too. This also depends WHERE you are parked at Epcot - the parking lot is HUGE. Depending on your touring you could be at MGM before you got to your car at Epcot.

As a poster said before, the parking costs at the parks are free if you are staying on Disney property.

As to your second question, MK's lot is HUGE, just like Epcot, and transportation is convoluted. According to the unofficial guide, the times to AKL to MK is roughly the same by car or bus - 25-50 minutes. As I said in my above post, I would probably do the car in this case.