If you have your car, should you use bus or drive?

[LBlovesM&WDW]

Like some others have said, we drive everywhere except MK. We have also almost given up on DTD because it can get crazy busy there--we have circled the parking lots for a good 20 minutes or so. This time we are staying at POR and will be taking the boat there for sure.

 

[summermac]

I prefer the busses to be honest. It's so nice to get on the bus and not have to worry about traffic or anything.

 

[Gmouse]

I used to be a devoted bus fan, but now we drive everywhere. We had been driving to MK but after our last trip I have been thinking about taking the bus. We've had a lot of monorail issues getting to MK from TTC, so we've been considering taking the bus more.

The pros:
1) No waiting when you are ready to leave the park (the only time I've waited more than 3 or so minutes for a tram was at MK at closing)
2)You always have a seat
3) I feel more "in control" about my arrival time if I'm trying to be at park at a certain time. We've almost been late for ADRs because we just missed the bus and it took 30+ minutes for another to come
4) It's usually less of a walk to the tram and your vehicle than walking to the bus stop. At the moderate resorts we usually are able to park close to our room. At CSR our truck was parked almost right outside our door.

The cons:
1) Monorail issues at MK. It seems like the last few trips we've had a time with the monorail to/from TTC. We had an early ADR one morning and ended up running behind because we had to wait 20+ minutes for a monorail at the TTC (the ferry doesn't start running until 8:30). Other times there's been issues with the express monorail when we were leaving. Took forever to get back to the truck
2) getting into a hot car in the Florida heat
3) Occasionally you get stuck at the end of row and it's a long walk to/from tram. But not much worse than a bus stop.
4) At the deluxes we've stayed at, parking lot was a long way from the front of the hotel and it can be hard to find a parking spot.
5) I think it can be a hassle at park closing, especially at MK. Maybe not so much at other parks.

I have more cons than pros but I still prefer to drive over the bus, except for possibly MK.

I've asked this same question as this poster myself and get the same responses- DRIVE. But I haven't thought about the parking issue at the resort! Have you experienced parking at AKV Jambo?
We have never drove for any trip except to get to WDW! We park and never get back in until time to leave. But with a little one I am hearing that it's easier to drive, except to MK, since we have strollers and baby things and can leave when WE want and not wait forever on buses. We always go in slow seasons and have never had a problem AT ALL at AKV Jambo, but since the opening of Kadani....they get picked up first I didn't know until we were already booked, or I would have chosen Kadani.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

I always drive everywhere. I've heard too many horror stories about late buses, crowded buses, etc.

However, some people that like to drive will tell you to take Disney transportation to MK.

Like this PP we're in the drive everywhere category.

Tried the Disney transportation once - drove to DHS for RD, decided to take the boat to Epcot then the monorail to MK - all of that was OK. Then had to trek to TTC to get the bus back to DHS (bus was there but had to wait for the driver). For us driving would have been easier.

 

[MomtoGKC]

I just remembered - we even drove from our room to the food court when we stayed at POR! Our room was the farthest away from the main building so it was just easier to drive over there. It didn't help that we were there in 30-40 degree weather so we didn't want to have to bundle up the kids every time we went over. (we're from FL, not used to all those layers!)

 

[atp]

I never drove, and I don't think I ever will. The only situation where I would prefer to drive, is if I had to go shopping offsite. And even then, I would only do it if it was cheaper than a cab.

Last time I went to Disney was June, 2010. It was pretty busy, but I never had an issue with buses. I never waited more than 15 minutes or so. Usually there would be a bus waiting when I got to the bus stop, or one would arrive shortly after I got there. The only exception would be at park closing, when there's a lot of people, but even then the wait wasn't too bad and only at MK. And at MK I would have to wait to get to my car and leave the parking lot anyway, so I rather wait and not have to drive than wait AND have to drive back to the hotel when I can barely keep my eyes open. And then find a place to park at the hotel, etc.

When I'm on vacation I like to not have to worry about anything. Which is why I stay onsite. And why I just take the bus even if I have to wait a little. And get park hoppers. So I can do whatever I want, whenever I want.

But, I don't have kids or anyone who has special needs going with me. Maybe I would do things differently if I did, not sure.

 

[jcano]

I prefer the busses to be honest. It's so nice to get on the bus and not have to worry about traffic or anything.

That's exactly what my husband says.

 

[DDM101]

It really is a toss-up as to whether or not to use Disney transportation. We rent cars and go without on some trips. During the trips we go without, we often wish we had our own vehicle...and, likewise when we rent a car... sometimes when you drive your own vehicle and get stuck in the very last row of the parking lot and need to catch a tram from there, the Disney busses looks pretty good! Other times, when we have our own vehicle and get a great parking spot we thank our lucky stars and swear by having a rental! All in all, I would recommend driving to all parks save Magic Kingdom. If you drive to MK, you will need to ride either the monorail or ferry to get to the park, which ultimately eats time. Personally, I don't mind either.

 

[Chelley00]

It depends where we're staying and where we are going. We split our time between busses and our car. If we have an early ADR, we usually drive because we get a good parking spot up front and it's easier to buzz out of the lot instead of waiting on a bus when the park closes.

We always bus to MK, it's just so much easier, although sometimes we drive just to ride the ferry from the TTC We also always drive to DTD in case we want to stop somewhere on our way back.

 

[kohlby]

We stayed at the Dolphin the last three trips and used on-site transportation. This meant a boat or bus. It was wonderful. There were not long waits. We had a bulky, heavy single stroller that barely closes, and it still worked well. (My husband was in charge of the stroller on the transportation and I was in charge of the kids so it really wasn't hard). Our last trip had kids ages 11 months, 3, and 6 and it still was super easy. We've stayed off-site and driven and it really wasn't a big deal either.

This trip, we're staying at AKL and I've heard stories of how much longer it takes there. But, we'll likely still do on-site transportation because we may have to split our group up due to one or two of the younger ones needing to go back. If it's an issue, then we'll switch to using our car. We have hoppers and that's another perk of using the on-site transportation - I'd rather go to park, hop, park, and back to the resort then park, hop, park, hop back to first park, and then get into the car to get bck to the resort.

*The exception is DTD. We have only ever driven to DTD. And from all I've read, I will only ever drive to DTD.

 

[tndisneyfan]

I've asked this same question as this poster myself and get the same responses- DRIVE. But I haven't thought about the parking issue at the resort! Have you experienced parking at AKV Jambo?
We have never drove for any trip except to get to WDW! We park and never get back in until time to leave. But with a little one I am hearing that it's easier to drive, except to MK, since we have strollers and baby things and can leave when WE want and not wait forever on buses. We always go in slow seasons and have never had a problem AT ALL at AKV Jambo, but since the opening of Kadani....they get picked up first I didn't know until we were already booked, or I would have chosen Kadani.

The only deluxes I've stayed at are AKL and WL and they are very similar. At AKL we stayed at the regular lodge and not the DVC villas. Yes, at times, parking was an issue. We were always able to find a spot but lots of times it's way in the back of the lot with a fairly long walk back to the resort lobby and on to your room. Seems like WL was a little worse than AKL, but I could have that backwards. Of course I'm sure the time of year that you go makes a difference, going in the off season there's probably not going to be as many cars as there are in June.

 

[tndisneyfan]

I also wanted to add a little about DTD. There is a thread going around about the terrible bus service from all resorts to DTD. I know the last few times we have been to DTD we drove, but finding a parking place was terrible. We drove around forever before we finally found one. So I don't know which is worse, taking a chance on bad bus service or driving around trying to find a parking space.

 

[LaurenLC]

We rent a car when we go to Disney. We like to come and go as we please and we enjoy dining at resorts other than our own. I haven't been on a Disney bus in about 8 years and I don't miss them at all!

 

[FlightlessDuck]

It's totally up to you. We have taken our car to WDW each time we've gone as a family, and excluding a few specific exceptions, we always take the bus. I just don't like driving, especially somewhere I'm not familiar with, and definitely at night.

 

[THEJOEL]

We take our car to all the parks EXCEPT MK.
We just found it more convenient and faster to drive to the parks MK is the only one that doesn't have direct parking so the bus is a better alternative.

 

[cluvsdisney]

We prefer driving. Sometimes we take the bus to MK - it depends where we plan to go when we leave the park.

 

[ohanaMAMA]

It really depends on where you are going.

to EPCOT.- drive your own vehicle. the bus stops are SO far away from the front of the park. its crazy. If you drive you can get a tram from your parking spot to very near the entrance

to ANIMAL KINGDOM- take the buses. The parking lot is MILES from the entrance and the bus stops are very near the front

TO MAGIC KINGDOM- without a doubt take a bus or monorail. the TTC business is very time consuming and a hastle.

TO HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS.- meh. its a toss up. they are equally convienent. I like to take the boats when I can. so relaxing in the mornings!

to DTD. take a bus. handsdown. finding parking at DTD can be a nightmare. really. there is NO reason to deal with that traffic and parking and mess if you dont have too.. however. you may wish you had a place to stash your loot it you did a lot of shopping and now wish to see a movie or eat a meal.

 

[standleyent1]

I agree with one of the previous posters, get a AAA Diamond Parking Pass on EBay and use it for VIP parking at all the parks you can park up front and its either a short walk or you can grab a tram. A little secret if you park up front at MGM (DHS) when you start to walk towards the gate by the buses cross the street in the crosswalk to the left and take that entrance. A lot of people think it is an employee only entrance, this is not the case anyone can use this entrance and it a lot shorter than going all the way around to the main entrance, plus, when you get to security there is usually 1 or 2 guards there because nobody hardly uses this entrance and you can get right in. The only park I wouldn't drive to as everyone has pretty much suggested is MK, it is just too far of a walk to deal with not to mention the TTC if you bus it they will drop you just a short walk from the main gate into MK. All the other parks you will be able to be just a block or two from the entrance.
Hope this helps!!
Have Fun!!

 

[pepe of ohio]

And had a car with us on a few and never used it.....never rent either,,,Disney transportation is one reason we keep returning.....forget about driving, traffic and stress for a vacation is wonderful..and what's a few minutes of waiting when you have the whole day ahead of you...

 

[kohlby]

About DTD parking, it likely depends on when you go. We've never arrived at DTD at the dinner hour. We always go in the afternoon during the off season and parking has never been an issue. However, I could see how nighttime cold be an issue.