If you stay on site and have a car...

[Pkaroch]

We usually do a mix of both. We ALWAYS take either Disney transportation or a cab when going to Epcot, ESPN Zone at Boardwalk, DTD....just because we like to enjoy some beer and wine on vacation and don't want to worry about getting home later! When we do drive, we have a little map and follow the signs. With Dad driving and me navigating, we've never had any trouble. Sometimes it's nice, after a day of over-stimulation, to get into your quiet car and relax on the ride back to the resort.
Just from our experience with the Disney system, they seem to do a great job at all the parks at closing time, running extra busses to get everyone home. The only place we have ever had major issues is with DTD, it just doesn't seem as well thought out. Overall it's nice to hand the reins over to someone else to get you where you need to go once in a while!

 

[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the Transportation board.

 

[Brian Noble]

I used to drive everywhere but MK. However, my most recent stay at OKW featured not one but TWO trips that took over an hour from arriving at the bus stop to arriving at the MK bus depot. So, from now on, I'm driving there, too.

 

[Uncleromulus]

We ALWAYS use our car where ever we go at WDW.
Should add that last trip, I got the bright idea to try the bus from OKW to the Magic Kingdom, mostly because I usually read on the site how quick and convenient it was.
Well- I join Brian. Never again. It took almost and hour each way and on the way over, we also had to STAND ,packed like sardines in a can.
A valuable lesson hard learned----

 

[Brian Noble]

I do take Disney transportation if I'm expecting to have a second adult beverage with dinner. I'll also probably rely on Disney between VWL and MK on my upcoming stay there, just because it is right next door on the bus/boat vs. a drive around the TTC to get there and back.

 

[MrsNick]

I used to drive everywhere but MK. However, my most recent stay at OKW featured not one but TWO trips that took over an hour from arriving at the bus stop to arriving at the MK bus depot. So, from now on, I'm driving there, too.

Brian, just curious if you went at a different time of year than in the past, or was it a peak period, or different resort than you usually stay at?

I take the bus to MK just to save the hassle at TTC, but do recall from my one stay at OKW in 2000 that I was not pleased with the bus service. As a result, on our next trip after that we drove everywhere. Gave the buses another chance after that, and they were much better. Never did stay at OKW again, so I'm wondering if it's a problem unique to OKW, or maybe just bad luck of the draw.

 

[Brian Noble]

Both were afternoon returns, in February 2009. In 2008 at OKW, we had no issues. Same time of year, same morning/break/afternoon-return visit pattern.

I don't mean to suggest that OKW<->MK will always take 1+ hour. But, I'm to the point where I'd rather just drive and *know* how long it will take than to wonder when the bus is coming---especially if I have a reservation, want to stake out a spot for Spectro, etc. Even if the bus is 5-10 minutes faster on *average*, the variance of the bus can be high, from any resort, at any time of day---it doesn't happen often, but it happens. Driving you can pretty much know exactly how long it will take plus or minus a few minutes.

 

[Uncleromulus]

And you know you won't have to stand all the way!!
And if you decide you want to go somewhere other than back to your resort--very easy with a car. Not so easy on a Disney bus.

 

[MrsNick]

Both were afternoon returns, in February 2009. In 2008 at OKW, we had no issues. Same time of year, same morning/break/afternoon-return visit pattern.

I don't mean to suggest that OKW<->MK will always take 1+ hour. But, I'm to the point where I'd rather just drive and *know* how long it will take than to wonder when the bus is coming---especially if I have a reservation, want to stake out a spot for Spectro, etc. Even if the bus is 5-10 minutes faster on *average*, the variance of the bus can be high, from any resort, at any time of day---it doesn't happen often, but it happens. Driving you can pretty much know exactly how long it will take plus or minus a few minutes.

Thanks, I understand (bird in the hand vs. two in the bush, lol). Will probably continue to drive to AK, EP and HS. Will have to decide about MK when we get there. Will have a baby for the first time so we may drive, even though I hate the transfer through TTC. Wish I had points to burn so I could just get a "day room" at BLT, lol.

 

[spfldfan]

We've only driven to DTD, HS and AK but had no problems. It was easy and nice to not have to wait. Our GPS took us right there and all around Disney. Not sure if I would drive to MK, the bus drops you off right near the entrance and that is nice.

 

[Brian Noble]

Will have to decide about MK when we get there. Will have a baby for the first time so we may drive, even though I hate the transfer through TTC.

That's a tough one. As they say: there's no pixie dust in transporation.

As an aside, there is a reason that the "big dramatic reveal" entrace of TTC->MK was never repeated at any other Disney park, even the other ones in Orlando. It's the same reason why Disney buses got re-routed to the MK entrace from the TTC back in the day. It is a logistical *nightmare* from a park operations standpoint.

 

[dburg30]

My brother had a car when he last went, and his daughter was probably about 10 or so, and they used only WDW transport.

My sister went with her kids and grandkids, and the youngest was I think 4 at that time, they also used WDW transportation, but they did have a stroller for both a place for the 4 year old to crash, and also to put camera bags and stuff in as they were going around the parks (of course they didnt leave the bags in the stroller if they were leaving it for a show or anything)

 

[MrsNick]

That's a tough one. As they say: there's no pixie dust in transporation.

It is a logistical *nightmare* from a park operations standpoint.

Can you say George Washington Bridge, Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel, Brooklyn Bridge, Williamsburg Bridge, 59th St. Bridge and Midtown Tunnel? . Surprised no one thought of the transportation nightmares in getting in and out of Manhattan when they created the ferry/monorail only access by making MK an "island" (excepting guests at the CR). Sure, it's pretty (like the NYC skyline) but yeesh

 

[Brian Noble]

Well, Walt hated the "tacky" Disneyland parking lot....logistics were just a problem to be surmounted.

 

[bwolfe]

Any thoughts on using the valet at a monorail resport then taking the monorail to MK?

 

[Brian Noble]

The hotels are a little harder to get to than the TTC lot because of the configuration of the roads around seven seas lagoon. Even with the tram transfer, not really much time saved and maybe even a little longer. Plus, provided you are tipping appropriately, a little more expensive. Not worth the hassle IMO.

 

[bwolfe]

That makes sense...thanks. We've done countless trips, but we've decided to use our personal vehicle on this trip.

 

[tlenzendorf]

We've gone 3 times with a car, either rented one or driven and we always use the busses. There is just something relaxing to us about not having to remember where we park and worrying about driving. I drive all the time everywhere else, its nice not to have to worry about it for a week or so.

 

[Thumper_ehhhhh]

I guess it would also depend on what resort your staying at. The allstar resorts share the same bus so when the parks close your packed on like sardines and have to wait for 3 or more buses to be filled before you can get on. We took the bus on our 2004 from ASMo to MK it was busy but not bad. Coming home at park closing 2 kids us a stroller and all our stuff. Well it was not enjoyable nor relaxing. Packed on like sardines standing room only. Other kids crying (understandable with a long day in the park). Smelly sweaty people hacking and coughing all over us. That did it we drove the rest of the vacation. We also had a cooler bag with a few drinks on ice while we were in the parks waiting for us for the ride back to the hotel. The trip we did on the bus from the gates of MK to the hotel was just over 1.5 hrs. When we drove a few days later. From the gates to the parking lot to the hotel took 45 mins. Please keep in mind they have now moved the buses closer to MK they were by the TTA hub back in 2004 when we went. Different resorts will have different loads on the buses so our experance may differ. I didnt want to drive but the convenance out weights the negitaves. When it comes down to it who cares were at Disney right. lol

 

[ADisneyQueen]

We're staying Christmas week( also at CBR) and will be taking a break in the afternoon. I have this idea that for the all the parks other than MK, we could drive in the morning, use the bus for our break and then take the car back to CBR in the evening. We would avoid the long bus lines and hopefully get a close parking spot in the morning.
What do you think? Has anyone done this?