Magical Express and onsite Bus times

[christi2705]

I have a couple of questions about how long it takes to get around so I can plan accordingly.

How long does it usually take from landing to resort (CBR) on Magical Express?

We have a couple of resort meals (Cafe May and 1900 Park Fare) and heard that it can take a really long time on the buses to get there. Any estimates on how long to get to those resorts from CBR?

Is there a link that shows the times between resorts and parks/other resorts?

Thanks

 

[WizardLarz]

According to Disney you should allow1 to 1 1/2 hours from your flight arrival time to arriving at your Resort. CBR will most likely share a bus with POP and be the first drop-off.

 

[TillyMarigold]

To go to Cape May, you can expect up to a 20 minute wait for the bus to the Studios, 10-15 minutes to the Studios, up to a 20 minute wait for the boat and 10-15 minutes on the boat to the Beach Club plus 5 minutes or so walking from the dock to the restaurant, OR 20-25 minutes to walk from the Studios to the Beach Club. So the absolute best case would be 25-30 minutes from reaching the bus stop to reaching the restaurant. I'd aim to be at the bus stop an hour before you're supposed to check in (an hour and 15 minutes before the reservation).

To go to 1900 Park Faire, I'd say take the bus to the Magic Kingdom and hop on either the monorail or the boat--monorail is probably easier. Again up to 20 minutes wait for the bus, 15-20 minutes to the MK, up to 10 min. wait for the monorail, 10-15 minutes on the monorail, then walking down to the restaurant. Again I'd aim to be at the bus stop an hour before you need to check in.

All this assumes that you're not planning on eating at either of them at 7 am. If you are, take a cab.

 

[kaytieeldr]

WizardLarz answered the DME portion of your question very well so I'll skip that.

MUCH better than any online source is the chart in the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. It actually compares Disney transportation time with private vehicle time, includes shortest-to-longest ranges, and explains how the times were determined.

I can't give you the travel times, I only have the 1993 edition handy - published LONG before they started doing the chart! Figure, though, anywhere from thirty to sixty-five minutes to 1900 Park Fare. If you get to the bus stop just as a bus leaves, and it's the first stop (of, I think, six) in CBR - you'll have about a twenty minute wait for another bus, then a ten minute or so ride through the resort picking up/dropping off at the other stops, then the ride to Magic Kingdom, then waiting for the monorail to the Grand Floridian, then (if the monorail) the intermediate stops...

On the other hand, you might arrive at the bus stop JUST as the bus does; you board, and the bus then heads directly out of the resort and off to the MK - where, as you walk toward the monorail platform you see the Grand Floridian launch approaching to your left...

Head to your local library, pick up a recent copy of The Unofficial Guide, locate the chart, and make a machine copy of it.

 

[christi2705]

We have an ADR for Cape May at 8:40 (on a day that the park opens at 9). So would it probably be best to schedule a cab for that one or will the buses be running in time?

And I gather that it's closest to Hollywood so I should coordinate those days, correct?

Thanks for bearing with me thru all these questions, it's our 1st trip and I'm trying to plan it in less than a month!

 

[goofy4tink]

We have an ADR for Cape May at 8:40 (on a day that the park opens at 9). So would it probably be best to schedule a cab for that one or will the buses be running in time?

And I gather that it's closest to Hollywood so I should coordinate those days, correct?

Thanks for bearing with me thru all these questions, it's our 1st trip and I'm trying to plan it in less than a month!

You have a few options. You can take a cab to Cape May from CBR...should be under $10. Or, you can take an early bus to DHS...they start around 6:30-6:45. For an 8:40 ADR, I would be at the bus stop by 7:15ish. These buses don't come as frequently as the regular park buses do....so plan accordingly. Then, when you get to DHS, you can walk over to BC...takes about 20 mins at a relaxed pace...I make it in 15 or so.


The same thing applies to GF..take the bus to the MK early that day. Then you can take the monorail to the GF. Sometimes, the driver will offer to take you right to the GF.. but that's not a given. I usually ask, when I board the bus, what the quickest way to the GF (or CR or Polynesian) is from the MK..boat or monorail. Sometimes the driver will just tell me to stay on the bus and he will stop at that resort for me.

I tend to plan to eat close to a park that I will be at that day...so if you're planning on eating breakfast at Cape May (one of my favorites by the way!!) you could plan on heading to either DHS or Epcot that day. Or, you can take a bus from YC/BC to the park you want to go to.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yeah, cab is most efficient to Cape May. You can get there by Disney transportation (sometimes directly, with a generous bus driver and an otherwise empty bus, but ya can't always count on that happening).

As for parks, - actually, Epcot is MUCH closer! You'll be in the Beach Club - just a five minute stroll from the International Gateway entrance. Anyone in the resort will be happy to point you in the right direction, plus, there are probably signs; once in the park, you'll be in World Showcase with Cast Members directing you toward the front of the park. Rope drop there is the same time as for the Guests entering from the front of the park, you just need to hustle a little