MVMCP Bus question?

[We-Luv-Disney]

I don't remember if the buses to downtown Disney still run after MVMCP (12:00am),. We are wanting to park at downtown Disney earlier that day, do some shopping and then go to the MK at 4pm. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[beattyfamily]

I would think so since there's bars there.

But the buses at DTD only go to resorts, not parks.

 

[We-Luv-Disney]

ohhh...I guess I'll have to plan a different route, thanks.

 

[cranbiz]

The MK buses run every night until the MK is clear of day guests (in fact all parks do this). This includes party nights. The DTD buses run until 2:15am every night. The last pickup at a resort to DTD is the 1:30am run from DTD. Depending on the resort the pickup can be as early as 1:35am or as late as 1:50am.

So to get back to DTD on a party night, leave at 12am to any resort (or walk to the Contemporary) and you will be able get a bus to return to DTD.

To get to MK, take a DTD bus to any resort (again the Contemporary is a good choice) and transfer to a MK bus or walk on over from the CR.

 

[We-Luv-Disney]

The MK buses run every night until the MK is clear of day guests (in fact all parks do this). This includes party nights. The DTD buses run until 2:15am every night. The last pickup at a resort to DTD is the 1:30am run from DTD. Depending on the resort the pickup can be as early as 1:35am or as late as 1:50am.

So to get back to DTD on a party night, leave at 12am to any resort (or walk to the Contemporary) and you will be able get a bus to return to DTD.

To get to MK, take a DTD bus to any resort (again the Contemporary is a good choice) and transfer to a MK bus or walk on over from the CR.

Great advice. thanks!

 

[WEDWDW]

Wouldn't this plan go against Disney's preference that Guests not park at DTD and then visit a park?I am not being judgmental-just curious if the policy has changed.

 

[CanadianGuy]

This is more transportation related than park related and as such I'm moving it over to the Transportation Board.

Thanks,

Knox

 

[Endeavour105]

Wouldn't this plan go against Disney's preference that Guests not park at DTD and then visit a park?I am not being judgmental-just curious if the policy has changed.

And how is WDW going to tell if one is parked at DTD for a day of shopping, etc vs parking at DTD for the sole purpose of going to a theme park?

 

[goofy4tink]

Wouldn't this plan go against Disney's preference that Guests not park at DTD and then visit a park?I am not being judgmental-just curious if the policy has changed.

I think Disney's complaint was that so many people were parking at DTD then hopping on a bus to a park, thereby avoiding the parking fee at the parks. If someone wants to take the addtl time to take a resort bus, probably CR, from DTD, then walk to MK, and then reverse it to get back to their car, I don't think Disney has an issue with it. It's time consuming to say the least. You face a wait of up to 30 mins at DTD, then the ride to the resort, the walking to MK. And to reverse it is almost as bad. The DTD buses seem to be the worst of all the buses. The waits to get there, and then to leave, are among the very longest at WDW.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

And how is WDW going to tell if one is parked at DTD for a day of shopping, etc vs parking at DTD for the sole purpose of going to a theme park?

There was a thread earlier where someone asked where in WDW could they park for free and cranbiz posted this reply, saying how WDW security is looking for cars that park all day at DTD then go off to the parks so they avoid paying the $11.00 parking fee. I am not sure if that really happened or is still going on, so here is that reply and a link to that thread. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1608821

Be advised,

Disney Security is patrolling the DTD lots looking for all day parkers. You may get away with it for a day or two but if your car is noticed to be there constantly for long periods of time, it may be towed. In the last couple of months, many cars have been towed from DTD.

You can thank a local Orlando newspaper for this. When the parking rates went up, they published a story on how to avoid paying for parking at Disney.

IMHO, it's not worth it to park at DTD and then go to the parks. You will always have to take 2 buses to and from the park of choice. This adds up to a lot of extra time and takes space away from resort guests who do pay for the privelege of a bus ride.

Either pay the daily parking fee or use your off site resorts shuttle service (and that may have a fee attached to it also).

 

[cranbiz]

Wouldn't this plan go against Disney's preference that Guests not park at DTD and then visit a park?I am not being judgmental-just curious if the policy has changed.

My understanding of the OP's question was that they were going to shop at DTD and then go to the park. If you are indeed shopping at DTD there is not a problem AFAIK. It's the guests that park, don't shop and go to the parks all day that are the problem.

 

[goofy4tink]

My understanding of the OP's question was that they were going to shop at DTD and then go to the park. If you are indeed shopping at DTD there is not a problem AFAIK. It's the guests that park, don't shop and go to the parks all day that are the problem.

I agree...but now, I'll go play Devil's advocate here....how does Disney 'know' just who has parked, shopped for a few hours, then headed to a park vs those who park, and head to the parks?
I still say that they (Disney) have made it very inconvenient to park at DTD in order to avoid a parking fee, and head to a park. It is extremely time consumng to park there, wait for a bus to a resort, ride the bus, and then get to a park. For the $10, or so, it costs to park, you would think that people would feel their time is worth that $10. It could take upwards of close to an hour to get to a park from DTD.

 

[fla4fun]

If it were me, I would move the car. Not because of the parking fee necessarily (I have an AP, so I never think about the parking fee) but just because I know how tired I am after MVMCP and the idea of trying to get back to DTD just wouldn't appeal to me. I'd rather take the ferry to the TTC (I don't like the monorail ramps at the end of the night either) and a tram to the car. Even if I had to pay, it would be worth it to me.

 

[sweet maxine]

Here's something else to throw into the mix...

We're thinking of staying at one of the DTD hotels, and we're also trying to figure out with a split party how some of us will get back to our hotel after the MVMCP. I don't think the shuttle buses run that late at night. Looks like the only option is a cab.

 

[CarolMN]

If it were me, I would move the car. Not because of the parking fee necessarily (I have an AP, so I never think about the parking fee) but just because I know how tired I am after MVMCP and the idea of trying to get back to DTD just wouldn't appeal to me. I'd rather take the ferry to the TTC (I don't like the monorail ramps at the end of the night either) and a tram to the car. Even if I had to pay, it would be worth it to me.

Totally agree! I'd move the cat to the TTC after shopping. No way would I want to walk to the CR & then wait for a bus to DD after the party.

 

[kaytieeldr]

sweet maxine - you need to contact your hotel about bus information. I know the Downtown Disney buses run until 1 or 1:30; I don't know if they add park-bound buses for special events.