Newbie Here and taking Family Car

[perfectscruggs]

Hi All!

We are going to be at WDW in July and will be taking our van (whew! 1200 miles+). We will be staying at POR or Fort Wilderness Cabins. (By the way - which is better?)

My questions concerns whether or not to go ahead and take our car to the Parks rather than rely on bus transportation. Which would be easier on us. We will have an umbrella stroller for our 5 year old but the rest of us are 2 adults and 2 teens.

Thanks
Michelle

 

[aahmom1]

We usually use our own car/or rent when we fly, while we are there.

 

[Snoozan]

We always rent a car, but the only park I always take WDW's bus to is Magic Kingdom. Parking for the MK puts you across the lake from MK, so you then have to walk/take tram to the boat or monorail at TTC. It saves so much time to take the bus from your resort to MK as they can drop you off right at the gate.

As far as the other parks go, if you're an early bird and don't mind a bit of a walk, driving isn't bad. That way you can leave when you want and not have to wait for a bus, which does not always have a direct route back to your hotel. I find we save alot of time driving ourselves & my DH is not very patient waiting for busses.

Driving around WDW is not too difficult. There are lots of road signs and if you miss an exit, there's always another sign to get you back where you wanted to go. If I can drive there, anyone can!

 

[dg39]

We always drive to WDW. We take the family van, load it up with everything and then some. But, once we get to the resort, we keep it parked,unless we do things out of the parks (orlando). We only use disney transportation, either the monorail or the buses. We never had any problems with disney transportation. Sometimes we have to wait a few minutes but aside from that, nothing major. THe monorail is a fun "ride" for my little one and sometimes we did get to sit in the front car. After a long trip in the van(we come from NJ), we start to hate the sight of it and welcome disney's transportation.

 

[bobcat]

I usually leave the van parked on vacation. The only exception is if I need to get somewhere fast or if I want to go shopping. DTD is always easier to drive than to take the bus. If I have a PS at a resort restaurant I will drive as well. The transportation is great, and after driving 1000 miles I don't want to drive anymore!

Also since you will be going in the summer your van will be HOT after sitting in the sun all day. The airconditioning on the busses feels great.

 

[Poly Pal]

We use Disney transportation the the 4 major parks but use our car for the water parks (tired kids, sandy wet bathing suits, and waiting in the heat for a bus do not add up to fun in my book!).

We haven't stayed at Ft Wilderness or POR, but the cabins will probably give you more room (albeit for a higher cost per night).

Have a great time!

 

[AJKMOM]

First, I highly recommend the Fort Wilderness cabins. There will be more room for your family. My daughter was 6 when we stayed at "Dixie Landings" and did not like the trundle bed. Plus, the room is small compared to the cabin. When we rent a car, we always drive to the parks, except MK. We like the freedom. Once, we took the bus to e-night, and waited a long time to get back to the resort. It was a nightmare.

 

[susy]

If you stay at the cabins, I would drive, except to MK- take the boat over. I would recommend the cabin, unless you get two rooms at POR. After all that driving you will want some space! If you get the cabin, you will want to make a grcoery stop, since you will have a full kitchen. This can really save you money! In July, you will want to take a mid-day break. You can actually have breakfast and lunch in your cabin. Stock up on water to take to the parks. Also, bring a couple of squeeze breeze bottles. If your stroller does not have a sunshade, use a hat for your child (I would bring one anyway.

I highly suggest buying the Unofficial Guide (2003) , since you are going at a busy time.

Some great character meals in the parks are:

Crystal Palace- MK, Liberty Tree Tavern-MK, Hollywood and Vine- MGM, Garden Grill- Epcot.

great planning website:
wdwig.com
discounts:
mousesavers.com

 

[susy]

If you stay at the cabins, I would drive, except to MK- take the boat over. I would recommend the cabin, unless you get two rooms at POR. After all that driving you will want some space! If you get the cabin, you will want to make a grcoery stop, since you will have a full kitchen. This can really save you money! In July, you will want to take a mid-day break. You can actually have breakfast and lunch in your cabin. Stock up on water to take to the parks. Also, bring a couple of squeeze breeze bottles. If your stroller does not have a sunshade, use a hat for your child (I would bring one anyway.

I highly suggest buying the Unofficial Guide (2003) , since you are going at a busy time.

Some great character meals in the parks are:

Crystal Palace- MK, Liberty Tree Tavern-MK, Hollywood and Vine- MGM, Garden Grill- Epcot.

great planning website:
wdwig.com
discounts:
mousesavers.com