Offsite Shuttle Question

[BrianL]

I have a coleague who is planning a short trip in February and I am helping her plan. She is staying offsite, and wants to use their shutle. She is at EMbassy Suites, I'm not sure which, but very clsoe. Does anyone have experience with these kinds of shuttle's hours? Also, apparently it only drops off at Epcot, then you grab a rid eot wherever you are going. Does anyone know where these busses drop-off & pick-up? Thanks.

 

[gwynne]

I have a coleague who is planning a short trip in February and I am helping her plan. She is staying offsite, and wants to use their shutle. She is at EMbassy Suites, I'm not sure which, but very clsoe. Does anyone have experience with these kinds of shuttle's hours? Also, apparently it only drops off at Epcot, then you grab a rid eot wherever you are going. Does anyone know where these busses drop-off & pick-up? Thanks.

I think your friend should call the hotel to get her specific questions answered about transport shuttles to WDW. That way she'll get information from the correct Embassy Suites location (there are several) and she'll have the most current schedule.

 

[BrianL]

I just wanted an idea because I am writing directions for her. I know the schedule might have to come from the hotel directly, but I imagine that offsite busses drop off in a different location than the usual bus loop. Is there a central location for them?

 

[Lewisc]

http://www.embassysuiteslbv.com/images/embassy_shuttle.pdf

I'm not sure if this is the ES your friend is talking about.

Offsite shuttles aren't like Disney. You're generally out of luck if the bus is full before you're able to board.

A rental car gives you a lot more flexibility. People who don't want to drive to the parks should stay at a WDW resort. Possible exception, the DTD hotels offer decent bus service to the parks.

 

[BrianL]

http://www.embassysuiteslbv.com/images/embassy_shuttle.pdf

I'm not sure if this is the ES your friend is talking about.

Offsite shuttles aren't like Disney. You're generally out of luck if the bus is full before you're able to board.

A rental car gives you a lot more flexibility. People who don't want to drive to the parks should stay at a WDW resort. Possible exception, the DTD hotels offer decent bus service to the parks.

I have explained this, but it's her call. It is in a slow season, so hopefully it won't be too bad. This is why I want to give her detailed instructions on how to get places. I think that is her hotel though so that schedule at least gives me an idea, though it might change in February. Thanks.

 

[Lewisc]

I have explained this, but it's her call. It is in a slow season, so hopefully it won't be too bad. This is why I want to give her detailed instructions on how to get places. I think that is her hotel though so that schedule at least gives me an idea, though it might change in February. Thanks.

From the page I linked:

shuttle times are subject to capacity, traffic and weather
conditions and may occasionally run late. Be at designated area 10 minutes prior to departure.
Please
note that capacity is limited and services are provided on a first come, first served basis.

The bus might service multiple resorts.

 

[joelkfla]

The shuttle runs only to Epcot. To get to MK, they will have to take the monorails and/or buses (transferring at TTC), which could take 30 minutes to an hour, depending on time of day & crowd level at TTC.

To get to DHS & AK, they will have to take a bus, which will usually take around 30 minutes.

On the plus side, this hotel is a 5-minute walk from Palm Pkwy, where there is a public bus to DTD & TTC (and also Sea World) every 30 minutes. So if they're shut out of the shuttle leaving Epcot, they can take the monorail to TTC and ride the bus.

 

[BrianL]

I do understand the general logistics of this, but I'm coaching a real rookie first-timer. I have already written out how they shoudl transfer to Monorails and such. I think I located where non-resort busses drop off by looking at overhead views and it is right next to the resort bus loop. They won't necessarily know a monorail station when they see one, so I want to be as precise as possible.

There's no way I would rely on an offsite shuttle, but it's her call, not mine.

 

[maxiesmom]

I hope, as she is a total newbie, that you have tried to explain to her how much time she will be wasting using an off site shuttle. In addition to that, the shuttles drop off and pick up in the middle of the parking lot. No benches, no overhead protection from the elements. Plus a long walk to the park gate.

 

[BrianL]

I hope, as she is a total newbie, that you have tried to explain to her how much time she will be wasting using an off site shuttle. In addition to that, the shuttles drop off and pick up in the middle of the parking lot. No benches, no overhead protection from the elements. Plus a long walk to the park gate.

I will try to impress that on her a little more. The thing is, this trip isn't really a big WDW trip, it's just that she and her husband were going to be in Orlando and she wanted to take her daughter for a day or two. Still, personally I wouldn't risk rope-drop on offsite shuttles. I'll see if I can't change her mind.

Where exactly is this "middle of the parking lot?" Is it the large bus parking spots west of the resort bus loops? I think that's for the offsite busses, right?

 

[TaraPA]

I've used the Embassy Suites shuttle. It doesn't drop off at Epcot near the bus loop, its WAY out past the bus loop, where offsite shuttles drop off & pick up. Its' a hike. And like someone else said, it services multiple hotels, and there is only 1 bus, even if there are 200 people waiting for it. Once its full, its full. So make sure she has a Plan B back up if the bus fills, and knows where & how to get a cab if she needs one.