on-site bus system with kids?

[chip91]

Looking for honest opionions on the Disney bus system? At time of planned trip my kids will be 9, 8 & 5, I know the older 2 will be fine, the younger one will hopefully grow out of her "whiny" stages by then, but what did you think of the bus system at the end of the day when your all tired, too much with kids? Would you rather have had a rental car to just hop in & go??

Thanks,
Chip

 

[belle&beast]

We went during a slow time in January and the bus system was very convenient for us. Only once did we have to wait for another bus to come because the first was too full and we didn't wait very long for the next one. My parents stayed off site while we were at POR and it was a bit of a hassle for them to get to the parking lots from MK. I think you will be fine our kids were 4 and turned 2 on the trip and we wouldn't do it any other way!

 

[Beachclubmama]

We have gone in Oct and Nov and we had to wait a few times for the next bus but it was still fine. The kids actually enjoyed the bus ride.

 

[munchkin bunchkin]

We also went in January and had no trouble with the bus system.We left MK right after the fireworks and had to wait for a second bus also, but by the time the bus arrived (our then 5&6 )year old girls were just too tired to whine( which actually worried DH and I)usually they 're fighting and hitting when they are overtired! I think you'll be fine!

 

[mama4]

Our boys were 4 and 2 AND I was 7 months pregnant on our last trip. We have never had a problem with the buses other than loading/unloading our heavy double stroller (only made that mistake on our first trip). We live 2 hours from Orlando and drive down but the car stays in the resort parking lot unless we need to travel to another resort or DTD (for dinner) or off property.It is more of a hassle to us to drive to and from the parks than to take the buses. We've stayed at POP, CBR and POR (twice during spring break) and had decent bus experiences at each resort.

 

[sskem96]

We had a rental car, but only used it when going off site. We found the roads to be pretty confusing and it was a lot easier to use the busses.

 

[Groovee]

We always found the buses fine. The kids that were older around us always seemed excited to be on the mickey bus. I couldn't have handled the car being there.

 

[PollyannaMom]

My 5-year-old loved the buses, and even had a favorite seat he would look for. If he was tired, he would just lean into my lap and rest, but I can't imagine having to deal with driving in an unfamiliar place when the adults were tired too. I think you'll be fine. - Have a great trip!

 

[F1Julie]

I'd also use the bus service. I'd much rather wait for a bus than take the long walk to the parking lot and try and find my car in the dark.

 

[justplaingoofy]

Even when we do have a rental car, we never drive to Magic Kingdom. Not sure which park you think you will spend the most time at, or where you are staying....

To get to the Magic Kingdom (from a resort other than one on the monorail or Wilderness lodge/fort Wilderness) we take the bus because if you drive you have to park at the Ticket Transportation Center (TTC) then take either the boat or monorail over to MK. If you take the bus, it drops you off right at the entrance of MK.

*We do not have children, but I also do not know what age they still need booster seats for car rentals in Florida.

 

[THESCHULTZFIVE]

I loooove the bus system at the beginning of the day, and haaaate the bus system at the end of the night. For the first time, on our october trip, I am happy to be driving .

 

[PaulaSue]

It was great, we had a 7, turned 5 and 2 1/2 year olds and it was so nice not to have to drive and find the car especially at the end of the day. The only hard part was dumping everything out of the stroller and carring it up and down the bus steps.