Opinions on parking or riding bus?

[mckeonfive]

Does anyone have an opinion about this? We will be driving to WDW mid July, so we will have our own car. There will be Me, DH, DD8, DD2 and DS 9 mos. (Am I nuts??)

We have the AAA priority parking , plus we will be onsite (Coronado Springs), so free parking.

Do you think it is easier to drive yourself or ride Disney busses.
We have a double stroller that is a little bit of a pain to fold and unfold. (this is my main concern). It's a side by side and I am worried it is too wide to maneuver in the large crowds. So, I am also thinking about taking our smaller umbrella stroller and a front carrier for my DS 9 mos. ?? Any opinions??

THanks!! We are sooo excited!!

 

[Annette_VA]

We're going in Sept & have 2 DS's that will be 1 & 3. We'll have a rental car and unless I find a double stroller that I like in the next few weeks, we'll be taking 2 strollers w/ us everywhere. We're staying @ BC.

We're going to try doing the bus thing, but if it becomes too much of a hassle, we'll just drive to the parks.

What time of year are you going? I ask because if you're planning on carrying DS in the sling all the time, I'd think you'd get hot. I'm bringing my sling, but just to use in lines & other places I can't take the stroller.

 

[Schmeck]

I'd drive to every park except MK - but only because I hate the wait for the monorail/ferry on our way to MK.

With a 2 yr old and baby, I'd definitely bring the double stroller on the days you drive to the parks. If you don't drive, how about an umbrella stroller that is OK for the baby, and a rental stroller for the 2 yr old? With two adults, it might just be easier to have two strollers.

 

[Hollua]

While I love the front baby carriers, I think it would be a mistake to use it. You and the baby will be way too hot. The Disney strollers are large so you might want to bring some padding along to support the 9 month old, if you decide to rent one.

We usually drive to the parks with the exception of MK. Well, sometimes we drive there too, but be aware that you still have to take the monorail or ferry to the park for the TTC.

If you drive having you own stroller will be nice since you won't have to carry the kids from the car to the parks. You will also save money on the stroller rental.

I would drive and bring my own stroller. The buses are fine usually, but I like having my car at the ready.

edited to add that having your own stroller will make finding it much easier after exiting a ride.

 

[cmcvean]

We have 4 DD's (5,4,3,2) and like to drive to AK, MGM and EPCOT. This way you can come and go as you please, and we always have no problem parking the time of year we go. It is nice to keep the kids in the stroller from the park to the car.

We also find that we sometimes overstay our limit and the kids get a little out of control by the time we get to transportation, so it is for our good as well as the other patrons .

I think as the girls get older we will do more buses, but for now driving is much more relaxing for us.

Have fun!!
Christine

 

[HopperFan]

We have basically driven everywhere the last few years. Unless we are trying to get into the MK for EE, then we rode the bus.

This trip we used the buses for MK and EPCOT and it was a breeze, but we don't have strollers etc. Except we stayed till closing at MK and it was about 45 minute wait for a bus to show up. And of course we didn't get on it, another came right behind.

What I find the parking is best for is HOPPING. (and we always keep a cooler of cold drinks and snacks in the car to munch in between)

EX: Watched 3 pm parade at MK, went to car via ferry, drove to MGM and was inside by 4:15, early for our 5 pm show so we rode Star Tours. AK tilll early afternoon, getting dark, ran to car (as sky fell out), drove to Cabins, lunch, change clothes and took Ft Wilderness ferry to MK (all it took was 1 hour to do all that).

 

[moinab]

We prefer to drive our car and park, rather than taking the bus. With two little ones and a stroller, it's much easier. We got stuck waiting 20 minutes for a bus from DS to MK one time, and then when we finally got on the bus, it was packed. Not fun, with 2 tired, cranky kids, and a tired, cranky DH!

Definitely bring your sling! I live in FL, and use mine all the time, especially when we go to WDW. They are great for when you are waiting in line and also for going on rides/attractions, as well as all the pavilions at Epcot. I would strongly recommend a stroller that reclines and has a storage basket, however. Will your 2 year old be able to walk a lot? If not, you may find the double stroller will be worth the hassle, because you'll be spending a lot more time walking in the parks than travelling between them. We bring a sling and a single stroller for our 17 month old DD and 3 year old DS, but DS is able to walk a lot in the parks.

HTH

 

[momxx5]

We are staying at Ft.W cabins. We drive our van to all the parks except MK(take boat). We are travelling with 2 strollers also and we like the convenience of having our own vehicle.

It is really nice coming and going to the water parks - no wet swimsuits on a bus.

DH's favorite thing about the cabins is the fact that we park our van right in front of our cabin. The van is literally 2 steps out the door.

 

[my3princes]

We always use the Disney transportation and we also have 3 kids and travel with the double stroller. This year we will have 4 kids with us (bringing niece) and a double and single stroller. We will still use the Disney transportation. We don't move our car unless going off site.

 

[mckeonfive]

THanks so much for all of your replies. I agree that driving will be easier with tired, hot kids. I'm pretty sure we will be driving ourselves everywhere.
I'm still wondering about the stroller thing. Maybe I will take it the first day and see how much trouble it is and then decide. We should have enough room in the van to carry both strollers.

I really need to hurry and get the sling , that does make sense that it would be alot cooler than a front carrier.
Does anyone know where I can get one in a hurry? I don't think i have seen one at Target. I will be taking a trip to Babies R Us this weekend, maybe they will have one.

 

[moinab]

I got my MayaWrap sling in less than a week, last summer, before our Disney Cruise. I bought it from a local distributor I met at La Leche League. I could have gotten one right away, but I wanted the plain, unbleached cotton, and she had to order it. If you go to MayaWrap.com, you can order one directly or you can check their listing of distributors in your area. I would recommend getting a light color. I also like to carry a Totes-style umbrella to keep the sun off of DD while she is in the sling.

Be sure to watch the instructional video/dvd that comes with it, and practice while you are at home. They are easy to use, but you do need a little instruction and practice.

 

[moinab]

I don't know why I assumed you had a sling, when you mentioned front carrier LOL! But yes, a light-colored sling is much cooler than a front carrier, and much more comfortable with an older baby.

I don't know of any of the big chain stores that carry MayaWrap type slings. The only ones I've ever seen are the NoJo types, with the padding (which I wouldn't recommend.) You do have time, though, to buy one online or from a local distributor. Last year, we booked our July 17th cruise the last week of June, so I was facing a very similar timeline! Good luck!

 

[mckeonfive]

Moinab,

I saw this one on ebay. I guess they are made like the Maya wraps, but half the price. Since you have one can you give me your opinion on this one?

I will try and post the link, if it doesn't work it is ebay item #4310248065.

THanks for your help!!
kasey
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20412&item=4310248065&rd=1

 

[cmcvean]

I got mine from babystyle.com and I LOVE it. It is really nice because it is just material and you can fit it in your purse. You may be able to have it expressed shipped.

I would definately take your strollers as well as the sling.

 

[HillPete]

Take the stroller and use the sling for lines/shows/rides. That's what we did with our DS when he was 15 months and it worked perfectly. He was under control, but didn't feel like we were tying him up! He loved the sling for relativly short periods of time (under 1 hour) and even fell asleep in it during Festival of the Lion King! (a real shocker cuz he was smiling and clapping one minute and fast asleep the next )

The stroller was really useful in parking lots and since we had our own car, we never felt rushed to fold it up so the bus/tram/whatever could get going. Since you have the AAA parking, you won't ever have much of a walk and it will end up being way faster than waiting for a bus and traveling on someone else's schedule.

Have fun!!
--H

 

[moinab]

I saw this one on ebay. I guess they are made like the Maya wraps, but half the price. Since you have one can you give me your opinion on this one?

It looks just like a Maya, except the MayaWrap has a pocket sewn into the tail. It's a nice convenience, but if you can save $20 or so, I'd say go for it!

Good luck!

 

[mckeonfive]

I appreciate everyone's help.
Thanks Moinab for taking the time to look at the wrap. I think I will go ahead and get one of these.

 

[LuvindisCruiser]

MOINAB- First. let me just say "I love that picture", that has got to be the best picture, wait till your baby is older and goes with her family on a Disney cruise. She can show off her picture to everyone !!

Back to the post- I think taking your own stroller and car to the parks is a great idea. Because sometimes waiting for those busses (espcecially at the end of the night) even makes me cranky. Having snacks and drinks in your car is a great idea, I never thought of that one !!!

 

[moinab]

MOINAB- First. let me just say "I love that picture", that has got to be the best picture

Thanks! She was only 5 months old when that picture was taken, last July. She's so much different now (see recent photo), but I can't bear to change it. It really sums up our DCL experience perfectly.

 

[LuvindisCruiser]

Moinab- OMG she is so cute ! It's amazing how fast they grow isn't it? It's funny when my 4 yr. old was about 18 mos. she had short overalls like the ones your daughter is wearing in her picture, they had that bear on them !!! Has your daughter been on any other cruises since she was a baby ?