Park exit strategies - what is the fastest way out?

[Yusani]

Yes 3 ways. 4 if you count walking from contemporary. You probably parked at TTC and monorail to mk

The monorail is still an option? Which is better, monorail or ferry?

 

[gap2368]

The monorail is still an option? Which is better, monorail or ferry?

Either has its + and - the farry can take longer but the monorail breaks down has to stop way to much most people stay on the bottom floor of the farry so some times the top has more room

 

[Yusani]

If there are zero problems, which one would be faster? Ferry or monorail? Does either have air conditioning? Which one has the hottest line to wait in or are both queues shaded?

 

[raidermatt]

If speed is your sole concern, drive anywhere except for MK. On average you will get both to and from your destination faster by driving (touringplans has timed it out before). MK is the exception because of the extra transportation needed when you drive. That said, we prefer to hang back and let the crowds disperse before leaving. It's just a lot less stressful that way. But I understand if the goal is to get back and get some sleep.

 

[Yusani]

I'm mostly just worried about one of my small kids suddenly being "DONE" and waiting in line to get back to the hotel. We are planning to leave via bus mid day every day for naps but we would like to make it to park close once we come back.

 

[Yusani]

If it were just me and my husband I would happily stroll around until We were the last ones out.

 

[theyoungs07]

If you park at TTC and the monorail is packed on the way back after closing, take the resort monorail as there is rarely a full one. You'll stop at the resorts, but it's better than standing in a cattle corral. A CM actually tipped me off to this so I assume they don't frown upon it.

 

[theyoungs07]

I prefer to drive, my kids get their own car seats, no one will be standing for 45 minutes while they load/unload ECVs...etc. My kids are happy once they're in their van...it's kinda like home to them and it's MUCH better than dealing with the bus IMO.

 

[lady_hlh]

When we stayed at POR we always took the bus and had no trouble - some nights we would take the bus to POFQ instead and just walk the few minutes to POR since the POFQ bus was always emptier and seemed to get there first.

We always use Disney transportation, even when we have our own vehicle there.

This is what we also did when staying at POR, there would be huge lines for the POR buses leaving but none for POFQ. I must say that we were not happy with the buses leaving POR in the morning, of all the resorts that we've stayed at I would rate their bus service as the worst. When we stayed at AKL we thought the bus service was decent and I don't remember being annoyed by waiting very much for them. We drove our car down a few times but we only ever used it to go to DTD or to dinner at another resort.

 

[MariMama]

This is my first trip since 2001. I went in 2000 also. I don't remember having to take a ferry to MK from the car park. Has it always been this way?

Since Opening Day, 1971.

 

[gap2368]

If there are zero problems,
1 which one would be faster? Ferry or monorail?
2 Does either have air conditioning?
3 Which one has the hottest line to wait in or are both queues shaded?

1 what line is longer where is the ferry boat has a lot to do with it the ferry holds more people ( I believe )

2 ferry no but it is very open and the breeze off the water all ways feels good even 3 pm in the middle of summer I do not think the monorails have AC or much of AC the loading area is beyond hot and with a lot of people up there no breeze at all and stuffy

3 if it is night time bother lines ( until you get to the load area for the monorail )

with you 3 question here is what I would say wines

1 if both lines are the same ferry

2 what one is cooler ferry

3 ferry

I am sure other have different option then mine

now what would I do take the buss I find it faster easer and less hassle

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

What is the valet like in reverse say right after Wishes....????

We never leave right after Wishes but can't imagine it is much different than what we experience. It is about a 10 or 15 minute walk and just a couple more to wait for your car to be brought to you. Now we walk kind of quick so your walk time could vary if you like to stroll along.

We use to do the resort monorail trick but we much prefer the way we do it now.

 

[gigem_aggies]

Our plan is to drive to the parks in the mornings, drive back to our resort in the afternoons for our mid-day breaks, then take resort transportation to the parks (and back) for the evenings.

 

[smiths02]

Haven't read the whole thread, but we preferred driving everywhere except MK (we drove once and used the bus the other times). Of course, you have to factor in alcohol if you drink.

The other factor is that while we still preferred driving to Epcot, DHS, and AK...even if you get there for rode drop, even am EMH...you WILL NOT get to park all that close because Disney now charges for that close parking.

ETA: Depending on time of year, you also have to account for having to get in a VERY hot car, which is not fun, but still better than the bus.

 

[Eastern]

Another option is to view fireworks near the park entrance/on Main St to watch the fireworks. You do miss some of the lake show if you are at Epcot, but it's a trade-off for being ahead of the crowd.

When my kids were little and we had to carry them home/lug strollers, I liked being near the park entrance. If you leave right after the fireworks finish, you will be on the first few buses that come quickly. After that, you have to wait for buses to start returning. Now that my kids are older, it is easier manage the crowds leaving after, if we are not near the entrance, but still not pleasant. You really just have to be patient and realize you will be standing in line.

We watched the NYE fireworks at Epcot one year from around the fountain area, and we got out of the park and on one of the first buses back to the hotel.

We always take the Disney transportation.

 

[redsbe]

In my experience WDW does a pretty good job getting number of buses needed to a park at closing to manage the respective size of crowds at each resort stop. Interesting as when it comes to time waiting for a bus the longest waits tend to be off season when crowds are smaller and fewer buses are running (especially for morning pick up at resorts). WDW seems to be very good at managing large crowds moving out at park closings.

 

[redsbe]

Oh and our strategy at least at MK is to be positioned closer to the exit and away from the hub in order to be in front of the crowd leaving MK after final fireworks (which you can see clearly from standing right in middle of main street)

 

[crystalsmom1021]

I have a question if we are staying at the Campsites and want to drive to MK can we park at any other resort for free or do we have to park at the TTC

 

[scrapquitler]

Disclaimer - This bus/monorail/car/ferry stuff at WDW is freaking me out a little. I want to stand around as little as possible at park close when the family is most tired.

Here's some combinations I am looking at:

Day 1: Leaving Port Orleans Riverside and arrive at EPCOT for rope drop (so we should be able to park at the front of the parking lot if we drive). Stay at EPCOT until park close. Return to Port Orleans Riverside. SHOULD WE TAKE THE BUS TO AND FROM THE PARK OR SHOULD WE TAKE OUR CAR?

Day 2: Leaving Port Orleans Riverside and arrive at MK for rope drop (so we should be able to park at the front of the parking lot if we drive). Stay at MK until park close. Return to Port Orleans Riverside. (If we take the car, I understand we may be stuck waiting on a ferry. If we take the bus, we may be stuck waiting on a bus.) SHOULD WE TAKE THE BUS TO AND FROM THE PARK OR SHOULD WE TAKE OUR CAR?

Day 3: Leave AK lodge (we are changing hotels) and arrive at MK late (5 PMish). If we take the car, I think we will end up at the back of the parking lot showing up this late, correct? Stay at MK until park close. Return to AK. SHOULD WE TAKE THE BUS TO AND FROM THE PARK OR SHOULD WE TAKE THE CAR?

Thank you!

Epcot I might take the car. MK I think it's always better to take the bus.

 

[smiths02]

I have a question if we are staying at the Campsites and want to drive to MK can we park at any other resort for free or do we have to park at the TTC

I wouldn't count on being able to do this at Grand Floridian, Poly or Contemporary, for example. At GF, we went to go to 1900 PF and we were staying at the Beach Club, they specifically looked up our name on an ADR list before they let us park.

I would just park at the TTC and then take the ferry or monorail...seems easier than parking at another resort.