Park Hopping- Car or Bus?

[lola789]

I will be going to Disney in late September and have purchased Park Hopper tickets. This is our first time staying onsite, at Pop, as well as Park Hopping. We will have a car available to us to use during our stay.

I heard we should arrive an hour before RD, even for EMH. What is the quickest way for each of the following RD and Park Hopping moves?

Day 1: AK 9am-7pm, then HS 7pm-11pm
Day 2: HS 9am-730pm, then MK 730pm-10pm
Day 3: EP 8am-9pm
Day 4: MK 9am-9pm, then EP 9pm-11pm

Thank you!

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

I use the car, but I think it's if you want a no driving vacation or not. I hate the buses at closing...but I also do not like the issue getting in and out of MK by car. For MK, I will flip the coin to drive or bus..

If we are park hopping I always drive, it just seems too long on buses. Except for MK to Epcot and vise-versa.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Well, buses go directly between parks (except, of course, the MK TTC Epcot monorail). No tram, no searching for your hot car, no long trek to the destination park...

 

[Dano13]

Parking at MK is a hassle, but nothing in comparison to finding a bus at park close. I will be driving myself this year via a rental and can guarantee I will save several hours commuting when all is said and done. It also gives a better chance to stop at other hotels too. We have yet to see Animal Kingdom Lodge, and with a car will stop there after AK before heading to our second park. I would never consider doing that via bus.

 

[leebee]

Parking at MK is a hassle, but nothing in comparison to finding a bus at park close. I will be driving myself this year via a rental and can guarantee I will save several hours commuting when all is said and done. It also gives a better chance to stop at other hotels too. We have yet to see Animal Kingdom Lodge, and with a car will stop there after AK before heading to our second park. I would never consider doing that via bus.

People will say I am crazy, but I have stood in line for 45 minutes or longer at MK at park closing for a bus back to POP- and then stood on the bus. DH and I timed it once. He and I parted ways at the foot of the ramp for the monorail. He went and waited in line for a bus back to POP. I took the monorail, then the parking lot tram, and then drove our car back to POP. I parked near our room, went in, took a fast shower, and had been in bed reading for about 15 minutes before he made it to the room. The nicest part was that I spent the majority of my travel time sitting down in a/c comfort, while he stood to wait for the bus, on the bus, and then walking to our room. After 14 hours in the MK in August, I am MORE than happy to sit down in a cool spot for the last 90 minutes of the day!

 

[mdinme]

We will not do the bus. Car all the way, also. You do not need to be at park one hr prior to RD in late sept if ever (yeah, i know). Your park days are jammed. Ease back a touch, sleep in a bit, with fp+ and some planning youll get it all in and not return home needing a vacation.

 

[danjoan14]

Yes, I would take the car. We loved staying on the property last year in August, but waiting for the buses was a nightmare at times. After being at the park all day and your feet killing you, it's not fun waiting in a huge line trying to get back on your bus. It was a good thing I had used my 48 hour deodorant before heading out to the park on a long, hot day!