Park or Ride Disney Bus

[chriswilliam]

My family of 5 (1 is still in a stroller) will be going to Disney in a little less than two weeks. We'll be staying at a family suite in the All Star Music Resort. I booked the AAA so I have their parking pass.

Do you think it would be more convenient to ride the bus system or to drive and use the AAA parking pass?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Gerweniel]

IMHO, considering you have a stroller, it may be easier and quicker to drive your family rather than taking the busses if you plan on staying for evening fireworks and have to face a mass exodus from the parks. Obviously, folks are tired and cranky and sometimes there is a long wait for the return busses and standing room only etc. Otherwise, during the day and off times, the bus waits are usually short and not crowded so it would be perfect to take advantage of them then.
Personally, when we arrive at WDW, I put my car keys away and use the Disney Transportation System entirely, but I have older kids.
Have a great time whatever you decide!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Except it is almost ALWAYS more advisable to use Disney transportation to and from the Magic Kingdom. The bus drops you only a few hundred feet from the park entrance.
If you drive yourselves, you'd need to park in the AAA area (assuming there are spaces available, then walk under the access road to the TTC, then wait for a monorail (lines could be long and you may not get on the first one) or board the ferry and wait for it to fill and depart.

 

[Kick Save]

Just got back, and this was the first time we drove everywhere...and loved it. Check that, we took the bus to the MK for the exact reason kaytieeldr posted. But, we drove to the other parks and definitely liked it. No fighting for a seat in your own car...well, no fighting among the parents, the kids can be a different story.

 

[Bill From PA]

AAA parking may get you a little closer to a given park entrance, but I'd still stick with WDW transportation for getting to and from parks. We've stayed at AllStar Music twice for 7 days each and AllStar Movie for one short stay and we've found AllStar bus service to be the best of all the WDW resorts we've stayed at, including POR, Swan and Dolphin. A folding stroller is no problem. I'd only use a car if going to a resort from AllStar as busses don't run between resorts. I'm not a public transportation sort of guy, I like to have my own wheels handy, but 8 trips to WDW resorts have convinced me to Take the Bus, Gus.

Bill From PA

 

[mmmears]

If you are planning to get to the parks before opening, we have found that driving to AK, TL, and BB is very easy and efficient. I've heard MGM is pretty good, too. If you plan to arrive late, know that the AAA spots can fill up, and that if they do, you could be parking so far from the front entrance that you'll wish you had taken the bus! We never drive anywhere for our evening touring of one of the parks, but early morning it's much easier than taking the bus.

 

[Doc CW]

I think you should ride the Disney bus system because it makes the WDW experience that much more magical because sometimes there are really cool bus drivers who will talk to you and ask questions. I like riding the buses so I personally would ride the bus.

 

[Conan the Librarian]

My family of 5 (1 is still in a stroller) will be going to Disney in a little less than two weeks. We'll be staying at a family suite in the All Star Music Resort. I booked the AAA so I have their parking pass.

Do you think it would be more convenient to ride the bus system or to drive and use the AAA parking pass?

Thanks for the help!

Whatever you do, be prepared to wait if you ride the Bus on EMH. We have given up on the Bus for EMH. Otherwise...the Bus system is the way to go!

Of course if you are staying at Ft Wilderness, WL, the Poly, Contem, or the GFlo, take the Boats! They are MUCH more fun!