park to park transportation

[ddiez1234]

I was just wondering how long is it from park to park. I plan on hopping from animal kingdom to epcot?

 

[LoveMickey]

They have direct busses from AK to EPCOT. Suggestion, if you are planning on heading to World Showcase, think about getting a bus from AK to one of the EPCOT resorts. Then you do not have to walk thru Future World first.

I thought of this, the last time I was on the bus to EPCOT from AK.

Also, I have found that AK has the longest waits of any of the parks or resorts, or maybe it is just my timing.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Really? I was under the impression that there were no busses that went directly from park to park. I thought you had to take a bus to any resort or the TTC and then transfer. If I am wrong, great, but I was fairly certain that there were no direct park to park busses. Please, correct me if I am wrong.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Nope, there are absolutely buses that go from park to park.
Buses run between MGM and Epcot, and back (there's also the boat between MGM and Epcot's International Gateway, aka back entrance).
Buses run between MGM and Animal Kingdom, and back.
Buses run between Epcot and Animal Kingdom, and back.
Now, Magic Kingdom is different - to get between there and any other park you need to go through the TTC. Between MK and MGM, and between AK and MK, there are buses. Between Epcot and MK, there's the monorail.

 

[LISAMWDW]

As a general rule, we always plan one hour.

 

[ronandannette]

Hi Lisa,

Is that one hour to transit anywhere to anywhere? It sounds like that could really eat into your day if you're trying to move around much. We're staying at AKL, which we're sooo excited about, but this matter of travel is starting to concern me. We've only got 3 full days and need to make the most of them. We've also been advised that we will absolutely NEED to go back to the hotel during the hottest part of the afternoon (late August), so will that take 2 hours a day no matter what?

Also, if you could please advise - We want to have dinner at Chef Mickey's on our first night. What time should we make the reservation for? We touchdown at MCO at 4:00. Allowing time to transfer to the hotel by ME, check in and then find some way over to CM's (bus I guess) - what time do you think we could make it by?

Thanks
Annette

 

[LISAMWDW]

Hi Lisa,

Is that one hour to transit anywhere to anywhere? It sounds like that could really eat into your day if you're trying to move around much. We're staying at AKL, which we're sooo excited about, but this matter of travel is starting to concern me. We've only got 3 full days and need to make the most of them. We've also been advised that we will absolutely NEED to go back to the hotel during the hottest part of the afternoon (late August), so will that take 2 hours a day no matter what?

Well, AKL is awesome, but it is farther away than some of the other resorts. Your close to AK so your bus trip to AK will be 25 minutes tops. See, you'll have to wait at AKL to catch the bus, then your bus trip would be less than 10 minutes. Other than that, yes your bus trips during the day will take alot of time out of the day. This is why most people stay in the MK resort area, it's closer/easier for transportation. Perhaps you can switch to WL, same price but closer to MK.

Also, if you could please advise - We want to have dinner at Chef Mickey's on our first night. What time should we make the reservation for? We touchdown at MCO at 4:00. Allowing time to transfer to the hotel by ME, check in and then find some way over to CM's (bus I guess) - what time do you think we could make it by?

I think you should easily make it to dinner by 7:00pm. It'll take 1 1/2 hrs get to AKL and check in. Then leave AKL by 6:00 at the latest to catch the bus to MK then walk or take the monorail to CR. Leave yourself plenty of time so you won't be stressed out. I know I get stressed when feeling time pressure.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Really? I was under the impression that there were no busses that went directly from park to park. I thought you had to take a bus to any resort or the TTC and then transfer. If I am wrong, great, but I was fairly certain that there were no direct park to park busses. Please, correct me if I am wrong.

What you may be thinking of is that there is no direct resort to resort transportation.

 

[tink1978]

There is direct park to park transportation at all of the parks. It takes about 20 minutes or so to travel to and from each one. Then add about 10-20 minutes waiting for the bus to arrive at the station.

 

[WillCAD]

AK to Epcot usually only takes about 10-15 minutes, once the bus is actually moving.

Mickey Fliers - you might be thinking of Downtown Disney. There is no transportation from any of the parks to DTD, and none from DTD to the parks. This was done to prevent off-site Guests and locals from parking at DTD to avoid the parking fee at the parks.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Thank you so much for setting me straight.

Dr. T - I think you are right. I was confusing the no resort/resort busses w/ park/park.

Great news, though! Where exactly to you catch the busses to the other parks? I have only noticed the resort stops.

Thanks!

 

[Skwinkles]

Is that one hour to transit anywhere to anywhere? It sounds like that could really eat into your day if you're trying to move around much. We're staying at AKL, which we're sooo excited about, but this matter of travel is starting to concern me. We've only got 3 full days and need to make the most of them. We've also been advised that we will absolutely NEED to go back to the hotel during the hottest part of the afternoon (late August), so will that take 2 hours a day no matter what?

I think that the one hour estimate is really a worse case scenario. Generally, the "on the road" time will be between 10-25 minutes max. If you catch a bus quickly, you're fine. If you've just missed the bus you're looking for, you could be in for a 15-30 minute wait. So while it's possible that it will take an hour, 30 minutes might be a more average estimate.

 

[ddiez1234]

if you dont feel like waiting there are taxis cabs that will charge like 10 bucks right

 

[Dizneydaz]

The idea of taking the bus to a Epcot resort is a good one! Either Beach Club or Boardwalk would be good. We've parked at both for dinner and then walked to Epcot for the rest of the evening. Then after Illuminations it's just a short walk to get the car. And if you valet it, even better-less walking.

Of course, we always have our own vehicle , but bussing to the resort from AK makes alot of sense. Unfortunately you can't do it from Epcot resort to your resort.

 

[nalabell]

Here is a website that I think will help you.

www.ourlaughingplace.com/asp/twiz.asp

 

[ronandannette]

Thanks for all that info, although I must say none of it is making me particularly happy. Would anybody recommend renting a car to get around WDW? Would that make it any easier or quicker for us? Since time is going to be worth more than money with these few days we'd do it if it would help.

Annette

 

[WillCAD]

Thanks for all that info, although I must say none of it is making me particularly happy. Would anybody recommend renting a car to get around WDW? Would that make it any easier or quicker for us? Since time is going to be worth more than money with these few days we'd do it if it would help.

Annette

I rent a car on every trip to WDW, but I especially like having one on the short trips when time is precious.

MKs parking lot is remote, but the other theme parks are much easier and quicker to access via your own car than via the busses.

Resort to resort transportation takes forever using the WDW transportation system, but if you have a car, it's a 15-minute proposition from just about anywhere to anywhere on WDW property.

The WDW roads are not difficult to navigate; they have lots of very clear signage from one area to another, and all you have to do is follow the signs.

 

[CanadaPT]

Thanks for all that info, although I must say none of it is making me particularly happy. Would anybody recommend renting a car to get around WDW? Would that make it any easier or quicker for us? Since time is going to be worth more than money with these few days we'd do it if it would help.

Annette

YES I would recommend renting a car. I just rented one through Priceline and paid $13 a day. It's worth it -- even if staying on-site.

 

[ronandannette]

If we go ahead with the car, can you advise whether or not parking at the resorts and parks is free? That could add up to as much as cabs if we plan to park hop.

Thanks
Annette

 

[WillCAD]

If we go ahead with the car, can you advise whether or not parking at the resorts and parks is free? That could add up to as much as cabs if we plan to park hop.

Thanks
Annette

Self-parking at all WDW resorts is free. There is also valet service at the Deluxe resorts.

If you are staying at a Disney resorts, parking at the Disney theme parks is free (you will get a parking pass for your windshield at check-in).

Parking at Downtown Disney is free to anyone.