Parking at the parks

[stitchfan18]

For those of you who stay on Property, do you think it is it better to just drive to the parks since resort guests get free parking, or is Bus Transportation still the best? I wonder this because the last time we were there the buses seemed really slow and in the evenings when we were all exhausted we usually had to stand all the way back to the hotel. Last time we were at a Value resort and this time we are going to stay at a Moderate. Does that make any difference as far as efficiency and the number of people on buses?
Thanks for your help!

 

[jrasmom]

I'm interested to see what is said here.

We're going in September, we're figuring we'll just drive to the parks most days, well at least to the MK and Epcot since those are the farthest away from where we're staying (All Stars Movies) and would cut down on travel time, right?

and with hauling a stroller around it'd be easier then putting it on the bus and off again wouldn't it?

 

[sameyeyam]

If you think the buses are slow, try getting into a rental car with DH at midnight, fighting your way out of a crowded MK parking lot. Then try reading the map in the dark car and realize that hubby is going the wrong way. Ended up on some freeway, where I swear we paid the same toll booth attendant about 3 times while going in circles! We are now praying that we don't run out of change before we find the hotel.

Travel on for about another 5 miles before you find a turn around. Then turn around and get lost again. Kids are no problem - they have now been in the back seat sleeping for about an hour! DH is now cursing me and I'm almost in tears because he's ruining my perfect magical Disney vacation that I worked so hard to plan for!

Fast forward to this year's vacation - we take the Magical Express, we wait in line for 10 minutes or so for a bus to/from the parks. We MIGHT have to stand up on the bus for the 5-10 minute ride back to the resort -- no big deal really.

Give me on-site transportation anytime!

 

[Kitty 34]

If you think the buses are slow, try getting into a rental car with DH at midnight, fighting your way out of a crowded MK parking lot. Then try reading the map in the dark car and realize that hubby is going the wrong way. Ended up on some freeway, where I swear we paid the same toll booth attendant about 3 times while going in circles! We are now praying that we don't run out of change before we find the hotel.

Travel on for about another 5 miles before you find a turn around. Then turn around and get lost again. Kids are no problem - they have now been in the back seat sleeping for about an hour! DH is now cursing me and I'm almost in tears because he's ruining my perfect magical Disney vacation that I worked so hard to plan for!

Fast forward to this year's vacation - we take the Magical Express, we wait in line for 10 minutes or so for a bus to/from the parks. We MIGHT have to stand up on the bus for the 5-10 minute ride back to the resort -- no big deal really.

Give me on-site transportation anytime!

Had to laugh when I read this because I've been on the same toll road after leaving MK!!

 

[MidgeD79]

We do both. Plussess of own car: guaranteed a seat, cold drinks and snacks ready, can hear yourself talk, peace and quiet (if so desired), not standing in the rain with thousands of other people waiting for a bus because Fantasmic was cancelled, adjust the temperature to what you want (not the bus driver), kids can sleep comfortably, you can take your shoes off and I'm sure the are other reasons. The best for us is to drive to the park in the morning (except MK) and take the bus back to the resort for afternoon break and take the bus back to the park for evening. Your car is close to the front and you're ready to go. Bottom line it's a personal preference and there are pros and cons to either way. You're there to have fun and be stress-free.

 

[Robo]

For those of you who stay on Property, do you think it is it better to just drive to the parks since resort guests get free parking, or is Bus Transportation still the best?

Taking a CAR is FAR better.

But not for the people in the CAR... better for ME, becasue I always use the WDW bus.

So on MK nights, please go ahead and ride the monorail or ferry (never anyone standing of THESE, right?) to the TTC, then take a Tram to your car (or NEAR your car... you DO remember where you parked, right?) join the happy bustle of traffic merging to leave the parking lots and converge into the streets... then the late-night drive to the resort (say hello to the guard at the resort gate), then park the car (remember where you parked it THERE, too.) and off to the room.

Yep, sounds like a good plan for ME (less folks on the bus) but not so much for YOU. (If you get my meaning.)

 

[Andy too]

I would encourage you not to drive to MK. You have to park at TTC and take a ferry or the monorail. I think you'll be better off just taking the bus from your hotel.

We usually drive to the other parks, but have always found the transportation to be great when we've used it.

Have a great time!

 

[STEAMBOAT209]

When we were driving to Disney, many years back to back, we parked the car and never used it again until it was time to start home. We never had a problem with the Disney buses, wait times were really only 5 to 10 mins. long, enjoyed the conversations with other guests waiting also. DS and DDIL cart the baby buggy on the buses without too much difficulty. If we are running late for something special, dressed up other than park attire, we will call a cab to make our appointment.

 

[Don Pacho]

My idea of a Disney vacation is to stay at a Disney resort and forget all about driving and have Disney transportation. take me all over the place.

If I am going to drive, it is not the Disney magic anymore, then I would stay at the local Motel 6 for $40 a night and drive to the park.

 

[jrasmom]

So..I've been reading that it can take 30-45 minutes from my hotel to MK, is that wrong? I don't mind riding the busses if it's not going to take that long BUT to get the kids up & ready only to take 45 minutes on a bus for a trip that is what, 2 miles away (or something like that)I'd rather drive then park, then catch the monorail..we want to experience it anyways.

What about if we're going to dinner at another resort, better to drive and park there then catch a bus to a park, to catch a bus to that hotel, isn't it?

 

[peter11435]

So..I've been reading that it can take 30-45 minutes from my hotel to MK, is that wrong? I don't mind riding the busses if it's not going to take that long BUT to get the kids up & ready only to take 45 minutes on a bus for a trip that is what, 2 miles away (or something like that)I'd rather drive then park, then catch the monorail..we want to experience it anyways.

What about if we're going to dinner at another resort, better to drive and park there then catch a bus to a park, to catch a bus to that hotel, isn't it?

All-Star Movies is a little more than 7 miles from the MK. The bus ride itself will only take you 10-15 minutes, but then you have the added time of waiting for the bus to arrive. Driving to the park and then walking to the tram, taking the tram, waiting on the monorail and riding the monorail to the park will take you much longer. I recommend just using Disney Transportation.

 

[stitchfan18]

So..I've been reading that it can take 30-45 minutes from my hotel to MK, is that wrong? I don't mind riding the busses if it's not going to take that long BUT to get the kids up & ready only to take 45 minutes on a bus for a trip that is what, 2 miles away (or something like that)I'd rather drive then park, then catch the monorail..we want to experience it anyways.

What about if we're going to dinner at another resort, better to drive and park there then catch a bus to a park, to catch a bus to that hotel, isn't it?

That's why I think driving would be easier this trip. We stayed at ASMU this May and would get to the bus stop at 8:30 but wouldn't end up at the park till 9:00ish. We weren't on the bus the whole time, just waiting for one to come pick us up. In regard to your question about eating at another resort, we ate at Whispering Canyon one night in the WL and we planned an hour to take a bus from our hotel to one of the parks then catch a bus from there. It took us every bit of that hour, infact, we were almost late getting there! I definitely think that for a PS at another resort it's easier to drive.

 

[ufgator]

We do both. We were there a couple of weeks ago and drove to AK first thing in the morning to go ride EE. We stayed at BWI. Then we walked into Epcot. I don't like driving to MK whenever we go because you have to go to TTC.

 

[beattyfamily]

We also do both depending on where we are going, how we are feeling, and also where we are staying. We usually have to walk by the bus stop to get to the car anyway so we decide at the last minute sometimes.

We NEVER take the car to MK. The bus brings you so much closer thus, IMHO, it's faster.

We always drive to DTD.

We sometimes drive to Epcot but sometimes take the monorail depending on where we are staying.

We usually do drive to AK and MGM but it just depends, like I said, on our mood, where we're staying, time of day etc...

IMHO, just play it by ear. Do what you think is best of your family on that particular day.

 

[daisax]

If I am going to drive, it is not the Disney magic anymore, then I would stay at the local Motel 6 for $40 a night and drive to the park.​

If I'm going to ride a bus with other people's whining children, it's not the Disney magic any more!

Give me driving any day. At least in low season, when we go, we arrive cool and calm, hop on the shaded tram, and go zipping by lines of people trooping their way to/from the bus stops in the sun (especially at Animal Kingdom!)

I'd rather exert myself in walking to the car (if we're unlucky enough to be parked far down the aisle -- much of the time that's not the case and we end up within 6-7 spaces of the stop) than stand outside in the heat waiting for a bus. Again with the whining children

 

[NJOYURLIFE]

We do a combination of both on each trip. It depends on what will work for us on that particular day. We do tend to focus more on using the bus system for the parks for 2 reasons. One my youngest absolutely loves taking the bus. For her it is part of the whole magical experience. Two, it makes it easy for us to split up which we do tend to do alot since my 11 yo son likes much more adventerous rides then my daughters do.

We do usually drive when going to other resorts just because there is usually more than one transfer. The first time we took my mom to Disney World we were heading from OKW to the campfire at Fort Wilderness. For some strange reason that night my husband insisted on using Disney transportation. Well, we had to take a bus to MK, then a boat, then a long walk, then another bus and then another long walk. My mom had lots of great things to say about the transportation system that night
oh, and we are usually running late for a ADR so driving makes much more sense for that reason also.

Since we are usually staying at resorts close to DTD, we can usually take a boat.

I don't think there is any answer that is 100% the best for every single day.

 

[mrsltg]

I prefer driving. Disney transport is not as efficient as it's made out to be, IMHO. I enjoy being able to go to different resorts without having to connect at a park or going to a theme park without having to wait however long for a bus to come. I waited for 50 minutes at AK once - soaking wet from a December rainstorm - for a bus back to the AKL. In that amount of time I could have walked back! Meanwhile buses for other resorts passed by several times. Never again! I will say I've never lost my car (always look to see where you are). Not to mention, the idea of ME gives me hives! I don't want to have to wait for a bus to fill, then go to different resorts before getting to mine. Vacation costs too much to spend "waiting" when I could be "doing" - that's why we rent a car.

 

[Sleeping Becca]

In my experience, the All Star busses are more efficient than the mod busses. That being said, many times we waited for busses for about 10 mim if they didn't show up we took the car. It depends how easy it is to get your car, if it's a hassel (poly, GF, CR) take Disney transportation. Def take the bus to MK. The other parks it's OK to drive. I agree about def driving to MGM for Fantasmic, the lines for the bus are outrageous! You'll be really glad to have the car.

 

[Kick Save]

We also do both depending on where we are going, how we are feeling, and also where we are staying. We usually have to walk by the bus stop to get to the car anyway so we decide at the last minute sometimes.

We NEVER take the car to MK. The bus brings you so much closer thus, IMHO, it's faster.

We always drive to DTD.

We sometimes drive to Epcot but sometimes take the monorail depending on where we are staying.

We usually do drive to AK and MGM but it just depends, like I said, on our mood, where we're staying, time of day etc...

IMHO, just play it by ear. Do what you think is best of your family on that particular day.

Whew, saved me some typing, this is almost word for word what I was going to post.

For us, it depends on where we stay. Typically we're at the BWV, so we walk to Epcot, boat to MGM, take the bus to MK, and drive to AK and DTD. Stayed at the Pop last summer and drove everywhere, including MK because it was our last day and we left for home from the parking lot. Typically we bus to the MK for the reason others have stated above, it drops you off at the gate and you don't have to deal with the TTC options.

This summer will be our first stay at the VWL, so we plan on driving everywhere but the MK. Probably monorail to/from Epcot once for the fun of it.

 

[bubba73]

I tried that theory last year once but I wasn't a fan of standing on the bus and waiting for my turn for the bus so I drove everywhere. I got there quicker than I would have if I waited for the bus and it wasn't that far of a walk from the parking lot since we have the AAA parking pass.