Personal Car v/s bus

[bwolfe]

We are taking a quick trip in December for DS's birthday. This will be the first time we've used one of the value resorts (POP). I have been reading that bus transportation to these resorts can be a long wait at times. Is there an advantage to just take my personal vehicle to the parks for the two days we will be there?

 

[btwitkin]

We just returned from POP a few days ago.

We rented a car, we didn't want to rely on the bus service. It is about a 5 minute drive to Epcot, HS and AK. Much quicker than taking the bus. The only thing is you will do a lot more walking from your car to the park entrance and vice versa...so it depends on what is more important to you.

For MK, we valet parked at one of the monorail hotels the 3 times we went there. It is $10, worth it to us, but maybe not to you. It is about a 10-15 drive to MK from POP.

 

[bwolfe]

Thanks...as a resort guest do I get a parking pass?

 

[alyssa810]

If you're staying on site, you don't pay to park, even at the resorts (unless you do valet as the pp mentioned). It's always worth it to have your own car, IMO.

 

[bear_mom]

We were at Pop in May and had great bus service. Waited about 5 minutes for a bus, I think twice we waited more than 5 minutes, but then it was less than 10 (we were there for 9 days, so a lot of bus travel as we park hop). I think that the ease of taking the bus is great and wouldn't want to bother with driving.

Emily

 

[Golf4food]

I will always (and always have) use our car. If you get to the parks early in the day you aren't parking far away and they have the trams anyway. I'd much rather make a short walk than wait in a long line and be stuck on a packed bus full of hot, sweaty, smelly, short tempered people after a long day in the parks!

 

[debbiedana]

I just got back 3rd-8th. We timed every bus. Yes really. We never, not ONCE, waited more then 5 minutes for a bus to or from Pop. This included before park opening, at park close, after Illuminations, after Wishes...

After Wishes on night, there were 4, yes FOUR busses for Pop Century loading at once.

If we just missed a bus, one would show up almost immediately after.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the Transportation board.

 

[SamMac]

Drive to all the parks except for MK. The busses are easier than having to park, get on the tram and then get on the monorail or boat.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

My kids would kill me if I didn't drive to MK so they could ride the monorail. In their opinion it's a ride

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Waited 25 minutes at Magic Kingdom this weekend for a bus then the bus did not go directly to our resort we stopped at Typhoon Lagoon. Saw several busses that were listing to different stops such as DTD and typhoon lagoon. So if you have a tight schedule you might want to drive.

 

[finnegancm]

My family has always elected to rent a car when we go to WDW, just because we're the kind of people that change plans on the drop of a hat and wanted to have the freedom to decide to go to Epcot even though we were originally going to Downtown or someplace like that. I've taken the buses just to get out on my own in the past and found them to be safe, efficient, and punctual.

But ultimately, I think there's a sort of comfort that comes with your own car if you can afford to bring it or rent one. When I do the spring CP, I will drive down in my own car, since I'm known for oversleeping...I don't want to be late for work because I missed the bus!