Please share your creative ways to avoid Disney buses but still use Disney transportation to visit the parks from DVC resorts.

[VGCgroupie]

I want to stay at a resort for a trip next year that gives me the best way to get to the parks while avoiding Disney buses and rideshare. I dont really want to debate that the Disney buses aren't that bad, I wont go into why but I would strongly prefer to avoid them when and where I can

This is the info I need to learn. Ive seen various blogs that show what transport takes you where but Im wanting to know loopholes that will get you places via Disney transport/walking without taking a bus even if its a a little out of the way.

I could technically take boat or walk from BCV to Epcot then take monorail to BLT and access MK? I know some will say this is a hassle but honestly I thought I was going to lose my mind with the bus situation leaving MK. Going was not as bad. So on return Id have to be sure to exit MK before Epcot closes.

For this let's assume you have an AP and you can enter and exit the parks freely.

 

[Herding_Cats]

If you stay at Poly, GF, CR/BLT, YC/BC, or BWV *and* have an AP or park hopper ticket, you can get to all of the parks minus Animal Kingdom with a combination of the monorail, walking, boat, or the skyliner. Unless there's some sort of storm system that would cause them to shut down the boats or the skyliner.

You could probably also toss in CCV/BR/WL into the conversation with the ferry to MK and then monorail, but that would add soooo much time.

A lot of this is going to be way less efficient than taking a bus or just simply driving yourself/using a rideshare.

 

[mistysue]

I want to stay at a resort for a trip next year that gives me the best way to get to the parks while avoiding Disney buses and rideshare. I dont really want to debate that the Disney buses aren't that bad, I wont go into why but I would strongly prefer to avoid them when and where I can

This is the info I need to learn. Ive seen various blogs that show what transport takes you where but Im wanting to know loopholes that will get you places via Disney transport/walking without taking a bus even if its a a little out of the way.

I could technically take boat or walk from BCV to Epcot then take monorail to BLT and access MK? I know some will say this is a hassle but honestly I thought I was going to lose my mind with the bus situation leaving MK. Going was not as bad. So on return Id have to be sure to exit MK before Epcot closes.

For this let's assume you have an AP and you can enter and exit the parks freely.

I think that's sort of the trick- you stay in Bay Lake area (or on the skyliner loops) and you either skyline or walk/monorail to three of the parks. There's no nonautomobile version of going to Animal Kingdom.

You could also stay on the monorail loop and have to pass through EPCOT to get to HS.

 

[mistysue]

OH- don't forget, if you have an AP, you have to be careful about days reservations are needed! If you reserved MK and needed to pass through EPCOT first... it will either be a momentary headache or a cancellation of those plans.

 

[Lumpy1106]

It's a bummer you have to go through EPCOT to get to the monorail from BWV and BCV.

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

Aside from the big MK/Epcot/HS loop that we talked about and is mentioned here again, honestly just take a regular Uber. It’s usually reasonably priced unlike a minnie van and usually much quicker. We take a couple Ubers a trip to avoid the monorail or if we’re running a bit late for a dining reservation.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Aside from the big MK/Epcot/HS loop that we talked about and is mentioned here again, honestly just take a regular Uber. It’s usually reasonably priced unlike a minnie van and usually much quicker. We take a couple Ubers a trip to avoid the monorail or if we’re running a bit late for a dining reservation.

This trip that would've worked well for us actually. I may give that a go in August. The February trip we will have my granddaughter so the car seat situation will have us likely not wanting to Uber. Another reason we love the skyliner is no breaking down of the stroller. As I am typing this I just remembered for Feb Skyliner will be down so I have to factor that in for this trip. I love all these suggestions. So much that I am strongly considering selling my CCV to buy BLT.

Edit: just saw the end date for refurb of the skyliner is Jan 31. Do I trust Disney will actually be done by then

 

[mistysue]

It's a bummer you have to go through EPCOT to get to the monorail from BWV and BCV.

Right? I know it makes no sense for Disney, but it would be great to have to way to get to the front entrance from those resorts. (or from the front to the back entrance)

Aside from the big MK/Epcot/HS loop that we talked about and is mentioned here again, honestly just take a regular Uber. It’s usually reasonably priced unlike a minnie van and usually much quicker. We take a couple Ubers a trip to avoid the monorail or if we’re running a bit late for a dining reservation.

We've been using Uber/Lyft too - the exception being for MK. For MK we do Minnie van because that ride to the TTC is a huge let down, unless you think ahead to going to the Contemporary.

This trip that would've worked well for us actually. I may give that a go in August. The February trip we will have my granddaughter so the car seat situation will have us likely not wanting to Uber. Another reason we love the skyliner is no breaking down of the stroller. As I am typing this I just remembered for Feb Skyliner will be down so I have to factor that in for this trip. I love all these suggestions. So much that I am strongly considering selling my CCV to buy BLT.

The car seats are what the Minnie vans are for. I mean I LOVED when we were finally all big enough to get a regular uber, but until then (or if taking transport to the MK) use a Minnievan because they come with up to 2 car seats. I've always seen people say the car seat laws in Florida aren't that strict but it's about safety. (and air conditioning and phone charging cords!)

 

[AstroBlasters]

This trip that would've worked well for us actually. I may give that a go in August. The February trip we will have my granddaughter so the car seat situation will have us likely not wanting to Uber. Another reason we love the skyliner is no breaking down of the stroller. As I am typing this I just remembered for Feb Skyliner will be down so I have to factor that in for this trip. I love all these suggestions. So much that I am strongly considering selling my CCV to buy BLT.

How many Minnie vans would it take to make up for the closing costs of a new contract and the sales commissions of your current contract?

 

[VGCgroupie]

Right? I know it makes no sense for Disney, but it would be great to have to way to get to the front entrance from those resorts. (or from the front to the back entrance)

We've been using Uber/Lyft too - the exception being for MK. For MK we do Minnie van because that ride to the TTC is a huge let down, unless you think ahead to going to the Contemporary.

The car seats are what the Minnie vans are for. I mean I LOVED when we were finally all big enough to get a regular uber, but until then (or if taking transport to the MK) use a Minnievan because they come with up to 2 car seats. I've always seen people say the car seat laws in Florida aren't that strict but it's about safety. (and air conditioning and phone charging cords!)

I didnt realize they had car seats preinstalled. That is pretty amazing

 

[mistysue]

I didnt realize they had car seats preinstalled. That is pretty amazing

Whether they're installed depends on who they last drove, but they travel with two and can be rear or forward facing. Whoever invented the idea for the service knew what they were doing. We were hooked when they first came out.

The drivers know how to hook them up.

 

[VGCgroupie]

How many Minnie vans would it take to make up for the closing costs of a new contract and the sales commissions of your current contract?

I am deal seeker / maker so I think Id really only end up paying commissions. And I could sell it for around what I paid and I h ave used the heck out of that little contract for SAP stays already. But it is still quite a few Minnie Van rides. I wont make any rash decisions since I have stay booked at CCV in August and the only other option is AKV and SSR right now and those aren't options for me. I will stay CCV in August and try out a Minnie Van and then decide. (I secretly would buy BLT and hope DH is like just keep CCV dont bother selling it )
Edit: actually RIV is available but I cant give up my VDH points for Riv I dont think

 

[mistysue]

You know what - I just went to get the link and it says ONE car seat now. But at least it's still the one. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/g...ice/?msockid=05620ced0d9e6d573c4f18cc0ce06cbd

 

[VGCgroupie]

You know what - I just went to get the link and it says ONE car seat now. But at least it's still the one. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/g...ice/?msockid=05620ced0d9e6d573c4f18cc0ce06cbd

So far we only need the one, so still works for us.

 

[PolyRob]

So far we only need the one, so still works for us.

I agree with @mistysue , the Minnie Van is well worth the ease and peace of mind, especially with a child in carseat. You have a WDW CM behind the wheel that knows where they are going and there is so much construction going on, especially in the MK area. It's a much safer and calmer experience than traditional rideshare. There is a limited number of Minnie Vans so you do need to watch the ETA in the app. Park closing can be a popular time.

Do you have a Chase Sapphire Reserve from the direct points purchases? You book Minnie Vans via the Lyft app so you should be able to get that $10 credit and 5x Lyft coding. You could also buy discounted Lyft GCs and apply them.

I have nothing against WL, but it's much harder to navigate MK from WL than the monorail resorts. All the monorail resorts are walkable to MK. Poly is obviously the furthest, but the plus of Poly is you can get to Epcot direct from TTC via the Epcot line without taking the resort line first. BLT/CR can be a little annoying if you need the elevator to get to the monorail (stroller, ECV, wheelchair, etc) at popular times, but it's doable. No single WDW resort is perfect for transportation, but they all have their pros and cons!

 

[VGCgroupie]

I agree with @mistysue , the Minnie Van is well worth the ease and peace of mind, especially with a child in carseat. You have a WDW CM behind the wheel that knows where they are going and there is so much construction going on, especially in the MK area. It's a much safer and calmer experience than traditional rideshare. There is a limited number of Minnie Vans so you do need to watch the ETA in the app. Park closing can be a popular time.

Do you have a Chase Sapphire Reserve from the direct points purchases? You book Minnie Vans via the Lyft app so you should be able to get that $10 credit and 5x Lyft coding. You could also buy discounted Lyft GCs and apply them.

I have nothing against WL, but it's much harder to navigate MK from WL than the monorail resorts. All the monorail resorts are walkable to MK. Poly is obviously the furthest, but the plus of Poly is you can get to Epcot direct from TTC via the Epcot line without taking the resort line first. BLT/CR can be a little annoying if you need the elevator to get to the monorail (stroller, ECV, wheelchair, etc) at popular times, but it's doable. No single WDW resort is perfect for transportation, but they all have their pros and cons!

You are speaking to deal loving soul. I have a CSP so I get the 5X and somehow I havent thought about seeking out Lyft GC deals. That would for sure take the sting out of the cost. I just need to be sure to have a plan of when we are leaving to not have a long wait for the van. I can say I will not be viewing the fireworks from main st or the hub at WDW ever again so that should help me make a plan to leave earlier

 

[matt and beth]

Skyliner can get backed up too FYI. NYE it’s backed up to YC.

BWV you can walk to Epcot or HS. Best pure walking experience to two parks.

GF and BLT/CR you can walk to MK and/or ride monorail to Epcot but there is a layover at the TTC where you have to change monorails. And we have experienced some back up at monorail also.

Poly you can ride monorail to MK or walk to the TTC for the monorail direct to Epcot. Again Monorail at times can be backed up.

A lot of people complain about AKL. I know this may sound strange but it is the furthest resort, but they service only one resort and two stops. Some of the other buses service either several stops or multiple resorts. AKL isn’t the worst in my opinion

 

[Girlstar30]

I buy Uber gift cards on Costco 79.99 for $100 and then join Uber one before my trip. Use it for rides to the airport and any transportation to Disney Springs and back because i hate those bus rides, saves a lot of money and headache, my rides from Disney Springs to hotel was less than $8

 

[PolyRob]

You are speaking to deal loving soul. I have a CSP so I get the 5X and somehow I havent thought about seeking out Lyft GC deals. That would for sure take the sting out of the cost. I just need to be sure to have a plan of when we are leaving to not have a long wait for the van. I can say I will not be viewing the fireworks from main st or the hub at WDW ever again so that should help me make a plan to leave earlier

I do not blame you. MK fireworks crowds are intense! There are some great places where you can still watch them around the MK without seeing projections and of course all the MK resorts (WL included)!

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

Edit: just saw the end date for refurb of the skyliner is Jan 31. Do I trust Disney will actually be done by then

So far they’ve been very good with the skyliner refurbs, finishing early the last 2 years so it’s a decent bet it’ll be done by when they say.

You are speaking to deal loving soul. I have a CSP so I get the 5X and somehow I havent thought about seeking out Lyft GC deals. That would for sure take the sting out of the cost. I just need to be sure to have a plan of when we are leaving to not have a long wait for the van. I can say I will not be viewing the fireworks from main st or the hub at WDW ever again so that should help me make a plan to leave earlier

No no you’re doing it wrong my friend! Don’t get me wrong, my favorite place in the world is watching HEA from the poly beach and we do it every trip no matter where we’re staying so I highly recommend that as a fantastic viewing alternative. BUT, HEA in park is a must! You just have to stay past the crowds. Just hang out in your spot, let the other folks trickle out for 10-15 mins so you can actually walk around and then enjoy the park/shops for another 45mins-hour and then leave. The biggest exodus always happens after fireworks so it’s a zoo. Hold out a bit and it’s much easier.