Pros and Cons of driving to the parks...

[SCBuzz]

We will have 2 children (DS 6 and DD 2) along with a stroller and cooler and camera bag. We're staying at All Star Movies and was wondering if it would be better to drive to the parks instead of riding Disney buses ?
Last time there we rode the buses with the same amount of cargo but with only one child and it was a hassle to get the stroller on the buses and boat that left from the WL. I read a prior post that suggested that the buses that run to the All Stars are often overcrowded and one could drive back in their car faster that the buses could get you back....
Any ideas...?

 

[kimmikayb]

Here's what I've read here in the past (or maybe in one of my numerous books I have!)....you can get there easier in your car to every park but MK. We leave Jan. 30, driving from Iowa and we plan on trying out the theory since we will have two small children, strollers and stuff.

 

[sleepyone]

On our last trip to WDW, we stayed at CBR. One night, dd8 and I decided to just take the bus to MK for alone time together. It definately took longer taking the bus than driving our van. (All the stops at CBR, waiting for the wheelchairs to load). I like taking our own vehicle because we can take our time loading and unloading the stroller, diapers, wipes, sunblock, etc.... We can put everything neatly in it's place. Also, the kids are buckled up in their own seats and can go to sleep after a day at the parks instead of putting them in our laps or making them stand up on a crowded bus.

This time, we're staying at the Polynesian and plan on taking the monorail to/from MK and Epcot. We will definately drive to MGM and AK, though.

 

[HopperFan]

MK is the only one that driving can be time consuming. It is a breeze to drive and park, then take a tram.....but the tram only takes you to the TTC, then you have to board the monorail or the ferry boat to get over the lagoon. At each point you may have to wait, especially if you can't get on a tram right away.

From the hotels, the buses take you directly around the lagoon to the entrance of the MK. But if you leave when the park closes you may have a long wait for a bus.

The other parks, driving is easy. Park and walk in...........unless your timing is you are parked far out in the lot............

 

[noladave]

We stayed at ASM 2 trips ago, and after 2 days of overcrowded buses, that seemed like it took forever, we decided to drive to all of the parks. This comes in handy in 2 ways - EMH mornings, you can get there when the parking lots are not very crowded, so you get close to the gate - and, go back for EMH evening, when the parks are letting out for non-resort guests. We did this for EPCOT one night, and were literally 3 or 4 rows from the front gate. At the end of the long night (Epcot closed at 12:00 that night), we walked to our car, and got back to the hotel within minutes, instead of waiting a long time for a bus.

Some people don't like to do this, but we love it. Remember, staying on site, parking is free.

 

[Magic Man]

I noticed a frustrated look on almost all the daddy's faces who were lugging strollers on and off the busses. I have no experience with this, just watching people (which is one of my hobbies). I like the busses for awhile, but they get old after about a week, even without strollers, coolers, etc. I love the monorail!

 

[liamsaunt]

With kids, I would definitely drive. There are lots of advantages: you don't have to worry about getting all your gear onto the bus, you don't have to wait for the bus, it can be faster to drive (except for MK), you can store changes of clothes, jackets, etc. in the car for later in the day, if your kids are having a meltdown you don't have to worry about everyone on the bus glaring at you, etc.

We drove to every park except MK on our trip. It really worked out great. My 6 year old nephew was so impressed with the big car we rented (a giant explorer--there were five of us and we had lots of luggage/gear) that he took pictures of it, "so we can remember this car forever and ever!"

 

[D L and K's Mom]

We drive. We have 3 kids and lots of "stuff". We have found that it is quite a bit easier if we drive to the parks. We also drive to DTD as when we took the bus there it took forever!!!! I don't remember but I dont think we had to pay for parking but I dont remember if that was because we were staying at a Disney resort or if it was because DS has a wheelchair and we used handicapped parking....I think it was becuase we were staying on site...anyone??

 

[Kimberly815]

Don't have any kids in tow. . . but we have always driven to the parks. I love being able to hop in the car when we am ready and just go to the park, or head back home. No waiting.

 

[disnut8]

I'm voting for driving to everywhere except Magic Kingdom as well. Remember, the Movies are the last stop on the All Star bus route so the chances of even getting a seat to go to the parks isn't going to be very good. Let alone getting your gear and two kids onto it.

 

[MOmousefan]

We do both and it depends on the circumstances. It is nice to just hop on a bus and be delivered to the front door. But there are times when the car is handier ie; At closing time, if you want to go into town, etc. Overall, we tend to leave the car at the resort.

 

[jann1033]

an alternate opinion.....according to the ug, driving takes longer. i can see the argument for not having to lug things on and off the bus but that would be the same as lugging it on and off the parking lot trams it would seem. so i guess it's a toss up imo . usually i am tired and wouldn't want the extra hike to the car. we always use wdw transportation and find driving a pain and confusing. if you try it and hate it you can always go back to the wdw trans.
our kids ( and hubby)always loved the buses/boats/mono figuring they were like another "attraction" so driving was never an "option"

edited to add: like everything at wdw when you go means a lot. we always go off season and i can not ever remember waiting for a second bus or even having to stand very often( at park closing a few times rather than wait for the next bus). i wonder how many who hate the wdw trans. go during peak season when naturally it would be worse. however it's not my opinion that it takes longer to drive..the ug has a chart with times and did research so it's not someone's subjective opinion.

 

[kydisneyfans]

another driver here-who in the world wants to stand on an overcrowded bus after waiting in line for 30 minutes on a day where you have been walking from sunup to sundown and beyond. Often resort parking is closer to your room than the bus stop-plus all parks have trams. It is MUCH MUCH quicker and convenient to drive-although the MK is borderline.

 

[cardramblues]

I have a 5yo, 3yo and a 3 month old. Taking the bus is not practical for us for anywhere but MK.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Alternately, could you purchase a smaller stroller (umbrella type) or rent one? And leave some of the non-essential stuff back in your room? I know with babies, you may need more stuff, but could you leave the cooler at the resort and purchase those items in the cooler instead? The less you have to fumble with the easier it is for you and everyone around you.

 

[Amirah95]

We drive and sometimes not...but the only thing I don't like about driving to the parks is if the tram that takes you to the front entrance gets full to where you and your family can't fit...you gotta wait for another one.

 

[bgdiznee]

Here's another vote for driving. This past June, after reading all the pro's and con's of private vs. public transportation to and from the parks ( and years of driving our own car) we finally decided to give WDW buses a try. Never again. We probably encountered every possible bus riding disaster from late or no shows, to drivers getting confused (bus said Epcot but driver took us to AK then had to turn around and go back) to actual bus breakdowns where we were stranded and had to de-bus (is that a word?) and wait for another bus to come and get us! Must be my karma, but we will play it safe and have a rental for our March trip.

 

[Hanover]

We've been to WDW multiple times and have always rented a car. We decided to check out taking the bus to MK from CBR when we went last August. We waited just about 20 minutes for a bus to come,but once we got on, we were at MK relatively quickly. Coming home after closing was a nightmare. We waited a good hour and a half to get on a completely jam packed bus and had to stand until we were at about the 3rd stop at CBR. Our 8 year old and 4 year old both fell asleep and having to hold them up, plus our backpack and stroller was just too much. From then on we drove. We went for almost a week last week and didn't even consider taking the bus again. We had our AAA diamond parking pass and that worked out great. We were at each park at opening and were usually one of the first in the AAA parking and never needed a tram once. I like being able to leave and drive wherever we want once we leave the park and not be restricted to just Disney property.

 

[Amirah95]

We've been to WDW multiple times and have always rented a car. We decided to check out taking the bus to MK from CBR when we went last August. We waited just about 20 minutes for a bus to come,but once we got on, we were at MK relatively quickly. Coming home after closing was a nightmare. We waited a good hour and a half to get on a completely jam packed bus and had to stand until we were at about the 3rd stop at CBR. Our 8 year old and 4 year old both fell asleep and having to hold them up, plus our backpack and stroller was just too much. From then on we drove. We went for almost a week last week and didn't even consider taking the bus again. We had our AAA diamond parking pass and that worked out great. We were at each park at opening and were usually one of the first in the AAA parking and never needed a tram once. I like being able to leave and drive wherever we want once we leave the park and not be restricted to just Disney property.

I agree with the returning...it is a nightmare. We stay in the parks from open to close.

 

[MareQ]

We ALWAYS rent a card because we like to have the convenience. I was going to do ME this trip and rely on internal transport but I got into a panic and caved and reserved the car anyway

Take the bus to MK as it's easier - try and leave at an off time to avoid the crowds if you're worried about finding a seat on the ride home - drive everywhere else.

This is why I love the BWV - I can walk or take the boat to Epcot and MGM - take the bus to MK and we drive to AK. We also like to have the car because we "restaurant hop" - lol! We like to try different restaurants at all the other resorts which would be VERY time consuming with internal transport.