question about travel staying at Downtown disney

[stonfiesta]

Hello everyone

hoping someone will know the answer to this......

erm, dont know where to start.... ok, if a family was staying in a non disney hotel very close to downtown disney, is it possible to jump on a bus at DD to any disney hotel and then jump onto a bus heading to any park? If this is possible would there be any problems getting to a park for opening using this method?

just trying to help someone out.......not even sure if there are any hotels in walking distance to DD.

help please someone?

 

[Jenn4615]

they can use disney transportation... Yes
can they get into the park an hour early for the magical hour... NO...

 

[hockeyprincess]

I thought you were only allowed to use Disney transportation if you were staying on site?

Further, if trying to get to a park at park opening, I would suggest to check what times the busses run to/from DTD that early in the morning. I could see a problem there. It would be quicker and easier to get in your own car and drive to the park you want to be at that day, if you're (they) are concerned about rope drop.

 

[Jenn4615]

I have never stayed off property... But I know people on the buses and monorail are not all property guests or annual pass holders. U are never asked for any id on a bus or monorail... and u over hear peoples conversations. Is it right...No but its easy to do and u see it all the time!

 

[Smile4Me]

The monorails and boats are available for everyone,,,buses I'm not sure about! I could definitely see time being a conflict with the dtd plan that the op had inquired about.

 

[stonfiesta]

thanks for the quick replys everyone.

its my unc whos planning to go..........but trying to make some big savings where possible. Ive asked him to get some more info about the hotel and prices and stuff so i can look into it more.

i think im right in saying that buses start for the parks an hour before park opening. i cant really see Downtown disney buses running that early, but you never know.

i dont even know if you have to pay extra for buses if staying outside of disney. im assuming all hotels have a bus service?

something else ive not thought of...........is there more value for money restaurants just outside of downtown disney?

Thanks Jenn4615...........i didnt think the extra magic hours would apply........unless they were already in the park and didnt want to go on rides (i think thats how it works.........its been a while).

thanks again everyone.

 

[momof1princess]

downtown disney opens later than the parks, if i recall correctly, so getting from DTD to the parks to be there at rope drop might not be possible. hopefully, the price paid for the offsite hotel was low enough that the difference may be used for parking at the theme parks. personally, if i were staying offsite, i wouldn't want to rely on disney transportation to get me around-it may not be available when needed, thus leaving me stranded.

 

[momof1princess]

thanks for the quick replys everyone.

its my unc whos planning to go..........but trying to make some big savings where possible. Ive asked him to get some more info about the hotel and prices and stuff so i can look into it more.

i think im right in saying that buses start for the parks an hour before park opening. i cant really see Downtown disney buses running that early, but you never know.

i dont even know if you have to pay extra for buses if staying outside of disney. im assuming all hotels have a bus service?

something else ive not thought of...........is there more value for money restaurants just outside of downtown disney?

Thanks Jenn4615...........i didnt think the extra magic hours would apply........unless they were already in the park and didnt want to go on rides (i think thats how it works.........its been a while).

thanks again everyone.

many offsite hotels offer shuttle service to disney parks, and downtown disney. unless they have a dining reservation, they will not be allowed inside the parks before the regular opening time. EMH only applies to disney resort guests. has your uncle priced a value resort? their prices are very competitive with the local chain hotels.

 

[stonfiesta]

if im correct i think there was over £1000 difference compared to the all star hotels.

once ive got more info i will be able to check myself about prices and stuff.

 

[connie1042]

Disney transportation is for everyone! You do not have to be staying on site.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Busses do not run from DTD to the parks. You would have to take a bus to a WDW resort and transfer to a bus to the parks. (oops, I went back and read your post again and saw you acknowledged this). Busses will not be running from DTD to the resorts prior to 9am so there's no way you could make rope drop.

But anyone can use Disney transportation if they wish.

 

[Dogwithahat]

When I was planning our trip for Dec 08, I think I remember reading that the bus service from DTD doesnt start until around lunch time. Disney specifically did this because people were parking there to avoid paying the parking fee at the parks. They were also taking the water taxi to Saratoga Springs and then taking the bus to the parks. It filled up the DTD parking lots and the businesses complained. Not sure if its the same situation now though.