Questions about the bus system

[carefreegal]

This is my first trip to WDW and though I am excited I have so many things I don't know. When I arranged the trip the gal told me that there would be buses that would transport me to and from the parks and hotel. I am staying at All Star Sports. Is this the best route to go or should I rent a car. I don't really feel comfortable driving in a strange place but to be honest I have never ridden in a bus before and am not feeling very confident. If I go to the parks on early entry day do the buses leave that early. Are the buses regular city buses or special hotel/park buses and are they marked well so you know which one to take where. This is my first trip away from home and I am going by myself and just want to be as prepared as can be.

 

[pstepka]

They are Disney buses...not public transportation. They only go to Disney parks and resorts. They are free to ride. I would not spend the extra $$ to rent a car if all you are going to use it for is to go from your hotel to the parks.

 

[XStAnt]

Each bus will go to a different park. They will be very well marked. They are like the city public transportation buses but are new, clean and pretty comfortable. AS SPorts is supposed to have very good bus service.

At the parks the bus station for your resort will be clearly marked. It may not be the same spot you were dropped off since the drivers usually pull to an open slot for drop off. Your pick up slot may serve more than one resort, but the buses are clearly marked as to which resort they are going to. It's very easy.

Besides saving the money for a rental car, and not having to deal with the aggravation of driving in Disney, the buses offer another benefit. If you drive to MK you park at the TTC and then take the monorail or ferry to the MK. The Disney buses drop you off at the front entrance to the park. Time wise, I think driving and busing are equal (others may disagree). While you may have to wait 10-20 minutes for a bus, when you drive you have to walk or take a tram from the parking lot to the front gate (or monorail if going to MK).

The buses go directly from your resort to MK, Epcot, MGM, AK, BB, TL, and DTD. Sometimes the bus may go to a park and a water park on the same route, but, again, this is well marked. The buses do not go from resort to resort. If you want to do some resort hopping you need to take a bus from your resort to the nearest park and then transfer to a bus going to the resort you want to see or dina at. After the parks close at night you can use DTD as a transfer point. It takes a little time to get to DTD. Some people prefer to take a cab to DTD to save time.

I have one question: how are you getting from the airport to Disney. Mears is cheapest, especially for only one person. However they iften stop at other hotels along the way and could take a little longer. A limo will take you directly to your hotel, but will cost considerably more (I think in the area of $60-80). Don't know what your budget is like.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by carefreegal
I am staying at All Star Sports. Is this the best route to go or should I rent a car. I don't really feel comfortable driving in a strange place but to be honest I have never ridden in a bus before and am not feeling very confident. If I go to the parks on early entry day do the buses leave that early. Are the buses regular city buses or special hotel/park buses and are they marked well so you know which one to take where.

Although the roads on property are very well marked, it can be intimidating for those not familliar or new to Disney.

Our transportation system is designed to efficiently get you from your resort to our theme parks. Buses will run plenty early enough to get you to where you need to go in time. If you ever have any questions while there, always make sure to ask a Bus Driver... other people might give you bad information regarding the buses.

We have two types of buses a standard transit bus, and a low-floor transit bus. Each style bus is equipped with an electronic destination sign (LED or flip-dot) that will tell you where that bus is going. In addition, each load zone is clearly marked with the buses that service it.

Please be sure to read all signs before boarding any transportation to make sure that it goes to where you want to go. Remember... if it doesn't say it -- It doesnt go there.

 

[goofy4tink]

Hi carefreegirl and welcome to the dis boards! I sure do know what you're talking about. When I was younger I managed to get on the wrong bus in an unfamiliar city and it has left me somewhat phobic about buses. But, the WDW bus system is wonderful. Don't feel concerned about getting around on them. The stops are clearly marked at the resorts and when you get to the park...you get off. Simple as that. And the bus drivers are incredible helpful. The top panel on the front of the bus tells you where the bus is going. it's really quite simple and easy. Don't give the bus system another thought. There are plenty of other things to worry about.

 

[propchick]

Let me add that I'm down at Disney at least three times a week for some reason or another, and after a solid year of this there are still only three or four places I feel comfortable driving to.

Yes, the roads are well marked, but remember that you won't be the only person who has no idea where they're going, so there's a lot of confusion and rough driving out there. (That's combined with the locals like me who know exactly where they're going, and plan to get there quickly, lol.)

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by propchick
Let me add that I'm down at Disney at least three times a week for some reason or another, and after a solid year of this there are still only three or four places I feel comfortable driving to.

Yes, the roads are well marked, but remember that you won't be the only person who has no idea where they're going, so there's a lot of confusion and rough driving out there. (That's combined with the locals like me who know exactly where they're going, and plan to get there quickly, lol.)