Quickest way back to hotel for naptime

[Woodmnky]

We are planning a WDW trip for the last week of Jan 2013 with our 2 yo son. We will be staying onsite (likely at one of the Value resorts). I understand there is a free bus system that can take us back to the hotel, but is this actually the quickest option? We will be driving and don't mind driving to the parks if this will make travel between park and hotel quicker. Also, if we did drive to the parks would we have to pay for parking?
Thanks

 

[Butterbunkins]

I am of the sound mind of taking WDW transportation….unless I already have my car. Since we always drive down now we do and use it 99% of the time to places we can’t walk to. The buses can take a long time and if you are concerned about that I would drive. If you’re staying at any WDW hotel, parking is free at the parks.

 

[skriegerjr]

We drive too, and have a fool proof plan for transportation. We drive in the morning, and park in AAA diamond parking, take the bus back to resort for swim/rest, then bus back to the park for the evening, and then at the end of the day, when crowds swarm to the buses, we hop in our vehicle, and drive back to the resort with very little delay! We've done this the trips now, and is pretty much the only way to go!


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[skriegerjr]

We drive too, and have a fool proof plan for transportation. We drive in the morning, and park in AAA diamond parking, take the bus back to resort for swim/rest, then bus back to the park for the evening, and then at the end of the day, when crowds swarm to the buses, we hop in our vehicle, and drive back to the resort with very little delay! We've done this three trips now, and is pretty much the only way to go!


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[Cheshire Figment]

1. If you are staying at a Disney Resort there is no charge for any parking.

2. If you are going to MK, you have to park at the TTC, take a tram from the parking lot, and then take either the monorail or a ferry to MK. All other Park you are parking at the entrance. However normally you will need a tram to get from where you have parked to the gate.

3. Note that all strollers must be folded upon entry to any bus or tram (but not the monorail or ferry).

4. If he is only two, he can probably just take a nap in his stroller, especially if it can be configured to lie flat.

 

[Rapunzel]

We went when my kids were 2 & 5. I had ever intention of going back to the hotel (All Star Movies) each day to rest. We never ended up doing that. Ever. My 2 year old napped in her stroller when she needed too, and my 5 year old was ready to go the whole time!

We've gone in May and October and the buses ran frequently and never had any problems.

 

[Woodmnky]

Thanks for the input. Unfortunately my DS will not nap in a stroller and because of some sensory issues really needs downtime from the stimulation at the park. Since we are doing MK first we will try the bus system and if that proves to be a mistake we will drive to the other parks.

 

[HappyGal]

We drive in the morning, and park in AAA diamond parking[/I][/SIZE]

Your plan sounds great, I may have to try it on my next trip. What is AAA Diamond parking?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Your plan sounds great, I may have to try it on my next trip. What is AAA Diamond parking?

If you get your room (or a package) through AAA you will get a pass which allows you to park in the front of the parking lots close to disabled parking. And whether or not you get this pass depends on the AAA Club. Also, if your package is off-site you will still have to pay to park in the Disney lots.

 

[beccasmom]

WDW transportatIon does not run as frequently in the mid-day hours. Although not a huge deal for (most!) adults, tired little ones can get antsy. Using a car would be faster IMHO.

 

[skriegerjr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by skriegerjr

We drive in the morning, and park in AAA diamond parking[/I][/SIZE]

Your plan sounds great, I may have to try it on my next trip. What is AAA Diamond parking?

At AK and EP, the AAA diamond parking is as close if not closer than the bus drop!


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[skriegerjr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by skriegerjr

We drive in the morning, and park in AAA diamond parking[/I][/SIZE]

Your plan sounds great, I may have to try it on my next trip. What is AAA Diamond parking?

Even at HS, the parking wasn't a huge walk from the entrance. And yes, for MK, you must park at TTC,.and take Monorail or boat, but you STILL avoid the mad rush for busses, and in every case in our last three trips, were home in minutes, rather than hours


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[klineyqueen]

We have gone there and relied completely on Disney transportation. We have also gone with a car. Honestly.....we love the car so much more than the Disney transfers that we always use a car now.

When I am tired and ready to go, I like to hop into the car and just get there. Others may disagree, but for us, we love the car option.

 

[MolonLabe]

We loved taking the buses last time. Only one night was it really bad, Epcot at closing (we left right after the fireworks at the rush), took about 45 minutes to get back to the resort.

Most other trips it was quick. Buses in the morning were pretty good, our wait was abut 5-10 minutes each morning, except one, it took about 20 minutes to get a bus.

Personally I liked leaving the car parked and being completely immersed in the world.

This trip we have a couple of pre-ropedrop ADR's and we are debating driving, as opposed to taking a cab or bus.

Otherwise, I think we'll bus it.

Also, we will hit the beach prior to the world and I bring a back deck on my Acadia trailer hitch, I put a few rubbermaid tubs on it with our crap, so we have more room in the vehicle. I take those tubs and store them in the seats while at the resort, if we were taking the vehicle I'd have to bring the deck and all that crap into the room.

This way, I just back the Acadia into a spot where it overhangs a bushy curb and it's forgotten for 7 days.

One of the MK morning we have a CRT breakfast 55 minutes before RD. We will either hit the bus, or immediately get a cab if there isn't one. Driving to the TTC, then monorail or ferry would just be too time consuming IMO.

 

[tzolkin]

Thanks for the input. Unfortunately my DS will not nap in a stroller and because of some sensory issues really needs downtime from the stimulation at the park. Since we are doing MK first we will try the bus system and if that proves to be a mistake we will drive to the other parks.

This sounds like a great idea.

Driving vs busses and park hoppers vs. non are probably the two topics that are very strongly divided based on family/personal preferences. You really will simply have to try and see what works best for you.

We always have our own vehicle (we drive to FL), but we completely rely on Disney transportation every trip. For us, especially DH, this is part of the vacation and is the sole reason he will not consider staying offsite.


Yes, the busses do not run as frequently mid-day so you may have to wait a few extra minutes but they are usually empty so you will have a cool, quiet trip back to the resort. (To me this always seems much more relaxing than taking a tram-- and boat or monorail at MK-- to the parking lot, strapping the kids into 150degree carseats, making our way back to the resort in traffic, and searching for a parking spot)

We are usually heading back to the resort to get out of the heat and have some downtime away from other people for several hours, so we have never had any issue with the timing of the busses.