Quickest way from MK to DTD

[Danauk]

One day of our next trip we want to go to MK in the AM then go straight to DTD to do some shopping and hopefully the characters in flight balloon if it is up. Which would be the quickest way to do this? I understand that the Comtemporary does not have a direct bus service to DTD until later in the afternoon so that would not be an option. So would monorail to TTC then bus to DTD be the quickest? Or Monorail to GF then bus the DTD or even bus from MK to Saratoga Springs then walk across? I realise all options depend on the wait time for the bus, but in actual travel times which would be the quickest?
Thanks.

 

[seashoreCM]

I would guess that Magic Kingdom bus to Saratoga Springs and then walk to Downtown Disney would be the fastest using Disney transportation.

Psst! There is no bus from TTC (MK parking lot concourse) to DTD; you would need to use a taxi after getting off the monorail. Time wise this should be just as fast or perhaps faster than just previously mentioned.

There are no buses going directly from theme parks to DTD.

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/disney.htm

 

[Danauk]

Thanks for the info. I realise there are no buses from the parks to DTD, but when I looked on wdwinfo transport section it suggested the quickest route was to take the monorail to the TTC then the bus to DTD. Bus I just realised when I checked this again I choose DTD pleasure island not DTD marketplace. Whoops.

Which stop at SSR is the nearest to the bridge across the lake? The last time I went to SSR the bridge was not yet open (either that or I did not see it and walked a long way round to get the bus back from SSR to BCV!!)

 

[kaytieeldr]

I'm not sure where you got the information that there are no buses between the Contemporary and Downtown Disney until later in the afternoon? Contemporary Guests are going to want to be at DTD when it opens, and since they'll likely be spending money, Disney would willingly transport them over that early.

 

[CarolMN]

If you are really in a hurry, walk to the CR and take a taxi to DD.

If you only want to use Disney transportation, take a bus to SSR and then walk to DD.

 

[MarieS]

My son uses a wheelchair. What do you think is the best way for us to get from MK to DTD?

Should we walk to CR, then catch a bus? Or bus to SSR and walk? How long are these walks since I'll be pushing his chair?

Thanks!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Don't forget in the afternoons the Contemporary shares bus service with the Polynesian and Grand Floridian, so it would not be a direct ride from the Contemporary - Downtown Disney. So that's why it would be faster to get on the bus to Saratoga Springs since it does not stop at any other resorts after leaving the Magic Kingdom.

Also since Downtown Disney shares bus service with Typhoon Lagoon the buses to both locations start early in the mornings when going from the Contemporary.

 

[seashoreCM]

My son uses a wheelchair. What do you think is the best way for us to get from MK to DTD?... since I'll be pushing his chair?

Thanks!

Standing on the MK resort bus platform looking over at the Contemporary, I would have guessed the walking time to be about 15 minutes, although some have said it's half that.

Here I would suggest taking a bus to a resort (Port Orleans, Caribbean Beach, Boardwalk) or taking the resort monorail, and transferring to a DTD bus.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Standing on the MK resort bus platform looking over at the Contemporary, I would have guessed the walking time to be about 15 minutes, although some have said it's half that.

I found the walk to be about 8 - 10 minutes.

 

[Danauk]

I'm not sure where you got the information that there are no buses between the Contemporary and Downtown Disney until later in the afternoon? Contemporary Guests are going to want to be at DTD when it opens, and since they'll likely be spending money, Disney would willingly transport them over that early.

I read it on WDW info in the transport info section about the contemporary (by clicking in the resort link at the top of this page.) It stated that busses started running from the contemporary to DTD after 4pm. It also says in the same link before 4pm take the monorail to the TTC then get on the bus marked DTD. Is this info incorrect?

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/Resorts/contemptransportation.htm

So if we take the bus to SSR and get off at Congress Park is the bridge to DTD signposted or will we be able to see it from the bus stop?

 

[kaytieeldr]

It stated that busses started running from the contemporary to DTD after 4pm. It also says in the same link before 4pm take the monorail to the TTC then get on the bus marked DTD. Is this info incorrect?

It IS incorrect. Oh, Moderators...

The only Disney buses that use the TTC now are those to Animal Kingdom and Disney Hollywood Studios.

All MK/resort buses use the bus area adjacent to the Magic Kingdom.

Buses from the Contemporary will likely also stop at another, nearby resort (Polynesian?), but really, they DO start running to Downtown Disney in time for those Guests to get to DTD for store opening.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I read it on WDW info in the transport info section about the contemporary (by clicking in the resort link at the top of this page.) It stated that busses started running from the contemporary to DTD after 4pm. It also says in the same link before 4pm take the monorail to the TTC then get on the bus marked DTD. Is this info incorrect?

That was the way things were done a few years ago when the bus from the Contemporary - Downtown Disney would start after 4:00 PM and would also stop at the TTC when they use to have a bus which went to Downtown Disney, so that information really needs to be updated.

 

[goofy4tink]

Very few resorts have 'direct' buses to DTD..most make a few stops along the way. The CR bus to DTD will stop at the Polynesian and the GF. You have a few options....I actually like the idea of taking the small boat to the GF, then hoping on the DTD bus from there.
But, I also walk over to the CR and take the bus to DTD as well. No way am I making the trek from the SSR bus stop to DTD...just too long for me.

 

[MarieS]

Standing on the MK resort bus platform looking over at the Contemporary, I would have guessed the walking time to be about 15 minutes, although some have said it's half that.

Here I would suggest taking a bus to a resort (Port Orleans, Caribbean Beach, Boardwalk) or taking the resort monorail, and transferring to a DTD bus.

Very few resorts have 'direct' buses to DTD..most make a few stops along the way. The CR bus to DTD will stop at the Polynesian and the GF. You have a few options....I actually like the idea of taking the small boat to the GF, then hoping on the DTD bus from there.
But, I also walk over to the CR and take the bus to DTD as well. No way am I making the trek from the SSR bus stop to DTD...just too long for me.

So it sounds like we should walk to CR and take a bus from there to DTD as the easiest route. I don't want to try SSR if it's a long walk. This will be our first time using Disney transport to DTD and I appreciate the tips!

 

[ntsammy5]

I would have guessed the walking time to be about 15 minutes, although some have said it's half that.

I found the walk to be about 8 - 10 minutes.

It's actually 12 minutes.

I second the walk to CR and bus from there. You can also bus to SSR or POR and boat from there. Or the cab works too. Good luck

 

[goofy4tink]

So it sounds like we should walk to CR and take a bus from there to DTD as the easiest route. I don't want to try SSR if it's a long walk. This will be our first time using Disney transport to DTD and I appreciate the tips!

I would do that....many do the SSR route, but if you are unfamilier with the area, it can be confusing. And it is a longer walk.
I use the walkway between MK and the CR all the time....it has never taken me more than 10 mins to make the walk. And yes, the bus does make other stops....but heck, you're on vacation, you sitting down. What's the big deal if the bus makes a few other stops at the resorts?

 

[zulemara]

I answer this question a hundred times a day. I always tell people to either walk to CR and take the DTD bus or if they REALLY don't wanna walk, go to SSR and walk to DTD or take the boat from SSR to DTD.

Personally, I would rather walk to CR because I don't trust the busses. I don't wanna take two busses if I don't have to, so I highly recommend to people that they walk. It's really not very far. You could also take the resort monorail to CR and then get on the bus if you absolutely don't want to walk.

 

[Detailor]

Which stop at SSR is the nearest to the bridge across the lake? The last time I went to SSR the bridge was not yet open (either that or I did not see it and walked a long way round to get the bus back from SSR to BCV!!)

The golf cart bridge is near the clubhouse. Not sure if the bus stops there but it does stop at the Springs section of the resort that's just across the street. The path from there to DTD takes you along the water and comes out on the west side at Cirque. It's probably about a 15 or 20 minute walk. If you're more intent on going to the Marketplace you should get off at the Congress Park stop. It's about 5 to 10 minute walk to the Marketplace from Congress Park.

Dick Taylor

 

[ntsammy5]

Walk to the boat docks, take the boat to FW - go into Crockets, start drinking beer and you won't care if you EVER get to DTD.

Or when you get to DtD go to the Hole in the Wall, start drinking beer and you won't even remember you are IN DTD.

Either plan usually works for me.