Resort Hopping

[Princess Hooper]

Currently making dining reservations and wondering how easy it is to travel to different resorts to eat. For example, if we leave Animal Kingdom at 5pm, can I easily go to the Grand Floridian for dinner and then get back to All Star Music resort to our rooms? What types of transportation is free and if not, do people normally take taxis. Seems like Disney World is quite big. Haven't been there since the 80's. Thanks for any help that can be provided.

 

[XGrumpy1]

I have used the buses to get to almost all the resorts for dinner at some point are the other and found that as long as I leave in plenty of time. The bus system works well.

If I get to the resort a little early, there is always time to look around and shop!

You can use the monorails to the TTC or parks and catch a bus back home. I have also used the boat transportation it takes a little extra time usually, but is easy to do.

In the guide books there is an estimate of time required to get around to the different destinations, my guide book says 24 to 36 minutes to get from AK to the Grand Floridian.

Afterwards take the monorail to MK and then a bus home from the MK

 

[JLCJMC]

We have used the bus system as well, but a few years ago we gave it up and went with taxis. Works best for us -- no stress arrival -- doesn't require extra planning -- and most importantly my son has a lot more "sit still" left in him when we arrive.

 

[Quin]

Currently making dining reservations and wondering how easy it is to travel to different resorts to eat. For example, if we leave Animal Kingdom at 5pm, can I easily go to the Grand Floridian for dinner and then get back to All Star Music resort to our rooms? What types of transportation is free and if not, do people normally take taxis. Seems like Disney World is quite big. Haven't been there since the 80's. Thanks for any help that can be provided.

We like to travel to different resorts and have always used Disney transport.

In your example: instead of bus from AK to ASMu, simply take the bus from AK to GF instead. After dinner, your choice of monorail or boat back to MK; then instead of going into the park, walk over to the bus stop and take the bus from MK back to ASMu.

The only thing that gets to be a pain is if you go from a park back to your own resort in the mid-afternoon, and then want to go from there to another resort for dinner. You have to take the bus from your resort to the closest park (or DTD), then change and take the bus from that park to the dinner resort.

 

[Cin]

We used the Disney bus system and it worked out fine. You do have to allow time though to go from your resort to a transfer hub (any open park or Downtown Disney) and then to catch the transfer bus to the desired resort you are hopping to. The same procedure in reverse to get back "home". Do take into consideration in your time management that if you just miss a bus it may be twenty minutes before another comes. If the major parks are all closed you will have to travel to Downtown Disney to transfer. I do not know what time the last bus runs from Downtown Disney, but it's Disneyworld they are not going to leave a guest stranded. It is best to figure out which major park is closest to you for transfers. We stayed at All Star Resorts and found out that Animal Kingdom park was the closest and less than 10 minutes by bus one way so we used it for our transfer hub when it was open.

 

[Princess Hooper]

Thanks for the replys. I think I have a much better grasp now.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Park-to-resort is fine for buses.
2) But, there are few resort-to-resort transport routes.
3) Better to take a taxi from one resort to another.

 

[summermac]

It's not difficult but it can be time-consuming. We tried to keep most of our resort dining plans on the monorail b/c that seemed easier. Plus that way you have your choice of an Epcot bus or a MK bus b/c you can get on the monorail at either park.

 

[B-Ride]

I would organize a bit differently. Try and do the Grand Floridian on an MK. Then you can jump on the monorail back to MK and take a bus from there to your resort.