Should I Drive or Should I Let Mickey Do It?

[WaltDizzygirl]

I'm planning a 10 day trip for my family DH, DD(15), and DS (1) in Nov/Dec. We'll be staying at the Pop Resort.

We're driving down to Florida, so we'll have our van during our stay. My husband also has a handicapped tag for the car.

My question is, would it be better/more convenient to drive ourselves around or should we take the bus. We plan on park hopping on at least half of the days we're there because many of the restaurants we want to eat at are at Epcot. Also, is it feasible to park at a resort near Epcot and walk over as opposed to parking in the Epcot lot?

What do you Disney experts think?

Also, how do I get a pin that marks me as a member of this site (if there is one)?

Thanks a bunch!

 

[msmayor]

Honestly, I prefer to use my own car.

The buses/transportation system seems to be great if you want to go to a theme park. It becomes a hassle if you want to go someplace else, since it usually involves at least one bus change.

On a previous trip, my husband had to take our car to a business meeting leaving me with our two kids at the All Star Sports to use the buses to get to Fantasia Mini Golf. This course was about a 10 minute ride from the hotel by car, but took us nearly 90 minutes by bus. It was an absurd waste of time!

In addition, we get a lot of peace of mind knowing that when we leave the parks at closing, we don't have to wait in a bus line. We get on the tram and head right to our car and direct to our hotel. We also have more freedom to explore off Disney property, as there are times when we want to head to a TGIFriday's type place to eat rather than on-site.

You don't pay for parking; just flash the resort ID.

It was so important to us to have a car that on the last trip we took, when we flew down, we still rented a car to use during our stay.

 

[Karel]

You'll hear from both sides of this.

We drive down and prefer to use the bus system. From hotel to park is easy. Obviously, at park closing, things get nuts so either plan to wait patiently or leave earlier. Also, you can find a nice park bench to people watch for awhile so the crowds clear out a little bit. But that method does take awhile.

There are tricks to traveling from resort to resort such as going to the closest theme park and then catching a ride to the desired hotel. IF you ask at the desk, they will tell you to catch a bus to DTD and switch over - DONT'T! We do use our car if we are traveling to another resort for dinner.

We are so sick of the inside of our car after two days of travel that we like to park it at least for a few days. Plus if it's hot, it's nice to step into the cool bus. On the downside is the crush of people that one can find on the bus. We don't have the opportunity to travel a lot by public transportation and it's part of the Disney experience for us. My kids think it's a thrill to stand while moving !

 

[zcubed]

this time, we are flying into Miami, staying at a condo for a few days and then driving to Orlando. We plan on using Mickey to travel from resort to park, etc.

Two years ago, we flew into Orlando and went to Disney first for a week; on our last day, we picked up our rental and when to Boca. Again, used Mickey...

But I know that many folks like to have the flexibility... especially if they think they might go off property. Then with the car, they often drive while on the property as well.

 

[*Fantasia*]

We're driving down to Florida, so we'll have our van during our stay. My husband also has a handicapped tag for the car.

If your husband needs special assistance or must sit, I would suggest to drive yourself. This for sure will guarantee you a seat for your husband. Sometimes riding a Disney bus can be a little bit too much. Sometimes the wait can be so long, the kids and I just sit on the ground waiting for the bus. And when it's crowded, we end up staying standing up. And sometimes the bus make an abrupt stop, so folks standing up kind of swing a little.

If you do decide to take the bus, please be very careful. But I would really recommend taking your own car. No need to stand in line and no worries if your husband or yourself have to stand in the bus.

 

[SqueakyMouse]

With a handicapped tag, I would think that driving yourself would be much faster. During the less busy times of the year, I have noticed that there always seem to be plenty of handicapped parking spots very close to the main entrances of the resorts and parks.

 

[Brian Noble]

Which is more distasteful to you: driving in a strange place, or waiting for/not getting a seat on a bus? For some people, the ability to leave the keys in the dresser drawer is a vacation in itself. For others, the thought of waiting around for the (infrequent) sardine experience gives them the screaming heebie-jeebies.

I'm a no-busses person, myself, but I drive in new cities all the time. Comparatively, WDW is reasonably easy to navigate, so that helps.

 

[WaltDizzygirl]

Thanks everyone for the great replies. I think we'll drive . With a baby and an impatient husband we'll be better off all round