Should I just drive everywhere?

[mcnizzle]

We will be driving to Disney. It is me, the wife, and 4 young boys. We will have a stroller and I am thinking that it will be best to use our own car to get around at Disney. Any reason to use Disney transportation?

We are staying at POR and may take the boat to DTD but other than that drive our own car.

 

[seashoreCM]

To most places (Magic Kingdom a notable exception) it is fastest by automobile.

I won't say it is best though. Buses do accommodate strollers although, like loading it into your car, you have to fold your stroller when boarding the bus.

The Animal Kingdom parking lot does not open early reliablyh so if you need to go there for an early breakfast, take the bus.

 

[Csaks]

At closing of any park while you are standing in line 100 deep waiting for a bus. You might think bringing the car would have been a good idea. The only time we use Disney transportation now is if we might partake in some Disney cheer.

Why take any chances when you have free transportation.

 

[dblr]

Most of the time we drive to all the parks unless we are staying @ Fort Wilderness with our camper then we will take the boat to the MK.

 

[skelooch]

Most of the time I drive to all the parks, occasionally I will take a bus to MK, to avoid TTC. Driving is such a convenience, you are never more than 15 or 20 min from anywhere in WDW, and a must for resort to resort travel, IMHO
The one thing I fear most about driving to the parks is having to park at the end of the aisle farthest from the tram. There are some pretty long aisles. I get excited when I get a parking spot within the first 5 or 6 cars nearest the tram loading area.
It's even worse when leaving the park and your tired and the aisle seems twice as long as it was when you arrived.

 

[JB2K]

We will be driving to Disney. It is me, the wife, and 4 young boys. We will have a stroller and I am thinking that it will be best to use our own car to get around at Disney. Any reason to use Disney transportation?

We are staying at POR and may take the boat to DTD but other than that drive our own car.

My family of three has done it both ways - 2 years ago, we flew and let Disney "do all the driving". Last year, we drove, and the only time we made use of the buses was to go to Fort Wilderness (Hoop-dee-do).

Quite frankly, we loved having the flexibility of using our own vehicle (versus having to wait in line for buses) and will do it again (and again).

 

[going2disney]

Is parking at the parks included when staying on property? After 15 visits and using Disney's transportion, we're thinking of driving.

 

[joelkfla]

Is parking at the parks included when staying on property? After 15 visits and using Disney's transportion, we're thinking of driving.

Yes, you will receive a parking pass at check-in which gets you into parking for all WDW parks.

 

[Tweevil]

I drive everywhere. I like the convenience of getting up and going when I want to. Did the buses for a while but it was faster to just jump in my car.

Plus I have great music in my car.

 

[greg42]

I dunno, based on my one trip with a non-bus way to get to DTD, I'd consider having no car again, as we did this time. DTD bus (to/from All Star, and from other resorts to DTD) was always the big problem. Yeah, if you leave a park at a busy leaving time, you may be wishing for the car, and you'll be wishing for it all the way back if you're standing on the bus! But, when you arrive early in the am, especially to MK, you'll be happy you didn't drive.

If it's your own car (you don't have to rent it) then you can mix and match however you like without incurring any cost. I wouldn't drive to MK, despite what the bus line might look like at night. Smaller parks if it's a slow period, esp DHS, couldn't believe how empty the parking lot was generally, driving might be ideal. We had a double stroller in our party, and it was no problem on the buses (folded really easy).

 

[Sandi]

When we have a car, we'll drive from resort to resort for dinners, etc. and to the water parks. Otherwise, we use Disney transportation. Sometimes our group will want to do different things -- maybe take one child (or adult) back to the resort for a nap -- and it's just easier to do that with Disney transportation. (Yes, we once had the experience of leaving a car at the Epcot lot because we thought the other took it. Kinda dumb and probably wouldn't happen to most people.)

 

[Gretchen]

Disney buses are a pain with a stroller. I found it way easier to drive.
Have fun!

 

[Ress76]

Yeah, if you leave a park at a busy leaving time, you may be wishing for the car, and you'll be wishing for it all the way back if you're standing on the bus!

In a car, everyone get a seat, and no one has to carry their purchases in their lap