Should we drive to MK or take bus?

[lpoeppelman]

We're going to leave MK right after Wishes... we can drive to MK or take the bus back to our hotel at Animal Kingdom. Which would be the quickest way taking into account the mad rush of people also leaving at that time?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Bus. The bus picks up only a couple of hundred feet from the security entrance - no need for other transportation.

Driving means you must park at the TTC and (often) take the tram from your row to the TTC, then the monorail or ferry to the park. You need to reverse the procedure to get back to your resort - and the monorail lines, especially, can be extremely long at park closing.

 

[cranbiz]

Not to mention the lines for the tram.

The bus, its one line. Hop on and off you go. Even if the bus is full and you need to wait for another one, it will be faster than getting back to the TTC and to your car. Remember, you are not the only one who leaves right after Wishes.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Then again--unless you run as fast as you can to the bus stop, you may find a "full bus" with you unable to get on. And not another bus for 15 minutes. And, you may find yourself standing the entire ride back to the AKL. No fun there.

 

[Brian Noble]

It will *probably* be faster to take the bus, and conventional wisdom says you should bus, not drive to MK.

Even so, I now generally prefer to drive unless I've got watercraft or monorail transportation. On our last stay, we had two afternoon returns to MK take *more than an hour*, because each time we waited 35+ minutes for a bus to arrive. This wasn't AKL/AKV (it was OKW) but still. I'd rather know how long the trip takes even if it's a few minutes longer on average.

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

The worst idea is to try to leave any park exactly at closing time. What we did on our last trip was to sit on a bench right across from the Castle after Wishes. We watched as the masses of people all headed to the exits. After 20 minutes or so we slowly walked down a very quiet Main Street to an equally quiet parking lot.

I would agree with the previous posters and take Disney transportation. But whether you drive or use Disney transport just don't try to leave any park at closing.....it is insane.

 

[lpoeppelman]

The worst idea is to try to leave any park exactly at closing time. What we did on our last trip was to sit on a bench right across from the Castle after Wishes. We watched as the masses of people all headed to the exits. After 20 minutes or so we slowly walked down a very quiet Main Street to an equally quiet parking lot.

I would agree with the previous posters and take Disney transportation. But whether you drive or use Disney transport just don't try to leave any park at closing.....it is insane.

I think this is good advice... I know it is crazy after Wishes. I guess I was thinking that it would be nice to get the kids back quicker to go to bed... but now thinking, what's the difference if we wait 20 minutes for a bus at the stop or wait 20 minutes on a park bench eating a snack? Thanks!

 

[Alesia]

Then again--unless you run as fast as you can to the bus stop, you may find a "full bus" with you unable to get on. And not another bus for 15 minutes. And, you may find yourself standing the entire ride back to the AKL. No fun there.

Buses tend to come much more often than once every 15 minutes at park closing. The longest we ever had to wait was 5 minutes.

 

[dmoore22]

Ditto! Other factors to consider is whether this is an early entry or late night Extra Magic Hours. That will impact the crowds. If its late night you will be competing with those staying off site as they rush to their vehicles. If another park is open for late night, specifically Epcot, you may want to take the Monorail then catch a bus to AKL after unwinding some in the World Showcase.

 

[2binak]

We just stayed at AKV. We drove to MK in the morning, went to the resort for afternoon nap and took the bus back to MK that afternoon. The bus was much easier and quicker. It was the only park we used the bus to get to/from though. DD wasn't one for sitting still on our laps on the bus. The carseat in the rental car made for a much better ride for all of us.

I agree with those who say to stick around for a while after Wishes and let the majority of the crowd leave before you head to the bus. There's much more for little ones to see and do on Main Street than there is standing in line waiting for the bus.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would also go with the bus.