This is always a thorny question subject to many different opinions onthe DIS.
I say it greatly depends. It depends greatly on what point A is and What point B is. Sometimes it's far faster and better to use WDW transportation, other times it is far better to drive.
Generally, if you can go directly by monorail or eaily walk to your destintation - that is going to be your best option, unless you have mobility issues with walking.
If the bus is going to make multiplt stops before you get to your destination, then driving is probably better.
If you are going to resort for dinner - the short anser is that it's better to drive - UNLESS....
When you drive, you need a designated driver, and a navigator. simply put, navigating WDW is not always straightforward. Getting lost can be time consuming. WDW often has speed traps. Obviously, it is bad to drink and drive. I'm not a huge drinker by any means, but not needing to worry about having a designated driver at WDW IS kind of a treat. You can share a bottle of wine or some cocktails over dinner and relax. (so long as it won't break your
budget!
)
Conversely, buses ae not private. You have to deal with other folks. Sometimes that can add greatly to a vacation, sometimes it can diminsh your fun. I've seen it go both ways.
Leaving a park at park just after the fireworks/Fntsmic can be a pain via either, but is gerenally slower by bus.
Also, mid day - buses may only come every 25minutes. So that can be slower than driving- unless MK is your destination. Most buses going from a resort to AK also stop at one ofthe water parks. Ditto for many DTD buses. for either of those two destinations driving may be faster. EXCEPT that DTD has a large parkign lot. It has two bus stops - so going back via car may mena you have to walk the parking lot to get back to yoru car. That can be a long walk. One bus stop is in the middle of DTD, the other is at the far end. Finiding a parking space can be a challenge too.
If you have small kids, you'll need to use car seats inthe car but not the bus. Conversely, you can put things in the trunk (as long as they won't melt!) In either a car or bus, you'll need to fold a stroller. In a car, you'll need to dismantle a
scooter, but loading a bus in scooter isn't very fast either.
Ahh...I've already gone into too much detail, I fear. Quickly put - if in doubt - ask a CM. Even after many trips, I sometimes find it best to ask based on time of day and where I need to go. They often give a great answer I had not considered.
Finding the bus stop is easy. Every day, countless folks forget where they parked and it can take a while to find a car. If you have acell phone or camera - note your parkign space (or jot a quick note.)
Since youa re at CBR, I will go out ona limb and say all the above issues aside - except for going to MK - PROBABLY for most days, you'll find that drving to your destination is faster than taking the bus - so long as you keep in mind my comments above. The ride to MK will not be short - but when you drive to MK the parkig lot is far from MK. To get to your car from MK you generally need to take a monorail and a tram - while the buses drop you off close to the park gate. Drinking at MK is not an issue though as it's a dry park. If you are dining at any monorail loop resort it is easy from MK.
