Shuttle buses from Lake Buena Vista hotels???

[riu girl]

I have been told that the shuttle buses from the hotels in Lake Buena Vista (specially Comfort Inn) are not very convenient. You get picked up at 8 am but don't make it to WDW till much later since they stop at each hotel to pick up passengers. Then you get dropped off at main entrance of WDW and still have to make your way (via WDW transportation) to MK or AK. THe whole process takes a lot of time. We have been advised to drive from the Comfort Inn in LBV, pay to park at WDW and then use WDW transportation to MK and AK (the two parks we will be visiting). I really would rather take the shuttle and would appreciate any suggestions/advise. Also, when dropped off by the shuttle, how does the WDW transportation work to get to MK and AK?
Thank-you,
Suzy V.
Omemee, Ontario

 

[mbb]

is a taxi out of the budget?

My parents stayed there (they had their own car), and really felt that the shuttles wouldn't have been a great idea if you were traveling with kids. (We stayed onsite)

As you've discovered, the transportation issues with the shuttles are many!!

To the MK(from the TTC), you jump on the ferry or Monorail...to AK, you have to take a bus from the Ticket and Transportation Centre.

HTH!!

 

[riu girl]

Thanks for the tip, I never thought of that. Do you have any idea how much a taxi would cost from the Comfort Inn LBV to the TTC (what does TTC stand for) ? Would you have to call for a taxi or are they readily available from the hotel???
Thanks,
Suzy V.

 

[mbb]

to Downtown Disney, then catch a WDWBus to the parks from there...but in the mornings, there won't be many buses at DTD..

So if I were to take a cab, I'd splurge in the mornings on a cab, and then try to catch the hotel Shuttle bus back from the parks when you're ready to leave...I have a feeling that a cab to either park would be in the $30 range.

If you're really desperate at the end of your park day,ie, a Shuttle Bus is nowhere in sight, you could do the WDWBus to DTD, then cab from there to CILBV.

Honestly, though, driving yourselves is really easy, and MUCH faster. From Old Key West (where we stayed) my mom and dad were door-to-door in less than 10 minutes. In bad traffic on a Friday afternoon, the only hangup was on Apopka Vineland...from there to DTD, then Community Drive...straight shot to anywhere on WDW property

TTC=Ticket and Transportation Centre. It's located across the lagoon from the MK. From there, you catch the parking lot trams of the MK, buses to AK and DTD and MGM, and to the Epcot Monorail and you can walk to the Polynesian as well.

Does this help?? Hope so!!

 

[Dolphin_Girl008]

Hi Suzy,

We stayed at Comfort Inn LBV in September, 2003. The shuttle didn't drop us off at the main entrance. We were dropped off at the entrance of each park. Let me see if I still have the shuttle schedule...

OK... found it.

MK:
Pickup time: 7:45am, 9:50am, 12:05pm, 3:20pm, 4:35pm
Return time: 2:15pm, 3:45pm, 5:00pm, 6:30pm, 8:35pm, 9:30pm*, 10:55pm*, 11:45pm*, 12:35am*

AK:
Pickup time: 7:45am, 9:50am, 12:05pm
Return time: 2:30pm, 6:15pm

EPCOT:
Pickup time: 8:50am, 11:00am, 1:30pm, 3:20pm, 4:35pm
Return time: 4:00pm, 5:15pm, 8:20pm, 10:10pm

MGM:
Pickup time: 8:50am, 11:00am, 1:30pm, 3:20pm
Return time: 4:15pm, 8:05pm, 9:20pm*, 11:05pm*

DTD:
Pickup time: 12:05pm, 4:50pm, 7:50pm
Return time: 5:15pm, 8:15pm

* applies only with late park closing times

Hope this helps.

 

[grover]

Whewwww...glad to hear that they take people right to the park. That would be such a hassel/waste of time if they only took you to the TTC. My friend and possibly a couple of other people will be staying there-so this is good news!
Grover in Winnipeg

 

[riu girl]

Thanks again so much for the schd. and other info. This board has been such a great help to me (WDW rookie). Can you buy WDW tickets at the the MK and AK entances???? I might try the shuttle if I know it drops you right at the entrance and if you can buy WDW tickets there.

What did you think of Comfort Inn LBV?? Any advise/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Riu Girl

 

[Dolphin_Girl008]

Riu Girl,

Yep, you can buy WDW tickets at the MK/AK entrances. You can buy your tickets at Comfort Inn's guest service counter too.

The hotel was ok. It was clean. I would ask for a room that faces the parking lot because rooms on the other side could be really noisy. We didn't use the pool or eat the free breakfast so I can't tell you anything about them. We just needed a place to sleep.

 

[riu girl]

Thanks for the quick reply!!!! Are the tickets more expensive to purchase at Comfort Inn or WDW??? We are hoping to buy a one day pass and then (the same day) buy a "bounce back pass" for the next day. I am not familiar with the bounce bcak pass but have been told it is about $5 cheaper (each) then buying two single day passes.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

Suzy V.

 

[Dolphin_Girl008]

Riu girl,

I'm not sure if the tickets are more expensive. We didn't buy ours there. You may want to email them. I found a shuttle schedule on their website too:

http://www.comfortinnorlando.com/

Hope this helps. When are you going?

 

[riu girl]

We are driving from Toronto and will arrive at Comfort Inn LBV Dec 20 for 3 nights). Then drive to Panama City, FL (my mom will be on vacation there for 3 months) for 7 nights. Then drive home before school starts again.
Can't wait: haven't been to WDW in 21 years and have never been to Panama City. We usually vacation in Mexico so this will be a whole new type of experience!!!
Suzy V.

 

[Dolphin_Girl008]

Have fun, riu girl!

 

[DisneyFine]

Good choice for the Comfort Inn I went there Very clean and nice 100% sure I would visit it again!

 

[TimNDansMom]

We have stayed at the CILBV several times for our night of arrival and have found it a clean, basic hotel, too. There is an entrance gate with a security guard when you drive in, so have your reservation info handy. Palm Parkway is a lovely, tree lined street not far from Crossroads (restaurants and Goodings (though expensive) grocery store) and even walkable to DTD, which we have done a few times. The pool area looks nice, although we have not used it yet and there is a big pond fountain as part of the landscaping nearby. We have eaten in the restaurant for the fairly substantial buffet breakfast, (also serves dinner), which includes make-yourself Mickey waffles and they also have a deluxe complimentary breakfast bar. There is a "lite bite" convenience store, a gift shop and a small bar. I've had a partial I 4 view and experienced no road noise, but I always ask for the parking lot side, just to be sure. The rooms also have a fridge and microwave, wall safe, hair dryer, iron and ironing board and I think, coffee pot. There is a $2.50/day resort charge too.

You are correct about the 2 day bounce back tickets. You will save $5.00 and they are only available at the park gates.

HTH