Shuttle info for Downtown Disney Hotels?

[cigar95]

Hi all - I've been searching for information on the transportation from Downtown Disney Hotels to various places at WDW. Can anyone direct me to a good source? (I'm staying at the Royal Plaza.)

I know there's a shuttle, but I'm wondering how often it runs, and how early and late. The hotel site itself mentions a shuttle, but no details. (Is it one bus shared by all the propeties on Hotel Plaza Blvd., or does each have it's own?)

Also, just a bit off topic - is the Royal Plaza the one that was closed for a year or so to repair and remodel after it had major hurricane damage?

Thanks for any pointers here.

 

[cigar95]

bump

I'm surprised that the usual WDW sites don't have more on the DD hotels. Since this is the first time I'm staying at one (yay, priceline!), I had never looked before.

 

[pooh4evr]

We have stayed at the Best Western In DTD the last 2 times- most recent May 05-- if I remember correctly-- the shuttles for all of the DTD hotels run every 30 min- water parks every hour -- I think they start an hour before parks open and maybe go an hour after close- we did take a cab to MK one morning for an early breakfast res because we would not have made it in time with the stops for the other hotels. we were always in the middle of the rotation for drop off pick up if I am remembering correctly it took about 30 min to get to the parks after pick up. Getting a seat was never a problem in the morning but we did sometimes have to stand when leaving the parks at night but that is to be expected as everyone is leaving about the same time. When you are dropped off at the park the first day pay attention to the slot the driver says because that is the slot to go to when you leave- it is always the same at all the parks. We ahve never had a problem with the shuttles it was easier for us having 2 kids (4 and 2) and a stroller (had to fold it up but could put it in the back of the bus on a platform area behind the last seats) Anything else just ask- there will be signs posted outside your hotel too which explain everything!

 

[cigar95]

Thanks - is it a single bus that goes to each of the parks (and Downtown Disney?) one after the other, or is each park a separate route? (Sounds like the hotels themselves share a common bus route.)

 

[pooh4evr]

The buses share parks as follows- Mk has its own, Epcot & Studios share, AK and Water Parks share I don't remember there being a bus to DTD shopping area we just walked - not far took about 10 min. The buses to the parks run continuously so even if you miss one another will be along soon- we also were able to take buses from one park to another- I think we went from Ak to MK one evening, and we took a boat from Studios to Epcot- kinda fun and relaxing. We had pretty good luck with the buses overall.