Shuttle or Drive to Parks?

[S.Poppins]

I'm a newbie to the sight and this is my first post. I have been reading the forums for awhile and they have been extremely helpful. I am still trying to learn all the abbreviations We leave a week from today and will be spending 7 days at Pop. My question is about transportation. My kids are 6 and 10 and they will not need to go back and rest. So, if we are going to Epcot in the morning and then back to MK for MVMCP the weather will probably change. I hate to carry bulky stuff. So I considered driving and parking so that when we changed parks we could grab extra clothes or whatever else. Is this a bad idea? Is the shuttle alot quicker? Thanks for any advise you give. I haven't been to Disney in 10 years and we have never stayed on site. I am so excited I can hardly sleep. I have to contain myself at work!

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Welcome to the DIS!

If you drive, there are a couple of options. First, you could drive to Epcot then drive to MK. That way you can keep the bulky stuff in the car and get it if needed.

Second option -- park at the TTC and take the monorail to Epcot. Then take the monorail back to the TTC, get the bulky stuff from the car if needed, and then take the monorail to the MK. Timewise might be longer than driving, depending on how far the walk between your car and either gate will be, but IMO quicker than taking the bus back to Pop and then to MK.

I would go with the second option. Depending on how early you get to the TTC, you could get a decent parking space.

 

[S.Poppins]

Thanks for the advise - I didn't even think about that. In your opinion, what is generally quicker - driving and parking or shuttling to parks like MGM? We will probably visit 2 places each day. Does it take awhile to wait on a bus? I am hoping that our visit is at an uncrowded time - that is what the research says! So will the buses run as often or does that depend on crowd size? Is parking free at all the parks if you are on site. Sorry - I know that is alot of questions.

 

[betterlatethannever]

... So will the buses run as often or does that depend on crowd size? Is parking free at all the parks if you are on site. Sorry - I know that is alot of questions.

The busses will run just as often in the slow periods. The busses between parks run just about as frequently as the busses between resorts and parks - every 20 minutes. POP is very big and get excellent bus service with bus service more frequently than that especially in the morning and evening.

Parking is free if you staying on site. Make sure they give you a paper to place on your dash board when you check in.

If you want to drive, my rule of thumb is do not drive to MK. You actually park at the TTC, take the tram from the parking lot to the TTC. Take the monorail or boat to MK. One you park it will be 20 minutes or more before you get to the MK gates. And then getting back to your car, it is even worse. MK is the only park I feel where the bus will beat you back to your resort - especially at park closing.

Don't worry about asking questions, just ask away.

Now for the statement I would like to discuss with you.

My kids are 6 and 10 and they will not need to go back and rest.

Unless you and your family walks or jogs every day at home, they will need the rest.

Going to a park for morning EMH (8AM) and then staying until MVMCP closes (1AM) without rest is a LONG LONG day.

Take the car and drive from park to park. It will be quicker (except as stated above for the MK).

Ed

 

[S.Poppins]

You are right, my kids will need a rest (probably not as much as my husband and I and his parents). I meant they will not necessarily need a nap. We plan to take our time at the parks (and no EMH). I have planned several sit down dinners and we will try to break up walking and riding with some shows. The morning after MVMCP we will sleep in and then hit Disney Quest. I am hoping that staying 7 days during an off season will help us not feel rushed. Do you think this will work okay? Thanks for the great advice!