shuttle with kids and tips for ist timer!

[princess MOMof B L&A]

HELP! I havn't been since I was a kid....it's been 20 years!! I'm now taking my 5 yr old boy, 4yr old girl..on her b-day and 8mth old. Please give advice on shuttle travel from off site resorts....Summer Bay specifically. What's the best way...what to take and what do I need to know. Anyone have an idea of how long this shuttle is to each park? We will have a car...should we take that? Also I need any tips I can get as far as must see or must do things. My girl loves princess so we are going to 1900 Fare and boy loves dinosoars so Breakfasarus is in the plan otherwise...help!!

 

[thelionqueen]

I would strongly recommend taking your own car rather than off site bus transportation. I've read that it can take longer than an hour to get off site to the parks. Magic Kingdom may be the exception, I might consider bus transportation from there.

As far as other character meals, I LOVE Crystal Palace @ Magic Kingdom. And, if you can get a reservation, CRT. Chef Mickey's & Ohana (breakfast) are great as well.

Have fun!

 

[tink_n_pooh]

I second the recommendation of using your car rather than the off site shuttle bus. Although I am not familar with your resort I can say that most of the off site shuttles only run a few times a day and can take a long time once you are on the bus. These busses also pick up in the parking lots at each park, not much closer than if you just walked or took the tram to your own car.

Enjoy your trip, when are you going?

 

[pooh4evr]

Where is your resort we stayed at one of the DTD hotels and used to shuttles- trip time was about 30 min- but it was worthit to us so we would not have to rent a car. Kids were 1 and 4 at the time of travel. We rented a stroller frrom a babys best friend ($75 for 8 days) it was a side by dside double and it was a life saver. Took a backpack with diapers, wipes, umbrella. ponchos, snacks (chex mix, raisins, crackers, crystallight on the go packets to put in bottles of water which we also brought) change of clothes for girls also a camers bag- all fit in the stroller storage. e did the princess lunch in Norway and it was great saw Ariel. Cinderella, Belle, Sleeping Beauty and Jasmine-girls loves MGM shows (we did not do any thrill rides) So much to say!!

 

[lpizzuro123]

I agree with everyone that says take your own car. The main problem with the shuttles is they usually only run a few in the morning and a few in the evening. If you want to get to the parks early you might not be able to. Also if you are planning on doing any night time things (Wishes, SpectroMagic, IllumiNation, Fantasmic) the shuttles might not run that late. If you are planning on Animal Kingdom they do not have any nighttime shows so you might be ok with that. Last year we did a shuttle to Sea World, which was ok but we wanted to stay to see the nightime show of Shamu and the last shuttle left before the show started.

Linda

 

[bopper]

With the shuttles you are tied to their time table. Sometimes you even have to reserve your spot on a shuttle, so you have to decide a head of time when you are leaving. I am for planning and all, but the pressure of having to leave to make the shuttle was too much.

 

[princess MOMof B L&A]

It sounds like everyone agrees to drive is best...good to know. We are leaving Sat Jan 21st. I've read about the potato heads so I ran off to walmart to get 2 Mr Potato Heads for my 2 elder children-guess we'll head downtown one day to LOAD it . Where's a good place to eat...we've been to a Rainforest Cafe before and would like to try something new. Is there anything that great about downtown Disney? Thanks for tips everyone! ! We are so excited!

 

[lpizzuro123]

We really like Earl of Sandwich. They have great sandwiches, they are large and not that expensive. We usually get two different types and split them so we can try all of them. They have alot of different types and are a little unusual, then they put them through a grill machine. They also have great smoothies.

Linda

 

[The Sweetness]

If you take your car, you can forget about waiting for bus, and *hoping* you get a seat on it instead of SRO. For MK or EPCOT, I suggest valet parking at a monorail resort (or Yacht club for EPCOT). The extra cost (dont forget the extra tip) is well worth it IMO to avoid the TTC and EPCOT lots. They are HUGE!!!!

 

[DawnaJean]

It is really tough to stand up on the bus, especially with tired little ones. (Cheers to the people who selflessly give up seats for kids and moms/dads holding kids!!!)

Downtown Disney is great! The kids will love the lego store and Ghiradelli's has the best ice cream sundaes! There is something for everyone at the World of Disney store...it is truly overwhelming the amount of Disney merchandise you will be surrounded by on your vacation!!!!!

Have a great trip!
Dawna