Take the buses when you have a car?

[cwf1028]

This will be our first trip to Disney (first time staying a week, have been to MK for just a weekend). We are driving down and staying on site so parking is free. Are we crazy to use the buses instead of driving to the parks? DH is much happier when not in charge of getting somewhere and letting others do the driving. Are we going to waste a lot of time on the buses instead of driving? Also, how hard or easy is it to get where we want to go on the buses when we are not very familiar with the area? We're staying at ASMo if that makes a difference. Is it better to drive so some places or better to take a bus to others?

 

[Bob P]

You'll find a pretty even split among DIS-ers who drive and DIS-ers who take WDW transportation, but I think most of us agree that getting to the MK is much easier by WDW transportation.

If you drive to the MK you need to park, take a tram to the TTC, then take the monorail or ferry to the MK gate. The bus will drop you off right at the gate and that will save you lots of time!

 

[crazywig]

we always have a car and stay at BWV. but we generally only drive to AK, we bus to MK (i would never drive to mk, too much of a hassle if you're already onsite) and we can walk to Epcot and MGM from the Boardwalk.

 

[keishashadow]

We've always had a car, but usually rely on WDW transportation.

Did drive to AK & E last trip, surprised how full the lots were on early EMH days, 1-1/2 hours prior to regular opening time.

 

[TONNIE]

Park and ride..we stayed lost so much at disney. The layout of the resorts to the parks can become confusing. so after being lost going resort to resort is was a little longer but less confusing to use disney transportation.

 

[owtrbnks]

Even though we usually have a rental car, we always use the WDW transportation. It's part of the experience!
Besides that, after the HDDR, WDW transportation is the safest way home!

 

[paladin]

We always take the bus to MK (as others have said, it's just much easier). We stay at BW, so walk/boat to Epcot and MGM. As far as AK, we drive sometimes, bus others - it depends on what our plans are after we leave the park - if going somewhere else, it is easier to drive.

 

[Mission Disney]

When staying at any of the All-Star Resorts I usually drive to AK, MGM, and Epcot. I like not having to wait in sometimes long bus lines to go to and from the parks. MK is the only one I always use the buses for the reasons stated above. Disney roads can be somewhat overwhelming, but you get the hang of it when you drive them enough, plus they are very well marked.

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

We always use Disney transportation and love it. Best advice I can give is NOT to run the the exit of any park directly at closing time. Although Disney puts extra buses on during peak periods there are just too many people rushing out at closing. Last June at the MK after Wishes we sat on a bench across from the castle as the throngs poured down Main Street. After 20 minutes or so we slowly walked out and the bus area was very peaceful. I cannot imagine it being any easier driving to drive out at park closing with so many other cars. Relax and take your time....you will be on vacation!!!
Have a great trip!!!!

 

[mjkaferle5]

Isn't it better to take the bus to AK in the morning than drive? I have heard that the parking lots are left closed until opening for cars, yet the busses can drive right up to the entrance.

 

[MeggerasMa]

We usually drive to WDW from PA, so once we park the car at our hotel, we let Disney do the driving till it's time to head for home. Even when our kids were small, we all enjoyed the Dis transportation system. IMO just part of the Disney vacation experience.

 

[DVC California]

We always rent a car as it is sometimes cheaper than airport shuttles (Pre-Magical Express). We mainly use it for Downtown Disney, Belz Outlets, Universal, and resort hopping for dinners.

Disney transportation is great for getting to the parks but if you're staying at Wilderness Lodge and want to eat at the Beach Club, it's a real pain.

And as others have mentioned, there sometimes isn't any time savings once you factor in the trams and such. You may have to park at the far end of the row, walk to the tram, wait, ride to the entrance, and repeat in reverse at the end of the day. This is especially painful at MK with parking at the TTC.

Steve

 

[juligrl]

My In-laws drove up from their winter home to meet us and stay at Disney for 5 days this past January. FIL is very familiar with the Disney area and could have navigated just fine. But, why would he? He parked the car his first day there and didn't touch it again until he went to leave.

Honestly, if you've never used Disney bus system, I think you'll be in for a pleasant surprise. IMHO their bus system rivals the bus system for any major city and surpasses it by far. In my experiences, the busses are clean and the drivers are curteous. The longest wait I've ever had was at DTD and that was 15 minutes. Average wait time for busses has been under 5 minutes for us. Plus, it's just easier to let someone else do the driving so I don't have to stress while I'm on vacation!

 

[cwf1028]

Thanks for everyone's input. Looks like taking the buses will work out best for us. I think the possible wait time is something we are more likely to be happier with than getting lost or trying to find parking. One thing I didn't think about was how hot our car will be if we go to leave a park in the middle of the day. That's one thing I was just reminded of when we left the pool and got into our scorching car today!

 

[Barak's Disney]

I don't think you will be disappointed in your decision! It is nice not having to drive and find parking!

 

[JoeCathyAngelina]

Take the bus to MK !!!
Other parks depends on what your plans are after you leave the park.

 

[kaddjr]

When staying at any of the All-Star Resorts I usually drive to AK, MGM, and Epcot. I like not having to wait in sometimes long bus lines to go to and from the parks.

And once you get on the bus, you're not always able to get a seat and have to stand. It's not so bad when you are going to a park, but leaving can be another story. You're hot, tired, feet hurt, kids are cranky... there's standing room only on the bus and who knows when the next one will come? I'd much rather hoof it to the parking lot where I KNOW I have a seat waiting for me. Sure the car will be hot, but that will only last a couple of minutes as I can crank the air.

Both ways have their pros and cons. I also feel it depends on when you're going and what you have planned. I have experienced both driving and being at the mercy of Disney transportation and I must say, it's nice to have a vehicle waiting for me in case I need it. I guess my advice to the OP would be if you are going to use Disney's transportation, keep an open mind (because it's not always peaches and cream) and leave plenty of time to get to where you're going. Good luck and enjoy your trip!

 

[3PRINCESSMOM]

Prior to the introduction of ME, we'd often rent a car since it would usually only cost slightly more than (and occassionally less than) a car service. Even with a car, we'd usually only use it when travelling from resort to resort. My DH likes the not having to drive while on vacation thing. For him, it is an important component.

With small children, it always gave me peace of mind to have access to a car in order to get anything that we way need, (ie medicine, medical care, etc). I know, in actuality WDW will assist in those emergency type situations...me being paranoid, I suppose. Anyway, not driving while you have a car is not, at all, unusual.

 

[grimley1968]

Even with a car, we'd usually only use it when travelling from resort to resort.

This is one case where driving yourself can save quite a bit of time, walking, transferring, etc. versus taking WDW transportation. Except for monorail resorts or EPCOT area resorts, getting from one resort to another can be a hassle. But if you drive you can just go straight to the resort you wish to visit. I'd also drive to DtD, as the buses going to/from there can be quite slow.

In most other circumstances, especially from resorts to parks and vice versa, I'd take the buses or other Disney transportation.

 

[dbarker]

Our last trip (2 years ago) we drove from TX to WDW. We stayed at AS Sports, then at AKL. We parked our car and used the buses. We used our car 2 times. 1) We took a day trip to Daytons. 2) We moved from AS Sports to AKL. 3) We drove back to TX.

We think the bus system at WDW is absolutely fabulous. We didn't have to worry about traffic, wrong exits, parking, finding our car in the parking lot, or anything. It was absolutely wonderful to let someone else worry about all that stuff.

Have fun at WDW.