Tips of second time Disney Guest

[coreyphall]

TITLE EDIT: Tips for second time Disney Guest

I went to Disney back in December and fell in love, so this summer I'm taking my sister and others for their first time. We will be going for a week starting July 12 (I know...the HEAT) and will be staying at Port Orleans Resort - Riverside. We have one day at each park with a second at Magic Kingdom. So I have a few questions. As resort guest we get EMH so will the buses be able to transport us early in the morning to take advantage of those? Speaking of buses, should we drive to the park or take the bus? In your experience which is faster/easier? We'd like to be at the park before open time so I'm assuming we should drive since we want to be there on our own time? Also, should we bring snacks and water bottles or just snacks or what do you recommend? What other tips do you have for us on our Disney journey? Anything we should know about Port Orleans Resort? How do you get through the Summer at Disney World? Thanks for answers/tips!

 

[apicozzi]

Since you are staying on site at POR, parking at the parks will be free. If you're trying to get there early for RD, I'd definitely suggest driving. Bus transportation can take quite a while. Depending on what bus stop you're at, you could come across instances where the bus is full and you need to wait for the next one, etc.

I've stayed at POR quite a few times and will actually be back there next week. My preference is the Magnolia Bend section of the resort (themed after southern mansions), but I have heard many good things about the Alligator Bayou section as well (more rustic). Nice choice of resort, I think you'll enjoy it. You can also take a boat from the resort to Downtown Disney, which is nice at night for dinner or just heading there for a few drinks.

 

[Hootch]

quicker to drive to DAK, DHS and Epcot. Be forewarned that the DAK parking lot often opens closer to park entry time. You will still be able to get in the park in plenty of time. We stay at POFQ and I drive to DAK because the bus links in with Blizzard Beach which adds time.

I do not drive to the MK. By the time you park, ride the tram to the T&TC and catch the ferry or monorail, the bus is quicker. Often the lines for the ferry and monorail are quite long.

Buses start around 6:30 AM for all of the parks so no issue getting to the parks in time. The Unofficial Guide has an average time between points in WDW that includes an average wait time for the bus.

Take water with you. We usually take a couple of cases with us from Costco. They cost $0.15/bottle versus the $2.50 in the parks.

Take a midday break. At that time of year the parks are open late. The MK is open until midnight a few nights and DHS is open until 10 PM. You will have a lot of time in the parks. It's amazing how refreshed you will feel in the evening after a break, shower and change of clothes.

There is a convenient boat ride to DTD from POR. That might give you something to do after DAK.