To Bus or Not to Bus?

[HayGan]

DH and I were just talking about the transportation other than the monorail from the Poly to the parks. We are both leaning towards driving to AK and MGM when we go to those because the thought of waiting for a bus that you may or may not get on and then waiting for a bunch of stops sounds like a real pain. But, to be honest I've never used the bus system at WDW so it may be an unwarranted bias on my part.

So, are the buses to AK and MGM really bad from the Poly or would it be better to take them than driving to those 2 parks?

Thanks

 

[grinningghost]

I can't speak for the buses from the Poly, but I've never had any problems with the buses from the All-Stars - to either AK or MGM.

Disney is pretty well-prepared with enough buses to accomodate all the resorts and all the parks. I think you'll probably be fine, but hopefully someone with Poly/bus experience will reply to you.

 

[kilee]

We don't use the bus system but thats just our opinion. We don't see anything wrong with it. We only used it one trip and the waiting and not a guaranteed seat thing just wasn't for us. We always have a rental car anyhow. The parking is free for resort guests. So, we just go ahead and drive to most of the parks.

 

[KelleyGirl]

Last summer, we stayed at the Polynesian, and had a difficult time with the buses to both MGM and AK and decided to drive. Buses going back to the hotels seem to be better than going to the parks. My DH has decided to never rely on buses again and only use the rental. If you're in no rush, the bus should be fine, but with little ones anxious to get going (and parents anxious to get going, too), the buses were too long of a wait.

 

[betterlatethannever]

DH and I were just talking about the transportation other than the monorail from the Poly to the parks. We are both leaning towards driving to AK and MGM when we go to those because the thought of waiting for a bus that you may or may not get on and then waiting for a bunch of stops sounds like a real pain. But, to be honest I've never used the bus system at WDW so it may be an unwarranted bias on my part.

So, are the buses to AK and MGM really bad from the Poly or would it be better to take them than driving to those 2 parks?

Thanks

If you are planning on going to AK for morning EMH, DO NOT DRIVE. They hold you at the toll booth until 35 minutes before general public opening.

Their philosophy: if you staying on site you wouldn't be driving so they are holding up only the off site guests.

Ed

 

[luv2nascar]

We love the disney bus system. I am on vacation. I drive all the time at home so we don't usually drive much. We never have a problem waiting for another bus if first is full. We like to sit because we have two kids. My vacation isn't ruined by a 10-15 min. That said disney buses aren't for everyone.

 

[philaround]

The bus service from the Poly to AK & MGM was excellent in May 2003 we had absolutely no problems. The longest we waited for a bus was about 10 minutes and we almost always had a seat. If you plan on doing morning EMH at AK or MGM you may have a problem getting into the parking lots for those parks as they usually do not open the parking lots until 20 to 30 minutes before regular opening time not EMH opening time.

 

[pershing]

I've never really waited long for any Disney buses. It really is such an efficient system and don't you have to get on a trolley when you use parking. I wouldn't know how long it takes for one of those to come by but couldn't it equal the bus wait?

I like to plop and drop onto a bus at the end of a park day. Not try to remember where I parked, where the keys are, and try to figure out where I'm going. Let someone else do that !

 

[Spanky]

It is true that the bus from CR also stops at Poly & Grand Floridan but it stops at CR first so you have a good chance of getting a seat. The plus of the bus is that it lets you out by the entrance gate to each park. If you drive you will have to walk in from the parking lot or catch the tram.

Yes, you have to wait at the end of the evening to catch a bus but if you are driving you have all the parking lot traffic plus it is dark. Most of the parking lots are set up to send the cars out to the highways so you have to be sure and be in the correct lane to stay on property and reach the resorts.

After a long day at the park it is nice to ride the bus and not have to pay attention to traffic and signs. But if you get stuck standing on a bus while trying to hold a sleeping child that is not much fun either. If you drive, when you return to the resort all the close parking spots are gone so you have another long walk.

It really is a toss up. Try the bus your first day and if you don't like it you can always switch to your car. Resort guest can park for free in the theme park lots.

 

[mgkkgdm]

Our opinion is that if you have the car(whether you drive to the World or if you rented a car) why not use it.

Paul

 

[Aalore]

Hello, I went last August and used only Disney transportation. The monorail was definitely valuable to me because I stayed at the Poly. I also went to MGM as well. I didn't really leave to early to go to the park I left around 11 am or so. It took about 10-15 minutes for the bus to come. But there were a lot of buses running because I remember thinking that every bus would be Mgm but the wait wasn't too long. In the afternoon when I left though the lines for the buses were packed and I had to stand up on the bus. Boy! I was already tired from the parks and standing up on the bus made me even more exhausted! Next time i'll just wait for the next bus! Other than that it was fine!

 

[kbkids]

The bus service from the Poly to AK & MGM was excellent in May 2003 we had absolutely no problems. The longest we waited for a bus was about 10 minutes and we almost always had a seat. If you plan on doing morning EMH at AK or MGM you may have a problem getting into the parking lots for those parks as they usually do not open the parking lots until 20 to 30 minutes before regular opening time not EMH opening time.

Okay - I'm getting conflicting reports on this. I really want to just drive because we're doing EMH at MGM and then leaving at 9:00 for MK. I'm nervous with it basically being opening time when we're leaving that we're not going to be able to find a bus to either take us to a monorail resort or to TTC. I've had several tell me the parking lots are actually open for EMH

I'm just scared to risk it - but this is really messing with my touring plans!!

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I'm with the group that uses the bus. We've had rental cars, but used those for going to resort restaurants and off-site. I think the roads in WDW are too confusing and busy to bother navigating them myself. I also hate parking lots (what's the name for that particular phobia? ). So it's a no-brainer for me to choose the Disney transportation system. Honestly, it's pretty darn efficient, and the waits aren't all that bad. I've stood longer in line for rides and attractions than I ever did waiting for a bus.

 

[jann1033]

I'm guessing you will be there in Nov? if it is still slower season, i don't think you'll have any problem with buses..havent' stayed at the poly but the only problem we had with buses was trying to go resort to resort for dinner, resort to parks was never a problem...even if you have to wait for a second bus( we never did but that was in Jan) i doubt it would take much less time to get to you car and get out of traffic

 

[jann1033]

Okay - I'm getting conflicting reports on this. I really want to just drive because we're doing EMH at MGM and then leaving at 9:00 for MK. I'm nervous with it basically being opening time when we're leaving that we're not going to be able to find a bus to either take us to a monorail resort or to TTC.


actually it is just the opposite..they run more buses at opening and closing..the time you would have to wait the longest to get a bus is mid day...and the empty buses( that just dropped people off) will take you back to the poly or where ever you want to go. there are lots of people who come i would guess mostly between opening and maybe 10-10:30 so you shouldn;t have problme gettting a bus back

 

[dyna]

It's a case of each to his or her own as to whether buses or own transportation is best.
Myself I'm glad some use their own transportation.

The best I've found yet was a 1 day visit to Epcot from Daytona I was on a harley and parked in the motorcycle parking lot that was straight out from the gate at Epcot CLOSER than any of the bus stops. Motorcycle parking even closer to the gate than handicapped parking.

 

[kangaroodle]

We don't use the bus system but thats just our opinion. We don't see anything wrong with it. We only used it one trip and the waiting and not a guaranteed seat thing just wasn't for us. We always have a rental car anyhow. The parking is free for resort guests. So, we just go ahead and drive to most of the parks.

We do exactly the same thing!!!! It's so much simpler and you can come and go at your own pace!

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I've never had a problem with the buses. They are one of the many perks of staying onsite. My hubby and I have never had a problem waiting for one.

We are driving on during our December trip. This is our first non-flying trip we will have taken together (to WDW, that is). We plan on parking our car at the resort and not driving it again until we leave or need to make a Wal-Mart trip for something. It just a hassle, plus who wants to pay for parking when you don't have to? Or gas?

 

[Leota]

We didn't have any problems with busses from the Poly in 2001. In fact, the transportation at the Poly is really pretty fantastic. That was my favorite thing about staying there, actually, that the transpo was so efficient. AK busses were our longest wait, but even that was maybe a 10 minute wait. I don't recall really being seatless at all that trip, maybe we were just extra lucky.

I am also the sort who refuses to drive on vacation & doesn't mind the bus system at all. I even found Fort Wilderness transportation to be just fine & lots of folks complain about that.

 

[dbanzai]

One of the reasons I enjoy staying on property so much is the transportation situation. I love not having to drive at all during my vacations to WDW.

I've used them while staying at ASMu and CBR, and it's been really convenient.