To Bus or Not to Bus?

[Letsbgoofy]

Betterlatethannever,

When did you last see this happen at AK? I read about this last year, but when we were there in June 2004, the parking lot was open for EMH. I was planning on driving to EMH this trip, maybe I will rethink that.

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

I don't know about EMH mornings at the AK, but I do know that if you have an early breakfast at Donald's you will not get through the gate with your car. We made the mistake a couple of years ago of taking a taxi from our Disney resort to the AK early for Donald's. The driver told us he could not get through the gate recently and had to let his passengers out to wait for a Disney bus. I did not know at the time that Disney has early buses for breakfasts and tours. The cars lined up and got really long until the CM on duty let us through after quite a wait. I have read recent posts that you cannot get in with a car for early breakfasts but I don't know about the EMH.
We have had great success over several years using Disney transportation. As someone noted, they add buses for the peak times. I think considering the numbers of people they move every day that they do a really great job. I also do want to drive on my vacation. Especially now with gas prices out of sight!

 

[alwayspooh]

We have never rented a car. We fly to Orlando and have a shuttle take us to our hotel so we don't even bother with the car. We have never had a problem with the buses. We have never waited more than 10 minutes (if that) for a bus to and from the parks. Even some of the buses we have taken back to the hotel after the parks close haven't been real packed and I have found that people including myself will move for someone that is holding small children.

I think it also depends on the time of year you are going. We usually have visited Disney on the off-peak season so even after the parks close we usually have a seat because the buses aren't real packed.

We have never stayed at the Poly or have done bus sharing with other hotels so it may be different.

 

[CleveRocks]

I've never driven at WDW so I can't compare driving and busing. But I love using Disney Transport. This may sound strange and inconsequential, but it's a WONDERFUL thing to me: my week at Disney is the only time during the year when I don't have to have car keys (and house keys) in my pocket. That's a very freeing experience to me. I love being taken care of by Disney during that week.

The only times I've EVER had unacceptably long waits for buses have been at MK after Wishes. That being said, I'm sure the waits are also unacceptably long to get a monorail or ferry to the parking lots, and then drive out of the lot.

-- Eric