To drive or not to drive?

[Mel*Pie]

Hi All. I hope this is the right place to pose this question.

I am staying at Pop Century and will have my car.

Spending a day at Hollywood Studios (closes at 7pm) then have dinner reservations at Narcoossee's at 9:15 pm. What would be my best mode of transportation for the day? If I take my car, what is the self-park situation like at Grand Floridian? How long does that process take? How much do they charge for valet?

In general, am I better off taking my car to all the parks in the morning?

Thanks in advance to anyone that can help!

 

[daisyh5]

We find it time saving to drive to all parks except for MK.

 

[parkhopping]

99% of the time, driving is the fastest way to get around WDW. Disney buses often make multiple stops, must unload/load many passengers (including those with strollers and ECVs), and tend to drive slower than personal vehicles. Signage is clear and abundant, and it generally takes 20 minutes or (often) less to get to your intended destination. Even when I stay on-property, I always drive between parks (with the exception of MK and Epcot). It is just much less hassle to me.

That said, self-parking at the GF is a little unusual. The self-park lot is across the street from the main building. It's not terribly far, but it is not as close as it is at many other resorts. When your feet are achy after a day in the parks, or the weather is unpleasant, this is not a particularly fun walk to make twice. Valet parking is $16.

I would look into MK's park hours for the day in question. The resort monorail runs for one hour following park close. If MK closes at 11 pm or later, my suggestion is to park at the TTC and take the monorail to/from the GF. This will take longer than driving straight there, of course, but saves you from extra walking and avoids the valet fee. If MK closes any earlier than 11, it is up to you whether or not to pay for the valet. But I would still prefer to drive over taking a bus any day.

Plus, if you did decide to use resort transportation, it would not be smart to leave your car at DHS. You would need to go back to Pop, then take a bus to MK, then take the monorail to the GF.

 

[Mel*Pie]

99% of the time, driving is the fastest way to get around WDW. Disney buses often make multiple stops, must unload/load many passengers (including those with strollers and ECVs), and tend to drive slower than personal vehicles. Signage is clear and abundant, and it generally takes 20 minutes or (often) less to get to your intended destination. Even when I stay on-property, I always drive between parks (with the exception of MK and Epcot). It is just much less hassle to me.

That said, self-parking at the GF is a little unusual. The self-park lot is across the street from the main building. It's not terribly far, but it is not as close as it is at many other resorts. When your feet are achy after a day in the parks, or the weather is unpleasant, this is not a particularly fun walk to make twice. Valet parking is $16.

I would look into MK's park hours for the day in question. The resort monorail runs for one hour following park close. If MK closes at 11 pm or later, my suggestion is to park at the TTC and take the monorail to/from the GF. This will take longer than driving straight there, of course, but saves you from extra walking and avoids the valet fee. If MK closes any earlier than 11, it is up to you whether or not to pay for the valet. But I would still prefer to drive over taking a bus any day.

Plus, if you did decide to use resort transportation, it would not be smart to leave your car at DHS. You would need to go back to Pop, then take a bus to MK, then take the monorail to the GF.

Thank you so much! That is very helpful information.

If I may ask you another question...

If I am at Hollywood Studios (park closes at 7pm) and I have dinner reservations at Yachtsman at 8:35, should I take a boat to from DHS to Yacht Club? Or will the return boat back to DHS stop running at 8 pm?

 

[Kay1]

Thank you so much! That is very helpful information.

If I may ask you another question...

If I am at Hollywood Studios (park closes at 7pm) and I have dinner reservations at Yachtsman at 8:35, should I take a boat to from DHS to Yacht Club? Or will the return boat back to DHS stop running at 8 pm?

I don't know but that would be a great day to use the buses. When you're finished with dinner you could take the boat to Epcot and use their bus back to your hotel, assuming you have a pass that lets you do that.

Have a wonderful time.

 

[DebbieB]

Thank you so much! That is very helpful information.

If I may ask you another question...

If I am at Hollywood Studios (park closes at 7pm) and I have dinner reservations at Yachtsman at 8:35, should I take a boat to from DHS to Yacht Club? Or will the return boat back to DHS stop running at 8 pm?

The boat to DHS would stop at 8:00. You could walk back to DHS after dinner. I would drive over to YC, you have plenty of time.

 

[Mel*Pie]

I don't know but that would be a great day to use the buses. When you're finished with dinner you could take the boat to Epcot and use their bus back to your hotel, assuming you have a pass that lets you do that.

Have a wonderful time.

Thanks for your reply.

Epcot closes at 9 pm that night so they won't let me in through International Gateway. That's good to know for future reference though!

Thanks again!

 

[Mel*Pie]

The boat to DHS would stop at 8:00. You could walk back to DHS after dinner. I would drive over to YC, you have plenty of time.

Sounds like driving is the best option. Thanks for your reply!

 

[Cyrano]

Moving to transportation forum