To take the shuttles to the park or drive?

[Familymoon]

We are going to rent a car (got a good deal through Alamo) and we know we'll need it for MVMCP as well as transport to and from the airport. However, since we're staying offsite, we also have the option of taking the shuttles to the park.

The shuttles are semi-restrictive, though. They only run four times out in the morning and four times back in the evening.

HOWEVER - it would save us like $7 per trip - and it may be more convenient if they drop us off right at the entrance gates and we don't have to park/walk/stroll the kids. (We have three small kiddos with us). BUT - we won't be able to put the kids in carseats...and again, we are more restricted with times. (Then again, we don't plan to leave midday, really). I just don't know what to do!!!

Any tips from veterans?

 

[WIcruizer]

Just my humble opinion... We have tried both, and now we always use a car whether we stay on-site or off-site. It's just the convenience of being in control, and not worrying about when the shuttle will get there. MK can be especially frustrating at the end of the night trying to find the shuttle for YOUR hotel since there are dozens of different ones constantly pulling up. Then when it DOES, it may be full and you wait another half hour for them to come back.

Finally, we usually like to leave mid-day for lunch or dinner off-site and having a car there makes it real easy to do that. If you do drive, park at Epcot the days you go to MK and take the monorail back and forth. (Assuming you have a Park Hopper).

 

[Familymoon]

Oh, really? Is the monorail easier to deal with than the busses, then?

Thanks for the input!! It's greatly appreciated by this newbie

 

[spiceycat]

you can park closer to the park entrance and the monrail at Epcot than the MK.

also WDW puts their buses with close entrance to the parks - off-site buses have quite a walk to the parks

just make sure you have a park hopper -

you can't due this on your MVMCP night - the Epcot monrail closes about an hour (might be two) after Epcot closes - so 11:30 at the most - 10:00 at the worst - Epcot will close.

you don't have a choice that night - you need to drive to the MK and use their parking lot.

You might ask your resort - I don't think off-site resorts even have a bus pick-up for the MVMCP. they generally leave the park before the night shows began.

oh be aware that WDW does not provide direct tranportation from DD to the theme parks - you must go to a resort hotel and change buses each way. so this is not a solution either.

 

[dthogue]

With those restrictions - I would recommend driving your own car. With three little ones, you don't want to be tied to someone else's schedule. It could be very hectic trying to make the last shuttle, not to mention the possibilty of having to stand on the return trip to your hotel with young ones.

Take your own car, ride the trams in and out and enjoy!!

Tammy

 

[disneysteve]

Absolutely drive from an off-site hotel. The free shuttles aren't worth what you pay for them This veteran prefers to have the freedom to come and go on my schedule, not the bus company's schedule.

Even when staying onsite, especially with young children, I always advise people to do their own driving. It is safer and far more convenient. No waiting for buses, cramming onto crowded buses, riding with little ones unsecured, etc. Especially at park closing, the lines for buses can be quite long. Much easier to hop in your own car and drive back to your hotel.

Steve

 

[floridagirrl2]

Also remember, if you drive, you only have to pay for ONE parking lot entry per day. You can come and go as you please between parks (assuming your tickets allow you to park hop) and your parking ticket will be good for all the parks.

 

[zaxmom]

I would not even consider a shuttle bus ever again. We did it once and it was terrible. The way there was not so bad, but on the way home they made us sit on the bus for about 20 minutes while they crammed more people on. Driver said he was not leaving until every one was on. Kept yelling move back, move back. In our seat there were 2 adults and 2 young kids and the aisle was jam packed. If the bus were to be in an accident and flipped, my kids wouldn't have been able to breathe. Plus, I never thought of myself as claustrophobic, but I started getting a little freaked. You might like having your car in the parking lot for a change of clothes, juice boxes for the ride home and stuff like that. You never know when you are going to want to hit a drive thru on the way back to the hotel, either!

 

[Familymoon]

You have all completely convinced me!!!

Even though the resort shuttle looks like a charter bus - I think the comfort, safety, and convenience of our own rental van will be FAR better an option!

Thanks for all the wonderful advice!

 

[WIcruizer]

Finally...if it's a hot and/or humid day just imagine what 20 sweaty people smell like pressed up against you.

Parking fee for WDW- $7.00. Odor free drive home....priceless.

 

[jersey shark]

I'm in the "go with your own car" camp as well...a couple more points:

a) getting APs will eliminate the $7 daily parking fee

b) cars allow you the freedom to just get out and see/eat at some non-Disney sites in Orlando....our last trip to Disney we ate one night at Bahama Breeze (great experience, we don't have this chain in north Jersey), another night on the US192 strip (which is something to see albeit tacky), and went to Celebration another evening

For me, it's all about control/freedom!

 

[Kevenswife2]

Okay, I'll be the 'odd-ball' here. I've stayed twice offsite and really enjoyed the shuttle service. Yes, their hours aren't always convenient (I'll drive myself then) and they usually do not go straight to the parks, BUT I love hopping in at the end of a long day at the parks. I don't have to battle the traffic and the whole family can 'zone out' until we get back 'home'. Most driver's have been very professional and friendly. One thing I didn't like though was the 'gratuity' jar on the front dash. Tacky!

 

[WIcruizer]

Actually, I've always found it incredibly easy to get out of the parking lot and a lot more relaxing than staring at every single hotel shuttle that approaches...thinking.."is THIS the one??" But..it's a matter of preference I guess.

 

[topcat011]

Are the shuttles for the Disney properties the same as off site shuttles?
my honey thinks we should stay onsite and just take the free shuttles around. Does it work as well as he makes it sound?

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by topcat011
Are the shuttles for the Disney properties the same as off site shuttles?
my honey thinks we should stay onsite and just take the free shuttles around. Does it work as well as he makes it sound?

No, Disney has their own bus fleet that only services Disney properties. Offsite is a whole different ballgame.

How do the onsite shuttles work? It depends who you ask. Personally, we won't use them. We hate waiting for buses. We hate crowding in with everyone else. We hate having our daughter (and ourselves) unrestrained. In our opinion and experience, it is quicker, more comfortable, safer and far more convenient to use our own car to get around. I guarantee others will say the exact opposite so it really depends on the individual.

Steve

 

[dgaston]

For zaxmom: Even the Disney buses sound like this at park close. I have stood up on many a Disney transport all the way to my resort. And I think I have bad Disney bus time karma--I have waited at least 30 minutes for MGM and MK buses at AKL which is supposed to have wonderful bus service.