Transporation suggestions needed for itinerary

[Juligan]

The day is almost here and you guys have all been fantastic! We will arrive at Disney on Sunday. Would those of you "in the know" please tell me the best way to get to all these places when transportation is warranted and how much time we should allow to travel to make our ADRs. We will have our own car if you think it would be better than Disney transportation.

Thursday 12/15 - Saturday 12/17:
Leave Springfield after work on Thursday
Drive to Seffner, FL
Stay with Brother Saturday night
Leave for WDW Sunday morning

Sunday 12/18:
10:00 (or earlier) Arrive at Pop Century
Animal Kingdom
5:30 ADR Boma
MGM for Osborne lights (EMH)
Back to Pop

Monday 12/19: (our anniversary)
Epcot (EMH)
7:00 Le Chefs
Back to Pop

Tuesday 12/20:
MGM (EMH)
12:00 50's Prime Time
Downtown Disney
Dinner -
Back to Pop

Wednesday 12/21:
Magic Kingdom
5:00 'Ohana (monorail)
Magic Kingdom (EMH)
Back to Pop

Thursday 12/22:
Sleep in?
Magic Kingdom
4:30 Epcot
5:40 Le Cellier
Epcot (EMH)
Back to Pop

Friday 12/23:
Pack car to leave
Travel to Resorts to see Christmas Decorations & Gingerbread
3:30? Head to Mom's for Christmas


Ok, whadda ya think?

 

[dcmbshafe]

The are varied opinions on the efficiency of the Disney Transportation system. When we stayed on-property, we had mixed results while staying at the Boardwalk Villas. Of course, we could always walk to MGM or Epcot, but it took us between 20-60 minutes to travel between the hotel and Magic Kingdom. I'm afraid I don't know what interim stops, if any, are made between Pop and the parks, but I would recommend you leave yourself plenty of time to make your ADRs.

There is only one day where I would absolutely take your own car, and another day where I would strongly consider it. I really think you'll want to have your car on Tuesday, when you're heading over to DTD. I'm not absolutely certain, but I don't think buses go between the parks and DTD, which would mean you might have to go back to a hotel and then catch another bus. If this is the case, you might use up a lot of time. The other day to consider taking your car would be on the first day when you are going to two different parks and a different hotel.

Other than those two instances, I think you'll probably be fine with Disney transportation. For the most part, you will be taking a bus from the hotel to your destination park and back again. The one exception will be on Thursday when you go from Magic Kingdom to Epcot - you will either take the monorail or a ferry boat back to the Transporation & Ticket Center and then take a connecting monorail over to Epcot. You can then take the bus from Epcot back to your resort.

Finding the correct bus isn't difficult. There are lots of signs indicating where you need to wait to catch the bus you want. When in doubt, simply ask the CM driving the bus whether it is the correct one.

Two other things to remember: (1) if you do drive your own car to a park, parking will be free for you since you're staying on-site; (2) if you are running short on time and don't think you'll be able to wait for a bus, you can always call a cab, which will probably run you between $15-20 plus tip.

 

[disneynutt1225]

Sunday 12/18:
10:00 (or earlier) Arrive at Pop Century
Animal Kingdom
5:30 ADR Boma
MGM for Osborne lights (EMH)
Back to Pop

You could take a bus from Pop to AK, then from AK to Boma for your ADR - I would allow a minimum of 40 minutes. Then from AKL to MGM you can take a bus after dinner. MGM to Pop also bus.

Monday 12/19: (our anniversary)
Epcot (EMH)
7:00 Le Chefs
Back to Pop

If you're spending the whole day in Epcot, you can either drive or do the bus, but if you're only going to be getting there in time for your ADR I would allow at least an hour.

Tuesday 12/20:
MGM (EMH)
12:00 50's Prime Time
Downtown Disney
Dinner -
Back to Pop

Your best bet is probably to drive in this case like the above poster said.

Wednesday 12/21:
Magic Kingdom
5:00 'Ohana (monorail)
Magic Kingdom (EMH)
Back to Pop

Bus to MK, monorail to your ADR, allowing at minimum 30 minutes for travel. Monorail back to MK and then bus back to Pop.

Thursday 12/22:
Sleep in?
Magic Kingdom
4:30 Epcot
5:40 Le Cellier
Epcot (EMH)
Back to Pop

For this one you can take a bus to MK, then the monorail to TTC switching to the Epcot monorail there. Bus back to Pop.
Friday 12/23:
Pack car to leave
Travel to Resorts to see Christmas Decorations & Gingerbread
3:30? Head to Mom's for Christmas

 

[Juligan]

Hey, you guys are great. Thanks for the quick response. Do you think my itinerary is doable? Any major problems?

 

[disneynutt1225]

I definitely think it's doable. It seems like everything should run smoothly for you. Enjoy your trip!

 

[plutolovr]

We always use a car. I find it more efficient for MOST travel through Disney. That being said on this day:

Thursday 12/22:
Sleep in?
Magic Kingdom
4:30 Epcot
5:40 Le Cellier
Epcot (EMH)
Back to Pop

I would drive to Epcot, monorail over to MK, monorail back to Epcot drive back to Pop. JMO