Transport options to DTD

[Lperd]

My DH will be attending a conference at the Hilton in DTD we will be staying onsite at WDW with my toddlers to make it easier on me on the days he is at the conference. Because we are choosing not to stay at the Hilton, his company won't pay for transport.

I am trying to figure out which WDW property will be good for myself and two DD's (1&2yrs) and will also be reasonable for DH to get to and from DTD.

We will be there for 11 days, he will be at conference for 4 days. Some people have suggested a villa because of the long stay. I can't find any villas available except the cabins at FW.

Does anyone know what time the first Disney bus runs from FW to DTD in the morning?

When the first boat is from POR or POFQ to DTD?

Approx how much time would it take on the Disney bus/boat?

Does anyone know if Disney transport drops off anywhere near the Hilton?

If Disney transport won't work, does anyone know how much a taxi would be from either FW to DTD or PO to DTD?

 

[chartle]

Some one posted this exact same question I few months back, I wonder if they are going to the same conference, but anyway.

Since DTD doesn't open until 9:30 there is no reason to have a lot buses go there any earlier. So I don't think that using any Disney Transport will get your DH early enough to get to the conference. So yes he probably would need a cab for the morning. Maybe $10.

Have you looked into Saratoga Springs, right across the lake?

One other thought. Could you stay at the Hilton just for the conference and then stay at a Disney for the rest of the time? It would make life easier for your DH.

 

[mom2brooke76]

Honestly, I'd check into him renting a car for those few days and if you could swing it I'd stay at the Contemporary. It's within walking distance of the MK (or you could take the monorail) and you can also take the monorail to Epcot. I did this when my dd was small since the MK was a 10 minute walk away. IMO, it would too difficult to manage two little ones (and a possible stroller) on a Disney bus by yourself.

 

[OKW Lover]

A cab wouldn't cost much. Perhaps $15 with tip? That would only be in the morning since there will be plenty of bus service at the end of the day.

 

[grimley1968]

One other thought. Could you stay at the Hilton just for the conference and then stay at a Disney for the rest of the time? It would make life easier for your DH.

I agree with this.

I've posted on the OP's other thread, where she's deciding where on Disney property to stay. I agreed then that FW cabins are a good choice if you have toddlers, and can't quite swing deluxe prices. However, you'd just about have to rent a golf cart to get around that place with little ones, and a rental car would make it better as well, since you can park outside the door of the cabin.

However, I didn't realize DH was at the Hilton. The DtD Hilton is literally across the street from DtD. We had it booked one time, but ended up cancelling because we got a too-good-to-pass-up deal at POFQ. But we were pretty happy about the idea of being at the Hilton, since we knew we were driving down, and would have our car, making the Hilton as close to some of the parks as some of Disney's own resorts, and is the closest of anything to DtD. If you rent a car, the Hilton is an easy drive to the parks. The pool area looked nice from what I could tell online, though probably not as nice as some onsite places. I believe there is a per day parking charge at the Hilton.

Getting to DtD from the Hilton is a matter of just crossing the road.

I would check out the Hilton for the duration of DH's conference. You might be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is getting to the parks from there if you have a rented car. A lot of your other issues go away if you stay here. After the conference you could switch to an onsite resort, though I bet you wouldn't want to.

That boat from POR/POFQ to DtD is a nice scenic ride, but it takes a good 30-40 minutes to get from one to the other when you include the wait for the boat.

 

[tjmw2727]

You really do have some great options -

We love the cabins but I wouldn't stay there while your dh is at the conference. All bus service and can be difficult to navigate with a baby and a toddler and a stroller. Unless you have a car or a golf cart I wouldn't choose the cabins.

I would choose your WDW resort based on your needs and then plan on cab fare for DH to the conference at least in the morning. As mentioned upthread this should be in the 10-15 price range and then he can take the bus from DTD back to the resort.

If you are thinking about a moderate I would consider POFQ as it is small and easy to navigate and was just upgraded. DH can take the boat back after the conference.

If your open to a split stay - maybe spring for a deluxe while your dh is at the conference. I would stay on the mororail or in the boardwalk area. The monorail resorts give you access to Epcot and Magic Kingdom via monorail so you won't have to fold the stroller and navigate the buses. The boarkwalk resorts give you acces by boat to Epcot and the Studios (you could also walk).

If the boardwalk intrests you check out the Dolphin and Swan, you can often get a room at the same price as a WDW moderate and have all the amenities of a deluxe.

Finally - I have traveled to WDW as the solo adult with my kids since they were 2 and 4 and enjoyed it. You do have to make some adjustments but if you hit the mall, zoo etc with your kids you will be fine. If you have specific questions about touring the parks alone please don't hesitate to post.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

If your husband is at the DTD Hilton it is only a 10 minutes to the bus stop at DTD. All he would have to do is hop on the bus to your resort. If OKW and SSR are too expense I would look at staying at POR which is about 1 mile 1/2 from DTD. Usually the rooms go for $119 a night

Yes the buses run from FW to DTD in the morning.

What dates will you be there?

 

[joelkfla]

Does anyone know what time the first Disney bus runs from FW to DTD in the morning?

The first bus from the resorts to DTD is around 8:30, timed to arrive at DTD shortly before 9.

When the first boat is from POR or POFQ to DTD?

At 10 a.m., but the buses are available between 8:30 & 10.

 

[livndisney]

The first bus from the resorts to DTD is around 8:30, timed to arrive at DTD shortly before 9.
At 10 a.m., but the buses are available between 8:30 & 10.

The last time we were at DTD the buses back to the resorts did not start running until after 10:30 am.

 

[Brian Noble]

I've found bus transportation to DTD to be extremely variable. If I'm just going for dinner or drinks, and am a little late, that's one thing. But, I would not want to rely on them for business meetings.

I would take a cab or rent a car, and not think twice, even if it's not reimbursed.

 

[joelkfla]

The last time we were at DTD the buses back to the resorts did not start running until after 10:30 am.

That's the buses from DTD. The buses to DTD start around 8:30; when they leave DTD, they mostly go to a nearby resort to pick up for another park. Guests are welcome to ride along, but regular service to all resorts does not start until later.

 

[Lperd]

Thanks for all the info. Based this advice I am thinking that DH should take a taxi to DTD in the mornings and then bus back.

I might try the bus to parks with DDs one day and if it is too much then try a taxi. My concern is having 2 carseats for the taxi.

I have heard that you can get a taxi with 1 carseat, but has anyone ever heard of a taxi with 2 toddler carseats? If they do exist, would they charge extra for this?

My other option is a car rental, but DH refuses to drive in unfamiliar places. I have driven on vacation before having kids, but I too am hesistant to drive in WDW with precious cargo on board.

 

[grimley1968]

Depending on how many trips you take that require a car or taxi, renting a car may end up being less expensive. It also gives you a lot of freedom you don't have without one.

I am horrible with directions (and sense of direction), but even with me I find WDW very easy to drive around. The signage is mostly pretty good. It helps to know which park your resort is closest to, because their signage tends to focus on how to get to the parks first, and then to the resorts close to them. All the WDW signs have a certain color scheme, and once you stop seeing that color scheme on the signs, just turn around and drive in the opposite direction until you see them again.

 

[goofy4tink]

I just checked out the Hilton at DTD to see what their park transportation is like...seems to be really decent. They say they have buses running every 30 mins, and the buses start earlier when it's an EMH morning.
I would seriously consider staying there while your dh has his convention, then move to a different resort, right in WDW, for the addlt time. Easier for your dh and not tough for you to get to WDW parks with your kids.