Transportation at OKW

[Afabena]

How are the buses to the parks from OKW and back again? Looking at all options for our next stay. I think the rooms look lovely but I’m intimidated by how large the resort is. We may or may not have a car depending if we fly into MCO or TPA. If we don’t have a car - how are the buses? We would probably visit all 4 parks with an emphasis on MK and HS. Last visit we had park hoppers and most days we took a pool break back at the hotel for the afternoon before heading back out for dinner. Thanks for any insight!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Given that no resort is convenient for both DHS and MK, OKW is going to be about equal to the average for any other resort.

 

[Deb & Bill]

In 22 years of owning OKW, we have never had a problem with the buses. Most of the time we have even gotten a seat. A few times we stood.

 

[amym2]

Just stayed at OKW last month and had a great experience with the buses! I think once we had to wait about 20min for one but otherwise we typically waited less than 5. We were in the Old Turtle Pond section and didn’t feel like the multiple stops around the resort were bad at all. It’s definitely convenient to Hollywood Studios and EPCOT and no further to Magic Kingdom than other non-monorail resorts.

 

[MICKIMINI]

We left OKW 12 days ago after 11 nights and had a car and used the buses as well. We used the car to go to AK, Studios and EPCOT and the bus to MK and DS and EPCOT. It was generally a long wait and a long ride around the resort with one bus a 38 minute wait plus time to get the park. I wouldn't discourage you from staying at OKW as it is such a tranquil resort, however you will need to figure on a minimum 45 minutes to an 1 hour to/from the parks. We always added several hours before any meal or activity commitments and found plenty to occupy us when we arrived but this might not work for your younger family.

We picked up a car at Alamo at Disney's Car Care Center. They will pick you up at your resort and when you return your car they will drop you off anywhere on property. I got a $299 reservation, including taxes for an SUV for 9 days. It was new and clean and the folks there are terrific and was much better than dealing with the airport as we used ME. We shared the car with our son and daughter in law, thus our experience on the buses as we weren't always going to the same place. I guess it all depends on your tolerance level for long waits for buses vs lots of traffic/parking issues for driving...good luck!

 

[Sandisw]

I have not stayed at OKW but wanted to add that when I stayed in 2018 with a group at SSR, we ended up calling an Uber to take us to the parks, instead of the buses.

One morning, it did take about 45 minutes from getting picked up to get to Epcot as we were the first to get on the bus. From that point, it was easier and faster and worth the $10 we paid each morning.

We did take the bus back every day to the resort because at that point, the extra time wasnt a big deal.

For MK, we had them take us to a BLT, and then just walked over from there.

I definitely would stay at SSR again now that I have a way of getting to the parks faster, if we need to!

 

[MICKIMINI]

Great idea Sandisw...we would gladly have paid $10 for Uber - our kids use it in big cities and even to/from the airport in Houston but we're country people from NH...too rural for Uber and honestly, we never thought about it. It wasn't really a big deal for us but maybe we'll venture out in May when we are staying at Poly and get an Uber to AKL to eat at Boma. A great tip thanks!