transportation between hotels?

[thebigkahuna]

hi
its my first time staying at a Disney hotel (YAY!!!) and I have a few questions I know you all will be able to help me out with!

from my Disney hotel, how difficult will it be to get to other resorts for my dining reservations?

example: Port Orleans to the Poly ~ is there a direct route? will it take hours and numerous bus transfers like I've heard? (please say no!)

thanks for all your help, I *heart* the dis!!!

 

[clkelley]

The resorts that are near major parks are not that difficult to get to at all.

To get to the Poly from your resort take a bus to MK, then the monorail to the Poly. The same goes for Grand Floridian and Contemporary (although it's faster to walk to the Contemporary rather than monorail.)

To get to the Epcot resorts, take a bus to the Studios, then take the boat or walk.

HOWEVER, having said that, what we usually do is plan our afternoons to be at a park closest to our dinner reservation.

We usually have an early morning breakfast somewhere, then a stroll around whatever resort grounds we are at, or take in some recreation, then long rest back at the room, then evening people anyway, so if, for example, we have dinner at the Poly, we'll finally get out of our resort about 5pm, then go to MK for awhile, then monorail or boat to dinner over at the Poly. Then we'll proceed to whatever park has evening EMH, then back to our room and bed.

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

The resorts that are near major parks are not that difficult to get to at all.

I disagree. Getting from resort to resort can be a major pain in the butt. Wait for a bus, take the bus to a park, wait for another bus (or boat), take bus/boat to destination resort. That can sometimes take over an hour. We gave up on that a few years ago. If we need to go from resort to resort, we take a cab. It saves tons of time and possible aggravation.

 

[thebigkahuna]

thank you SO much! that completely makes sense. That really puts me at ease, sounds like it will be easier than i thought!
my real concern was that I was going to have to drive everywhere & pay massive parking fees!

 

[thebigkahuna]

I disagree. Getting from resort to resort can be a major pain in the butt. Wait for a bus, take the bus to a park, wait for another bus (or boat), take bus/boat to destination resort. That can sometimes take over an hour. We gave up on that a few years ago. If we need to go from resort to resort, we take a cab. It saves tons of time and possible aggravation.

OOOOH! how much do cabs run usually?
I wouldn't' mind the wandering around, but because I can't gauge the times, I'm afraid that I would miss my reservation time.
I would feel better about Disney transportation *after* instead of trying to get somewhere at a certain time & being nervous about being late.

thank you!

 

[Tara]

thank you SO much! that completely makes sense. That really puts me at ease, sounds like it will be easier than i thought!
my real concern was that I was going to have to drive everywhere & pay massive parking fees!

If you are staying onsite, you do not have to pay to park anywhere. (Unless you want to valet park.)

OOOOH! how much do cabs run usually?
I wouldn't' mind the wandering around, but because I can't gauge the times, I'm afraid that I would miss my reservation time.
I would feel better about Disney transportation *after* instead of trying to get somewhere at a certain time & being nervous about being late.

If you have a car available, then I'd recommend driving. It's much more direct than WDW transportation and you're already paying for the car (assuming it's a rental). Of course, if you are planning to imbibe, then please let someone else do the driving.

This site has a taxi fare calculator: http://www.taxifarefinder.com/main.php?city=Orlando

 

[thebigkahuna]

If you are staying onsite, you do not have to pay to park anywhere. (Unless you want to valet park.)



If you have a car available, then I'd recommend driving. It's much more direct than WDW transportation and you're already paying for the car (assuming it's a rental). Of course, if you are planning to imbibe, then please let someone else do the driving.

there would be no fees for me to self park at a different hotel? I didn't know that, that changes everything! That will make everything so much easier! Good to know Tara, thank you!

And no drinking for me, so no worries!

 

[clkelley]

there would be no fees for me to self park at a different hotel? I didn't know that, that changes everything! That will make everything so much easier! Good to know Tara, thank you!

Swan and Dolphin charge to park, but that's it.

 

[thebigkahuna]

Swan and Dolphin charge to park, but that's it.

I dont have any meals planned at Swan or Dolphin, so I'm good there!

 

[seashoreCM]

Practically all resort to resort trips require two legs (in a few cases one can be done on foot, no pun intended, saving the wait for it) (that is, with a connection).

For the rare exception such as All Star Sports to All Star Music, ask the bus driver to be sure he is making the desired stop after you get on.

All resorts except the one you are staying at reserve the right to restrict you to three hours of parking when you drive.

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/disney.htm

 

[thebigkahuna]

Practically all resort to resort trips require two legs (in a few cases one can be done on foot, no pun intended, saving the wait for it) (that is, with a connection).

For the rare exception such as All Star Sports to All Star Music, ask the bus driver to be sure he is making the desired stop after you get on.

All resorts except the one you are staying at reserve the right to restrict you to three hours of parking when you drive.

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/disney.htm

thanks for the link! sounds like driving might be my best option, i would fret over being late for my reservations

 

[truck1]

Try this map. Its something I made up for just such a situation. If you have a car, and youre not afraid of using it, by all means that will be faster as some resort to resort transfers can be time consuming.
I am assuiming that you are staying at the Port Orleans, and if you plan on driving, go to the main entrance of either, and turn right on Bonnet Creek. Get in the left lane and stay there. Where the road dead ends, turn left on Vista. Youll drive past Fort Wilderness Campground, keep going. About 2 or 3 miles down the road, the road wil bend to the right and merge with World drive. On the left will be the MK car parking. At the first light, turn left.(The entrance to Wilderness Lodge will be on the right.)Go to the 4th right and turn right.(first rt is the bus lot, 2nd Kennel lot, 3rd MK dropoff.taxi lot, 4th is the Poly entrance.)

If you need anymore directions, pm me or let me know.
Chris.

 

[thebigkahuna]

Try this map. Its something I made up for just such a situation. If you have a car, and youre not afraid of using it, by all means that will be faster as some resort to resort transfers can be time consuming.
I am assuiming that you are staying at the Port Orleans, and if you plan on driving, go to the main entrance of either, and turn right on Bonnet Creek. Get in the left lane and stay there. Where the road dead ends, turn left on Vista. Youll drive past Fort Wilderness Campground, keep going. About 2 or 3 miles down the road, the road wil bend to the right and merge with World drive. On the left will be the MK car parking. At the first light, turn left.(The entrance to Wilderness Lodge will be on the right.)Go to the 4th right and turn right.(first rt is the bus lot, 2nd Kennel lot, 3rd MK dropoff.taxi lot, 4th is the Poly entrance.)

If you need anymore directions, pm me or let me know.
Chris.

that is great!! thank you so much for sharing! I will print this so i can take it with me - good work, thanks again!

 

[MariDisney]

thank you SO much! that completely makes sense. That really puts me at ease, sounds like it will be easier than i thought!
my real concern was that I was going to have to drive everywhere & pay massive parking fees!

We never ever take resort to resort transportation. We drive. There are no parking fees at resorts, and you can park for 3 hours with a dining reservation.

 

[thebigkahuna]

We never ever take resort to resort transportation. We drive. There are no parking fees at resorts, and you can park for 3 hours with a dining reservation.

perfect. I think i will save Disney transport for when there is no time deadline