Transportation / Double Tree Suites

[Douvres Family]

Hi!

I have a couple of questions. We are staying at the Double Tree Suites on Hotel Plaza Blvd in May...first time not staying in a WDW hotel.

Please tell me if these are fact or fiction and please enlighten me:

1. Hotel shuttle buses do not go directly to MK...they stop at the TCC
2. Shuttle buses stop at all hotels before stopping at DTS
3. Each shuttle stop at 2 parks each time
4. They run every 30min

Questions:
Do they ever send additional buses at the end of the night when buses get filled up quickly?
Do they send buses early enough for those days when Magic Hours is in the AM or if you have a character breakfast before the park opens?
Any regrets?

If we had to take cab service to MK or Epcot in the AM, how long is the ride (Google map says 15 - 20 min)

Thank you!

 

[writerguyfl]

1. Fact: The buses for the Disney Springs Hotels use the Ticket and Transportation Center for the MK stop.
2. Fact: The DoubleTree Suites is the last stop on the "A" route. The order is Hilton - Holiday Inn - B Resort - DoubleTree. It's really not as bad as it sounds. All of the hotels are adjacent to each other. As long as there are no wheelchairs or ECVs, each stop is just 3-5 minutes.
3. Fact: Although I've seen different combinations, it's usually Magic Kingdom (TTC) to Animal Kingdom on one route. The second is Epcot to Hollywood Studios.
4. Fact: Buses run every 30 minutes. In my experience, the bus drivers do a great job of adhering to the schedule.

The buses for the Disney Springs Hotels are run by Mears Transportation. I tend to visit during off-peak times. As such, I've never seen additional buses added due to high demand. One positive thing I've seen is that Mears has an employee stationed at Epcot in the evening. (They might have people at the other parks...I've only noticed them at Epcot.) That person always seems to know exactly when the buses will arrive. I'm assuming that if more people than anticipated arrive to take the bus, she or he will be able to handle that situation.

As to early mornings, I'm not the person to ask. (I'm a night owl.) But, since Hilton Lake Buena Vista guests get Extra Magic Hours through the end of this year, I know the buses run early on those days. Not sure what will happen come 2016.

Also, the DoubleTree Suites is a great hotel. I think I stayed there 12 nights this year and about 15 last year.

 

[Douvres Family]

1. Fact: The buses for the Disney Springs Hotels use the Ticket and Transportation Center for the MK stop.
2. Fact: The DoubleTree Suites is the last stop on the "A" route. The order is Hilton - Holiday Inn - B Resort - DoubleTree. It's really not as bad as it sounds. All of the hotels are adjacent to each other. As long as there are no wheelchairs or ECVs, each stop is just 3-5 minutes.
3. Fact: Although I've seen different combinations, it's usually Magic Kingdom (TTC) to Animal Kingdom on one route. The second is Epcot to Hollywood Studios.
4. Fact: Buses run every 30 minutes. In my experience, the bus drivers do a great job of adhering to the schedule.

The buses for the Disney Springs Hotels are run by Mears Transportation. I tend to visit during off-peak times. As such, I've never seen additional buses added due to high demand. One positive thing I've seen is that Mears has an employee stationed at Epcot in the evening. (They might have people at the other parks...I've only noticed them at Epcot.) That person always seems to know exactly when the buses will arrive. I'm assuming that if more people than anticipated arrive to take the bus, she or he will be able to handle that situation.

As to early mornings, I'm not the person to ask. (I'm a night owl.) But, since Hilton Lake Buena Vista guests get Extra Magic Hours through the end of this year, I know the buses run early on those days. Not sure what will happen come 2016.

Also, the DoubleTree Suites is a great hotel. I think I stayed there 12 nights this year and about 15 last year.

I really appreciate your time in answering all my concerns. I feel much better now...

 

[malvernfamily2013]

We stayed there in Sept. and loved it:

1. Hotel shuttle buses do not go directly to MK...they stop at the TCC
--True
2. Shuttle buses stop at all hotels before stopping at DTS
--On the way back - but on the way to the parks, since doubletree is the last hotel, it goes right to the parl
3. Each shuttle stop at 2 parks each time
--True
4. They run every 30min
--Pretty true, but like with any shared system, you need to allow for some flexibility.

The estimate of 15-20 minutes is pretty good. We found cabs a great alternative, and since we found a great deal on the room, we didn't mind taking a cab at least one-way most days.

 

[emkat2012]

Never would have thought about taking cabs to the parks- great idea- staying at DTS in Feb!

 

[Douvres Family]

We stayed there in Sept. and loved it:

1. Hotel shuttle buses do not go directly to MK...they stop at the TCC
--True
2. Shuttle buses stop at all hotels before stopping at DTS
--On the way back - but on the way to the parks, since doubletree is the last hotel, it goes right to the parl
3. Each shuttle stop at 2 parks each time
--True
4. They run every 30min
--Pretty true, but like with any shared system, you need to allow for some flexibility.

The estimate of 15-20 minutes is pretty good. We found cabs a great alternative, and since we found a great deal on the room, we didn't mind taking a cab at least one-way most days.

Never would have thought about taking cabs to the parks- great idea- staying at DTS in Feb!