Transportation from any DVC??

[karebear1]

I am not sure if we should get a rental car or not. Right now we are slated to stay at OKW- I would assume a car would be a good thing from that destination, but what about all the others? I am on a waiting list for BWV's or VWL- how are they for transportation to the parks and DTD?? I am not one for waiting long periods of time , but if the buses etc. are pretty fast running- that won't bother me. We will be there in the middle of OCct. Thanks again everyone.

 

[Coach Rick]

It's hard to say. Personally I hate waiting any more than I have to, and I like knowing at any time if I want I can just jump in the car and go. The price of rental cars is pretty low when figured in your total vacation. OKW is pretty much out there, but I am sure there are some here that would not have a problem with bus transportation. Like I say it's personaly preference. Last year we stayed at the Poly, and of course the Monorail stops right there, and that was fine, but we still had a car. Again it was for the just take off factor. I think we paid $150 for a full size car. We only put about 100 miles on it the wholw week, so that's $1.50 per mile. I have seen some taxi's in that price range. Anyway, JMHO. I'm sure some will be along shortly to add thier .02

 

[Snowgod]

We have staed at OKW with and without a car. As OKW has it's own busses, the need for a car is more of a choice than a need. If you are going to other resorts , then a car will save you from changing busses. As an example, going to AKL from OKW without a car requires going to a park first and then grab a buss to the resort. On the return you may have to go to DTD and get a bus back to OKW.

 

[skelooch]

If you are traveling with small children needing strollers I'd recommend the rental car, the buses can get crowded and squeezing in with a stroller can be a pain. Been there done that.
Waiting for buses can be a drag also especially if it's really hot or raining.
Going from resort to resort is much easier with a car.
If you plan on going off site to other parks or shopping a car is a must.

Have a great trip what ever you decide.

 

[Pa@okw95]

If you are staying at OKW I would get a car, the bus service is terrible there, especially when coming back to OKW during the mid-day period, they cut their buses back during that time. I have waited over 45 minutes twice for a bus at MGM. I have seen major flair ups between customers and bus drivers on 3 occasions where I thought they were going to come to a fist fight. The bus service at OKW is something I do not use except to MK once in a while. I have been a member there since 95 and learned my lesson early about the buses. Having said that the bus service at WDW has gotten worse over the years, try not to use the buses. You of course have to know your way around WDW with a car. The transportation map will give you a good map of the area, it is with the park folders in the check in area.

 

[spiceycat]

the last time I was at OKW the bus service was alot better -

however DD has horrible bus service no matter where you stay - you realize that there is a walking path to DD from OKW and you can also take a boat.

the must I waited at any of the OKW bus stops was around 5 minutes - at the park it was around 6 minutes - I have a stop watch on my watch - we use to have wait a miniumum of 20 minutes in some cases an hour - but this last trip was great!!! I will probably start using the WDW buses more often - thanks to the great service I got on my last trip. Now I didn't ride the bus to DD - walk over and took the car - so I can't say if that is also better.

 

[mickeys#1fan]

If your tolerance for waiting is low, get a car. Not only do you have to wait for transportation, often the bus or boat (as is the case from VWL to MK) makes one or more other stops before getting where you're going. I'm kind of a control freak, so I like to have the flexibility of a car. It's one of the reasons we don't fly.

Rental car rates should be reasonable that time year. Shop around and read all the fine print. The advertised rate may not apply to the time period you'll be there. We got hammered on that one Christmas and ended up paying twice what we budgeted for. Another reason we drive.

 

[TCPluto]

We stayed at OKW in March/April this year and while we had a car, we used the busses for all of our park visits. We never had to wait longer than 5-10 minutes anywhere, the same amount of time you spend walking to from the parking areas. One time I rode the bus back to OKW from the MK to get an umbrella, and got back on the same bus before it left the resort, just going to a different bus stop!

The only time we used the car was for resort to resort visits.

It's funny how so many people can have so many different experiences with the same issue.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by karebear1
I am not sure if we should get a rental car or not. Right now we are slated to stay at OKW- I would assume a car would be a good thing from that destination, but what about all the others? I am on a waiting list for BWV's or VWL- how are they for transportation to the parks and DTD?? I am not one for waiting long periods of time , but if the buses etc. are pretty fast running- that won't bother me. We will be there in the middle of OCct. Thanks again everyone.

I've stayed at BWV several times, mostly without a car. Transportation to EPCOT and MGM is never a problem - you canalways choose to walk. Bus service has always been more than satisfactory for me, but I usually travel in the off season. Buses seem to come more frequently in the busier seasons, though. Yes, the buses are often shared with the other EPCOT resorts, but if I am in a hurry to get back to the resort, I get off at the Swan and walk from there (about 5 minutes). If the Swan/Dolphin Hotels are running separate buses (from the Disney owned resorts), I take whichever comes first (Swan/Dolphin or YC/BC/BCV/BW). I don't remember ever not getting a seat. FWIW, strollers on the buses can be a hassle, but even so, I'd choose to take the bus to the MK.

Self-parking at the BWV/BWI can be a problem. The lot is often filled in the late afternoons and early evenings with guests who are not staying at either resort. You may have trouble even finding a spot. If you rent a car, you should plan on using the valet service (free for DVC members, although tips are appropriate). For that reason, the only time I get a car is if I am staying or visiting something off site for part of the trip. When I do have a car, I only use it to drive to the AK, DD/PI or occasionally to one of the MK or AK resorts for a meal.

HTH.

Good luck getting a reservation for your first choice resort!