Transportation question!

[agroomer]

This is my 1st time posting so bare with me. 21 day count down till our 1st camping trip at DFW. Have a few questions: We will have our own car with us. We want to take the boat to MK, would you say take bus or drive to other parks? Also we are bringing bikes,should we still rent golf cark or will they get us to were we need to go?Thanks!

 

[DaveInTN]

Welcome to the boards! I hope you have a fantastic first trip to the Fort!!!

You are right on track by taking the boat to the MK. That's a magical way to get there. Now, we usually take buses to the other parks, but have sometimes taken the car if we don't want to wait around for buses. It all depends on whether I feel like driving and getting where I need to be more quickly, or relaxing and sitting back to let someone else drive. And when going to EPCOT, I like to bus it because I enjoy having a few adult beverages and then don't have to worry about getting behind the wheel.

IMO, if you are bringing bikes there is no need for a golf cart. We rarely rent carts, as we love to tool around on our bikes, and take them over to the WL for lunch. If money were no object I do enjoy looping in a cart in the evening, and we have rented one for a day at Christmas time just to loop around taking in the decorations. But, it's not a necessity.

 

[rm0530]

I would drive yourself to other parks. The buses to the parks aren't always predictable and you waste a lot of time waiting on buses to/from the park. With free parking at the parks, why not be in the comfort of your own car?

I've not had a golf cart before but I have brought bikes and used the internal Fort bus system. Golf carts are more of a luxury I'd rather not pay. The internal bus came by our stop every 10-15 minutes and the freezing A/C was nice during summer. We used bikes to/from the marina for the MK boat and had no problems. The sidewalks are roomy and well-lit. There are bike racks located all around the Fort. Just make sure to bring bike locks if you're leaving your bikes somewhere for an extended time period.

 

[Disneylitch]

I would take the buses to the other parks. I definitely don't want to fight WDW traffic, parking, etc. and we have never had a problem with the buses. For MK, you can also take the boat to the Contemporary and then either monorail or walk to MK. Also, you can take a boat between EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. This can be really relaxing. If you are buying alot of stuff, you might want to drive to Downtown Disney.
We always brink our bikes and enjoy riding around The Fort. We stay in a full hook and unless it's raining, we ride our bikes to the outpost to get a bus or to the marina to catch a boat.

 

[Disneylitch]

This is my 1st time posting so bare with me. 21 day count down till our 1st camping trip at DFW. Have a few questions: We will have our own car with us. We want to take the boat to MK, would you say take bus or drive to other parks? Also we are bringing bikes,should we still rent golf cark or will they get us to were we need to go?Thanks!

What are your camping dates? We will be there August 13 to August 28.

 

[BradyBz12]

We always have a car, but with each successive trip we seem to drive less and less. Whether we drive or not usually depends on ...

When we go
If it's a busy time of year/week/day when you might have to wait for a couple of buses to get a seat, we'll drive.

Where we're going
We almost always drive to AK because that bus ride just seems endless.

If we're on a schedule
Unless we're rushed of need to be somewhere at a particular time, we generally kick back, relax and go with WDW transport

 

[Trophy Husband]

Our driving preferences vary based on the situation. We usually drive to AK because it is a long bus ride with young squirmy children. We will drive to DHS if we intend to make rope drop, which is pretty much every time we go there. Also, we will take the bus to DTD if it is a weekend night and we don't feel like hunting for a parking space.

 

[BradyBz12]

oops - double post

 

[agroomer]

We will be coming from IN in our TT Aug 8-13. we will also be celebrating DS 9th BDay while there. Cant wait!! Thanks for all the info.

 

[Magicbus]

I would drive yourself to other parks. The buses to the parks aren't always predictable and you waste a lot of time waiting on buses to/from the park.

How will I ever meet you if you don't take the bus?
Anyway the debate about using the buses or not using the buses can go on forever. What do I do? I drive, except to MK. But I know short cuts and have access to places that you don't.

 

[Lil' Lisa]

...What do I do? I drive...

What!

 

[mgsmom]

What!

I know!

 

[Magicbus]

What!

Yup, what can I say. The WDW bus transportation system does not try to compete with cars. It transports large numbers of people, who for whatever reason don't have a car or want to drive, as best it can. The system has limitations, but I think it does what it's supposed to do very well.

 

[Lil' Lisa]

Yup, what can I say. The WDW bus transportation system does not try to compete with cars. It transports large numbers of people, who for whatever reason don't have a car or want to drive, as best it can. The system has limitations, but I think it does what it's supposed to do very well.

Ok. Just checking.

 

[mikmouse]

We always have a car, but with each successive trip we seem to drive less and less. Whether we drive or not usually depends on ...

When we go
If it's a busy time of year/week/day when you might have to wait for a couple of buses to get a seat, we'll drive.

Where we're going
We almost always drive to AK because that bus ride just seems endless.

If we're on a schedule
Unless we're rushed of need to be somewhere at a particular time, we generally kick back, relax and go with WDW transport

We never drive anywhere! Out truck is parked one we've set up and it never starts again until the day we leave. We use bikes to boats, buses, monos, everything and consider it part of the vacation experience. Besides, it's fun to interact with other DIS people on the DIS transporation. We've bumped into som pretty interesting people. We especially like to watch how the little ones are so hyped up and energetic in the morning and on the return their either screaming, or limp in their parents' arms. So funny.

 

[Magicbus]

consider it part of the vacation experience. Besides, it's fun to interact with other DIS people on the DIS transporation. We've bumped into some pretty interesting people. We especially like to watch how the little ones are so hyped up and energetic in the morning and on the return their either screaming, or limp in their parents' arms. So funny.

I agree. It's fun talking to people about all things Disney, looking at the little ones faces. Listening to people, that are perfect strangers, share their stories about their day at the parks. Most people think we have to put up with a lot of nasty stuff from the guests. Not true. 99.99999% of them are great. I wouldn't do it if I had to deal with grumpy, mean guests.

 

[BradyBz12]

Most people think we have to put up with a lot of nasty stuff from the guests. Not true. 99.99999% of them are great. I wouldn't do it if I had to deal with grumpy, mean guests.

Good to know because DH's top 2 jobs for when he "retires" and we move to WDW are bus driver and the guy with the leaf blower that cleans out the camp sites.

Notice I said when HE retires. Apparently this plan involves me still working, but he's promised me a spiffy satellite internet connection.