Transportation to and fro... What am I missing?

[goofy4tink]

Disney transportation is ridiculously easy.....once you get there! Sitting at home, it seems very convoluted, and hard to figure out. Once you get there, you'll find how easy it is.

As far as OLP goes....it is not 100% reliable. So we don't recommend it. Ask it how to get from BLT to the CR. last time I checked, it was a pretty amazing result!

And Bess from MK to DTD? I was there in June, Sept, and just two weeks ago. Never saw a DTD bus at MK or any other park. There was a brief period last year, that you could take a bus from AK to DTD, but it ran after 3pm. And that was stopped after a few months.

 

[MrInfinity]

I don't know enough to know if this is accurate, but this link takes you to a very cool subway style map of disney transport options. I find the format very understandable.

http://www.wdwfocus.com/img/map/wdw-transport-map-full.png

Love the map! I'm going to print / laminate just for fun.

 

[Dr Gunnie]

We are staying at Port Orleans-Riverside and I've read some horror stories about trying to catch a bus from there in the mornings... has anyone ever said the heck with it and grabbed a cab from there to take you to the parks? I'm contemplating it to get to the parks, and then take the bus back to the resort.

 

[Robo]

We are staying at Port Orleans-Riverside and I've read some horror stories about trying to catch a bus from there in the mornings... has anyone ever said the heck with it and grabbed a cab from there to take you to the parks? I'm contemplating it to get to the parks, and then take the bus back to the resort.

You can't take a cab to the MK gates.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Disney transportation is ridiculously easy.....once you get there! Sitting at home, it seems very convoluted, and hard to figure out. Once you get there, you'll find how easy it is.

As far as OLP goes....it is not 100% reliable. So we don't recommend it. Ask it how to get from BLT to the CR. last time I checked, it was a pretty amazing result!

And Bess from MK to DTD? I was there in June, Sept, and just two weeks ago. Never saw a DTD bus at MK or any other park. There was a brief period last year, that you could take a bus from AK to DTD, but it ran after 3pm. And that was stopped after a few months.

I couldn't resist...
Starting from Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort:

Monorail to Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Transfer to Monorail to Disney's Contemporary Resort
Estimated Time: 37 minutes
Boat to Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
Transfer to Boat to Disney's Contemporary Resort
Estimated Time: 63 minutes
Walk to Magic Kingdom® Park
Transfer to Monorail to Disney's Contemporary Resort
Estimated Time: 28 minutes
Monorail to Transportation & Ticket Center
Transfer to Car to Disney's Contemporary Resort
Estimated Time: 28 minutes
Bus to Disney Hollywood Studios
Transfer to Bus to Disney's Contemporary Resort
Estimated Time: 48 minutes

 

[goofy4tink]

I couldn't resist...
Starting from Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort:

Monorail to Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Transfer to Monorail to Disney's Contemporary Resort
Estimated Time: 37 minutes
Boat to Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
Transfer to Boat to Disney's Contemporary Resort
Estimated Time: 63 minutes
Walk to Magic Kingdom® Park
Transfer to Monorail to Disney's Contemporary Resort
Estimated Time: 28 minutes
Monorail to Transportation & Ticket Center
Transfer to Car to Disney's Contemporary Resort
Estimated Time: 28 minutes
Bus to Disney Hollywood Studios
Transfer to Bus to Disney's Contemporary Resort
Estimated Time: 48 minutes

Pretty incredible, right? I suppose that perhaps they don't list the obvious route.....walk. But that's not a great thing to do. If there are people heading there, that have no idea as to the actual layout, they are going to think they have to take the monorail to the GF. And then 'transfer to monorail to Disney's Contemporary Resort'? Seriously.....it's the same monorail line! Incredibly confusing.

 

[goofy4tink]

We are staying at Port Orleans-Riverside and I've read some horror stories about trying to catch a bus from there in the mornings... has anyone ever said the heck with it and grabbed a cab from there to take you to the parks? I'm contemplating it to get to the parks, and then take the bus back to the resort.

You could take a cab to the CR, and then walk to the MK. I've stayed at POR, many times. Have yet to have any bus issues...to any park.

 

[bumbershoot]

Disney transportation is ridiculously easy.....once you get there! Sitting at home, it seems very convoluted, and hard to figure out. Once you get there, you'll find how easy it is.

As long as you keep your eyes open and read. There are signs at the parks telling you where to go for each bus. There are signs at the monorail area. There are CMs at DTD helping you out; for some weird reason I forgot *until I was walking up to the buses* that we wouldn't be able to go from DTD to AK. Embarrassing. The CM saw my expression and asked if he could help. I said that I'd forgotten about that; he said "well tell me where you're trying to go!" so I did and he told me to take the bus to AKL and then a bus to AK. Some will catch the next bus that's leaving, and that's definitely one way to do it; he was going more for proximity for the second part of it. It worked just fine.

But you have to keep your eyes open and even ask for help sometimes.

If there are people heading there, that have no idea as to the actual layout, they are going to think they have to take the monorail to the GF. And then 'transfer to monorail to Disney's Contemporary Resort'? Seriously.....it's the same monorail line! Incredibly confusing.

That's one of those things that someone will figure out while they are following the instructions, LOL.

I was going through Heathrow this summer after a flight from Vancouver BC where I got about 30 minutes of sleep. 2am our time, DS wasn't happy. I was trying to read and see things and I figured I had to go through a security area. Took quite awhile because the security people got confused (I had two 311 baggies because there were two of us), then I couldn't find the sign to my terminal. I asked. The kind gentleman said "go to the right down this hallway. when you get to the door, open it and turn right. When you reach the hall at the end, turn right." By this time the light was dawning in my face and I was realizing that he was telling me to go back to where I had turned into security. I smiled and said thank you and followed the instructions...this time there wasn't a big clump of people in front of the sign I needed, and I turned the correct way.

My cousins spent their courtship at WDW. They used to go there ALL the time. And they had no idea that there were park to park buses, and no idea that you could transfer to the express monorail from...well honestly I don't know. It was our first trip and I didn't get what they were just then getting. You always have to pay attention!

 

[POOHsie]

I couldn't resist...
Starting from Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort:

Monorail to Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Transfer to Monorail to Disney's Contemporary Resort
Estimated Time: 37 minutes
Boat to Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
Transfer to Boat to Disney's Contemporary Resort
Estimated Time: 63 minutes
Walk to Magic Kingdom® Park
Transfer to Monorail to Disney's Contemporary Resort
Estimated Time: 28 minutes
Monorail to Transportation & Ticket Center
Transfer to Car to Disney's Contemporary Resort
Estimated Time: 28 minutes
Bus to Disney Hollywood Studios
Transfer to Bus to Disney's Contemporary Resort
Estimated Time: 48 minutes

LOL! From BLT to CR? This is just too funny. Folks at OLP must really be laughing! I wonder how many clueless visitors actually tried any of these directions?

 

[Schmeck]

Well, I guess if you don't do research about your resort before you go (like, where is it located on property, is it on the monorail loop?) then transportation is tricky?

Really though - read a sign and hop on a bus, boat, or monorail. It's that simple.

 

[tporter4]

Well, I guess if you don't do research about your resort before you go (like, where is it located on property, is it on the monorail loop?) then transportation is tricky?

Really though - read a sign and hop on a bus, boat, or monorail. It's that simple.

Thank you for your kind and thoughtful response. It's people such as you I'm most thankful for this holiday. Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Disney transportation is ridiculously easy.....once you get there! Sitting at home, it seems very convoluted, and hard to figure out. Once you get there, you'll find how easy it is. .....

So well stated, Diane. You will see, tporter, it is pretty easy, once you are there.

As long as you keep your eyes open and read. There are signs at the parks telling you where to go for each bus. There are signs at the monorail area. There are CMs at DTD helping you out; for some weird reason I forgot *until I was walking up to the buses* that we wouldn't be able to go from DTD to AK. Embarrassing. The CM saw my expression and asked if he could help. I said that I'd forgotten about that; he said "well tell me where you're trying to go!" so I did and he told me to take the bus to AKL and then a bus to AK. Some will catch the next bus that's leaving, and that's definitely one way to do it; he was going more for proximity for the second part of it. It worked just fine.

But you have to keep your eyes open and even ask for help sometimes......

I had a similar experience a few years ago. I usually go twice a year, 30 plus trips, almost always to the Swan/Dolphin. To get to Epcot or the Studios, you either walk or take a boat, period. Well, one morning, up early, headed to the Studios. I go out front of the Swan, to the bus stop, sit down and wait for my bus. After about 20 minutes or so, and no Studios bus, it dawns on me, duh!!! I slowly walked out back to the boat dock and had an enjoyable day.

It happens to everybody, tporter. Enjoy your trip.

 

[tporter4]

So well stated, Diane. You will see, tporter, it is pretty easy, once you are there.

I had a similar experience a few years ago. I usually go twice a year, 30 plus trips, almost always to the Swan/Dolphin. To get to Epcot or the Studios, you either walk or take a boat, period. Well, one morning, up early, headed to the Studios. I go out front of the Swan, to the bus stop, sit down and wait for my bus. After about 20 minutes or so, and no Studios bus, it dawns on me, duh!!! I slowly walked out back to the boat dock and had an enjoyable day.

It happens to everybody, tporter. Enjoy your trip.

Thanks for your response. I am an educated woman so when "read the signs" responses come it ticks me off. I am in the throes of holiday planning to the busiest place on earth. I just need reassurance more than anything and you gave it to me - so thanks.

Why people bother to come to these forums to give "Non-answers" with an "aren't you a dis--t" tone is absolutely beyond me. Having been to many forums I know this happens all the time but it just seems such a waste of space although a good release of negative toxins I suppose. It is a major reason I, and I'm sure others, don't come here often. The person who gave me my patronization this morning has 8,000+ posts so if that's the majority it surprises me there's so many members.

Anyway - thanks again to all of you who were helpful.

 

[tporter4]

Love the map! I'm going to print / laminate just for fun.

I would love it if I could read it! It's SO SMALL!

 

[tporter4]

When you develop something, you need to write it as if every single person that will be using it knows nothing about the subject.

Something that doesn't list the most obvious solution isn't worth using.

I SO agree.

 

[Indio]

As far as OLP goes....it is not 100% reliable. So we don't recommend it. Ask it how to get from BLT to the CR. last time I checked, it was a pretty amazing result!

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! I just did this for fun! Not once does it say "walk out the sidewalk" That is just ridiculous! No one should ever use that app!

 

[JanaDee]

Thanks for your response. I am an educated woman so when "read the signs" responses come it ticks me off. I am in the throes of holiday planning to the busiest place on earth. I just need reassurance more than anything and you gave it to me - so thanks.

Why people bother to come to these forums to give "Non-answers" with an "aren't you a dis--t" tone is absolutely beyond me. Having been to many forums I know this happens all the time but it just seems such a waste of space although a good release of negative toxins I suppose. It is a major reason I, and I'm sure others, don't come here often. The person who gave me my patronization this morning has 8,000+ posts so if that's the majority it surprises me there's so many members.

Anyway - thanks again to all of you who were helpful.

I know reading about the transportation without being familiar with it is overwhelming and confusing. It is hard to imagine really how BIG of an area all the resorts and parks encompass and all the different options from place to place.

Once you get there and see how it works, it will be easier. I promise.

 

[buzznina]

Why is it so difficult to find one place to tell you how to get everywhere FROM everywhere? Does anyone have a site or suggestion? I am trying to plan and the transportation aspect is lacking in my plans and I feel it's going to end up making me have to change some other things too.

Thanks so much!

OP, unless I missed it, I do not see that you mentioned what resort you are staying at. That is the MAIN piece of info that is needed. Example; Value, Mods, SSR, OKW and AKL only have bus transportation to the parks and no direct transportation to other resorts. Where as the other Deluxes have additional transportation options. Generally, expect a 20 minute wait to catch a bus and then (depending on where you are going) a 15-30 minute ride. These times are just estimates, there is no way to be exact. There have been times we had no wait time and times where it was almost an hour.