Transportation to other parks, do we really need to take a car?

[skhermsmeyer]

We're going to be too big of a crowd to drive to the parks (6 staying in a cabin and not all of us will fit in our Ford Escape). Once my mom and sister get to the cabins from the ME, we'll be destined to take the buses. How long is the general wait? We'll be taking the boat to MK, but for the other parks, how long and short are the waits?

We're going in December and renting a golf cart from Kenny. Requested loop 2800. Will we be spending a lot of time waiting for and on the buses to get to the other parks? My mom (she'll be 60) is getting overly anxious about it and it's making me nervous. DS will be a little over 3 and DD will be 14 months. I really want to stay at the cabins, but would it be easier to stay at a different mod resort? Or is it going to be about the same amount of time on the other buses? We'll be spending the majority of our time at MK (3 days)with the kids, but some days and nights at the other parks (going to each one and getting park hoppers so we can go out after the kids are asleep and my mom is watching them). HELP!

Sarah

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Now ya gotta keep in mind this is just my opinion.
In general, it does take longer to get to parks from the Fort than it does stay'n at a mod resort. BUT for ME, a stay at the Fort Cabins far out weigh a stay at a hotel room which makes the xtra travel time worth it.(for me)
Any time I use a bus to get to a park, I always allow myself 1 1/2 hour travel time,,which usually puts us there early,,but thats good cause then I have a few minutes to check out stuff, take pictures, etc.
Even waiting for a bus at the Fort can be fun. Take your camera, you'll find lotta pic opportunities,,get to meet people from all over, etc, it can be fun.Tell your mother she is close to my age, theres really not much to be anxious about,,she, and ya'll are gonna hava great time)

 

[donac]

When you go to the Fort you need to relax and enjoy being in the most peaceful part of DW. It may seem slow but it is a relaxing experience from the craziness of the parks.

Enjoy the fort.

 

[DaveInTN]

As long as you allow adequate time the buses are fine. We've done it both ways, and taking the buses has its advantages. It just seems more relaxing to me to not have to drive...figuring out where to go, where to park, etc. And, if you are going to Epcot, you can enjoy a few cocktails in the WS because you don't have to drive!

Having a golf cart helps, as you can drive that to the Outpost and then you just have to wait for your park bus....no waiting for the internal bus at your loop.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

There's nothing like a Disney bus full of sweaty people who have spent the day at a crowded park and forgot their deodorant at home.

 

[mnsprk]

There's nothing like a Disney bus full of sweaty people who have spent the day at a crowded park and forgot their deodorant at home.

Won't be too "odorus" they'll be there in December........

 

[Robert6401]

And, if you are going to Epcot, you can enjoy a few cocktails in the WS because you don't have to drive!

Having a golf cart helps, as you can drive that to the Outpost and then you just have to wait for your park bus....no waiting for the internal bus at your loop.

When we go to Epcot we usually go to Biergarten for Supper, so needless to say there is some consumption of what we call "Adult Beverages." Instead of taking the busses, we hop on the monorail and ride it back to MK, then take the boat back to the Fort. I'm not sure that it's any quicker, but its much more enjoyable and after a few drinks can be quite an adventure

 

[ftwildernessguy]

When we go to Epcot we usually go to Biergarten for Supper, so needless to say there is some consumption of what we call "Adult Beverages." Instead of taking the busses, we hop on the monorail and ride it back to MK, then take the boat back to the Fort. I'm not sure that it's any quicker, but its much more enjoyable and after a few drinks can be quite an adventure

I tried that once, Bob. I woke up in Phoenix.

 

[clkelley]

We ALWAYS use the bus system. Love it!! Yes it takes longer, but can enjoy the adult beverages without worrying and don't have to deal with traffic. I was staying off property for a couple of weeks last month for work, and did have weekends to go over to the parks. It was SOOOO annoying to have to go get my car.

 

[I'mDownWithDisney]

I prefer to take our own vehicle to Downtown Disney, The Boardwalk, and occasionally Animal Kingdom. We use Disney transportation for all others.

 

[DaveInTN]

I prefer to take our own vehicle to Downtown Disney, The Boardwalk, and occasionally Animal Kingdom. We use Disney transportation for all others.

Yeah, I agree on not taking the bus to AK. You could get to Jacksonville faster.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Yeah, I agree on not taking the bus to AK. You could get to Jacksonville faster.

COOL !! Didnt know Disney offered that ! Always wanted to see Jacksonville.

 

[CampingBandit]

When you say December:

early or peak (over the holidays) - peak means longer wait times for park buses at ALL of the hotels, and the occasional overcrowded bus as Wilderness Lodge shares the buses with the Fort.

Internal buses aren't usually more than 10-15 minutes to get where you are going. I'd say 30-45 minutes travel on average, depends on the time of day you are going to the parks, etc. There were times we got to our desintation in 20 minutes.

We were there during peak Thanksgiving weekend, and the longest ride it took me was 90 minutes. Reason: I had an ECV and I waited 20 minutes for a HS bus to arrive at the outpost, and it arrived from Wilderness Lodge basically full, so they couldn't put me on. They called for another bus and that arrived within 25 minutes. I left my campsite at 5:30 and I arrived at HS by 7:05, to give you some perspective of wait time vs. drive time. There are benches and places to site while waiting for buses.

Since you say most of your time will be at MK, I wouldn't worry about the buses at all, it's not that noticable. Just have a great time, you are in Disney after all. The boat ride to MK is great and the other hotels don't have that option....enjoy!

 

[Skyw]

We do both. I noticed the age of your kids. If you go to the parks later in the day, you might want to drive. My DS would fall asleep on the way home. You can then park in front of the cabin. And you can easy get you sleeping prince in bed. Also, when your little ones "burn out", you can quickly get them in the car and back to the cabin before a full blown fit happens. And they do.

But if you plan things around nap times and bed times, you should be OK. Honestly, we drive to AK and DS. And take the bus to Epcot and boat to MK. Sometimes we take the boat to MK, and hop the monorail for Epcot. JMHO.

I really have a car because we like to go off of WDW property and eat. Much Cheaper and better quality.

 

[Magicbus]

All busses run on a target max. waiting time of approx. 20 minutes. It could be be less. There is no schedule. During peak times, it might be little longer. It doesn't sound like you have any choice.

 

[CampingBandit]

Ill just add one more thought...we were at Disney in 2008 during Spring Break, very crowded. We had a rental car. First part of the week we used the car to go to the parks. We tried the bus system mid-stay, and once we did it was our preference. Having to stand in line for the trams to take you back to the parking area and then having to find your car in the monster lots...it actually took us longer than just hopping on the bus for direct service to our resort lobby.... we didn't use the rental car the rest of the stay.

 

[skhermsmeyer]

OP here. Thanks for all the quick responses. Since we're destined to use the buses since we all won't fit in the car, it's nice to know we won't be stranded for a long period of time. We'll be there Dec. 3-11 (so hopefully it will be a slow time).

Since we'll have a golf cart, it should make it a little easier too. All of the CM's I've talked to have told me to stay at the cabins. Plus, after hearing from all of you fabulous people, we're staying put.

FW- HERE WE COME!

Sarah

 

[ElementCamper]

OP here. Thanks for all the quick responses. Since we're destined to use the buses since we all won't fit in the car, it's nice to know we won't be stranded for a long period of time. We'll be there Dec. 3-11 (so hopefully it will be a slow time).

Since we'll have a golf cart, it should make it a little easier too. All of the CM's I've talked to have told me to stay at the cabins. Plus, after hearing from all of you fabulous people, we're staying put.

FW- HERE WE COME!

Sarah

Dec 3-11 is a terrific time to go, crowds not too bad. I've been every year the past three during that time. Only day to be aware of is watch when they tape the Christmas Parade that is shown later on Christmas day. It's usually around the 3rd depending on when the weekend falls and due to rain was extended extra days. MK can get packed on those days, plan to do another park if you happen to be there when this occurs. Dates are still a long way off from being posted for this so don't stress about it, just a word of advice.

 

[gillenkl]

We always use the buses, boats and monorail - it just adds to our disney experience and we LOVE it! That being said we always plan to head to the bus depot an hour early if we want to be at a park opening. We kind of just go with the flow as far as the transportation is concerned but we're usually spending 2 weeks there so we aren't racing around like crazy.