Travel time from AKL?

[ajvaca]

Hi All

My DH and I want to try and keep or 3yr old DD on her nap schedule, which is usually 12:30ish. For those who have stayed at AKL how long is the travel time from the parks to the resort? How much time should we alot for this and for those who have gone was it worth keeping the nap schedule? We are traveling with two other families who each have 3year olds and some feel that since we are staying at AKL and it is so far away, they think it is a waste of valuable time. What is everyone elses experience?

Leave May 1st and can't wait!!!!!!!!!

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

I gave my Unofficial Guide away or else I could tell you but the Unofficial Guide to WDW has the travel times from the resorts to the parks, they compare Disney buses vs. driving your own vehice times. I can tell you that the AKL is right across the stree from AK, I am guessing on the disney bus system about 10-15 minuets to Epcot and MGM and maybe 20-25 minuets to MK. We stayed at the all stars before which I think are near AKL and from what I remember it took about that long. A word of advice, make sure you start to leave the parks before any parades are starting in mid day or else a normal quick walk up main street will take about an hour, trust me been there done that. Also, in mid day the buses should be not crowded but at night if you want to get sleepy little ones to bed early don't wait till park closing or else you will be waiting in line for your bus (or if you are driving your own car be waiting for the tram to your car then to get out of the parking lot).
The Unofficial Guide has a great section on transportation if you can get it.

 

[tazdeb]

Also remember that it is a long walk from inside the parks to the tram/bus stop. Then you have to get to the car, drive the 10 minutes, park the car, and take the long walk to your room. AKL is a big place. All this takes time. If your not going to swim I'd suggest getting a good take along stroller (one with a privacy front) and just letting her sleep in it. The parks have nice shady outdoor resturants, usually with some sort of entertainment where you can relax, she can sleep and the others can see an attraction......Have fun there is nothing better than seeing the magic of Disney through little ones eyes.....TAZ

 

[mikymouse]

I was quite pleased with the bus service from AKL and very happy that we did not share with another resort. We never waited more than 10 minutes for a bus and the travel time was around 20 minutes from MK, so I would plan about 1/2 hour MK to AKL. The walk from the Bus to your AKL room is at least 10 minutes, so you need to keep that in mind also. I would highly recommed keeping your regular nap schedule or at least some time away from the parks. My DD just turned 4 year old on our recent trip and she really needed the break (only napped 2 of 3 days) but it made a huge difference in attitude and endurance if we left the parks around 12-1PM (we had a stroller but no way she was going to Nap/"Miss" anything if we were in a park). The bus ride was a nice way to lull her into the nap mode. We always got to parks before opening which worked out really well, good moods and no lines and then back latter in the day for more fun! Have a great trip!

 

[owensamo]

Not sure of the travel time, but it's long. However, our DD has always napped in the stroller well in the parks. We tell her that if she doesn't nap, then we can't stay for the fireworks. She doesn't nap at home anymore (turning 4 next week) and hasn't really for over a year, but she naps almost every day at WDW because she knows if she doesn't, we can't see the fireworks. And she loves the fireworks and the evening parades, etc.

What we do is we lay her down in her stroller, then we just walk around until she falls asleep. Once she's asleep, we park her somewhere semi-quiet (counter-service restaurant tables are usually easy to come by) and grab a cold drink or a snack and have some Mommy-Daddy down-time while she naps. It's a great way for *us* to take it easy in the parks, soak up some atmosphere, catch up on stuff we don't get to in our every-day hectic lives, and relax.

Mur!