Travel time from POP to restaurants?

[bangzoom6877]

Okay, I made our ADRs last week for our July trip. The person on the phone told me to allow one hour travel time. I asked if this is only if we use the bus or if we drive also. She said either way, allow one hour. No problem doing this, but I am wondering if we will need even more time, especially when returning to a theme park for dinner?

We are staying at Pop Century. Our dinners and breakfasts are as follows:

-dinner at Ohana (Polynesian resort...6:20 PM)
-dinner at LTT (but we will be at the park already)
-dinner at Crystal Palace (MK...6:10PM)
-dinner at Biergarten (Epcot...6:15 PM)
-dinner at Boma (AKL...5:55 PM)
-breakfast at Chef Mickey's (Contemporary resort...7 AM)
-breakfast at Hollywood & Vine (Studios...8:05 AM)

WHat time would you leave for each of these reservations? I put down the times to give everyone an idea on how busy the parks/resorts will be at those times. I have no clue how long it takes to get from place to place but I do know we will be driving and not using the bus. I also have no idea how parking will be because I am new at all this. Only trips I took to Disney were when I was a child with my parents (I was 8 and then 12 on the second trip so I didn't care or pay attention to parking!), and 2 trips with my school in HS (also did not have to worry about this, obviously!). Help!

Thanks,
Bonnie

 

[soccerchick]

Yes, I would do the hour padding. The only time we had a bus problem at POP was trying to get to a dinner ADR at GF. The bus was pulling away as we got there and another one did not come for 25 minutes!

If things are all going well, that gives you time to stroll around the new resort, take some pictures, look over the menu, etc.

Driving your own car will make getting to the resort meals MUCH easier. No trips to park or TTC first.

If taking the bus, I'd add some time onto the Epcot one since you will have a good deal of walking to do to get to the WS. Trying to remember the exact location of H&V - haven't been there.

 

[bangzoom6877]

Oh we are definitely driving all around WDW, no question. Just feels better for us since kids are so little and if they fall asleep on the way back to the hotel (which they surely will each afternoon), it will be easier than lugging them and all that baby equipment on and off the bus. Is there a certain place to park the car at Epcot so we are closer to the WS? Should I leave more than an hour to get there and park and walk to the restaurant? We do plan to check out the resorts while we wait, if necessary. Any tips as to what we should look for in each of the resorts mentioned above?

Also, I asked about a certain table location when I made the ADRs and the CM on the phone told me that I have to ask at the desk when we arrive for a table location request (wanted a view of the castle from Ohana). Any other good views from the restaurants I mentioned that I should know about so I can request them when we arrive for each meal?

Thanks again,
Bonnie

 

[soccerchick]

Something else to consider/find out for sure...we never drove to parks, only to resorts is if you'll have to pay for parking at theme parks? Can't remember since we drove last in 2002. Is free parking still a perk (kind of remember it was?) for onsite guests?

You will have to park and go into the parks the same way everyone else does, right? I don't think you can park any closer to get into World Showcase...bumping for someone who will know...

 

[beroh2253]

Last year we drove our rental from POP to the parks and to resorts for dining and also DTD. We had the AAA parking pass so we could park closer to the park enterance and parking is free if you are staying at a Disney resort (except for Magic Kingdom had to park at the transportation center and take the momo or boat this was longer then the resort bus).
If you drive I would say an hour is fine but take the bus to the Magic Kingdom if ypou drive figure 1 1/2 hr for there. If going to EPCOT it is a longer walk to some resturants in the worlds so maybe leave earlier then an hour for EPCOT if walkng way up to say France or Germany.
I usually leave earlier to any restaurant and check in a little early and shop around while waiting.

 

[bangzoom6877]

Okay, we will leave extra time for MK and Epcot. We are definitely driving, so we will just leave earlier.

I will get an idea of the parking situation at MK when we get there the first day. Our day of arrival, we are going to MK (should arrive around lunchtime) for just the afternoon, maybe the Main Street Parade and dinner at LTT. Our dinner that night is at 5PM. I will get an idea of driving and parking time at MK when we head there after picking up our tickets at the POP. That will help out with the driving and parking situation and knowing before we go to Crystal Palace on our last day for dinner. Then we will know exactly when to head out.

If we do end up getting to the restaurant really early, say 30 minutes before our ADR time, will they give us a table? I suppose yes if one is available. If not, I can shop around or just look around while waiting.

I will also look at a map and I am ordering the customized maps from the Disney website, so that will also let me know how to get around each park so I know before entering where each restaurant is. I also have a map of the whole WDW resort so that will give me an idea how far each resort is from the POP.

Thanks again,
Bonnie

 

[bangzoom6877]

Oh one more thing...when we go to Epcot, it is not morning EMH so they open at 9AM for Future World. What time should we leave so we can get there when the gates open?

 

[beroh2253]

From POP to Epcot is 10-15 min drive and maybe 5 -10 min walk depending where you park. There is a great AAA place to park at EPCOT probably less then 5 min walk to the park enterance. MGM is the Closest to POP say 5 min drive. Animal Kingdom keep an eye on the map you turn left when leaving POP then right and straight to Animal Kingdom Park. DTD about 10 min. But again Magic Kingdom you have to to park at the transportation center then walk or tram to the momorail or boat (sometime boat take a while to arrive if you just missed it) but if you never did the momorail or boat maybe you wouldn't want to miss it. If eating at Poly you can take the momo from Magic Kingdom to there Wilderness Lodge or Grand Floridian. Fastest way to get to the Magic Kingdom and I wish this wasn't true is to take the resort bus, resort buses park close and you have only a short walk to the main enterance (this bye passes the transportation center and you don't have to get on the monorail or boat). Best part about taking your own car is after Illusions, FAntismic or Wishes fireworks there is a mad rush of everybody going to the bus and you may have to wait for 3,4 or more buses till you get on.

 

[bangzoom6877]

Okay, I am not an AAA member but my uncle is and he got me some awesome info through AAA about my entire trip, from the drive down from NYC and everything else. Would he be able to get me an AAA parking pass? Or only if you book through them? Or is it worth it for me to join to get one of these passes?

 

[beroh2253]

Your uncle could ask, I'm not sure if you have to book or have a trip planned thru them, the cards have a year stamped on them so only good for that year. The pass is well worth it I see people selling them on ebay all the time (not sure if that is legal) I've seen them for as much as $65. So it is not only us that think the pass is pretty good. It isn't as close as handicap parking but someplaces a row or 2 behind.
NYC thats great my son will be living in Manhattan , starting in July after college graduation.

MAybe worth it to join AAA has a room discount also.