Travel Times From Animal Kingdom Lodge

[daver]

Good Day everyone!

So we are staying at AKL in September, and I'm wondering about Bus times from the AKL to the Parks. Since we are right next to AK, I am assuming bus times are quick. I am looking for Bus Times to MK,Epcot HS and Disney Springs. Anyone that can help would be much appreciated!

Oh and also, do you thing the Disney Express Transportation would be wise?

 

[Days In the Sun]

We are just back from a stay at Boardwalk but decided to go one day early so added on one night at Kidani. While I can't answer your question about bus times, I can say the morning we used buses at Kidani, there were plenty of buses circulating. In my experience, how long it takes to get somewhere is more about how long you have to wait for a bus and the load time, which can be long depending on the group of guests boarding. A couple of examples; one morning we were going from AK to BW, waited 50 minutes before getting on a bus to Swan and walked the rest of the way. Another morning waited 35 minutes at BW for a bus to MK for rope drop (evidently just missed previous one), it then took a long time to load due to so many people needing to get on. We abandoned our Seven Dwarfs rope drop plans since we made it to the castle just before 9 which put us at the back of the rope drop line. Having said all the above, I have stayed at Jambo/Kidani 4 times now and on the whole, I think the buses are very good.

Personally, I don't feel Disney Express Transportation adds a lot of value for our family but I suppose it depends on your itinerary. You can walk between Epcot and DHS and the monorail between Epcot and MK is quick, even with the transfer to a second monorail. One day last week I timed inside Epcot to MK Town Square at 24 minutes and that included missing a monorail which we just missed the doors closing. The opposite on another day, inside MK to inside Epcot was 30 minutes. However, we intentionally travel without bags so we bypass security.

 

[daver]

We are just back from a stay at Boardwalk but decided to go one day early so added on one night at Kidani. While I can't answer your question about bus times, I can say the morning we used buses at Kidani, there were plenty of buses circulating. In my experience, how long it takes to get somewhere is more about how long you have to wait for a bus and the load time, which can be long depending on the group of guests boarding. A couple of examples; one morning we were going from AK to BW, waited 50 minutes before getting on a bus to Swan and walked the rest of the way. Another morning waited 35 minutes at BW for a bus to MK for rope drop (evidently just missed previous one), it then took a long time to load due to so many people needing to get on. We abandoned our Seven Dwarfs rope drop plans since we made it to the castle just before 9 which put us at the back of the rope drop line. Having said all the above, I have stayed at Jambo/Kidani 4 times now and on the whole, I think the buses are very good.

Personally, I don't feel Disney Express Transportation adds a lot of value for our family but I suppose it depends on your itinerary. You can walk between Epcot and DHS and the monorail between Epcot and MK is quick, even with the transfer to a second monorail. One day last week I timed inside Epcot to MK Town Square at 24 minutes and that included missing a monorail which we just missed the doors closing. The opposite on another day, inside MK to inside Epcot was 30 minutes. However, we intentionally travel without bags so we bypass security.

First off, thanks for the detailed analysis... great information. Secondly, Ive been to WDW like 7 times so I may sound silly but..... You ca walk from Epcot to HS? Umm didn't know that! Whats the walk time?

 

[Days In the Sun]

 

[Days In the Sun]

First off, thanks for the detailed analysis... great information. Secondly, Ive been to WDW like 7 times so I may sound silly but..... You ca walk from Epcot to HS? Umm didn't know that! Whats the walk time?

20 minutes at a healthy speed, longer if you are trying to take in the atmosphere. If you have never been to the area, you will enjoy it. Exit at UK, walk through Boardwalk area and follow the river. Very pretty, you are following the boats, which you can take as an alternative but you won't get there any faster.

 

[daver]

20 minutes at a healthy speed, longer if you are trying to take in the atmosphere. If you have never been to the area, you will enjoy it. Exit at UK, walk through Boardwalk area and follow the river. Very pretty, you are following the boats, which you can take as an alternative but you won't get there any faster.

That's Fantastic! Thanks so much!

 

[Days In the Sun]

You're most welcome, enjoy your trip, we will be at WDW in September as well.

 

[daver]

You're most welcome, enjoy your trip, we will be at WDW in September as well.

Our trip is Sept 5-12... can't wait!

 

[jsebsirois]

Oh and also, do you thing the Disney Express Transportation would be wise?

We used the Express Transportation in January and we really loved it! We're travelling with young children so not having to go through security 2-3 times a day was a big plus for us. With that being said, if you don't want to end waiting for an express bus, be sure to ask for the schedule

 

[momof2gr8kids]

We were at AKL this past January and while I couldn't tell you exactly times to get everywhere the bus service was great and didn't seem to take long at all to get anywhere contrary to what you read on here. We took breaks every day even from mk. The day we went to mk I was chatting away to dh then realized we were there already and told him how everyone on the disboards complains about how long it takes. Lol We always went to the bus stop an hr before park opening and got through in time to be near the front of the pack for rd.