TTC to Disney Springs + Other

[Frozen2014]

Our cruise has a stop at Port Canaveral. We are looking at booking the Disney Transportation "excursion" that drops us off at the TTC. The pick up spot for catching the bus to return to the ship is also the TTC.

We aren't going to purchase park tickets as too $$$, but we're thinking of going to Disney Springs. Then if there is time, maybe visit a resort or two.

From people's comments, we can walk to the Polynesian from the TTC and catch a bus to Disney Springs from there.

1. Where do we catch the bus?
2. How often does the bus run? If not staying onsite, is there a way to see the bus times either on the app? Or is it posted anywhere?
3. How long is the bus ride from Polynesian to Disney Springs?
4. We don't know Disney World (have only been once many years ago). Is it obvious where to walk from TTC to Polynesian?

When we are done Disney Springs, we are thinking of just grabbing an uber back to save time.

1. Where at Disney Springs is a good spot for uber to come?
2. I'm looking at these amazing maps posted by Robo. It looks like you can walk from the TTC all the way to Grand Floridian? Is this true? And if so, how long is the walk (moderate walking pace)? I'm thinking if we have time, we could have uber drop us off at Grand Floridian and then walk back to the TTC.
3. Is the walking path obvious if we don't know the area?

Sorry for all the questions. We currently have a "Orlando Outlet and Disney Springs" excursion booked, but thinking of switching to the "Disney Transportation" excursion to have more flexibility (and I think our kids would be bored at the outlets so looking at this an an alternative). But I want to ensure if we switch, that we won't feel overwhelmed and stressed when we are there as we don't know our way around.

 

[seashoreCM]

Polynesian (and all other Disney's resorts) have dedicated loading platforms for the park buses outside their "main buildings", although I do not have a verbal description of each at this moment.

If you just got off the monorail or ferry, follow the shore around to the right (do not go through the underpass that parking lot trams use) to get to Polynesian or Grand Floridian. There is a fairly busy road on your left. (Or if you did come through the underpass from parking areas, go left.)

Although resort to Disney Springs buses are billed as every 20 minutes, guests have often mentioned longer wait times, much more often than park bus headway variations.

Coming back from DS by Uber (or comparable) ask to go to Magic Kingdom dropoff not the Contemporary. That is at the Transportation and Ticket Center. After passing the MK toll plaza one would take a left at the first light with a possible left turn.

From GF to TTC is about twice as long as Poly' to TTC; you pass Poly' about halfway.

 

[Frozen2014]

Thanks for the response. Ok....so sounds like buses are not reliable. Does it list the bus time in the app? Or posted at the stop (realtime)? I don't see bus times if I look at the app now but not sure if it's different when you are actually at Disney World. That way, if we saw an estimated time of 19 minutes, then we would just uber. If it said 5 minutes, then we would wait.

Thanks...so it is walkable from GF, but longer. Just thinking in terms if we don't want to rely on the monorail in case it gets stuck while we are on it and we are stressing of getting back to the TTC to make the bus back to port.

 

[joelkfla]

Are you sure it drops you at TTC? A few years ago, when I was a cm, I often saw Cruise Line buses dropping off at MK, but I don't know what excursion they were on, and it may have changed with the security reconfiguration.

If you're at TTC, you can walk to Poly, or you can hop on the Resort Monorail one stop. It may be possible to stay outside the secured perimeter if you walk; ask a Security cm. The bus area is at the right (east) end of TTC, the walkway to Poly is at the left (west) end. You'll walk to the left of a cast service building at the west end. There is a small sign at the entrance to the walkway, which passes over a little landscaped berm. There will be plenty of cm's around whom you can ask for directions.

The Poly bus stop is facing the parking lot between the main lobby and the TTC. If you're walking, just follow the paths along the edge of the parking lot and you'll see the bus shelter off to the left. If you take the monorail, go out the front door and turn left. Again, ask a cm for assistance if needed. If you're walking and you reach the porte cochère , you've passed it.

There are arrivals boards at the bus stops at resorts, but not at the parks or DS. However, the times frequently change before the bus arrives, and some buses don't appear on the board at all. The same info is available in the WDW app, but only to Guests who are checked in to the resort. The bus from Poly to DS should take 15-25 minutes, usually stopping at GF on the way.

You can use Google Maps in walking mode to get good distance estimates, but you do need to have a good idea of where you are going. Google puts the distance at 1 mile. https://goo.gl/maps/isWCm35qgszWMBVB6

There are designated pickup points for Uber & Lyft at DS. The main one is at the West Side, in the Strawberry parking lot. You'll walk between House of Blues and Curque du Soleil. There was a 2nd one near the Days of Christmas shop in the Marketplace; it was closed during the holidays, I don't know whether it's reopened. The Uber app will tell you.

If it turns out that the Cruise bus drops you at MK, you'll walk to Contemporary instead of Poly, and take Uber back to Contemporary. There are no buses from DS to the parks; buses from the parks to DS run only after 4pm.

 

[Frozen2014]

Thank you! I am going to write out your instructions and bring it with me. I checked the excursion description again and it says dropped off/picked up at Magic Kingdom transportation center, so seems like this is the TTC. It is a Royal cruise if that makes a difference (i.e. not a Disney cruise).

Bus stops at GF? I just checked Google Maps and isn't that back tracking and out of the way? Doesn't seem like a big deal though either way.

Ok...so the app won't work for us on this trip as we are just visiting for the day. Thanks for clarifying. I guess if anyone else is waiting for the same bus, then we can always ask. Speaking of which...I assume the buses are labelled well so you know this is the bus to Disney Springs?

And thanks too for the uber pick up locations. That helps.
NP for the bus on return. We have no need to go to a park, plus will most likely uber back since our time near end of the day will be minimal.

 

[joelkfla]

It is a Royal cruise if that makes a difference (i.e. not a Disney cruise).

Yes, I was talking about Disney Cruise Line buses. Outside companies always go either to TTC or to Epcot.

Bus stops at GF? I just checked Google Maps and isn't that back tracking and out of the way?

For the smaller resorts, most buses pick up for at least 2 resorts, and they usually minimize left turns. The extra stop could add a few minutes, or it could add 10 minutes if there are wheelchairs getting off and on.

 

[Frozen2014]

Yes, I was talking about Disney Cruise Line buses. Outside companies always go either to TTC or to Epcot.

For the smaller resorts, most buses pick up for at least 2 resorts, and they usually minimize left turns. The extra stop could add a few minutes, or it could add 10 minutes if there are wheelchairs getting off and on.

Got it. Thanks for your help!