Uber vs bus

[lomillerin]

We are going to be in WDW next week.
I am finalizing the times we need to be at the bus stop at AKL.
We want to get to the parks for Rope drop.
We will use uber any time we think it is needed.
I am thinking it will be useful to use uber for DS and the water parks.
We also are going to MK tour that starts at 8 am on June 18th.
We need to check in I think by 7:45 am.
We also want to get to AK before rope drop.
What places and times should we plan on using uber?
How early do buses run?
Thanks,

 

[HydroGuy]

We just got back last week. We used Uber when:

- we wanted to make sure we got to AK early on opening day
- we needed to get somewhere a bus or boat does not serve directly
- we were running late for something like an ADR and thought Uber would be faster

My understanding is buses run to a park an hour before the park opens.

 

[Thing 1]

We basically use Uber anytime we would have to make a connection. Resort restaurants always. We always take buses to the park but are always prepared to take Uber back to the resort at the end of the day if buses are crazy long waits.

 

[MeganS721]

We just stayed at AKL and had an 8 am BOG on a 9 am opening day. The buses started running regularly at 8, at 7 it was every 20-30 minutes. We missed the 7 am bus by about 2 minutes so we immediately got an Uber to the Contemporary and walked to MK. We checked in to BOG about 5 minutes early. If you don't make that 7 am bus for your tour, you'll be late. I would recommend just going right to Uber for that day so you don't miss the tour.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

we immediately got an Uber

How do you "get an Uber" at WDW?

 

[MeganS721]

How do you "get an Uber" at WDW?

You just download the app and there's a button to request a ride. It'll tell you how far away your driver is and your estimated time of arrival. Sometimes drivers are 2 minutes away, sometimes 10, so if you have somewhere you need to be, check the app a few minutes before you need to leave to see where the closest driver is.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

You just download the app and there's a button to request a ride. It'll tell you how far away your driver is and your estimated time of arrival. Sometimes drivers are 2 minutes away, sometimes 10, so if you have somewhere you need to be, check the app a few minutes before you need to leave to see where the closest driver is.

Are there taxis available at the resorts? Or is Uber a better option for a quick ride?

 

[GreyStr0ke]

It's gotten to the point where if there isn't a bus waiting I'll Uber it. My driver avoided a huge accident one time that had one of the main bus routes shut down. Worth every cent.

 

[MeganS721]

Are there taxis available at the resorts? Or is Uber a better option for a quick ride?

I did see a few taxis here and there in the morning, but we preferred Uber. The fares are cheaper, you can pay right in the app so it's cashless because they don't take tips usually. It was just easier for us, especially since there wasn't always a taxi at the resort, but there was always an Uber within ten minutes.

 

[GreyStr0ke]

There are definitely Taxis at the Parks, but they're always around the resorts too.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I did see a few taxis here and there in the morning, but we preferred Uber. The fares are cheaper, you can pay right in the app so it's cashless because they don't take tips usually. It was just easier for us, especially since there wasn't always a taxi at the resort, but there was always an Uber within ten minutes.

There are definitely Taxis at the Parks, but they're always around the resorts too.

Thanks. We're going to be there the end of the month, and I want to be at AK at opening. I'm concerned that the bus just won't be early enough for us.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Are there taxis available at the resorts? Or is Uber a better option for a quick ride?

Uber is the less expensive option. Also, I have noticed taxis and towncar services only at the deluxe resorts. I stayed at the Swan last year, and there were always cars available at its main entrance as well as at the Beach Club.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Uber is the less expensive option. Also, I have noticed taxis and towncar services only at the deluxe resorts. I stayed at the Swan last year, and there were always cars available at its main entrance as well as at the Beach Club.

I know Uber is likely the least expensive, but cost isn't really a concern. My biggest concern is getting to AK early. And I'm thinking to look into some private transportation, and not relying on the bus system for it.

Question I'm throwing out to anyone - are there taxis at the value resorts?

 

[AngiTN]

I know Uber is likely the least expensive, but cost isn't really a concern. My biggest concern is getting to AK early. And I'm thinking to look into some private transportation, and not relying on the bus system for it.

Question I'm throwing out to anyone - are there taxis at the value resorts?

Yes, there are Taxi's anywhere on property. But Lyft/Uber is just a easily available.

 

[joelkfla]

It was just easier for us, especially since there wasn't always a taxi at the resort

I have noticed taxis and towncar services only at the deluxe resorts.

Taxis are at the resorts, but you may not see them. At most resorts they wait out in a corner of the parking lot until called to the entrance by Bell Services.

 

[Shanti]

For MK, I recommend the bus as uber won't be able to drop you at the front gates- you'd have to use another form of transportation to get there.

We stayed at AKL over Easter weekend this year. MK EMH began at 7am on Saturday, so we got to the AKL bus stop at 6am, & the bus to MK arrived around 6:15 or 6:20. We were standing in front of the MK entrance area by 6:45. We were also among the first to make it to 7DMT. So yes, that first bus to MK will get you there. Just be sure to show up at the bus stop an hour before park opening to be able to catch it.

For AK coming from AKL, I would definitely use the bus as AKL is so close.

For DS, I would take the bus unless I was in a hurry.

For water parks, I'd arrange my own transportation, as they no longer have direct bus service to those.

 

[Alesia]

Buses start at 6:30 every day. You will have no problems getting to the parks by bus

 

[HydroGuy]

For MK, I recommend the bus as uber won't be able to drop you at the front gates- you'd have to use another form of transportation to get there.

When we need to Uber to MK we get dropped in front of the Contemporary. It is a slightly longer walk than from the bus dropoffs. Just did this in March.

 

[JimMIA]

You just download the app and there's a button to request a ride. It'll tell you how far away your driver is and your estimated time of arrival. Sometimes drivers are 2 minutes away, sometimes 10, so if you have somewhere you need to be, check the app a few minutes before you need to leave to see where the closest driver is.

What I see, as a driver, is that the pickup ETA's can be erroneous -- almost always stating more wait time than there really is. I've been standing right next to a passenger when they placed their request and had them get ETA's of 2-4 minutes. I've texted passengers to let them know I had arrived and been told the app said I was still 4 minutes away.

At a busy venue like WDW, I'd be amazed if your wait time for Uber is ever more than 5 minutes...unless it's at some weird time of day, or during a period of traffic gridlock. Taxi, Uber, and Lyft drivers make it their business to know where and when people are most likely to need rides, and obviously early morning at major resorts is a prime venue. So there will be plenty of all of the above very nearby.

We always drive to WDW (4 hours), so we drive our own car everywhere. But if I didn't have a car, my first choice would always be the free Disney bus onsite. Uber would be second, Lyft would be third, and taxi would be a last resort because Uber/Lyft fares tend to be 1/2 to 1/3 of cab fares.

For guidance on using rideshare apps, you will find a lot of how-to videos about Uber and Lyft on YouTube. Just be sure to look at a more recent one (last 6-8 months or so) because all of these apps are updated frequently. Also realize that the services offered and rates vary widely from one market to the other, so what you see on your phone at WDW will look a little different from the video or what you're used to at home.

 

[MeganS721]

When we need to Uber to MK we get dropped in front of the Contemporary. It is a slightly longer walk than from the bus dropoffs. Just did thin March.

We do this too. Very easy walk.