Use busses or drive?

[sadossey]

We will be going on our second trip to DW this year. Last year we flew and used only Disney transportation. We are driving this year and we have 2 kids, 6&2, and will have a double stroller. Questions: is it easier to drive from hotel to parks? Is parking free for resort/ disney hotel guests? Or is it easier to just use busses? We do have one dinner res at O'hana, can we drive there and park at the hotel while we have dinner? Thanks

 

[theyoungs07]

I like having some control when it comes to situations with small children, waiting on buses can create one of the worst environments for kids at the end of a long day. We stay offsite now, so driving is our only option, but did the buses when we were without kids. Driving around the world is simple, just punch something in the GPS and go, until you know your way around. If you drive, you may want to talk to your local AAA agent to get a Diamond Parking pass. This is for a special parking area that is just beyond the handicap spots, so you will be able to easily walk from your car to the gate without having to mess with folding the stroller/waiting for the tram.

Parking is free if you stay onsite.

 

[sam_gordon]

We will be going on our second trip to DW this year. Last year we flew and used only Disney transportation. We are driving this year and we have 2 kids, 6&2, and will have a double stroller. Questions: is it easier to drive from hotel to parks? Is parking free for resort/ disney hotel guests? Or is it easier to just use busses? We do have one dinner res at O'hana, can we drive there and park at the hotel while we have dinner? Thanks

"Easier"? Probably, especially with a double stroller. However, we've never used a car when staying on site. I enjoy Disney transportation. Let someone else worry about how to get somewhere (although the roads are very well marked). Let someone else worry about other crazy drivers. I like getting away from the "real world" when on vacation. I can't do that if I need to drive.

And yes, you can park at the Poly for dinner at O'hana. Let the guard know you've got reservations. There will likely be a three hour parking limit, so if you plan on parking, going to MK, then back to dinner, that won't work.

 

[Paging Tom Morrow]

Placing a vote here for driving over taking the buses.

It's much more than a convenience to be able to determine your own travel patterns, it's something that can prevent a meltdown that could severely negatively impact your vacation.

Even the most well behaved child can have a massive meltdown in an unfamiliar environment. Imagine how well that would play out if you then had to wait 45 minutes to get on a crowded bus.

Traveling from resort to resort is easy via car. Same to the parks. Parking at all parks is free when staying on property.

 

[dsneprincess]

I also vote drive. We drive everywhere. Signs are well placed, everything marked well, not lots of traffic to contend with. Sooo much easier & more convenient than busing for us. MK does take a little longer, I would think, but still easier for us. You may want to book your room through AAA, if it is an option, so you get the diamond parking & can walk to the gates & not deal with the stroller on the trams. We usually walk in from the lots, even at MK, but there you really need to know where you are going. Very possible, but not obvious.