Using Lynx from Vacation Village at Parkway?

[mrandmrsnjt1106]

We are considering staying at VVP in November but won't have a rental car because we're flying and hoping to not rent a vehicle (we have 6 kids in car seats so have so drive a 12 passenger & they cost a fortune to rent!). In a review I read somewhere else about VVP, it sounds like there is a Lynx stop nearby but I am terrible at reading public transportation maps (just no real experience with it since we live in a rural area) and cannot figure this out for the life of my by looking at their site.

Does anyone have experience with this that can tell me:
1. Is there a Lynx stop near VVP that could get us to TTC?
2. From TTC, can we get to any Disney park?

TIA everyone!
Melissa

 

[Lewisc]

No experience but I looked it up for you.
Maybe 1/2 mile walk to the Lynx stop. Route 56 will get you to the TTC in about 20 minutes. You can take the monorail from the TTC to EPCOT and a bus from the TTC to DHS and AK. You could easily wait 20 minutes for a Disney bus. Your idea sort of works for the MK but your transportation will take at least an hour, probably closer to 90 minutes for transportation to other parks.

You're still going to have to pay for transportation from the airport. Some suggestions. Rent two cars. Consider staying at Wyndham Bonnet Creek. You could supplement their shuttle buses with taxis.

You could rent two rooms at a Disney resort. Even at a value resort two rooms will probably cost more then Vacation Village. You'll be cramped but your transportation needs will be met. You have to decide which is worse. Being cramped in a value resort or dealing with transportation issues.

JMO The only offsite property I'd even consider without either a car or a $$$ budget for taxis is WBC. The DTD hotels have decent bus service, technically they're on Disney property.

edited to add: You have 6 kids in car seats? Is this a joke? If not...Is it really feasible to get the kids to the bus stop? I think you're near the middle of the route. Will there be a problem if there aren't any seats available.

I don't think that property will work for you.

 

[mrandmrsnjt1106]

I found a way on Mapquest to look it up and it did show about a half mile walk to Lynx. We will be going in November so I'm hoping there will be low crowds as on our last 2 trips, though I know even low crowds can still be lots of people. I hate to waste that much time on transportation, but I don't really know what else we can do.

We are planning on taking a Kelly shuttle van from the airport. We used them from the train station last time and it was $135 round trip which I thought was a great value.

Bonnet Creek is not an option for us because they have a 1 in 4 rule so we won't be able to get 2 units there (we have our family of 8 plus 4 family members meeting us in Orlando).

If we rent vehicles we would have to pay not only for the vehicles, but the gas & twice the parking fees every day. I will look into it to see.

Disney properties are out for us too, this go 'round. We've been saving our timeshare points to make it more economical for our other family members (they are driving from LA so will have their transportation taken care of).

No joke about the 6 kids...I should clarify that to say that 1 of them *could* be without a seat and 3 of them *could* be in boosters. We'll have 5 adults so getting to the bus stop shouldn't be a problem, I don't think. We'll have 2 double-strollers. I just don't know enough about the area to know if where we'll be walking is a super busy road.

VVP has a shuttle to the parks but it is $10 pp/pd which for us would add up reallllly quickly. I was considering the bus because it is $16 pp/for the whole week.

 

[robinb]

I think that your transportation needs are pretty unique and that a property that does not have a shuttle will not work for you. I *am* familiar with public transportation and I wouldn't want to herd 6 kids small enough to fit in car seats on a LYNX bus every day. If you post on the Orlando board you will get some ideas for places that are big enough for your family but still offers a free (or low cost) shuttle. Lewis' suggestion for Bonnet Creek is a good one.

Where did you stay on your last trip?

 

[mrandmrsnjt1106]

Last trip we stayed on property at the All-Star (we had 5 kids then & adjoining rooms with my parents). I LOVED having the transportation issue solved, but unfortunately, staying on property is not possible for us this time around. Bonnet Creek is out because they have a 1 in 4 rule so we are unable to get 2 units there for our family that are traveling to meet us.

M

 

[mrandmrsnjt1106]

Ooooh, guess what?
Bonnett Creek DOES NOT have a 1 in 4 rule! YAY! And while they no longer have free shuttles to the park it's just a $12/day charge!!

I'm going to go change my timeshare search now! Thanks y'all!

M

 

[robinb]

What are your dates? I just checked http://www.carrentalsavers.com/florida-car-rental.html and they have a "Full Size" 12-passenger van available for the 2nd week of November from Dollar and Thrifty for $546 with taxes. That's about twice as much as your current plan of taking the van from the airport and then the LYNX but it saves you a ton of time. Plus it will give you the opportunity to shop leisurely instead of being on the van driver's schedule.

 

[robinb]

Ooooh, guess what?
Bonnett Creek DOES NOT have a 1 in 4 rule! YAY! And while they no longer have free shuttles to the park it's just a $12/day charge!!

I'm going to go change my timeshare search now! Thanks y'all!

M

That's a bargain! I hope you can find availability .

 

[Lewisc]

Original post deleted because I see the OP might be able to book at WBC and Robin found decent rates for a 12 passenger van. Double check your auto insurance and credit card coverage. Some of them don't cover a 12 passenger van.

Suggestion. Change your dates, if necessary so you can either stay at WBC or be able to rent a 12 passenger van.

edited to say--You really need WBC. There may be days in which part of your group wants an earlier start in the day or needs to get back to your resort before the rest of your family.

 

[la79al]

VVaP has a shuttle. I don't have exact details but I know that there are 4 shuttles leaving VVP in the morning and then 3 leaving the parks in the afternoon/evening. I am assuming that they all drop/depart TTC. I also assume that VVP also has a shuttle for SeaWorld and Universal but I don't know anything about that. You pay a $25 deposit when you check-in and that covers shuttles for the week. That being said, I only have 2 little ones and I will still be using our van instead of relying on shuttles. We decided last DW trip that even staying onsite we want our own vehicle. We are staying at VVP in a few weeks, PM me with any questions!

 

[SnowWhite12]

la79al, I sent you a PM.