Using the bus system at WDW ...

[gray2402]

Hi everyone! This will not be our first trip to WDW but it will be our first time staying onsite and so while I understand *how* the bus system works, I am really unsure of how much time to give ourselves...

We arrive July 5th and leave on July 10th. We are staying at Pop Century Resort.
Here is our basic itinerary day to day and my travel questions are in blue...

July 6th we are going to AK (EMH at 8am) and staying there most of the day, though we might go to MK since they are open to 11pm. We do have ADRs at Tusker House for 9:15am but want to utilize that EMH first. How early should we plan to get to the bus stop at Pop?

July 7th we are going to MK (EMH 8am) but we have an ADR at Whispering Canyon at 12pm. I think I want to take the boat to this and then back to MK. How early do we need to be at bus stop to get to MK at 8am?Also what time should we make sure we exit the park to go to the ADR at Whispering Canyon?

July 8th we have a no park day, but have ADRs at 1900 Park Faire for breakfast do we take bus to MK and then monorail? Is that the only way to do it?) and then we have ADRs at Hoop De Doo that evening not even sure how to get there from Pop??!)

July 9th: This is our DHS day and we plan to go for EMH at 8am... same thing, how much time to give us to get there?

July 10th: We leave this day and plan to check out before we go to our ADR at 8:10am at Chef Mickeys ...is the best/only way to take bus to MK and then monorail to Contemporary? If so, how much time do we need to factor in to get to the ADR? After breakfast we will go back into MK and then take bus back to Pop when we (sadly) have to hit the road...

-Are there busses between parks too? Like can we get a bus from AK to MK? Or do you have to go back to a resort and then to the other park?

I searched for info but did not turn anything up ... if anyone has a link to a good thread to read, please post! TIA!!!

 

[goofy4tink]

Hi everyone! This will not be our first trip to WDW but it will be our first time staying onsite and so while I understand *how* the bus system works, I am really unsure of how much time to give ourselves...

We arrive July 5th and leave on July 10th. We are staying at Pop Century Resort.
Here is our basic itinerary day to day and my travel questions are in blue...

July 6th we are going to AK (EMH at 8am) and staying there most of the day, though we might go to MK since they are open to 11pm. We do have ADRs at Tusker House for 9:15am but want to utilize that EMH first. How early should we plan to get to the bus stop at Pop?
I would be out at the AK stop by 7:15ish

July 7th we are going to MK (EMH 8am) but we have an ADR at Whispering Canyon at 12pm. I think I want to take the boat to this and then back to MK. How early do we need to be at bus stop to get to MK at 8am?Also what time should we make sure we exit the park to go to the ADR at Whispering Canyon?

Be out at the MK bus stop by, again, 7:15ish. To get to WL for 12pm, be at the MK boat dock (boat for WL) by 11:15ish.
July 8th we have a no park day, but have ADRs at 1900 Park Faire for breakfast do we take bus to MK and then monorail? Is that the only way to do it?) and then we have ADRs at Hoop De Doo that evening not even sure how to get there from Pop??!)
Yes, you need to head to MK, then monorail over to 1900 Park Fare.
To get to HDDR, take the bus to MK, then head to the boat dock and take the boat to FtW, then walk up the path to HDDR. If MK is open when you finish at HDDR, take the boat back there and then the bus to POP.

July 9th: This is our DHS day and we plan to go for EMH at 8am... same thing, how much time to give us to get there?
Out at the bus stop by 7:15ish.

July 10th: We leave this day and plan to check out before we go to our ADR at 8:10am at Chef Mickeys ...is the best/only way to take bus to MK and then monorail to Contemporary? If so, how much time do we need to factor in to get to the ADR? After breakfast we will go back into MK and then take bus back to Pop when we (sadly) have to hit the road...
Bus to MK, then walk over to the CR. The monorail can take you about 15+ mins, walking will be about 8. When you get off the bus, follow the crowd towards MK entrance, but when you get to the end of the bus driveway, go to the right and follow underneath the monorail beam...there is a nice sidewalk there. Walk down, cross the street (there is a pedestrian signal there) and you're almost at the CR. For an 8:10 ADR there, I would be at the MK bus stop (at POP) by 7ish.

-Are there busses between parks too? Like can we get a bus from AK to MK? Or do you have to go back to a resort and then to the other park?
There is park to park transportation. When at MK (or going to MK) you will get a bus from DHS and AK that will drop you at the TTC. You get there from Epcot via the monorail...and vice versa.
There are pretty much buses from the other parks...DHS has buses to all the other parks, as well as pathway to walk to Epcot. AK has buses to all other parks, Epcot has buses as well.
I searched for info but did not turn anything up ... if anyone has a link to a good thread to read, please post! TIA!!!

Hope this helps somewhat. The transportation system at WDW seems to be complicated but it's really easy to figure out once you get there and start using it.

 

[gray2402]

That is VERY helpful thank you so much!

I am looking forward to trying the transportation system out If we hate it, we will have our car with us so we can always drive and park for free! But I want to give this a try...

 

[Singledad]

so long as you remember you are sharing that transport with all of WDW and that it isn't necessarily direct (just like the bus systems in any major city), you'll be fine with disney busses.

I second all the info above. also, when in doubt, ask your bus driver!

 

[gray2402]

LOL oh yes, I know all about public transportation failures! We lived in England for 3 years and I had a few train/tube issues ... very frustrating!

I will go with the flow on this trip and see how it ends up!

 

[Singledad]

I will go with the flow on this trip and see how it ends up!

I think you'll have a wonderful time then! Most people's complaints about WDW buses are things than can happen on normal city busses (ie: crowded, waiting for bus to come). if you have used public transport before, you'll be much more prepared than others!

I love the transport system, part of vacation for me is NOT driving!

 

[andyman8]

You are gonna have a fabolous time, by couisidence my family is doing the same itinerary at the Contemporary in early June. Having not been to Disney for at least 7 years, I have done fluent research on Disney Transport (the name of their transportation system) and it appears that you should allow 20 minutes for traveling direct routes (Hotel to Theme and Water Parks and Downtown Disney) and 45 minutes for transfers (Theme Park to Downtown Disney, Hotel to Hotel) Hope you have fun!

 

[gray2402]

I love the transport system, part of vacation for me is NOT driving!

If this works out, my husband will be thrilled too as I always make him drive places!

 

[gray2402]

You are gonna have a fabolous time, by couisidence my family is doing the same itinerary at the Contemporary in early June. Having not been to Disney for at least 7 years, I have done fluent research on Disney Transport (the name of their transportation system) and it appears that you should allow 20 minutes for traveling direct routes (Hotel to Theme and Water Parks and Downtown Disney) and 45 minutes for transfers (Theme Park to Downtown Disney, Hotel to Hotel) Hope you have fun!

Thank you for the time frames! Good info! (I am that weirdo that makes an excel sheet with times to get up, leave etc, so this is helpful !!)

 

[goofy4tink]

You are gonna have a fabolous time, by couisidence my family is doing the same itinerary at the Contemporary in early June. Having not been to Disney for at least 7 years, I have done fluent research on Disney Transport (the name of their transportation system) and it appears that you should allow 20 minutes for traveling direct routes (Hotel to Theme and Water Parks and Downtown Disney) and 45 minutes for transfers (Theme Park to Downtown Disney, Hotel to Hotel) Hope you have fun!

In all honesty, allowing only 20 mins (park to resort) can get you into trouble. Yes, most routes take 20 mins or less. But...that does not include wait time at the bus stops. That alone could be up to 15 mins, or as little as 2 mins.
Same thing when traveling from resort to resort...it's best to allow at least an hour. Then, if it takes only 40 mins, you'll be thrilled!!

 

[grumpytx]

Remember the old Greyhound commercials, "Leave the driving to us.", that's exactly what we do when we go. Relax, you're on vacation.

 

[gray2402]

In all honesty, allowing only 20 mins (park to resort) can get you into trouble. Yes, most routes take 20 mins or less. But...that does not include wait time at the bus stops. That alone could be up to 15 mins, or as little as 2 mins.
Same thing when traveling from resort to resort...it's best to allow at least an hour. Then, if it takes only 40 mins, you'll be thrilled!!

Great points! I will build some extra time in for possible bus waits ...

Remember the old Greyhound commercials, "Leave the driving to us.", that's exactly what we do when we go. Relax, you're on vacation.

LOL great point!

 

[gray2402]

Hey goofy4tink, another question and it is probably a silly one... I just have never paid attention! The boat launches to get to the resorts, they are at the TTC right?

So we would have to leave MK and go to the TTC and then take a boat to WL/FtW? Or are there boats actually at Magic Kingdom to these places?

 

[Alesia]

You are gonna have a fabolous time, by couisidence my family is doing the same itinerary at the Contemporary in early June. Having not been to Disney for at least 7 years, I have done fluent research on Disney Transport (the name of their transportation system) and it appears that you should allow 20 minutes for traveling direct routes (Hotel to Theme and Water Parks and Downtown Disney) and 45 minutes for transfers (Theme Park to Downtown Disney, Hotel to Hotel) Hope you have fun!

I would double those times.

 

[Singledad]

Hey goofy4tink, another question and it is probably a silly one... I just have never paid attention! The boat launches to get to the resorts, they are at the TTC right?

So we would have to leave MK and go to the TTC and then take a boat to WL/FtW? Or are there boats actually at Magic Kingdom to these places?

Last year I never went to the TTC yet rode boats from MK to other hotels, both WL and FtW... I got on the wrong boat at first... just knew it had wilderness in it! (went to WL, when needed FtW for pony rides).

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Hey goofy4tink, another question and it is probably a silly one... I just have never paid attention! The boat launches to get to the resorts, they are at the TTC right?

So we would have to leave MK and go to the TTC and then take a boat to WL/FtW? Or are there boats actually at Magic Kingdom to these places?

The boat launches are right at MK. Leave MK and walk to the boat launches. Just make sure to get on the right one by checking the signs. It's fabulous!

 

[gray2402]

Thank you Connie