Visiting Disney Springs - I need a better strategy!!!

[princessekrus]

I am hoping this is the right board for this, if not, please move it to where it should be.

We have been going to WDW multiple times a year for the last 9 years, and I feel like I have been able to find great strategies for everything we've wanted to do, with great help from the folks on these boards.

This last trip (October 2015) I attempted Disney Springs for the first time since new construction started at my DD9's request. She was desperate to go shopping, and had seen all the Disney Springs ads on the TV in our room. So I figured sure, we could pop over there one afternoon/evening before dinner. OMG did I miscalculate!

First mistake - It was Saturday of Columbus day weekend.
Second mistake - we timed it for about 5pm
Third mistake - I didn't check here about the new parking situation.

So - it took us an hour (by car) to get from BC Villas to the parking area for DS. My mom has a bad knee, and when I saw how far away we had to park (from the direction we came, we couldn't get into the near-side parking garage), I was astounded.

We finally parked and made it over the pedestrian walkway. The crowd was absolutely insane. Quite literally worse than anything we experienced anywhere in the parks over the whole holiday weekend. We finally made it do World of Disney (where my daughter wanted to shop), I was so overwhelmed, and we were running so late, we spent a total of 20 minutes in the store and had to leave. Not a good experience.

So we are going again in April, and my DD9 wants to go back and really have a chance to look around. She wants to eat at T-Rex, look in shops etc... So here is my plan, please critique and give me alternate suggestions.

1) Go on a Wednesday morning. LOL. We are rope drop people, so no problem getting there. I think stores open around 10?

2) I want to try and park at Saratoga Springs for two reasons. First, I think my daughter would like to walk around the resort since it is horse themed and she is horse crazy, and second, I think it would be more fun to park there and either walk to take the boat over to DS. Can we do this? My parents are DVC, so we have a DVC resort car placard. Can we tell them we just want to walk around and self park, or will we have to Valet?

3) Be out of there by 3pm at the latest.

Thoughts?

 

[RustManFan]

where are you staying? why drive when you can get other WDW transportation and avoid parking?

 

[princessekrus]

We are at Beach Club Villas.

From BCV there aren't a lot of buses for Disney Springs, especially in the mornings. Plus, from the traffic I saw, I'm not sure how fast the buses get there unless they have secret lanes/routes etc... When I sat in traffic, I saw buses sitting right along with us. Now, maybe it's better in the morning. I have only ever had horrible experiences with bus transportation between BCV and DTD (before it was Disney Springs). I have never waited less than 30 minutes for a bus, and we once waited 1.5 hours and finally took a taxi back. Maybe the bus service has improved, but until I know of someone who has had really good experiences from Beach Club to Disney Springs (and back), I like the ability to control my transportation.

I have had good luck from BCV with buses to MK and AK though. Disney Springs seems to be the outlier for me.

 

[subtchr]

I'll second the question -- why drive?

We had a lovely evening at DS in early December. Took the bus from AKL after our late afternoon arrival on DME, ate at Cooke's of Dublin, and really enjoyed walking around and listening to all the live music -- so cool! We activated our military tickets at the Disney Quest GS window, then worked our way back to the AKL bus. Didn't wait more than 15 minutes for a bus at either end, and the drive wasn't bad.

 

[a742246]

Get to DS first thing in the morning 9 AM on a weekday, drive there if you want there's usually lite traffic at that hour you should be fine at least for getting there!

 

[princessekrus]

Get to DS first thing in the morning 9 AM on a weekday, drive there if you want there's usually lite traffic at that hour you should be fine at least for getting there!

Thanks, that's what I was hoping.

As for driving vs. buses... I have just been burned too many times where DTD/DS is concerned. We use buses all the time for the parks without trouble. Maybe I have just had really bad luck, but I'm not ready to try it again yet.

I also kind of wanted to check out Saratoga Springs since I've never been there, but it doesn't seem like many folks use a strategy like this, so maybe it's not worth it.

 

[a742246]

Thanks, that's what I was hoping.

As for driving vs. buses... I have just been burned too many times where DTD/DS is concerned. We use buses all the time for the parks without trouble. Maybe I have just had really bad luck, but I'm not ready to try it again yet.

I also kind of wanted to check out Saratoga Springs since I've never been there, but it doesn't seem like many folks use a strategy like this, so maybe it's not worth it.

Actually, I stayed in SSR this past November and I tell you, once DS is fully finished I can definitely see myself staying there as either a first or second choice!

 

[lugnut33]

Rope drop Disney Springs

 

[Accident]

Just like the parks, more locals are around nights and weekends. your plan sounds fine but it's not a mall where you park next to disney springs. It'll be faster to take the bus if your staying at a disney resort. parking and such is where a lot of construction is still going on.

 

[Planogirl]

We did this during our last trip. We waited until the day we were visiting a half day park and had lunch and shopped before going to that park. Disney Springs was much quieter that time of day but we took the bus so I'm not sure about the parking situation. We walked over to Saratoga Springs to see the place and then take a bus to our evening park and it was quite pleasant.

 

[hart6066]

Not sure if this helps, but maybe use Uber over. We used it several times our last trip during a very high crowd time and it was great. You wouldn't have the issue of waiting for bus to go over and the traffic would be the same as you driving yourself but you wouldn't have to deal with parking. Then maybe look into taking the bus back?

 

[Bluegrrl]

I wouldn't walk from SS if I were you, it is a long walk. I would either park there and boat over, or bus from your resort to dtd. I would also visit it early morning or afternoon - bus drop is way closer to main dtd area.

And if she is horse crazy, check out horse trail riding at fort wilderness. The ride is a nose to butt ride, and the horses are very safe. Even if she's a more experienced rider, it's cool to get a little horse-fix.

 

[DisMommyTX]

From AKL it took almost an hour to get to DS by bus. Last trip we tried driving and gave up when even the far away parking was full. Next trip we are staying Port Orleans, so will just boat over. Have a new plan for our summer off-site stay as well--We will drive to the park we plan to visit later, then take the bus from there to DS and back! I would definitely NOT try to drive there any time, ever again.

 

[Minniesgal]

I would go in the morning for 10am thats when it opens. I'd take the resort bus to DS

Next trip we are staying at SSR and I have requested Congress park so we can walk

 

[Travis B]

From AKL it took almost an hour to get to DS by bus. Last trip we tried driving and gave up when even the far away parking was full. Next trip we are staying Port Orleans, so will just boat over. Have a new plan for our summer off-site stay as well--We will drive to the park we plan to visit later, then take the bus from there to DS and back! I would definitely NOT try to drive there any time, ever again.

IIRC there is no bus service offered between Disney Springs and the parks - only to and from resorts.

 

[Travis B]

The fact that you were there at dinner time on a Saturday in the middle of a holiday weekend was the problem, just like you said.

I think you'll be A-OK visiting early on a weekday. I personally wouldn't bother parking at Saratoga Springs. I would try to bus it, and use Uber as a back-up plan.

 

[okilydokily]

Wednesday morning will be fine. It is a lot better these days but still under construction. You can drive in there without much traffic. There is still a lot of construction going on the roads to DS so it may be a little frustrating, but you can park in the orange garage. Stay on the right side of the road and use the bridge to get across the street and into the garage. Or park in Team Disney and take the pedestrian bridge.

There is still tons of work being done at DS and as of right now, a lot of the expansion is not open yet, making walkways crowded. But on Wed morning, it should not be too bad. T-Rex is a lot of fun, loud, but fun. Food is alright, nothing special but not bad by any means.

I think once done, it will be a mush improved area. Not only in shops, eats and activities, but the traffic should improve drastically. the exit from I-4 has really helped too. They have a good plan, just need to finish it off.

 

[Poppybeach]

After staying away from DS for a couple of trips due to the construction related issues, we went back this past November. I couldn't believe the difference. We had so much fun! Really enjoyed the new shops and restaurants and though it was crowded, we didn't have that claustrophobic feeling that we had our last time there. We actually went back multiple times during our trip and having stayed at POFQ, it was very easy with the boat. We are planning on going back this November, staying again at POFQ and will be making sure we do DS again. Made for a fun night out away from the parks! (my 7 yr old soccer fan son loved the new soccer shop!)

 

[subtchr]

Have a new plan for our summer off-site stay as well--We will drive to the park we plan to visit later, then take the bus from there to DS and back!.

There are no buses from the parks to or from DS, just the resorts.

 

[JimmyV]

Rope drop Disney Springs

Couple that with FP+s for your three favorite shopping venues and you are all set!