What if transportation is number one priority?

[David]

I have had some really bad experiences with the buses in WDW. When I go there, which is always at non peak times to avoid the crowds I want travel to be my least concern which is why I have always spent the extra $$ to be on the monorail. Which resort is best from a transportation issue? And will the new resort be the best of all?

 

[PamOKW]

Well Boardwalk let's you walk or ride the boat to both MGM and Epcot. BCV will be the same. OKW and VWL rely on the bus system (with a boat to MK from VWL and a boat to DD from OKW).

 

[drusba]

From a Disney transportation viewpoint, BoardWalk is the best DVC resort simply because you don't need it to get to Epcot and MGM as you can walk to both. (The same will be true of Beach Club Villas as it will be in the same area as BW.). The Boardwalk busses to other places are OK, no worse or better than the busses you get at a monorail resort. I am one who always rents a car and uses it at BW to go to AK and any other place other than Epcot, MGM and MK (driving to MK is no faster than the bus as bus goes right to MK gate area and you have to park beyond the TTC if you drive). I consider the Epcot area a much better place to be than the MK resort area as far as transportation is concerned (there were more times than one when I stayed at an MK resort that the monorail stopped and sat for 10 to 15 minutes just before entering MK "to allow traffic to clear out")

 

[wdwnut]

hi: i agree with drusba; a rental car is great to have. we're fairly familiar with wdw roads, so it never takes us longer than 10 minutes to get to the mk or ak. we did try using just wdw transportation on one trip and found we like having the freedom of a rental car more.

 

[David]

so if you are renting a car does it matter which DVC resort you buy into?

 

[Dennis the WDW Menace]

The best resort area for using a car is OKW. The parking for cars is right at each set of buildings much like an apartment complex in any city. As far as transportation, I have never had a big problem with the bus/Monorail system at WDW. I found early on that they do run close to schedule and we rely on the bus transportation to get around the parks and use our car to go to places outside of the parks. I begin when we first get to WDW and ride the bus to find what time the buses pick up at each park. Like at Epcot they pick up OKW on the hour and half hour. It is more relaxing to let someone else drive than trying to park the car. We know our way around the parks and have gone to WDW since it has opened so it does help to know your way around. They have some good maps on the roads at WDW when you check-in at the hotels so it will help you if you look at these.
Enjoy and always remember that no matter what happens that a bad day at WDW is still better than a great day at work.

 

[drusba]

If you rent a car, it does not matter much from a transportation viewpoint. It does matter for a lot of other reasons. For example, many prefer the hotel atmosphere, location, and excitement of BWV over OKW which is a large spread-out,laid-back "condo" like resort that is not next to a theme park; and many are the opposite. Where you buy is important because of the 11/7 reservation rule--you can reserve 11 months in advance at your home resort but only 7 at others. That is an important rule as has been demonstrated in the recent past at BWV; members trying to reserve there with the 7 month window have found it difficult to get anything many times of the year

 

[mjackson]

Taking the bus to MK is definetly the way to go. Once you add the time to park and wait for the monorial or boat you can be in the park. Also using the bus grants you early admission into the park. I always like to take the monorail back to Epcot when I'm done with MK. I enjoy the ride and this way I can enjoy a little of Epcot then walk to BW when I am ready. Eating dinner at Epcot World Showcase is also a plus.

I usually have a car when I visit. I find it very useful at night when I go to DD or another resort for dinner. Especially when visiting another resort's restaruant which would mean taking two buses to get there and most time at night that means going to DD first then catching a bus to the resort. What a hassel. I can be there much faster in a car. Of course there is always a taxi.

 

[Richyams]

We always have a car. Now that we live in Florida, we drive there, but we have only been down here three years, we always rented a car when we flew from New York.

OKW parking in front of your unit is great. Being able to stop anywhere for dinner or something you need is really great.

You can use early entry at MK when driving, I am not sure why anyone would think that taking the bus is required for early entry.

We always go in off-season when MK closes early. If we are planning an MK day, we will usually have dinner reservations in a monorail hotel. We will park at EPCOT in the morning, monorail over to MK, monorail to dinner, then monorail back to EPCOT and spend the evening there.

"From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs", Karl Marx,This has failed every time it has been tried, why do we still have liberals?

 

[DisneyMim]

Definetely a car is the way to go. I can't imagine not having one. We rent a car no matter where we stay because my family likes to go to different places every night. Going from resort to resort is MUCH easier with a car. If you will be happy spending most of your evenings at your resort and you have very strong feelings about not renting a car I would suggest you stay at BWV. If you are like us and like to go to different places at night (we spend about 2 evenings out of a 2 week vacation at the Boardwalk area) I would strongly urge you to rent a car. Like some of the other posts have stated once you know the roads you will be surprised how easy it is to get around. We have been going to WDW since it opened and have been DVC members since 1991 and we know the roads very well. There is sooooo much to do in WDW that to see all of it and see it comfortably IMHO you really need a car.

 

[AnnK]

If transportation is your number 1 priority than I would STRONGLY suggest looking into BWV resales. We have a large family and do not like Disney transportation. We love BWV's because you can walk to Epcot and MGM. (We will actually stay for Fantasmic because we know we can just walk back to the resort, and not have to deal with 9000 other people fighting for trams and buses, and no fighting to get your car out!)We also like the fact that there are many restaurants within walking distance. If I could not buy BWV ( presently I am trying to add-on points)then I would wait for BCV's. ( which is what I have decided to do if I cannot get an add-on at BWV's)
Good Luck!

 

[milo]

I think that over time you'll find that transportation will become less of a priority. I think the most important issue is what kind of accomodations do you like.

OKW is like living in your own apartment. Parking is right outside and it's very quiet. BWV is more like being at a hotel. Parking can be a distance away, but there are restaurants and shops within easy walking distance. Not to mention that you can walk to the Studios or EPCOT.

We've haven't stayed at VWL yet, so I can't speak from experience on that one. It would seem to be like a hotel experience though.

One thing is, no matter where you stay, WDW does not have very good transportation to the other resorts.

Good Luck in whatever you decide.

Milo

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