When do buses start running?

[jswalker1981]

I am going on saturday, and I am thinking of parking at Epcot since that will be the last park I will be at. I plan on being in Animal Kingdom when it opens, then go to MGM, then catch Illuminations. So what I am thinking of doing is going to Epcot first to drop off my truck, and then catch a bus to Animal Kingdom. So will I be able to get a ride to Animal Kingdom on a bus before it opens, or should I just go straight to Animal Kingdom? Thanks!

 

[Robo]

I am going on saturday, and I am thinking of parking at Epcot since that will be the last park I will be at. I plan on being in Animal Kingdom when it opens, then go to MGM, then catch Illuminations. So what I am thinking of doing is going to Epcot first to drop off my truck, and then catch a bus to Animal Kingdom. So will I be able to get a ride to Animal Kingdom on a bus before it opens, or should I just go straight to Animal Kingdom? Thanks!

Buses from the resorts to the theme-parks start about 6:30 or 6:45am every day.

However, the buses running BETWEEN the theme-parks may start later, and these buses are less likely to be frequent in the mornings (because most guests don't "hop" between parks very early in the day.)

AK's parking lot is notorious for NOT opening very early in the morning (especially not early for AM EMH.)

So, with your plan, (if AK is NOT EMH that morning) I would simply drive to AK and arrive about 30-40 minutes before AK opening time.

After AK, drive to Epcot and park, THEN take the Epcot-to-MGM Bus at that point. You won't lose much time, and you'll have a better chance of a no-hassle bus link.

 

[jswalker1981]

Buses from the resorts to the theme-parks start about 6:30 or 6:45am every day.

However, the buses running BETWEEN the theme-parks may start later, and these buses are less likely to be frequent in the mornings (because most guests don't "hop" between parks very early in the day.)

AK's parking lot is notorious for NOT opening very early in the morning (especially not early for AM EMH.)

So, with your plan, (if AK is NOT EMH that morning) I would simply drive to AK and arrive about 30-40 minutes before AK opening time.

After AK, drive to Epcot and park, THEN take the Epcot-to-MGM Bus at that point. You won't lose much time, and you'll have a better chance of a no-hassle bus link.

Thanks for the suggestion, I've always wondered if it would just be easier to drive myself to each park instead of taking the bus.

 

[Robo]

Thanks for the suggestion, I've always wondered if it would just be easier to drive myself to each park instead of taking the bus.

You did not explain why you wanted to drive in the first place, but I took it to mean you "needed" to.

I have rented a car on a few trips, but now,
I don't bother with driving when at WDW.
I always just take Disney transportation.

This is a matter of each guest's preference, often discussed here, and there are advantages and disadvantages on both sides of the coin...
but my choice, busy buses or not, I prefer them over driving.

Have a great trip!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I am going on saturday, and I am thinking of parking at Epcot since that will be the last park I will be at. I plan on being in Animal Kingdom when it opens, then go to MGM, then catch Illuminations. So what I am thinking of doing is going to Epcot first to drop off my truck, and then catch a bus to Animal Kingdom. So will I be able to get a ride to Animal Kingdom on a bus before it opens, or should I just go straight to Animal Kingdom? Thanks!

I needed to be at AK before opening, and I didn't know how I'd get there. I've heard they keep cars at the entrance to the parking lot until 8:30, which wouldn't work for me. However, I got the bus at my resort at 7:25, and was stepping off the bus at AK at 7:40 (no one else on the bus).

 

[jswalker1981]

You did not explain why you wanted to drive in the first place, but I took it to mean you "needed" to.

I have rented a car on a few trips, but now,
I don't bother with driving when at WDW.
I always just take Disney transportation.

This is a matter of each guest's preference, often discussed here, and there are advantages and disadvantages on both sides of the coin...
but my choice, busy buses or not, I prefer them over driving.

Have a great trip!

Well, I just want to be at AK when it opens so I can get a FP for EE and catch Kilimanjaro Safaris when the animals are out and about. But I would much rather be able to just walk out of Epcot after Illuminations and get in my truck and head home instead of catching a bus back to AK to get my truck.

 

[Wendy1953]

I am going on saturday, and I am thinking of parking at Epcot since that will be the last park I will be at. I plan on being in Animal Kingdom when it opens, then go to MGM, then catch Illuminations. So what I am thinking of doing is going to Epcot first to drop off my truck, and then catch a bus to Animal Kingdom. So will I be able to get a ride to Animal Kingdom on a bus before it opens, or should I just go straight to Animal Kingdom? Thanks!

According to the Passporter:
"Bus routes run every 15 to 20 minutes, from about one hour prior to park opening until about one hour after closing."
there is a bus from EPCOT to AK, and a bus that will take you from AK to MGM, and also a bus that goes from MGM to EPCOT....so good news for you, you can drive to EPCOT park your car, take the bus to AK, then to MGM, and then back to EPCOT!

 

[Robo]

Well, I just want to be at AK when it opens so I can get a FP for EE and catch Kilimanjaro Safaris when the animals are out and about. But I would much rather be able to just walk out of Epcot after Illuminations and get in my truck and head home instead of catching a bus back to AK to get my truck.

Where are you staying?

 

[Robo]

According to the Passporter:
"Bus routes run every 15 to 20 minutes, from about one hour prior to park opening until about one hour after closing."
there is a bus from EPCOT to AK, and a bus that will take you from AK to MGM, and also a bus that goes from MGM to EPCOT....so good news for you, you can drive to EPCOT park your car, take the bus to AK, then to MGM, and then back to EPCOT!

Yes, that is what Passporter says.

The reality, however (based on many trips' experience) is that the park-to-park buses are somewhat less frequent in the early mornings, so if you "just miss" one, it might be a while before you catch another.