When do busses start running?

[twocjsmom]

We have an 8am PS at AK in a couple of weeks on a day that the park doesnt open until 9am. Does anyone know what time the resort busses start running?

 

[MiJo]

We have to check-in at EPCOT at 8:15 even though the park doesn't open until 9:00. I've been told there will be buses running to get us there on time because there are always things like character breakfasts that guests need to get to. So, if you are doing a character breakfast somewhere, it shouldn't be a problem. I'm curious: what restaurant is open that early in AK? The RFC might be but that is outside the park.

 

[twocjsmom]

We're going to Donald's Breakfastosarous. We got the first seating, figuring that we could get some pretty good character interaction, and still be able to eat without feeling rushed that the crowds were growing out in the park. Hopefully we'll be able to time it so that we finish up withour meal just as the park opens!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Contrary to what you might hear anywhere else, the following is true and accurate information direct from the official purple pants

Buses will begin for the purpose of Character Breakfasts start 45 minutes prior to the first seating time of that park & resort area. So if your breakfast is at 8:00, be out there 45 minutes prior, and you will be able to get transportation. Make sure to look for the area in which you are trying to go, and let the driver know what breakfast you are going to. For example, if you are going to Chef Mickey's, you'd board the MK bus and let the driver know you need to go to the Contemporary.

Buses will begin for the purpose of general park access one hour prior to the park opening. So if the park opens for EE at 8, general park buses will start at 7.

 

[Shannon G]

Contrary to what you might hear anywhere else, the following is true and accurate information direct from the official purple pants

Buses will begin for the purpose of Character Breakfasts start 45 minutes prior to the first seating time of that park & resort area. So if your breakfast is at 8:00, be out there 45 minutes prior, and you will be able to get transportation. Make sure to look for the area in which you are trying to go, and let the driver know what breakfast you are going to. For example, if you are going to Chef Mickey's, you'd board the MK bus and let the driver know you need to go to the Contemporary.

Buses will begin for the purpose of general park access one hour prior to the park opening. So if the park opens for EE at 8, general park buses will start at 7.

Tyler -

Just so I have this straight - for 8:30 PS at Chef Mickey's, we would get the MK bus from the resort, and tell the driver we're going to the Contemporary for breakfast. Does the bus then drop us off right at the Contemporary, or do we just get off at the MK and walk over?

Thanks!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

It depends on the situation. At that hour, the drivers will try and take you over directly if they can, however you should plan on taking the monorail. Make sure to be at the bus stop no later than 7:45.

 

[coasterville]

In regards to early transportation:

I have heard that if you get a bus to the Magic Kingdom before park opening, they will drop you off at the TTC and not the bus stop located directly outside the park gates.

I have scheduled a Keys to The Kingdom tour, and want to know, if the early busses go to the TTC instead. That way I can plan around having to leave time for the monorail ride.

FWIW: I will be traveling via Disney Transit from POR to MK and want to arrive at MK around 8:30 on a non early magic hour day.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

All resort buses WILL drop off at the Magic Kingdom itself.

 

[Shannon G]

It depends on the situation. At that hour, the drivers will try and take you over directly if they can, however you should plan on taking the monorail. Make sure to be at the bus stop no later than 7:45.

Thanks for the info Tyler! Looking forward to taking our girls to Chef Mickey's a week from tomorrow!

 

[KilleriMac17]

All resort buses WILL drop off at the Magic Kingdom itself.

I can cofirm this is true! it happened with us in april, however, since I guess it was slow(it was me, my wife, and another family all going to the polynesian for a breakfast) they took us right to polynesian itself(but it was a MK bus). the bus came around 6:45 am(I think we had a 7:30 am ps at Konahs).

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

I can cofirm this is true! it happened with us in april, however, since I guess it was slow(it was me, my wife, and another family all going to the polynesian for a breakfast) they took us right to polynesian itself(but it was a MK bus). the bus came around 6:45 am(I think we had a 7:30 am ps at Konahs).

During the early morning hours, the buses will often times have the ability to take you directly to the resort.

 

[twocjsmom]

Thanks so much for your help! Now I can tell my DH that I have it straight from the official purple pants source!

 

[coasterville]

During the early morning hours, the buses will often times have the ability to take you directly to the resort.

One of my favorite "Above and beyond the call of duties" stories about WDW arrises from Disney Transportation.

At the time, I was staying at All-Stars, and our party wanted to have breakfast at Cape May Cafe. Following the advice from Disney Dining we caught the EPOCT bus, with the intention of transfering to the Beach Club bus. (Which apparently there is no such thing...)

The driver must have overheard us talking, called one of us up to the front of the bus and told us that he would personally take us to the Beach Club after dropping the rest of the load off at EPCOT. Not only that, he dropped us off right outside the front door of the Beach Club.

Again, well above and beyond the call of duty in my book.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Indeed, it should be noted that for Cape May (or any of the Epcot Resorts) the appropriate morning bus would be the Disney-MGM Studios bus.

 

[Nadine and Fred]

...we are staying at AKL and have a PS for CRT at 8:05am. Should we take this special bus that you speak of or the MK bus?? Thanks

 

[Cooky45]

I am in need of a plan for Character breakfast. I've heard that Chef Mickey's is really good. However, we are staying at Doubletree Suites (at Downtown Disney). What would be the easiest way to get around, catch bus (whether hotel bus or WDW transp. to do brkfst and then go right to the park. Any ideas.

Thought about driving to Contemporary (rental car) and then driving back to hotel and catching reg bus from hotel. Just want it to be smooth & simple.

Even considering lunch or dinner. Help! (my brain is tired)!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

...we are staying at AKL and have a PS for CRT at 8:05am. Should we take this special bus that you speak of or the MK bus?? Thanks

The special bus IS the MK bus Just be out there between 7:15-7:25 or so.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

I am in need of a plan for Character breakfast. I've heard that Chef Mickey's is really good. However, we are staying at Doubletree Suites (at Downtown Disney). What would be the easiest way to get around, catch bus (whether hotel bus or WDW transp. to do brkfst and then go right to the park. Any ideas.

Thought about driving to Contemporary (rental car) and then driving back to hotel and catching reg bus from hotel. Just want it to be smooth & simple.

Even considering lunch or dinner. Help! (my brain is tired)!

For off property resorts, your best bet is to take your rental car, and park it at the Magic Kingdom parking lot, and then head off to the Contemporary via the Monorail. From there, you can head over to the Magic Kingdom real easy.

If you will be going to another park, you may park at the Contemporary itself, and then just move the car to whatever park you'll be visiting. I'd recommend taking your car instead of using an off-site shuttle bus.

 

[Cooky45]

How do the busses compare to the resort busses as far as dropping you off at the parks. We've stayed in Dixie Landings (previously) twice and it was great. The Doubletree Suites say they are about the same as the other busses - park up close - except for MK. They drop you off at the TTC. Just don't want to get there and be surprised. Also, if we park at Contemporary for 1/2 day to day - do we have to pay for parking if we decide to ride monorail to park? I have so many questions. Thanks for your help!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

As for the offsite buses compared to Disney buses -- there is no comparison. They run half as often, crazy drivers, etc. Personally, I would not set foot on one of those buses based on what I know, but that's just me.

When parking at the Contemporary, you will be issued a 3 hour parking pass. Parking at the Contemporary is for CR guests, and those dining at a CR restaurant only. Parking there, and heading to a park is strictly prohibited.