When is it preferable to use car rather than WDW transport. to parks?

[vasoccermom]

Hi everyone...getting excited about our upcoming trip and first time staying on-site.

We are renting a car simply because it will cost us less than transfers and because our daughter is diabetic and we might want to make a supermarket run or two during our stay...
That being said, we fully intend to use Disney transportation to get from AKL to the various parks. However, I was wondering if there's ever any circumstances where it's preferable to take our car instead?

Karen

 

[kap10]

I have done trips where I only used the car from the airport to the hotel and then just the transportation system and other trips where we used our car to visit the parks.

I prefered to use the car. I can then control when we get to the park and when we leave. I hate waiting for the buses and wondering when they are going to come.

It might be that I have always gone when the parks weren't very crowded and the buses didn't run as often or that I'm just an impatient person. But I prefer to have my car. We always get to the parks early and have no trouble parking.

 

[DebbieB]

That's really a personal decision that varies person to person. We can't stand crowded busses. Many times you have to stand and hang on for dear life. We just prefer to drive, it's more relaxing than waiting on busses. Other people don't like to drive, they prefer the busses.

 

[mudnuri]

We never had to stand on any buses in April.

We had our truck, and we used it- for our PS at Contemporary on arrival night. It was quicker/easier than going to a monorail park, and going over....

We used our truck on AK day- becuaes we had fairly late PS's at Rainforest Cafe, and didn't want to risk not having buses running (though they were still running at 8pm when we came out- and the park closed at 5)

Thats it- other than that we used disney transportation worked great for us

Brandy

 

[CarolA]

I am pretty much a driver with one exception. I NEVER drive to MK. I like to walk in from the parking lot, not walk into the monorail and/or boat. You can't beat the Disney buses dropping you off at the gate.

 

[vasoccermom]

Thanks everyone!

CarolA, does the same thing hold true for EPCOT or only at MK?

What I love and hate about this board is you always have as many opinions as there are answers...rarely is anything very black and white...usually I end up more conflicted than when I started.

I was all set to use Disney buses from AKL to each of the parks but now I'm rethinking that!

karen

 

[ahoff]

Never stayed at AK so can't comment on the buses there. But definatly would not drive to MK, it is a multi-step process to get to the park. first a parking lot tram (unless you are in early) and then either the ferry or monorail. Bus drops you a short walk from the gate. Also can't comment on other park's parking situation as to how close or far away your car is, but buses are always closer to the gate.

 

[drgnfly30]

I prefer to drive myself, DH is very impatient when it comes to waiting for buses... of course this year I'll be at CR & will most likely use the Monorail to Epcot & walk to/from MK!!
Christine

 

[cruise-o-matic]

I would definitely drive to the Waterparks and from Resort-to-Resort.

We're renting a car mainly so we don't have to go back to CSR and wait for a shuttle on our last day. We get an extra hour in the park or DTD for a few bucks more. Plus, it's nice to have the flexibilty that a car offers if you want to go offsite.

Driving to MK and trying to find parking at DTD can be a pain.

If you are going to drive to the parks, try to get an AAA parking pass so you can park up front.

 

[Lewisc]

Bus to MK. Drive to DTD and the water parks. Drive if you're going to another resort for dinner, particularly an EPCOT resort.

The other parks are a toss up. Some people like the flexibility of not waiting for a bus and others don't like to drive when on vacation.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Driving, IMO , is always better.

I have to use Disney transportation in Dec. for financial reasons and I'm absolutely dreading it.

 

[Bill From PA]

In my experience the WDW transport system is best from resorts to all parks except AK. We usually hop from the EE park to Epcot around 12:30 and twice we encountered very long waits and commute times from AK, so we drive to there. I'd agree that driving is best to water parks but I have no personal experience with this. I'm not a public transportation kind of guy but I like WDW busses, boats and the 'rail.

Bill From PA

 

[disneywithdrawal]

Originally posted by vasoccermom
What I love and hate about this board is you always have as many opinions as there are answers...rarely is anything very black and white...usually I end up more conflicted than when I started.

I know what you mean! It really is just a matter of preference. WDW transportation is great, but sometimes you have a wait a little while and sometimes it might be crowded. Knowing that, decide what sounds better to you. Some people like knowing they have control over their own transportation. Personally, I don't like to drive - at Disney or at home. So I choose to wait for a bus if I must so I don't have to drive. Especially if I'm going to be drinking. And the monorails and boats can be part of the fun. But if you think you'll get frustrated if you have to wait... driving might be a better idea for your family.

I was all set to use Disney buses from AKL to each of the parks but now I'm rethinking that!

Since you were ready to take the bus and you're going to have a car either way why don't you try the bus the first day and see how it goes? If you find it takes too long, switch to the car.

 

[JetsFan73]

I am thinking of renting a car also. What if I choose a monorail resort? Is it just a waste to have a car then?

 

[kda]

We usually do busses to parks, but always drive to DTD and from our resort to any other resort for meals or just to hang out. If we think we're going to a park and then a nearby resort for dinner afterwards (ie, MGM and then the clambake at BC), we'll drive to BC or BW and valet park.

 

[Kevenswife2]

JetsFan73, the monorail is really only convienent for MK and Epcot. You still need to bus to MGM and AK.

 

[huskies90]

We're renting a car but will probably do both driving and taking the disney transportation. Personally, I like driving better but it can't hurt to have options....

 

[majik36]

Is there an additional cost to use the monorail? we hope to get a ps for Chef Mickey and are staying at the allstar sports. Thanks in advance.

 

[cruise-o-matic]

All WDW transportation is free. Parking at the Theme parks is free only if you are staying at an onsite resort.

I you want to park for free, park at DTD. Then take the bus to the parks.

 

[vasoccermom]

So if we're staying on-site and choose to drive to a park one day, how do we park for free? Are we issued a parking pass upon check-in?
Also if we choose to drive to a park on an EE day, is the parking lot open early or must we use WDW transportation on that day?

Karen