which is faster, car or buses?

[cinder1]

We will be at WDW in July, staying in a cabin with a golf cart. We want to be at rope drop at each of the parks. With the exception of MK, is it faster to drive to the parks or to take the buses? We have never driven to the parks. How is the parking? If we are there around 8:15 am on non-EMH days, would we get decent parking spots or would we be so far back that it would cancel out any time advantage gained by not waiting on/riding the bus?

As I said, we've never stayed at FW and we've never been during the summer. (Always been in Oct and Jan except one spring break). So I'm majorly planning!!

Thanks for your help.

 

[lawnspecialties]

We've never driven to the parks from the Fort. The busses and boats are just too easy. We also never had a problem getting to each park before the gates opened.

 

[Colson39]

We will be at WDW in July, staying in a cabin with a golf cart. We want to be at rope drop at each of the parks. With the exception of MK, is it faster to drive to the parks or to take the buses? We have never driven to the parks. How is the parking? If we are there around 8:15 am on non-EMH days, would we get decent parking spots or would we be so far back that it would cancel out any time advantage gained by not waiting on/riding the bus?

As I said, we've never stayed at FW and we've never been during the summer. (Always been in Oct and Jan except one spring break). So I'm majorly planning!!

Thanks for your help.

Well, it would be faster to drive to Epcot/MGM/Animal Kingdom than to wait for a bus, obviously if your car is parked at your site.

Parking normally isn't bad at the parks, and there are trams to take you from the farthest areas of the parking lot up to the entrance. Even during really busy times, the parking isn't all that bad.

If you arrive at 8:15 at any park on a non-EMH you'll get a decent parking spot almost definitely. Even on really busy days that would be early enough that you probably wouldn't even need to take the tram to an entrance.

Since you're not concerned about the MK, driving is a great option. We almost always drive to the parks other than MK, we've always found it faster. However for going to the MK, that's a different story, it's about the same.

 

[bennythepug]

We are also staying in a cabin for the 1st time this July. When will you be there? We are planning to drive everywhere with the exception of MK. My dh and ds's will proboly drive back to the campground (they usually call it quits before my dd and I) then we take bus back.

We stayed in our pop-up last year, excited about a cabin

 

[F4disneyfan]

We always use the busses at Disney even though we drive to Disney each trip. Once we get there the car stays parked and we ride the bus boat or monorail everyplace. Why drive when the transportation is provided for you and is very efficient.

 

[cinder1]

All of us will be there July 8 to 14 (me, DH, DD12 this mth, DD10, DS7 and DD3 in May). The 2 oldest and I will be at POP from July 4 to 8 by ourselves. (We will have been at a dance competition in Myrtle Beach so we are driving down and spending a few days doing some stuff we never get to do or at least I don't get to do since I'm always with whoever is the youngest at the time The others are flying in to meet us. )

We spend all our time discussing plans, ADRs, favorite rides. I'm the official planner but everyone is disney obsessed.

Other than me, the family loves to camp. I'm a gal who loves to look at nature, but I don't really want it to touch me. But I'm looking forward to a full size fridge and more space!

Just wanted to add, I realize that a cabin isn't really camping but it's as close as I will ever get!!!

 

[goscudder]

My vote would definitely be for driving, especially since your car will be parked right outside your door. If you were at some of the resorts you'd have to consider the time it would take to walk to your car.

I'm also a major planner and love reading the Unofficial Guide to Disney World. There is a chart in there that compares driving times in your car versus the bus system and except for the MK, driving in your own car was faster to every park. We drove to all the parks (except MK) in Feb during President's Day Week and I was surprised how fast and easy it was. It was also nice getting in your own car at closing times after a parade or show instead of sitting on a crowded bus. Of course we had to ride the monorail at least once when we weren't in a hurry!!

 

[Francisca64]

Having visited WDW several times and I vote for driving. It allows you more freedom with timing and gives you less stress...you don't have to share in the screaming of the couple's baby beside you or deal with rude guests who won't let others sit down, parents yelling at their kids or the b.o. from some hot, sweaty guy who is sitting beside you (unless of course it's your husband).

Also, no waiting in hot sun for your bus that always seems to be the last one.