Will rental car get you in the park later than buses?

[joe-aka-papabear]

We are staying at SSR and renting a car the end of April and are wondering if taking the buses would get us into the parks earlier than driving ourselves? Really don't want to get stuck at the booths while people are entering the parks. Anyone have any recent experiences?

 

[GBRforWDW]

Some buses are getting in before cars. When the toll booth opens for cars, the temp checks and tap styles are also opening. In order to make the bus strategy work, you have to ensure you were in line early enough to be on the first bus out. There's probably not going to be more than 1 or 2 buses per resort that will beat the cars in. Some of this will also depend on the day as well as resort.

 

[DL1WDW2]

I think DIsney has created policy to control Capacity and needs to update and change almost on a daily basis to stay one step ahead of the guest . But we keep on trying to outsmart capacity. Daily.

 

[TexanInTheMidwest]

When I was there in both late February and early March I drove - and Disney Transport was arriving into all of the parks before they were opening the parking for drivers. Plus, with no trams, it just adds to the walk unless you pay extra for premium parking.

 

[TexanInTheMidwest]

sorry - duplicate post

 

[joe-aka-papabear]

Some buses are getting in before cars. When the toll booth opens for cars, the temp checks and tap styles are also opening. In order to make the bus strategy work, you have to ensure you were in line early enough to be on the first bus out. There's probably not going to be more than 1 or 2 buses per resort that will beat the cars in. Some of this will also depend on the day as well as resort.

We are a rope drop family and just don't want to get stuck at the booths in our car as bus after bus enters the park. Maybe we will take buses in the morning and drive in the afternoon after mid day breaks.

 

[ain0004]

Just remember. That’s only if.... your resort bus is there early.. you assume the bus is not at max capacity before it picks you up. And that everything runs perfect. I don’t like my odds. My car I have control over.

 

[Cheburashka]

Just remember. That’s only if.... your resort bus is there early.. you assume the bus is not at max capacity before it picks you up. And that everything runs perfect. I don’t like my odds. My car I have control over.

This. The bus coming at exactly the right time, and you being able to get on despite a lot of other rope droppers also wanting to get there first, are two variables that you will not be able to control. The bus might or might not get you there before a car would get you there.

 

[gharter]

From what I've read, if you are on an early bus, you will get there before the cars arrive. The parks seem to be opening 45 minutes before stated opening time. Buses have arrived by this time. Cars are being let into the parking area 45 minutes before official opening time. If that holds true, it will be after the buses have arrived.

 

[wisblue]

We are going to be arriving at the Boardwalk in 2 weeks and will have a rental car. For going to the MK for an 8 AM official open, when should we expect buses to start running? If no buses are coming or a lot of people are waiting, we could always use the car as plan B.

The drive to DAK is pretty simple, but are buses also getting in there before they let cars into the parking lot?

Thanks for any info and recent experiences.