Would you drive or take Disney transportation

[dimimi]

We will have a rental car at the Polynesian. Would you use Disney transportation or the rental car to get to Downtown Disney or to Animal Kingdom or MGM? What about driving to other resorts? I wondered if parking was a problem at the different places. Thanks for your help!

 

[daannzzz]

I would probably use Disney transportation to go to The Studios and Animal Kingdom. it is nice to just ride sometimes and leave the driving to someone else. Transport to the parks is always pretty good. To go to Downtown Disney and the other resorts it is MUCH easier to use a car.

 

[deb305]

We used to take the Disney buses to all of the locations. On the last trip, which was in the off season, we drove. Boy was it faster. Parking was not a problem, and AK we actually parked closer than the POR bus stop. We drove because we were hauling a stroller for the 1 year old. When we go next summer he'll be 2.5 yrs, so well use the buses again. In the Summer parking is scarce at Downtown Disney, and distant at AKL.
A lot depends on your resort. POR was fairly quick, I've heard nightmares about some of the delux hotel buses. As you wil read there are no direct buses from one resort to another, you will need to either use your car or taxi unless you want to take over an hour for the trip.

 

[TreeOfLife]

I prefer Disney transportation, although don't always appreciate outsiders occasionally sneaking in and filling the buses. Wish those drivers would check resort IDs...

But it is far more convenient to be dropped off closer to the entrance rather than hoping on trams getting squished like sardines in and out of lines and racing to the first empty spot you see.

 

[Pat_Elliott]

Another vote for the car. However, if I was staying at the Poly, I'd use the monorail where available. It's also nice to have the DTD service if you're going late at night or something, especially if you're enjoying cocktails at PI. But for the most part (e.g. AK, TL), we use the car.

Pat

 

[momof2sons]

We use the Disney Transpotation for who wants to drive after being in a Van for 20hr. And what about the price of gas?? That is why we stay on resort. Let someone else drive. My DH just loves to set back and enjoy a ride. We did not have any problems with any of Disney's Transportation> Longest wait 15 min tops.

 

[peachgirl]

We've never bothered using our car. In the summer it gets so hot inside the car that it takes forever for it to cool down! Also, it just seems to me by the time you fight the traffic, find a parking spot and then either take a tram or walk a long way to the entrance, you could have easily been there using any Disney transportation. Nevermind the huge crowds waiting after the park closes to get on the trams and fighting the mass exodus out of the parking lot.

On our last trip (Wilderness Lodge) we never waited more than 5-10 minutes for a bus and most times not that long. If I was going to do some resort hopping, I'd probably use my car...other than that I'll let Disney do the driving!

 

[dvc guy]

We stay at OKW, and it all depends on the bus. If we see the bus pullup we hop on , or if there is a large group waiting we figure the bus we be right along. No lines or people waiting we just hop in the car.

 

[DaveH]

To me DTD I would consider driving to. It also depends on what I plan on doing there and how I feel. If I am tired I would just rathe let them drive.

 

[barbeml]

Definitely the car. We always used WDW Transport until we drove down to Poly last fall. Of course we used Monorail for MK and Epcot, but the day we took the bus to Animal Kingdon we wasted so much time. Used our car for Studios and Downtown Disney and got around SO MUCH faster. Parking was no problem at all.

We plan to drive down from now on. In every way it was better than flying.

 

[Uncleromulus]

We drive everywhere. A car leaves you with lots of options that a bus does not. Just as an example--our first day has us check in at OKW, then to lunch at DD, then to miniature golf at fantasia, then maybe a quick swim back at OKW, then dinner at the Boardwalk, then a trip to either the Territory Lounge or Mizners.
Try that on a bus!!
Now, if all you want to do is get directly from your resort to a theme park and directly back to your resort, a bus is fine. Disney does have an excellent transportation system.
But again--options!!

 

[LvsTnk]

In order to save time we drive to DD, MGM, and AK. Especially staying at the Polynesian, we waited for 45 min. once for a bus to AK while 6 MGM busses showed up. The front desk was very good about it they kept calling transportation and they even ended up changing a PS for us then driving us over.

Also, we like to try different restaurants so driving is much easier.

 

[Lucky4me]

I rented a car on my last trip in January. I used it one time to run to the outlets. I truly enjoyed letting Disney do the driving this time!

I believe if it was busy season I would have driven the car more, because I don't like waiting for and sitting on crowded buses. It is also very nice to hop in the car and go to a grocery store that has milk for under $5 a gallon!

 

[sgtdisney]

I have to agree with what UncleRomulus said. We drive everywhere, I just prefer it that way. We may leave the park and think, hey let's run over to DTD and while there think, let's go eat at the Polynesian. I love being able to come and go as I please whenever and whereever I want. Parking has never been an issue at any of the parks for us..