Annual Passholder: Bus vs. Driving to Parks

[JohnD]

I preface this for Annual Passholders and on-site guests because they get free parking. Non AP holders staying off-site have to pay $25 to park so bus may be the preferred option for them.

I stayed off property this past weekend because I decided on a last minute trip. I stayed at the Springhill Suites at Flamingo Crossings. Because of that, I had to drive to every park. I drove to HS on Saturday after arriving, AK Sunday morning, Epcot Sunday afternoon, and MK Monday morning. For AK and MK, I arrived before rope drop.

I think I've become a convert to driving to the parks rather than taking the bus (if I were staying on property). I was able to get through the entrance plaza relatively quickly, I always got directed to wherever the CMs wanted me to park effectively and efficiently, I made a note of where I parked, hopped on the next tram, and I was at the gate within 15 minutes after parking.

I'm not sure I ever want to take the bus again. What is your preference?

 

[Paper straw fan]

Depends a lot on which park and which resort- AK lodge, for example, is kind of far from some parks, and their buses aren’t as crowded as other resorts, so anywhere but AK itself we might bus.

Epcot is usually easy to get in and out of so we drive there, and MK is hell on earth either way, but at least one less stop on the journey w buses.

But if you are staying at an All Star or Saratoga, it’s way easier to drive, or hitchhike, or rollerblade to the parks rather than be crammed in a bus after a seven hour wait for one back from a park.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

We prefer to drive! More control, less waiting.

 

[WDWTrojan]

Prefer to drive everywhere except MK, then I'll splurge on a Minnievan - so much easier.

 

[eliza61nyc]

lol, the first year we went to the world with the kids, we were the proverbial parents with the double wide strollers and enough gear for a real expedition Everest. It was a pain dealing with the buses at the end of the night and we've rented a car ever since.

Now it's just easier and faster IMO for us, also we do like going off site for meals and it's super easy leaving the parks and going else where.

 

[Trackmaster]

If you have the AP free parking, parking is a no brainer. Being on somebody else's schedule is a huge pain, and its easy to drive around the grounds of Disney. There are plenty of hotels that are incredibly close to the parks that are very cheap and very nice, so it doesn't make sense to avoid driving a few miles. I feel like if the Disney wanted to push the carless bus experience, they shouldn't have made it so convenient to drive.

 

[WondersOfLife]

The buses from the hotel are MUCH more consistent than the buses that are meant for park hopping.

When I park hop, I drive. When I'm staying onsite, I use the buses.

Do with that as you will.

 

[cdeev8690]

This was my first year as an AP and I took full advantage. We stayed off property and took the car everywhere. It was a tiny thrill flashing that card and being waved through. It would be a different story if I were staying on property, though.

 

[thomas998]

Depends a lot on which park and which resort- AK lodge, for example, is kind of far from some parks, and their buses aren’t as crowded as other resorts, so anywhere but AK itself we might bus.

Epcot is usually easy to get in and out of so we drive there, and MK is hell on earth either way, but at least one less stop on the journey w buses.

But if you are staying at an All Star or Saratoga, it’s way easier to drive, or hitchhike, or rollerblade to the parks rather than be crammed in a bus after a seven hour wait for one back from a park.

The only time we didn't rent a car on arrival was when we stayed at AKL and thought like did that it wouldn't be that bad since it was pretty much a place unto itself. Well that didn't result in better bus service, we rented a car before the end of out stay because the bus service was so horrible. Wasted so much time waiting for the buses you would not have believed how much time was spent just standing there waiting for a bus.

We always rent a car now. The only time we've used the buses at this point has been when part of the family goes to one park and the other wants to go to a different park, we draw straws to see who gets to suffer the buses.

 

[Gitson Shiggles]

We drove to the parks on our Honeymoon and hated it. We used the bus up until we got APs. The buses felt a little less magical imagining how often we might be waiting...and riding. We drove to AK, and it was so nice having a better gauge on when I’d get to sit in my own seat. I’m a little apprehensive about parking at the TTC and then the extra step of going to MK though.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

No matter what, I take the bus to the Magic Kingdom. The other three parks depend on where I'm staying. If I'm at Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, or Fort Wilderness where I can park right outside the room, I'll drive to the other three parks. Most other resorts, I skip the car and take the bus.

 

[Touchdown]

I use the bus except to the water parks, you never know where you are going to end up in the lot and the wait for the trams can be just as long. I usually try to hop not via a bus, which is possible from MK to Epcot or Epcot to DHS. Or, I’ll time a resort restaurant meal so that I hop to that resort and then to the other park (usually only having to take a bus one hop)

 

[networkpro]

We've had annual passes for quite a few years, always stay on property, and always ride the busses. Dealing with gawking vacationers unfamiliar with how to get from point A to point B without swooping across 3 lanes of traffic at the last moment isn't restful IMHO. We're also always in one of our dual cab pickup trucks.

 

[skyphotographer]

Even with an AP, I use the Disney transportation. When I'm on vacation, I'd rather not drive. Add to this, Orlando drivers, both locals and tourists, are some of the worst drivers I've seen. Imagine getting into an accident while on vacation and 350 miles away from home. What a headache that would be. I'd rather leave my car in the resort parking lot where its safe. Plus, now that I have to pay for resort parking, I want to get my money's worth too...lol

 

[jaques21]

ive done both, I only drive now..... unless im parking hopping from Epcot to MK or vice-versa then I use the monorail . I don't trust buses take too long.

 

[Nottamus]

Sure, they are crowded sometimes
Sure, sometimes you wait for a LONG time for one to show up
Sure, you get on a bus tired with standing room only
Sure, seems like the ride can be longer

BUT, we take the bus every time, every trip, just because its part of the vacation to me. We drive in from NJ, so if i can park the car for a week, its a win.

When its working well, its a well oiled machine that adds to the fun and relaxation of your vacation! (well, ours anyway...)

 

[MAGICFLOP]

This may sound stupid, but when I had an AP, it included parking at the parks, now that they charge for hotel parking, is that included on the AP?

 

[networkpro]

This may sound stupid, but when I had an AP, it included parking at the parks, now that they charge for hotel parking, is that included on the AP?

Nope.

 

[Paper straw fan]

The buses from the hotel are MUCH more consistent than the buses that are meant for park hopping.

When I park hop, I drive. When I'm staying onsite, I use the buses.

Do with that as you will.

Oh yeah 100%. If I’m park hopping, unless it’s just HS and Epcot, I’m likely driving.

 

[Yert3]

This may sound stupid, but when I had an AP, it included parking at the parks, now that they charge for hotel parking, is that included on the AP?

Nope.

How much longer will that be for though, I wonder.

Edit - whoops. I was skim reading and thought they were asking if parking is still free at the parks. I just have a really bad feeling this won’t be the case in a few years.