Annual Passholder: Bus vs. Driving to Parks

[LAKid53]

For years, this was one my biggest reasons for using the buses. As I get older, I’ve now reached the point where I am no longer willing to stand on a bus for this advantage. Monorails are still acceptable.

I wish Disney would do what SF buses have, about 20 seats in front reserved for old farts.

 

[Greenlawler]

I wish Disney would do what SF buses have, about 20 seats in front reserved for old farts.

I am amazed every time I get on a crowded bus at the twenty year old men sitting comfortably (of course they could have some medical condition I am not aware of, but that would be an absurd amount of healthy looking men over the years) while, older folks, and children stand.

But as far as the OP's question: Like many I prefer the convenience of being taken to the gate over the hassle of waiting. I have three boys and once the boys got out of strollers I became a bus person.

 

[JohnD]

What are your thoughts on the hotel? The kids are treating friends of theirs to a trip to WDW as a wedding present. But Mom isn't along to cover the cost of the hotel room. I suggested that hotel since it's conveniently located on Western Way, a hop, skip and a jump from the western gate. Since we arrive the same route you do, they know how to get around from there.

I liked it a lot. Either SpringHill Suites or TownPlace Suites, whichever has a better rate. Both are operated by Marriott and have a bar and grill and pool in-between. For whatever reason, I got upgraded to a "fireworks" suite on the top floor, probably because I used a third party provider through Trivago and paid up front. Free breakfast and parking are included. If you go during a busy time of year and return late in the evening, you are not likely to find parking close to the main entrance. The good thing is that your key card opens the exterior doors in both hotels. So drive around until you find a spot near any exterior door so that you can let yourself in to the first floor and walk to the elevator in whichever hotel you are in. You'll need to use your key card again if walking through the pool area to the other hotel.

You can temporarily park your car right out front if you need to take stuff up to your room or load the car. I found this particularly helpful the night before so that I could load up the car with enough stuff so that I had only one trip down from my room the next morning. (I rope dropped MK for half a day before driving home.)

As for driving, I found it easy. You're literally right outside the western gate. When you get to Buena Vista Drive go left for MK and Epcot and go right for HS (new entrance) and AK and follow the signs. When leaving, just follow the signs to SR 429 / FL Turnpike. Another nice thing about it, is that it gets out of the busy lanes of traffic elsewhere in WDW especially near DS. I almost thought about a hotel at DS with a "better" rate but that rate doesn't include parking. Then there's all the traffic I would have to navigate. With this, you're right at SR 429 to go straight home if you need to leave directly on check out day.

 

[JohnD]

It seems to me that if they're not going to build any new rails, that they should do with their buses what Boston did with their Silver Line. Design a series of roads with right of way passage, or even make special tracks for the buses to go on quickly without stopping. That way they could whip around the four parks and the resorts quickly and reliably so that it beats staying off-site and driving. For a company that owns miles and miles of land and controls it, they should do more to make transportation easy and seamless.

And dare I say... eventually start-up a fleet of driverless rideshare vehicles to get guests around the resorts. When the technology is deemed to be safe from Silicon Valley.

They already do that in the DS area for the buses due to the high volume of traffic.

 

[JohnD]

Bus in general > Driving.

It's not like you can park right next to the entrance.

True. But the trams make up for it. Think about it. You're going to do a lot of walking inside the park anyway. It's not much more of a hardship if you're parked, say, in a spot in a row farthest from a tram, then a short walk from the tram to the gate.

 

[JohnD]

My next trip (don't know when) will be much more of a challenge considering all the road work and entrance changes that they have done in the last couple of years, and continuing. Since I started going to MK in 1983 if I don't go through TTC a whole lot of what I enjoyed about going there is lost. I love the ferry ride as it approaches MK and the Castle is in full view along with The Contemporary, The Poly and the Grand Floridian. The cooler breeze off the Seven Seas Lagoon is pleasant as well.

It depends on where you're driving. The new interchange at MK made the approach a whole lot easier. Keep left for resort. Keep right for MK. Also, putting the HS entrance from Osceola Parkway helps decrease congestion. Now MK and Epcot entrances are to the north and HS and AK are to the south, both from Osceola Parkway. (Yes, the interchange with Victory Way is still a mess but the on and off ramps get you in and out of the park.)

 

[LAKid53]

I liked it a lot. Either SpringHill Suites or TownPlace Suites, whichever has a better rate. Both are operated by Marriott and have a bar and grill and pool in-between. For whatever reason, I got upgraded to a "fireworks" suite on the top floor, probably because I used a third party provider through Trivago and paid up front. Free breakfast and parking are included. If you go during a busy time of year and return late in the evening, you are not likely to find parking close to the main entrance. The good thing is that your key card opens the exterior doors in both hotels. So drive around until you find a spot near any exterior door so that you can let yourself in to the first floor and walk to the elevator in whichever hotel you are in. You'll need to use your key card again if walking through the pool area to the other hotel.

You can temporarily park your car right out front if you need to take stuff up to your room or load the car. I found this particularly helpful the night before so that I could load up the car with enough stuff so that I had only one trip down from my room the next morning. (I rope dropped MK for half a day before driving home.)

As for driving, I found it easy. You're literally right outside the western gate. When you get to Buena Vista Drive go left for MK and Epcot and go right for HS (new entrance) and AK and follow the signs. When leaving, just follow the signs to SR 429 / FL Turnpike. Another nice thing about it, is that it gets out of the busy lanes of traffic elsewhere in WDW especially near DS. I almost thought about a hotel at DS with a "better" rate but that rate doesn't include parking. Then there's all the traffic I would have to navigate. With this, you're right at SR 429 to go straight home if you need to leave directly on check out day.

So all the rooms are suites? They have a kitchenette with a coffee maker, small fridge and microwave?

They know how to drive around WDW to get to the parks. Nice to read the hotels don't charge to park your car.

Thanks, John, I'll pass this on to them.

 

[LAKid53]

I am amazed every time I get on a crowded bus at the twenty year old men sitting comfortably (of course they could have some medical condition I am not aware of, but that would be an absurd amount of healthy looking men over the years) while, older folks, and children stand.

But as far as the OP's question: Like many I prefer the convenience of being taken to the gate over the hassle of waiting. I have three boys and once the boys got out of strollers I became a bus person.

I've given up my seat to a mom with a young child in her arms...while teenagers sat and played on their phone. And I'm in my 60s. However, I won't give up my seat after running 13.1 miles earlier in the day.

 

[JohnD]

So all the rooms are suites? They have a kitchenette with a coffee maker, small fridge and microwave?

They know how to drive around WDW to get to the parks. Nice to read the hotels don't charge to park your car.

Thanks, John, I'll pass this on to them.

They're called "suite" but I can't vouch for the layout of each room. Yes, mine had a kitchenette (no sink) with a coffee maker, microwave, and small fridge in front of the door. To it's left there is a couch and a desk and chair. Beyond that were two queen size beds. Against the right wall are a walk-in closet, a bathroom, and a table with a TV on it. I couldn't find a safe, however. The reason my room is called a "fireworks" suite is that the building is shaped like an L. The end of the L faces East so you could theoretically see the fireworks in Epcot and HS.

 

[JohnD]

What are your thoughts on the hotel? The kids are treating friends of theirs to a trip to WDW as a wedding present. But Mom isn't along to cover the cost of the hotel room. I suggested that hotel since it's conveniently located on Western Way, a hop, skip and a jump from the western gate. Since we arrive the same route you do, they know how to get around from there.

So all the rooms are suites? They have a kitchenette with a coffee maker, small fridge and microwave?

They know how to drive around WDW to get to the parks. Nice to read the hotels don't charge to park your car.

Thanks, John, I'll pass this on to them.

I forgot to mention the ice machines. The location is either good or bad depending on your room. They are not near the elevator, which is in the center but at one end of the hall (“top of the L”). In my case, it was at the extreme opposite end of the hall from my room. But could also be right outside your door.

 

[Texas84]

I always take the bus except on check-in and check-out day. Check-in day I'll drive to a park and check-in late, then sometimes I'll drive on check-out day and do half a day somewhere.

 

[Hakunamatata]

Don't forget to get the golf cart.

I think we are going to see if we can do without. May get one on days we dont go into the parks but at $60 a day its a bit more than Im willing to pony up for the extended stay.

 

[LAKid53]

I think we are going to see if we can do without. May get one on days we dont go into the parks but at $60 a day its a bit more than Im willing to pony up for the extended stay.

You might have a problem getting one, then. I forgot this was your test stay.

 

[Hakunamatata]

You might have a problem getting one, then. I forgot this was your test stay.

If we do long term it will be from off site vendor.

 

[LAKid53]

If we do long term it will be from off site vendor.

You can rent golf carts 3rd party? Ummm... *thinking*

Kids are thinking of staying at the cabins. I need to let them know this.

 

[JillC LI]

We always stay on Disney property and we ALWAYS prefer to drive our rental car to the parks, except sometimes to the MK. If we are heading to Disney Springs from the MK then we will even drive there. We find it MUCH more convenient than the buses.

 

[Chef Mickey]

True. But the trams make up for it. Think about it. You're going to do a lot of walking inside the park anyway. It's not much more of a hardship if you're parked, say, in a spot in a row farthest from a tram, then a short walk from the tram to the gate.

Yeah, but you have to wait for the trams sometimes too. It's just an overall beating. I'd rather be dropped off in front of my hotel than have to get on a tram, walk to car, drive to hotel, park again, and walk to resort.

People act like the buses here are terrible. They are one of the best run services at Disney, IMO. The only complaint I have is the waiting area at DHS was terrible during construction and the intrapark buses CAN be spotty, but you can mostly avoid if you use boat/monorail service.

 

[Chef Mickey]

I am amazed every time I get on a crowded bus at the twenty year old men sitting comfortably (of course they could have some medical condition I am not aware of, but that would be an absurd amount of healthy looking men over the years) while, older folks, and children stand.

But as far as the OP's question: Like many I prefer the convenience of being taken to the gate over the hassle of waiting. I have three boys and once the boys got out of strollers I became a bus person.

I go back and forth on this. I offer my seat to women and children, but it's not a birth right. Problem is, so many people feel entitled that they are indignant if they have to stand while others sit. Maybe they are just tired? At some point, you have to stop trying to please everyone.

I've been in many situations where my wife stands and no one offers the seat, so it just gets old trying to keep everyone happy when the respect isn't returned.

 

[danyoung56]

The only time I will take the bus is when I'm going to end the day at the same park that I began the day, and I got a really good parking spot up front. In that case, I'll take the bus back to my room for the afternoon, then bus it back to the park. Other than that, I really HATE the busses!

 

[Hakunamatata]

You can rent golf carts 3rd party? Ummm... *thinking*

Kids are thinking of staying at the cabins. I need to let them know this.

Yes. But they cant deliver into the fort. You have to meet them outside, trailer in and unload then take the trailer back out to them. Same when turning in.