Disney Busses vs. Driving Ourselves

[HouCuseChickie]

We're staying at WL and plan on using the boat service for MK/Contempo, and monorail wherever possible- but we're concerned about the busses- considering some of the horror stories I've read and the low patience levels of some of our group :zipit:.

We're going to have our vehicle with us. In light of that, would any of you recommend that we drive ourselves rather than take the busses? Or would certain bus situations be better than others. This would apply to days at Epcot, AK, & DHS + meals at AKL, GF, and the Poly...and possible trips to the Boardwalk and Downtown Disney.

 

[brent2124]

If your leaving from your resort and going to another resort a car is the best way to go in usualy. From WL to GF/POLY you may consider boat to Contemporary and then monorail. If your going from a park or DTD to another resort to eat a meal just take that resorts bus. Driving to the parks can be faster depending on the time of day. If you have any member in your party that has a handicap parking permit driving is the fastest and easiest way to go. Otherwise it can take just as long if not longer to drive to the park, wait at the toll plaza, park, wait for the tram etc... Buses can be very crowded early in the morning or late in the evening but also can save you some gas money.

The only time I have ever had a problem with a bus was on my last trip. It was beginning to rain and there was lightning in the area. The bus arrived with myself and 3 others waiting for it. The bus driver would not let us board until he unloaded a wheelchair from the bus. There were only 2 people on the bus; the person in the wheelchair and her husband. Now it may be policy to unload wheelchairs first but to make guests wait outdoors in the lightning is a little insane to me:shrug:

 

[bamillerpa]

I would definitely drive! I personally hate the buses. We drove everywhere during our last trip and the only place that is a pain to drive to is MK since it has the TTC. Since you are staying at the WL you can take the boat so you bypass that problem. If you booked through AAA you get a pass to park near the front of the parking lot too if spaces are available. Worse case-you park for free far from the entrance but you still have a tram and the added advantage of not waiting for a crowded bus. We NEVER take the buses. You won't regret driving. Everything is well marked too so it's next to impossible to get lost.

 

[Tigerace81]

The busses are the best way to go. Why waste your gas when transportation is offered to you.

 

[GenerationX]

The Unofficial Guide to WDW (by Bob Sehlinger and Len Testa) has travel time estimations to/from the parks and resorts. If I recall correctly, using your car is almost always faster than taking Disney transportation. The one exception is going to/from the MK, where Disney transportation is typically faster.

 

[mickeysshoes]

The busses are the best way to go. Why waste your gas when transportation is offered to you.

I second this!!! We never drive. On vacation so if the buses dont work for us we get a cab!!

 

[HouCuseChickie]

The Unofficial Guide to WDW (by Bob Sehlinger and Len Testa) has travel time estimations to/from the parks and resorts. If I recall correctly, using your car is almost always faster than taking Disney transportation. The one exception is going to/from the MK, where Disney transportation is typically faster.

Thanks! I have that book- so I'll have to check out that section.

If you booked through AAA you get a pass to park near the front of the parking lot too if spaces are available. Worse case-you park for free far from the entrance but you still have a tram and the added advantage of not waiting for a crowded bus. We NEVER take the buses. You won't regret driving. Everything is well marked too so it's next to impossible to get lost.

Very Interesting! We did not book through AAA, but my parents did and they are joining us for our non-MK days.

Buses can be very crowded early in the morning or late in the evening but also can save you some gas money.

Yup- I hate to wast the extra gas $, but the crowds you mention might be enough incentive to burn that extra $. We'll be traveling with a 2 yr old and a 4 yr old- they are not very patient (nor is my father:ROFLOL + we have a decent sized tandem stroller that might not be very easy to deal with on the busses. Of course we're also going back to the hotel each day for nap time- so the busses might end up being better for that. Decisions -Decsions.

THanks for the help!

 

[KnK]

I think it all depends on the time of year you go. We done both, we prefer just to take Disney bus. Since magical express, we don't even bother renting a car.

We go in September, and the buses are very manageable, only once in the past 6 years have we had a signification wait. It was the middle of the afternoon going from Epoct to WL, we waited about 35 minutes for a bus.

If it is the busier season, driving might be a faster option, but doing slower months, not worth the extra cost.

 

[DisneyJoe]

We're staying at WL and plan on using the boat service for MK/Contempo

FYI, there IS bus service too between the WL and MK, and it can be very fast - as the distance is very short, even if they stop at the campgrounds first.

 

[happymom52003]

Another vote for driving, especially since you have two young kids and a big stroller. We've done it both ways with small kids, and we prefer driving, hands down.

 

[DisneyJoe]

we have a decent sized tandem stroller that might not be very easy to deal with on the busses.

With a big stroller I would recommend driving.

 

[WishIwasThere]

We've had more 'bad' experiences with busses than good. We always have a car when we are there so we skip the busses and drive. We also get our tix throught AAA and use the diamond pass, but even if you don't have a pass, driving is so much quicker.

 

[tigsmom]

We're staying at WL and plan on using the boat service for MK/Contempo, and monorail wherever possible- but we're concerned about the busses- considering some of the horror stories I've read and the low patience levels of some of our group :zipit:.

We're going to have our vehicle with us. In light of that, would any of you recommend that we drive ourselves rather than take the busses? Or would certain bus situations be better than others. This would apply to days at Epcot, AK, & DHS + meals at AKL, GF, and the Poly...and possible trips to the Boardwalk and Downtown Disney.

We have stayed at the WL over 10 times and have NEVER had a problem with the bus system (but don't get me started on the Boardwalk Inn buses :zipit: ).

With that being said the only time we drive is when we head to DTD or one of the other hotels for dinner. We use the boat to the MK, take the launch over to the Contemporary to hit the monorail to EPCOT and the bus to AK and DHS. If we are going to be out very late (like a 2 am EPCOT night) we will also drive because there are too many people for the buses.

If you have very small children or "older" folks in your group who would not do well on hot crowded buses or with possible long waits at the bus stop then by all means drive on over to save on the aggravation factor...only you know your group and how they will react.

 

[slappy magoo]

We've always had a car on our trips, either our own or a rental. We pick and choose when to use it, often depending on where we're staying and our mood/energy level. As others have said, it's almost always better to take Disney transportation to MK. If you're staying at an Epcot resort, naturally it makes no sense to drive to the Epcot or the Studios unless someone in your party has extreme special needs that can't be easily accommodated even by the buses. Staying at AKL, the buses to AK are so frequent, why bother driving if you don't have to? If you're planning on a very late night, you may want to use Disney transportation because you're afraid of being too tired to drive, but on the flip flop, those end-of-days buses can be really crowded. And if you get a late start, you may have to park very far from the main gate of the park du jour. If you're heading out at night and planning on having a few drinks, you may want to make sure at least one member of your party can be a designated driver. I'd say play it by ear day by day. It's nice to have options. I also find the car to be a more pleasant way to get to and from the parks, listening to my own music, more comfortable seats and no reason to have to stand up for someone else, if my baby or anyone else in my party is being a crankypants I don't have to do the "I'm sorry, what are you gonna do" eyeroll to the strangers on line or on the bus next to me. I prefer driving except in the above-described situations.

 

[ddbowdoin]

I've always been under the impression that if you're a resort guest the parking fee of 14 dollars is waived. If that is the case then why not drive. Also, I've never seen any police in that area... good thing, because some people enjoy the adult beverages, especially at Epcot (beer in every nation!)

 

[luckyeye13]

Also, I've never seen any police in that area... good thing, because some people enjoy the adult beverages, especially at Epcot (beer in every nation!)

The Orange or Osceola (depending on location) County Sherrif's Officers are definitely out and about on WDW property! Even though they stepped up their presence (at Disney's request) back in 2004, they still have no shortage of surprised drivers to pull over. A lot of the patrols are on roads that are more heavily used by CMs than Guests, but it's certainly not a bad idea to follow the rules of the road while at WDW (just like it is everywhere else).

 

[marcriss]

Before we had kids we always took the buses. We took our time and didn't mind the buses or waiting and if in a hurry we took a cab. But then one time we rented a car and have never looked back. You really save so much time driving yourself and the thought of waiting for a bus with the kids when they're exhausted is just not appealing. As others have mentioned, the MK is the exception. There really isn't a quick and easy way there unless you're on the loop or boat system.

 

[wolf359]

I'd pick and choose, depending on destination. If you're going to a major theme park, you should be fine with the bus, but I'd recommend using a car to reach Downtown Disney, one of the water parks, or another resort.

The theme park buses are plentiful and go directly to their destination so there's not usually much of a wait, but the secondary destinations usually make multiple stops and the buses don't come as frequently.

 

[Korfar]

We have never had a problem with the buses so we always use them. There might be one or two times where you wait a little longer than normal but there also times where you don't wait at all. I think it is a stress free way to go. Also the buses always take you near the gates. This is great at MK. Going to other resorts is more of a hassle than driving though. If you plan on that a lot then drive to those places.

 

[amykissangel]

Yup- I hate to wast the extra gas $, but the crowds you mention might be enough incentive to burn that extra $. We'll be traveling with a 2 yr old and a 4 yr old- they are not very patient (nor is my father:ROFLOL + we have a decent sized tandem stroller that might not be very easy to deal with on the busses. Of course we're also going back to the hotel each day for nap time- so the busses might end up being better for that. Decisions -Decsions.

THanks for the help!

I say go with what feels right that day. We love the busses and have no need for a vehicle. Especially on really hot, long days, my dad would complain that lugging us kids out of the park, finding the car, getting the kids in carseats that are burning hot, fighting traffic to get out, perhaps missing a turn or two to get to your hotel....he never thought it was worth it. We always took the busses and brought easy fold-up strollers.

BUT...like the above posters, don't try to get to another resort (i.e. dining reservations) by bus - you'll have to go to MK first, then get a bus from the transportation/ticket center. It takes a while and I wouldn't recommend it. Also, if you're running late, take your car. Chances are you'll make it from your resort to your dining destination in under 40 minutes, door to door, but you never know. At least with the car, you control your speed. But going to the parks, etc. - take the busses. They're a lot less stressful.

AND...if you try the busses a few times and the kids have meltdowns because things are going slowly, you've got your answer! :wave: