Disney Busses vs. Driving Ourselves

HouCuseChickie

Well-Known Member
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 :eek: 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.
 

DisneyJoe

Well-Known Member
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. (TTC)

Slight correction - no need to use the TTC to get from the MK to another resort - either use the monorail for a monorail resort or the MK bus stop area to get to the other resorts.
 
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Funfy

Active Member
We always take Disney transportation-whatever that amounts to at the time. While on vacation, we try not to be that impatient about anything-isn't the point to relax. Plus if everyone decided to take their car, it would be like Atlanta at 3:00 on a holiday weekend. We also don't mind the long walks around resorts to food courts, bus stops, etc. It is just part of the trip-if you can't slow down and enjoy, maybe this isn't really your vacation spot!
 
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Phonedave

Well-Known Member
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!)


If you are going to be impared, please don't drive - even if there are no cops in the area.

I don't need you smacking into me or my children.


Now, on the topic of bus vs. car. I have never had a consistent problems with busses. Sure there has been the long wait here and there, but nothing day after day.

I don't drive to WDW, so for me, renting a car is not worth it.

However, if I happend to have a car on property for some other reason, it would be more of a what do I plan on doing and what time is it type of decision.

Depending on crowd levels and when you arrive, you could have quite a trip to get from your car to the gate and then back to your car at leaving. But then the busses could be crowded too if you left at closing.

It really is a day by day park by park call.


-dave
 
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I say use your car when you can't use a boat or monorail. I hate to travel by Disney bus, they never on time. Plus share them with people that can just down right be rude and can't wait there turn.
 
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DisneyRunner

Active Member
Drive to DTD. The buses can take a while to arrive and then make mutiple stops on the return trip. The stops can include Typhoon Lagoon and the other side of DTD.
 
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autigger

Member
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.


I have been to Disney with a 2 year old and a 4 year old before. I would very much recommend driving to the parks, except to Magic Kingdom. It is just easier and there is no waiting. The kids are in their car seats and the stroller fits in the car just fine. To me, the stroller is a key factor because you can stroll straight from your car through the turnstiles and then straight back to your car when you are ready.

 
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stlbobby

Well-Known Member
I hate driving. It is my least favorite activity in the world. I see Disney transportation as one of the biggest perks available and one of the reasons I enjoy my vacation so much. The only time I consider driving at WDW is for late dinner reservations at a different resort because transferring buses late at night can take a long time.

In your situation I would use the boats to The Contemporary and MK and then utilize the monorail as much as possible. You shouldn't have any long waits and the rides are direct on the monorail. For anything on the monorail the monorail is always best.

To get to DHS and AK you have to decide how your day is going to go. If you are planning on being there for rope drop and /or leaving at close then the buses can be crowed, waits can be long, and people are tired. If you are planning a more casual day and won't be travelling during the rush-hours then you might be better off on the bus.

You also have to remember that driving at Disney may be a bit faster and less frustrating for the children, but it can me a nightmare for the driver, who will be tired at the end of the day too. The route from one area to another may not be direct or well marked. If you are driving when the buses will be crowded then the streets will be packed too.
 
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Slight correction - no need to use the TTC to get from the MK to another resort - either use the monorail for a monorail resort or the MK bus stop area to get to the other resorts.

My bad - I was thinking of taking a vehicle and got turned around somewhere in there! Sometimes I'm not so bright... :lookaroun
 
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wm49rs

A naughty bit o' crumpet
Premium Member
We've always found a use for our vehicle when we stayed on grounds (especially at the FW Cabins). But, I'd say driving to Boardwalk and DtD would be your best bet (perhaps for dinner at AKL as well). Everywhere else though the busses/boats/monorails should serve you well....
 
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HouCuseChickie

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Wow! I got to work for the day (where this site is blocked) and I come home to tons of great advice!

My mom is asking their AAA agent about the diamond parking pass. Glad to hear several of you suggesting WL boat and then monorail for Epcot- as that crossed my mind during lunch today. Partly b/c the kids will probably love more time on the monorail, but also b/c we'll likely drink while in Epcot- leaving monorail/boat or busses as the only safe options. We will definitely be doing the boat for our girls' first day at MK, but good to know the busses for that are quick in case we want to go that route for other MK days. Then I guess we'll just play it by ear for days where we're at DHS and AK.

Thanks for all of the advice everyone!!! :wave:
 
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slappy magoo

Well-Known Member
One you can control completely, one you can't at all.

One is on your schedule, one isn't.

One involves lines and crowds, one doesn't.

We drive. :)

I drive quite a bit, too, but the buses do have their advantages, especially if you either think you'll be too wiped out to drive (though as I see it, if I'm that tired, I'm also too tired to wait for a couple of buses to take the people on line in front of me) or if you'll be drinking. What's great is if, at your resort, you can be parked near the bus stop. As you start out, if you happen to notice that a bus to your destination is approaching, by all means, jump on it.
 
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mp2bill

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

Here's why...when I went last year, my wife and I were at EPCOT with my cousin and her husband. It's was 4:30PM and we had dinner reservations at La Cellier at 7. I can't remember why, but for some reason we had to run back to our room at WL. We figured we'd have plenty of time to go to the room and get back. The trip to WL wasn't bad...I think we might have waited 10 minutes for a bus. We literally spent no more than 15 minutes walking to our room, getting what we needed, and walking back to the bus stop.

While waiting for the bus, we saw a half dozen buses coming from/going to TL and another half dozen for BB. This is probably because the water parks closed around 5 when we were there. Other places that we saw multiple buses for (at least 3) were DD, AK & MK. We barely made it back for our reservation.

That being said, this was the only time that I had a problem with the transportation at WDW, but since it was at WL and that's what the original post was about; and since I'm a pretty patient person and this was a HUGE problem for me, here's one reason that using a car is better than using Disney transportation. You never have to worry about scheduling that is out of your control.
 
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StingraySam

Active Member
Put me on the bus or monorail or boat!

Me and my car are on vacation!

Even if it's for one night I will take the bus. The only exception to that is on our last day, unless we have a reason to return to the resort, we will drive to the park so we can head home straight from the park. No sense in taking a bus back to our car at the resort.
 
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Courtney1188

New Member
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 :eek: 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.

If you're going to have your vehicle with you anyways there is NO WAY you should take the bus. The impatient members of your group are going to be not very nice to be around after standing in a bus line for a half hour. Especially when you've been waiting for a half-hour and someone in an ECV has been waiting for thirty seconds...and they have to be loaded first and it takes FOREVER to load those things. Really grates on my nerves. I'm very understanding in a case of a medical condition, but heavy-set people who just don't feel like walking shouldn't to cut in line just because of their ECV.
 
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unkadug

Follower of "Saget"The Cult
I always have my car. I can always get there quicker using my own transportation than waiting on a bus.

I am on vacation and I don't want to waste my vacation time waiting on something when I could already be there.
 
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