DISNEY TRANSPORTATION DRIVING TIMES TO PARKS

[Scoppin]

Morning Everyone,

I think I have planned out our upcoming trip to WDW in September including ADRs, FP+ and park plans surrounding the ADRs and FP+s. However there is still one thing I don't have a lot of information regarding which can still affect our trip experience, Disney transportation to and from the parks and hotel.

We will be staying at All Star Sports resort between September 15 and 23. I have found a lot of information regarding; ADRs, FP+s, quick service restaurants, attractions, characters, show, etc however I haven't been able to find much in the way of information regarding approximate driving times for the Disney buses. I understand there are also boats, trans and monorail. Not all go to all the parks/resorts.

I would like to be able to get to the parks at least 30 minutes before the parks open. There may be times we will head back to the hotel mid day and would like to know what to expect. I understand getting back to the hotel at park closing or after a night event can get very busy. I also purchased an EMM for HS and would like to be there prior to 7:45 am. this is part of my son's birthday celebration.

So, here are my questions to you, those who know.

1. What are the different driving times from All Star Sports to the four parks?
2. What time should we expect to be at the bus stop in order to ensure we don't miss the bus?
3. Are there transfers which need to be taken or will hotel bus take us directly to the park?
4. Are there some tricks which may make getting to the parks smoother/quicker?

Here is some extra information. We will be driving down, so will have our van if needed. I would prefer to leave the van at the hotel parking lot. But wondering if there would be some days which it may more adventurous to drive. Such as maybe the morning we have the EMM at HS.

The last time I was at WDW, I don't even think they had Disney transportation. Yes, it was some time ago. This is an area I don't know anything about and I don't want this portion of our trip to be the downfall of our trip. I understand the need to be flexible, but would like to be as informed as possible in order to try to make the trip as smooth as possible.

Any positive comments would be greatly appreciated. Please don't limit your sharing of information to the questions above. Please add if you think I may have missed something and there is something else I should be aware of.

 

[bethymouse]

I always use Disney transportation. If I need to get to the park at 7am, then I have always gotten on a bus at 6am. Times may vary though according to the time of year and where you're staying. I just always leave an hour before I need to get somewhere. The All Star bus transportation can take 30-45 minutes, sometimes less, to get to your destinations. The EMM is new to me, so I am not sure about the availability of Disney transportation on that one, sorry.
There are no "transfers" necessary as far as I know. The buses take you to all 4 parks and Disney Springs. Water parks however do have some sort of system that's different, but I'm not exactly sure how that works, sorry.
We have only driven our car one time as we were staying at Pop Century, and needed to get to Boardwalk for a reservation at Flying Fish Cafe. That was not a problem. We parked in a parking lot across the street ( it used to be specifically for dining reservations) and then walked across. I am not sure if that is the same now since it's been 9 years!
Some people prefer to drive their own vehicle to the parks ( parking of course if is free if you stay at a Disney resort), but like I said, we've always used Disney transportation.
I hope someone else might give you other suggestions and points of view.
Have a magical vacation!

 

[HurricaneHanna]

I've never stayed at any of the All Star resorts so your experience will vary. The only Disney transportation option you'll have going to and from your resort are the buses. There is no monorail nor any boat service where you're staying. Buses will take you directly from your resort to each theme park as well as to Disney Springs. The only time you'll need to transfer is if you're going from one resort to another. In that case, I'd get on a bus to the park closest to you (in your case I think it's Animal Kingdom) and then take a second bus from the park to your destination resort. In general I leave my resort room one hour before I wish to be somewhere. The resorts that I stay at all have one conveniently located bus stop so if your resort is more spread out or has multiple bus stops you'll need to factor in some extra time. Also factor in extra time if your ADR or FP is for a location far from the park entrance as it can take time to walk through crowded areas. Bag check and security are sometimes bogged down during times when a lot of people arrive at once so consider that as well. Leave yourself a little extra time the first few days if you're feeling nervous about being late. Once you get the hang of things you can shave off a little time. Although you can certainly find examples here on the forum of guests who have had difficulty getting around, the system really does work very well. Have a wonderful trip!

 

[Variable]

We drive 99%, on or off rite.
Stayed out at Movies just a couple of years ago

Driving:
In the morning going for rope drop:
About 10-15 minutes to TTC - the magic kingdoms parking.
DHS, Epcot easily in 10 minutes or less
Ak is basically right outside the door, 5 minutes.

We usually got to rope drop at MK in half hour MAX overall. Parking will be close in the morning, quick walk through the TTC and to the ferry.
The others are short in the mornings as well. No tram required.

Afternoon, well, there are a few hours between open and around late afternoon where the travel time to the MK turnstiles gets short again. But around 4:00 people will start heading back there (and the others) for evening, so total time will rise. You'll have a good chance of being much farther away in parking, the buses will start to fill up.

The bus might be easier for many, but unless it's a direct non stop, bus won't be faster. They use the same roads and face the same traffic. Honestly, the time is probably not that much difference unless your at the end of a multi stop loop - which happens. And that will be very frustrating at the end of the day.

Be aware that there are various hard ticket events, special hours, that often begin officially at 7:00. Those folks can usuall start entering at 4 or 5, and the non ticket holders will start flowing out of the park - so your wait times will go up -- give yourself plenty of time to get to some other reservation if you make one.

 

[danlb_2000]

You also have to transfer if you are going between park and Disney Spring since the Disney Springs buses only run to the resorts.

 

[DfromATX]

We just got back from our trip a couple of days ago. We used the busses the whole time and had no problems at all. We were at MK before the morning show and definitely at the other parks a few minutes before opening. We tried to be at the bus stop 30-45 minutes before each park opened (probably 45 minutes for MK). The busses always showed up within a couple of minutes. Only once we had to wait for a second bus and that was at closing time at Hollywood Studios (oddly enough). We also left each park around 2, went to the hotel to rest for a few hours, then returned for the evening until closing. Sometimes on those afternoon breaks and evening rides, we were the only family on the bus!

 

[Variable]

We just got back from our trip a couple of days ago. We used the busses the whole time and had no problems at all. We were at MK before the morning show and definitely at the other parks a few minutes before opening. We tried to be at the bus stop 30-45 minutes before each park opened (probably 45 minutes for MK). The busses always showed up within a couple of minutes. Only once we had to wait for a second bus and that was at closing time at Hollywood Studios (oddly enough). We also left each park around 2, went to the hotel to rest for a few hours, then returned for the evening until closing. Sometimes on those afternoon breaks and evening rides, we were the only family on the bus!

Sounds good, you did it right.

 

[Kristamouse]

Mid afternoon entering any park parking lot you can ask to check for spots in the front. We do every time and every time get a space very close.

 

[Variable]

Mid afternoon entering any park parking lot you can ask to check for spots in the front. We do every time and every time get a space very close.

Yes, good point. They have a pattern to largely maintain crowd control, and often that leaves many vacancies from the early morning crowd that has left.

 

[LAKid53]

Just know that the bus to the parks/Disney Springs is shared by all the All Star resorts. But fortunately for you, you are staying at Sports, which is the first All Star stop for the buses. Since the All Stars are the resorts favored by large groups (tours, cheerleaders, etc.), I would suggest that you get to the bus stop at the front of the main building at least one hour before your first FP at a park, your ADR, etc. If it's a crowded time of the year (or day), it takes more than the posted 20 minutes between buses. And don't forget the time it will take to walk from the park bus depot to bag check, selection for the metal detectors and then park entrance. And if it's a trip to the Magic Kingdom, just that process alone can take 20 minutes....

Addition: I allow 90 minutes to get anywhere.... especially for ADRs. Even then, I've had to sprint through Disney Springs to get to our ADR. We were staying at Saratoga Springs. Had a dinner reservation at Raglan Road in Disney Springs. Saratoga Springs resort (SSR) is a 5 minute bus ride to Disney Springs... the spiel on the bus doesn't have enough time to finish before you're pulling into the bus depot at Disney Springs. Allowed 45 minutes to get to our ADR. Because we've never had to wait more than 15 minutes for a bus from SSR to DS. Well, that evening we were 15 minutes late to our ADR. We could have walked from SSR to DS, but they close the walkway at dusk. And it would have taken us 10 minutes to walk to the boat ramp to take the boat... if it was running.

My point? Allow more time than you think (and Disney tells you) to get anywhere. No matter the form of transportation you choose.

 

[LAKid53]

Morning Everyone,

I think I have planned out our upcoming trip to WDW in September including ADRs, FP+ and park plans surrounding the ADRs and FP+s. However there is still one thing I don't have a lot of information regarding which can still affect our trip experience, Disney transportation to and from the parks and hotel.

We will be staying at All Star Sports resort between September 15 and 23. I have found a lot of information regarding; ADRs, FP+s, quick service restaurants, attractions, characters, show, etc however I haven't been able to find much in the way of information regarding approximate driving times for the Disney buses. I understand there are also boats, trans and monorail. Not all go to all the parks/resorts.

I would like to be able to get to the parks at least 30 minutes before the parks open. There may be times we will head back to the hotel mid day and would like to know what to expect. I understand getting back to the hotel at park closing or after a night event can get very busy. I also purchased an EMM for HS and would like to be there prior to 7:45 am. this is part of my son's birthday celebration.

So, here are my questions to you, those who know.

1. What are the different driving times from All Star Sports to the four parks?
2. What time should we expect to be at the bus stop in order to ensure we don't miss the bus?
3. Are there transfers which need to be taken or will hotel bus take us directly to the park?
4. Are there some tricks which may make getting to the parks smoother/quicker?

Here is some extra information. We will be driving down, so will have our van if needed. I would prefer to leave the van at the hotel parking lot. But wondering if there would be some days which it may more adventurous to drive. Such as maybe the morning we have the EMM at HS.

The last time I was at WDW, I don't even think they had Disney transportation. Yes, it was some time ago. This is an area I don't know anything about and I don't want this portion of our trip to be the downfall of our trip. I understand the need to be flexible, but would like to be as informed as possible in order to try to make the trip as smooth as possible.

Any positive comments would be greatly appreciated. Please don't limit your sharing of information to the questions above. Please add if you think I may have missed something and there is something else I should be aware of.

"Very busy"?! It can virtually become a wall of bodies, especially after Wishes at Magic Kingdom. Been in the middle of that mass of humanity.

 

[Variable]

"Very busy"?! It can virtually become a wall of bodies, especially after Wishes at Magic Kingdom. Been in the middle of that mass of humanity.

its everyone you just stood shoulder to shoulder with at wishes, now standing in the queue at the bus. But you'll get to change shoulder mates! New people! New Experiences!

 

[LAKid53]

its everyone you just stood shoulder to shoulder with at wishes, now standing in the queue at the bus. But you'll get to change shoulder mates! New people! New Experiences!

ROFLMAO.

I once thought, in my naiveté, that I would just stroll through the Emporium to wait out the crowd. Which 75% of those leaving MK after Wishes thought to do also.

 

[Variable]

ROFLMAO.

I once thought, in my naiveté, that I would just stroll through the Emporium to wait out the crowd. Which 75% of those leaving MK after Wishes thought to do also.

We all succumb to this delusion at least once! "we'll wait' has become "GO GO GO!"

 

[LAKid53]

We all succumb to this delusion at least once! "we'll wait' has become "GO GO GO!"

If we stay for Wishes, afterwards we head to the back of the park to ride some rides before we leave, waiting at least 30 minutes before we head towards the exits.

 

[Scoppin]

@Rachel Grubbs I found using Disney transportation the best way to get around. I never had to worry about parking or even getting lost. And never really a long wait for the next bus.

 

[OliveMcFly]

Doesn't WDW always say "please allow 90 minutes for travel" when you travel around property?

 

[mouse_luv]

@Scoppin

From All Star Sports To:

MK: 12 mins bus

EPCOT: 10 mins bus

DHS: 8 mins bus

AK: 6 mins bus


Give or take a few mins depending on traffic etc.

 

[BigRedDad]

In order to get to an ADR at a specific time, I would be in line for the bus at the resort no less than 60 minutes in advance, if not longer.

If driving and worrying about getting lost, there are only about 4 turns to worry about from the main road. Turn 1 way to go to AK, turn the other for DHS, go up one exit for Epcot, keep going straight for MK. It is difficult to get lost driving at WDW. The signs are massive and directions are almost everywhere.

 

[danyoung56]

Going to a park the signage is fine. Coming back from a park to your hotel can be a little tougher. The trick is to know what area you're in, such as the Animal Kingdom resorts or the Disney Springs resorts. Then, once you get close to your destination, there will be clearer signage for your resort.