Disney Transportation - How It Works?

[Raged Spirit]

Hello,

I have been planning for February 2009, my first travel to Disney in Orlando. Due the rates increase during the second half of that month (when I will go) I cant afford even a value resort inside Disney .

So, I have been reading a lot about stays in Kissimmee and even when I have decided to book one hotel there, I have some worries about the transportation to and inside the parks.

Obviously, I am up for a budget trip, so I will pick a hotel with free shuttle transportation to Disney Parks (maybe Universal too) and yeah, I know that shuttles offers problems when the schedule does not meet the expected and when you pick a hotel that in the route needs to pick people in a large number of other hotels, but I will have to deal with that, at least someone can suggest me something different.

I will travel from Panama, and I would not like to drive a car in Orlando, so I dont consider it an option.

Now comes the question... or questions I hope to be enough clear with them, although I apologize in advance because my english is not very good.

If i pick for example a hotel shuttle to Magic Kingdom, I understand that it will leave me at least near to the entrance of the park, but what happens if taking advantage of this first shuttle of my hotel, I want to go to Epcot Center? I mean I would arrive to the entrance of MK just to pick a Disney bus to go to Epcot. Not possible?

Is the Disney Transportation absolutely free? How exactly it works? I guess those buses dont transit inside the parks, but outside, but I could be wrong.

Its true that there are two kind of buses, one for the Disney guests and one for the people staying outside?

I saw for example, a hotel that offers a late shuttle departing from Animal Kingdom (closest to the hotel). Its possible to go from Epcot to AK through Disney buses in order to take the last shuttle to my hotel?

Otherwise, I am also interested to go to Disney Downtown. There is a free transportation option to visit this place and then go to a the entrance of Animal Kingdom?

How much should be the trip for 2 persons in a taxi from Downtown to Kissimmee (hotel temporally chosen is 5 miles from Disney) that in case that we fall in love with Downtown as my sister did.

I know they are several question, sorry for that.

Thanks for your help.
Regards,

 

[CatsMeow]

Here are my thoughts about your questions; I am sure others will chime in....I have never stayed off-property, so I am going by what other folks have told me.

I have been planning for February 2009, my first travel to Disney in Orlando. Due the rates increase during the second half of that month (when I will go) I cant afford even a value resort inside Disney . Yes, the beginning of February is much less expensive. After that, it gets busy with the holiday and spring breaks.

So, I have been reading a lot about stays in Kissimmee and even when I have decided to book one hotel there, I have some worries about the transportation to and inside the parks.

Obviously, I am up for a budget trip, so I will pick a hotel with free shuttle transportation to Disney Parks (maybe Universal too) and yeah, I know that shuttles offers problems when the schedule does not meet the expected and when you pick a hotel that in the route needs to pick people in a large number of other hotels, but I will have to deal with that, at least someone can suggest me something different.

I will travel from Panama, and I would not like to drive a car in Orlando, so I dont consider it an option.

Now comes the question... or questions I hope to be enough clear with them, although I apologize in advance because my english is not very good.

If i pick for example a hotel shuttle to Magic Kingdom, I understand that it will leave me at least near to the entrance of the park, but what happens if taking advantage of this first shuttle of my hotel, I want to go to Epcot Center? I mean I would arrive to the entrance of MK just to pick a Disney bus to go to Epcot. Not possible? I am not 100% sure how the outside shuttles work. One bus may stop at all of the parks or they may have individual shuttles for each park. I'm sure it varies by hotel; check on the websites of the hotels you are interested in. Some outside hotels also charge a fee for use of the shuttles. If they drop you off at a park that you are not interested in, you can use the monorail/bus service to get to another park. Usually, ID is not checked, but having your park ticket would be a good idea.

Is the Disney Transportation absolutely free? How exactly it works? I guess those buses dont transit inside the parks, but outside, but I could be wrong. The WDW buses drop guests off at locations just outside the parks. The station for the MK monorail is just outside the park. The Epcot monorail actually gives a little "tour" of the park before it stops just outside the main gates.

Its true that there are two kind of buses, one for the Disney guests and one for the people staying outside? Once on WDW property, there is only one kind of transport used - WDW bus, monorail and/or watercraft. Of course, anyone with a car can use that. Anyone with a park ticket - or WDW hotel ID - can use the transport. ID is not usually requested, but sometimes this does occur. Folks staying outside WDW are known as "day guests". Normally, when the parks offer early and late hours, the option is not available to day guests.

I saw for example, a hotel that offers a late shuttle departing from Animal Kingdom (closest to the hotel). Its possible to go from Epcot to AK through Disney buses in order to take the last shuttle to my hotel? As long as you have a valid ticket, you should be able to do this. As I've stated, ID is usually not requested, but it is always a good idea to have it on hand.

Otherwise, I am also interested to go to Disney Downtown. There is a free transportation option to visit this place and then go to a the entrance of Animal Kingdom? WDW buses go to all sections including DTD, hotels, and parks. You should be able to do this.

How much should be the trip for 2 persons in a taxi from Downtown to Kissimmee (hotel temporally chosen is 5 miles from Disney) that in case that we fall in love with Downtown as my sister did. Taxis in Orlando can be expensive. I would guess the fare would be at least $25, but that is only a guess. If you get stuck in DTD traffic on a weekend night, it could be much more.

Check out these sites for more help and good luck!
http://allears.net/index.html - an excellent site
http://www.mousesavers.com/ - lot of info on discounted hotels

I know they are several question, sorry for that.

Thanks for your help.
Regards,[/quote]

 

[kstella]

A shuttle from an off property hotel saying it would take you to MK would drop you off at the Ticket & Transportation Center, not the gate of MK. From the TTC you can decide where you're going to go.

 

[Raged Spirit]

Wow amazing. Things are very clear now.

Thanks a lot for your help and your time.

Best regards,