We will be driving to WDW and I was wondering if it is better to catch the buses to the park each day or drive? We will be staying at the the All Stars Movie Resort and from what I have read so far from reviews this is the last bus stop of the 3 All star Resorts and it is almost always full when it reaches the Movies Resort! What do you guys prefer?
-
Welcome to the WDWMAGIC.COM Forums!
Please take a look around, and feel free to sign up and join the community.
Disney Transportation
- Thread starter apayne
- Start date
SleepingMonk
Well-Known Member
We always use the Disney transportation be it bus, boat or monorail.
I drive enough at home, when I'm on a vacation I don't want to worry about traffic, finding a parking spot, carrying keys etc...
I drive enough at home, when I'm on a vacation I don't want to worry about traffic, finding a parking spot, carrying keys etc...
Pioneer Hall
Well-Known Member
Usually Disney transportation is the easiest option. However, if you plan on going anywhere else then the car can be helpful.
If the bus is at capacity when it is arriving at the Movies resort, they will send another bus there first. Your resort will not get the last priority over and over again. Also, depending on the time of year you are going, the All-Stars can have their own individual buses (especially at peak times). Sometimes Movie will have a bus to itself and Sports/Music will be another, since Movies has the highest occupancy rates.
If the bus is at capacity when it is arriving at the Movies resort, they will send another bus there first. Your resort will not get the last priority over and over again. Also, depending on the time of year you are going, the All-Stars can have their own individual buses (especially at peak times). Sometimes Movie will have a bus to itself and Sports/Music will be another, since Movies has the highest occupancy rates.
disney4life2008
Well-Known Member
If you have a car, I vote for driving. It is more convienient especially if you like going out to eat after the parks close at DD or off property. If you are stictly staying on property use Disney transportation.
scorp111
Well-Known Member
The others have all given good advice, and I will just add one more thought:
When we are at WDW, we almost always have a car, and like the others have said, depending on our plans, may or may not use Disney Transport. But for the MK, we almost always use the busses (or boat from WL or monorail/walk from Contemporary) because of the drop-off being so much closer to the gate vs. the TTC. MK is one park, where even if you must wait for a bus, you will still get to the gate faster.
When we are at WDW, we almost always have a car, and like the others have said, depending on our plans, may or may not use Disney Transport. But for the MK, we almost always use the busses (or boat from WL or monorail/walk from Contemporary) because of the drop-off being so much closer to the gate vs. the TTC. MK is one park, where even if you must wait for a bus, you will still get to the gate faster.
dave2822
New Member
In my opinion, if you are at an All Star follow this general rule:
Magic Kingdom: Disney Transportation. The buses are packed and unenjoyable, but parking at the TTC, taking a crowded tram and a crowded monorail are more unenjoyable.
EPCOT: Disney Transportation. The parking lot is just too big after a long day.
Hollywood Studios: Drive. Parking lots much more managable and you don't have to worry about fighting for a spot on the bus at the end of the night.
Animal Kingdom: Drive. Ditto.
Downtown Disney/Boardwalk/Etc: Drive. NEVER take a bus!
Last time I stayed at Pop, we didn't have a car on property, and by the end of our trip we vowed never to not bring a car again if we were going to stay at a value. Now mind you, this was on spring break, but it was taking us 30-40 minutes to even get on a bus at the end of the night at MK and EPCOT, and a few times we even called a cab. A couple of times the line for the busses (just for POP) wrapped around the length of every bus stop ... not fun.
But that's the exception, not the rule. I would try Disney transportation until the moment comes when/if you just can't take it.
Magic Kingdom: Disney Transportation. The buses are packed and unenjoyable, but parking at the TTC, taking a crowded tram and a crowded monorail are more unenjoyable.
EPCOT: Disney Transportation. The parking lot is just too big after a long day.
Hollywood Studios: Drive. Parking lots much more managable and you don't have to worry about fighting for a spot on the bus at the end of the night.
Animal Kingdom: Drive. Ditto.
Downtown Disney/Boardwalk/Etc: Drive. NEVER take a bus!
Last time I stayed at Pop, we didn't have a car on property, and by the end of our trip we vowed never to not bring a car again if we were going to stay at a value. Now mind you, this was on spring break, but it was taking us 30-40 minutes to even get on a bus at the end of the night at MK and EPCOT, and a few times we even called a cab. A couple of times the line for the busses (just for POP) wrapped around the length of every bus stop ... not fun.
But that's the exception, not the rule. I would try Disney transportation until the moment comes when/if you just can't take it.
bgraham34
Well-Known Member
That is very good assessment. That is exactly what I was thinking as well.
DisneyMom4
Member
The only thing I would add -- certainly drive to the waterparks. It is no fun to ride a bus back at the end of the day in your wet suit.
Craig & Lisa
Active Member
We have driven to WDW 2 times, even then I very rarely drive. The buses are for your conveince, use them. The only time I drive from one place to another on property is when we are running late for dinner ressis's, but still when you get to the resort just let the guard know your there for dinner and they let you thru no problems. Otherwise when I go to disney I don't want to worry about which way to go when going to the parks, WDW roads are vast and can be quite confussing very quickly, I know. Got lost real fast the first time we drove. But if you must drive to the park of your choice make sure your parking permit is in your window, that way you don't have pay to park, but be warned even if you are staying at a resort they can still close the parking lots and then you will be stuck with a second choice for a park. By the way the car will be with us this year, taking the auto train then driving back.
DisneyPrincess5
Well-Known Member
IMO, always take Disney's transportation.
It's free for resort guests, such as yourself and fun for the most part.
Plus, driving on your own can rack up a hefty parking bill!
It's free for resort guests, such as yourself and fun for the most part.
Plus, driving on your own can rack up a hefty parking bill!
It also depends on if you are "bus people" - some people just don't have the personality to wait for and to ride a (potentially crowded) bus - others do.
We always use Disney transportation, we just prepare our timing and set our expectations accordingly.
Disney buses are many many times better than the public transit buses I take every day at home.
We always use Disney transportation, we just prepare our timing and set our expectations accordingly.
Disney buses are many many times better than the public transit buses I take every day at home.
drp4video
Well-Known Member
I always fly to Orlando and rent a car, as we go other places too, so I drive to the parks. I like the convenience of not having to wait for a bus. Rode the bus one time from DTD back to POR (took the boat to DTD from POR) and we had to wait about 20 minutes for a bus. I
TinkerChelli
Member
Hi there :wave:If I were you I would try not to drive if you don't need to. With all the accidents going on around Disney property lately why push the luck. Disney Transportation is the best, you don't drive and you don't worry, it's not much of a big wait. The buses run every 15-20 min. It's the safest around Disney Property. Alot of ppl from out of this country go to Disney and do not know the rules here they make mistakes and accidents occur all the time. Just give it some thought ok. Take care and have a safe and great trip to the greatest place on earth :wave::animwink:~Tinkerchelli~
Bulldog1653
Active Member
Driving on the grounds depends on where you want to go and how quickly you want to get there. When I was there in September, we stayed at the Port Orleans Riverside and found that you need to add AT LEAST 30 minutes to allow for the buses. When we wanted to go to the Magic Kingdom at opening time, we went to the loading area and waited about 20 minutes for the bus to show up. The same happened for EPCOT and the other parks. It seemed like the bus drivers showed up whenever they felt like it and not on a set schedule (which is why I am for a MAJOR monorail expansion to allow stops at the hotels).
The upside to riding the buses was the fact that I didn't have to rent a car for the entire time and if I wanted to have a few beers, I could.
The upside to riding the buses was the fact that I didn't have to rent a car for the entire time and if I wanted to have a few beers, I could.
Seems like there is a bit of personal preferance loaded into this decision. On the one hand, it seems as though driving can often times be a bit more efficient and quick. On the other hand you have to drive and walk through big parking lots and occasional traffic. What is more important to you and your family - maximum efficiency, independence, and minimum wait time or reduced in car stress/hassle.
toetheline29
New Member
In case you can't tell from my picture, I'm a fan of the buses. To me, the buses are part of the Disney experience and the trip wouldn't feel complete without them. That said, it is a personal preference. My family has done both over the years, so here are my reasons.
Because there's a lot of people staying at the All Star resorts, buses come quite frequently. We usually stay there or at Pop Century (which has the same effect). During busy times (mornings, park closing), you probably won't ever wait more than fifteen minutes for a bus (our last trip, we never waited more than five during peak times). It can be a little frustrating waiting for buses, when if you had a car you could just hop in and leave right away, but some of my best Disney memories are from waiting for or riding the buses. We go as a family, so one of the main reasons we go is to spend the kind of quality (or quantity, depending on how you look at it) time together we don't get to at home. Waiting for a bus is one of the best times to do this. It's amazing how goofy you can get in just a few minutes in the bus lines.
At the end of the day, when you're exhausted, sweaty, and all you really want to do is sleep, Disney having buses seems like a miracle. I can't imagine driving from the park to the hotel after a full day; I would be too tired. Being able to hop on a bus is great. It's actually not uncommon for people (children and adults) to nap on the bus on the way back. Plus, Disney roads can be difficult to navigate if you're not familiar with them.
A few more trivial reasons: It is free to ride these buses also, so it's a good way to feel like you're getting your money's worth from paying for the resorts. Plus, it can renew your faith in humanity (I love seeing people give up their seats for the elderly, the very young, or the very exhausted :sohappy
.
And, it can be enjoyable if you get a fun bus driver (they sometimes share trivia, or useful information, or are just silly in general; we had one bus driver once who got the whole bus singing on the way to MK).
To me, it's just part of the Disney experience. I feel like the only real reason you might need a car is if you were planning to go off property (Magical Express gets you to/from the airport if you don't bring a car, and it runs very smoothly).
Because there's a lot of people staying at the All Star resorts, buses come quite frequently. We usually stay there or at Pop Century (which has the same effect). During busy times (mornings, park closing), you probably won't ever wait more than fifteen minutes for a bus (our last trip, we never waited more than five during peak times). It can be a little frustrating waiting for buses, when if you had a car you could just hop in and leave right away, but some of my best Disney memories are from waiting for or riding the buses. We go as a family, so one of the main reasons we go is to spend the kind of quality (or quantity, depending on how you look at it) time together we don't get to at home. Waiting for a bus is one of the best times to do this. It's amazing how goofy you can get in just a few minutes in the bus lines.
At the end of the day, when you're exhausted, sweaty, and all you really want to do is sleep, Disney having buses seems like a miracle. I can't imagine driving from the park to the hotel after a full day; I would be too tired. Being able to hop on a bus is great. It's actually not uncommon for people (children and adults) to nap on the bus on the way back. Plus, Disney roads can be difficult to navigate if you're not familiar with them.
A few more trivial reasons: It is free to ride these buses also, so it's a good way to feel like you're getting your money's worth from paying for the resorts. Plus, it can renew your faith in humanity (I love seeing people give up their seats for the elderly, the very young, or the very exhausted :sohappy
.And, it can be enjoyable if you get a fun bus driver (they sometimes share trivia, or useful information, or are just silly in general; we had one bus driver once who got the whole bus singing on the way to MK).
To me, it's just part of the Disney experience. I feel like the only real reason you might need a car is if you were planning to go off property (Magical Express gets you to/from the airport if you don't bring a car, and it runs very smoothly).
disneytopdog
Active Member
I am a Disney Transportation veteran. All the times I have stayed on property I have used the boats, busses and monorail. This year I am going to change it up and rent a car. Dont get me wrong I do not have a problem with Disney transportation. Here are my reasons for renting a car:
1. The lines at close are just nuts. The last thing I want to do is wait in a huge HOT shed walking up and down trying to find the end of the line for POP Century. And then having to stand on a packed body odor filled bus for another 20 minutes.
2. No crying tired children
3. The freedom to run to the HESS station on property or drive to a near by grocery store.
4. I can get to the parks in the morning on my time. If its a 15 minute drive to DHS to make rope I dont have to leave 45 minutes before opening to make it.
5. I can still use Disney transportation if I get the urge to hop from park to park and leave the car at the last park I plan to visit that day.
1. The lines at close are just nuts. The last thing I want to do is wait in a huge HOT shed walking up and down trying to find the end of the line for POP Century. And then having to stand on a packed body odor filled bus for another 20 minutes.
2. No crying tired children
3. The freedom to run to the HESS station on property or drive to a near by grocery store.
4. I can get to the parks in the morning on my time. If its a 15 minute drive to DHS to make rope I dont have to leave 45 minutes before opening to make it.
5. I can still use Disney transportation if I get the urge to hop from park to park and leave the car at the last park I plan to visit that day.
thrupaytonseyes
Active Member
I just wanted to add that if you have a stroller you might want to drive as it can be a pain on the bus.
We rent a car when we go as we take a side trip to visit family in the Tampa area and take a day for SeaWorld. We drive to the parks b/c we find it easier with our sit n stand stroller. And we just walk from where we park instead of trying to fold it up to get on the tram unless we are extremely far out. It isn't a bad walk at all!
We rent a car when we go as we take a side trip to visit family in the Tampa area and take a day for SeaWorld. We drive to the parks b/c we find it easier with our sit n stand stroller. And we just walk from where we park instead of trying to fold it up to get on the tram unless we are extremely far out. It isn't a bad walk at all!