Do you drive or take the Disney bus to parks?

[miles1]

In all past years we had always rented or driven our own car to the parks until two years ago. I'm sort of independent and like to control when I come and go, not to mention our kids were fairly young and a little impatient to be waiting for buses.

Two years ago, to save some money we used DME and Disney transportation around the property for the first time. I must say I really enjoyed NOT having to drive anywhere on our vacation. With the kids a little older, they didn't seem to mind waiting for buses/boats etc. as much. It was also really nice not having to deal with baggage claim and transporting luggage when arriving and departing. And even after about 20 trips, I still have trouble finding my way around the property after dark.

Last year was the deciding factor. We stayed off site with friends at a rental home, so we had to use a rental car. I was APPALLED at how people were acting trying to get on the parking trams, particularly at the MK! DS, age 15, nearly got into a fist fight with another teen when he tried to save a seat for DD, age 8. Then the kid yelled a racial slur at us which made no sense (check my avatar). People were generally acting like animals, climbing over and shoving each other.

From now on we'll use the Disney transport just to avoid the parking lot trams. Overall, it was a lot less stressful.

 

[Unomas]

We always stay on property and always use the Disney World transit. You concerns about the van not being "magical" are not without merit. I think part of being at Disney World and staying on property is being apart of it 24 hours a day. If you have to get in your car and find parking spaces/walt potentially long disntance through a parking lot - just seems like it might lose a little something. I like being part of the travel between resorts and parks. Waiting with your fellow resort guests for the bus at the end of a long day. It may seem minor but it does add to the experience.

 

[dave1105]

We have done both. We always drive down so we have a car at our disposal. The first time we stayed onsite was at ASM in April and we pretty much parked the car and rode the bus.

Our experience was mixed. It was nice not to have to drive, however on a few occasions since we were at the end of the All Star line leaving from the resort the bus would be full and just circle past. On the way back since it was around Easter time the buses were always full so you either stood on the way back or if you were lucky you got a seat.

The next time we stayed at the Polynesian and took advantage of both the boat and monorail when visiting MK or EPCOT. We drove to DS and AK, we just found it easier to be able to come and go as we pleased and generally multi-tasked and made a stop on the way back either to utilize free internet somewhere or pick up some items.

 

[StingraySam]

Put me in the "I am on vacation and I do not want to drive anywhere" catagory. It doesn't matter if we are there just overnight or for a week, we just prefer to have someone else do the driving. There are many evenings when returning to our resort we are completely exhausted and so glad that I didn't drive. And yes there are other times when it seems as though a bus will never come at all and all that is going through my mind is "why didn't we just drive here?" but that thought will quickly go away when that bus arrives and I am comfortably sitting back and not driving. About the only time we drive to one of the parks is on our last day after we have checked out of our resort. We may drive to which ever park we are visiting that day so we don't have to return back to our resort just to retrieve our car.

 

[muteki]

I hate to bump an old thread but I was curious about parking and this one came up in the search. I just have a quick question: we will be driving down for our first time next trip and this will be the first time we have stayed on property (CSR) with a car. Now, from what I gather folks that stay at a Disney-owned resort park at the parks for free. Thats great, but how does it work? Do I show a key-to-the-world card, or some other pass upon entry?

From what people are saying in this thread, the benefit of driving yourself varies depending on destination. I can see how MK would be of little benefit, and I like riding the monorail to Epcot, but it might be easier to drive to the TTC or AK or MGM myself.

 

[rsoxguy]

I hate to bump an old thread but I was curious about parking and this one came up in the search. I just have a quick question: we will be driving down for our first time next trip and this will be the first time we have stayed on property (CSR) with a car. Now, from what I gather folks that stay at a Disney-owned resort park at the parks for free. Thats great, but how does it work? Do I show a key-to-the-world card, or some other pass upon entry?

From what people are saying in this thread, the benefit of driving yourself varies depending on destination. I can see how MK would be of little benefit, and I like riding the monorail to Epcot, but it might be easier to drive to the TTC or AK or MGM myself.

They give you a paper to place on your dashboard that has your resort and dates printed clearly.

 

[Matt and Kelly]

When we stayed on property, we took the bus. We didn't have a car, so we had no choice, but even if we did have our own transportation, I still think the bus would be our best option.

We were there at Christmas so I thought the lines for buses would be a little more hectic, but they turned out not too bad at all.

 

[BigRedDad]

For me, vacation is not having to drive. I normally fly down and use DME. Unless flights drop or have a huge special, we will be driving down in October. It is only an 8-9 hour drive. 4 tickets @ $200 is a lot of money. Driving will only be $200 total. When we drive, we will still park the car and leave it.

 

[PhotoDave219]

We stay on property and take the buses to the parks. It always seems to take quiet a while to wait in line and catch a bus though. I am now thinking about us driving ourselves to the parks each day. I know parking would be free. I was wondering how many people do that. Is it a time saver? Any pros or cons to doing this? The only cons I can think of is that our minivan is not as "magical" or as fun as the Disney buses and that we might get lost especially at night.

Any advise would be appreciated. Thank You!

I drive. I hate being at Disney's mercy on my schedule.

IMO driving yourself is much faster and much more convenient FOR ME. I know the road system very well and know where i want to park.

Personally, I can't STAND waiting 20 minutes for a bus and then another 15 while they load the ECVs that drive up at the last second. IMO it adds to the stress that I'm trying to avoid.

Of course when drinking around the world, i highly recommend the bus.

 

[dkrause]

My feeling on that is that your time is the most valuable thing while you are there. I do not like to wait on on others and I feel better knowing I can come and go as I please. I took the bus from DTD bcak to POFQ a couple of years ago just to see how the bus was and it took and hour and a half. My coworker always uses the bus system and said it take an hour to an hour both ways and did not have a proble with it. I guess it depends on the type of person you are. A car for $100-200 dollars is worth it to me.

 

[surfsupdon]

When we used to drive down to Disney, we only used the car to drive to a Disney Water Park.


Now that we excusively fly to Disney, we solely rely on Disney Transportation. Sometimes its terrible, most times its great!!

 

[IWorkWTeeth]

Honestly, I hate the busses. We usually drive down from NJ and have our own car. If we do fly, we rent one. After a long day at the parks, I didn't like having to wait sometimes an additional 20 minutes for the bus. I have to use a mobility scooter and the wait of getting it on and off the bus is a pain! (It honestly adds about 5 minutes to the load and unloading). I feel for everyone waiting for me to get all strapped in, so we drive in.

 

[kimmychad]

We stay on property and take the buses to the parks. It always seems to take quiet a while to wait in line and catch a bus though. I am now thinking about us driving ourselves to the parks each day. I know parking would be free. I was wondering how many people do that. Is it a time saver? Any pros or cons to doing this? The only cons I can think of is that our minivan is not as "magical" or as fun as the Disney buses and that we might get lost especially at night.

Any advise would be appreciated. Thank You!

magical isn't quite the way I would describe being crowded onto a bus with people that can't wait till they get off the bus to talk to each other so they scream back and forth until the bus arrives at their resort. nah we drive to where we need to go.

 

[flyer31]

I take the bus, I don't know why, but I love taking the WDW Busses!!!