Driving to the parks instead of using the Disney Bus?

fam

fam

Member
We've always waited for the busses on the resorts and never had too big of a problem (pop century was a piece of cake last year)...but...this year we are in Art of Animation with a std room...and since that wing is so out of the way of the bus pickup (with such close parking to that wing) I was wondering if it would save a significant amount of time to just hop in the van and drive to the parks? I've never driven to any of the parks so honestly I dont know how far away the lots are and how long it takes to get to the front door etc. Any advice would be appreciated...i'm not against walking, but if it saves me 40 minutes a day in waiting thats pretty awesome.
 
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SulleyanBoo

SulleyanBoo

Well-Known Member
We prefer a little bit of both (taking the bus and driving) Sometimes driving in my opinion is much less of a hassle, a huge time saver and just much more convienient. We do however partake in some adult beverages usually on every trip and in that case, the buses are great so that no one in our party is drinking and driving. That's a big no no!

I would suggest driving part of the time you are there though to see if you prefer that better. Good luck! :)
 
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ratherbeinwdw

ratherbeinwdw

Well-Known Member
fam said:
We've always waited for the busses on the resorts and never had too big of a problem (pop century was a piece of cake last year)...but...this year we are in Art of Animation with a std room...and since that wing is so out of the way of the bus pickup (with such close parking to that wing) I was wondering if it would save a significant amount of time to just hop in the van and drive to the parks? I've never driven to any of the parks so honestly I dont know how far away the lots are and how long it takes to get to the front door etc. Any advice would be appreciated...i'm not against walking, but if it saves me 40 minutes a day in waiting thats pretty awesome.
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We usually drive to all parks except MK, and if it's really crowded, we even drive there. In September, for the times we took the bus, we drove our car to the front and parked close to the bus stop and got on the bus. Then when we got back the car was right there to drive to the Mermaid rooms. I prefer driving to AK, Epcot and HS as the tram brings you closer than the busses do. The trams are fast and reliable and take you right to the front. If you get to Epcot early, you simply walk the short distance to the entrance.
I will warn you that the bus to and from MK takes forever. The bus stop is closer to the entrance, and you don't have to ride the monorail or ferry, but the route they take is crazy long.
 
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B

Brewer

Member
We very rarely use the buses - we're far too impatient to wait!!

We find it quicker to use our own transport but using Disney takes the hassle particularly after a long day.

Last year we timed ourselves from leaving Epcot after Illuminations (In the car in the parking lot) to Port Orleans Riverside - 6 minutes!! I believe it was 11 from the Magic Kingdom.
 
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pixiesteno

pixiesteno

Well-Known Member
We take our travel trailer so we always have a vehicle with us but we will ususally only drive to DTD or if we have an ADR at one of the resorts. We take the boat to the MK and the buses from the outpost to everywhere else. We just kind of like kicking back and not dealing with driving after a long session at the parks.
 
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SulleyanBoo

SulleyanBoo

Well-Known Member
DisneyJoe said:
Buses to MK as they get closer to the entrance than a car can. With a car, you need to take the monorail or the ferry to get to the entrance.
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GOOD POINT. I was going to add this into my comment but forgot! It is more of a hassel to drive to MK, park, get the tram and then take a boat or monorail VS a bus taking you right to the front of the park skipping all of that hassel!
For all other 3 parks I still stand on definitely driving!
 
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JillC LI

JillC LI

Well-Known Member
We much prefer the small extra cost of a rental car to get the convenience of coming and going from the parks at our leisure. We always arrive at the parks before rope drop so we always get close parking spots (unless we park hop mid-day). MK is the only park you might want to consider taking the bus to, but we usually drive there as well.
 
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swissamy

swissamy

Well-Known Member
We love to drive to the parks. It allows us the freedom to leave at a moments notice in case of bad weather and get close to the room upon our return. Also we are guaranteed a seat after a day of walking :)
 
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taz0162

taz0162

Well-Known Member
Driving to me would take us out of the whole Disney experience. I don't want to stress about traffic, other drivers who don't know where they are going and finding a parking spot. I like the bus system and the convience that they provide. so you wait up to 20 min for the next bus to come (usually less depending when you walk up) the ability to relax on the bus while it takes me to and fro is excellent. I vacation to excape as much of the real world as possible.
 
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Club Cooloholic

Club Cooloholic

Well-Known Member
I like driving, I took the bus to get to fort wilderness once for for the Hoopdedooreview(yeah I know it's not one word), and that was ok, but once coming back from a pleasure island night we sat in a bus for over 45 mins, the guy refused to start the bus and take us back because he wanted to wait till everyone was out of the clubs(they were open another half hour) and he did not want to make more than one trip and about 15 of us just sat there. I even complained to his manager on the walkie and she was no more helpful.
 
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Gabe1

Gabe1

Ivory Tower Squabble EST 2011. WINDMILL SURVIVOR
ratherbeinwdw said:
We usually drive to all parks except MK, and if it's really crowded, we even drive there. In September, for the times we took the bus, we drove our car to the front and parked close to the bus stop and got on the bus. Then when we got back the car was right there to drive to the Mermaid rooms. I prefer driving to AK, Epcot and HS as the tram brings you closer than the busses do. The trams are fast and reliable and take you right to the front. If you get to Epcot early, you simply walk the short distance to the entrance.
I will warn you that the bus to and from MK takes forever. The bus stop is closer to the entrance, and you don't have to ride the monorail or ferry, but the route they take is crazy long.
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When I stayed at CS and AKL it was painfully long to get to the MK. The car ride was long too and then had to tram and Ferry on top of that. Will rethink staying at these resorts again.
 
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bsiev1977

bsiev1977

Well-Known Member
I'll be driving my next trip. Flying to Orlando, but renting a car since I'll be two days at Uni before Disney. I feel like I can move completely at my own schedule in the morning. Wake up early enough, be one of the first to park and wait for the mono or ferry to MK.
 
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G00fyDad

G00fyDad

Well-Known Member
fam said:
We've always waited for the busses on the resorts and never had too big of a problem (pop century was a piece of cake last year)...but...this year we are in Art of Animation with a std room...and since that wing is so out of the way of the bus pickup (with such close parking to that wing) I was wondering if it would save a significant amount of time to just hop in the van and drive to the parks? I've never driven to any of the parks so honestly I dont know how far away the lots are and how long it takes to get to the front door etc. Any advice would be appreciated...i'm not against walking, but if it saves me 40 minutes a day in waiting thats pretty awesome.
Click to expand...

What room did you get? Because I don't want that one. o_O
 
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