Hi, We are arriving for our first visit on Saturday 2/7 (three days but whos counting)... Cannot wait. We are staying at the Carribian Beach Resort and will have a car. I was wondering if its quicker to use the car to get around or to use Disney transportation. Also, anyone know what time the monorail starts operating between MK and Epcot. I was wondering if it was possible to park at Epcot take the monorail to MK for early entry on Sunday. We wanted to do MK early in the day and then come back to Epcot for the evening since Epcot is open later and has the evening show. Thanks for any help... :veryconfu
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Getting around Disneyworld
- Thread starter caclark
- Start date
this topic pretty much evenly divides the board. Personally, I prefer have the liberty to come and go as I please, and would recommend getting a car. People make it out to be a bigger hassle than it really is... it's definitely an added expense, but I feel one that is worth it.
Never stayed at Carribbean, but I would think the bus to MK, monorail to Epcot and then bus back to your resort would be a bit more convenient than what you are thinking.
For what it is worth, however, you may want to rethink leaving the hotel first thing in morning and not returning until after the fireworks at Epcot. That is a long time to be touring the parks without a break. One of the advantages of being on-site is the ease of returning to the hotel during the day for a swim, a nap or some other sort of rest. Do MK in the morning, rest in the afternoon and head back to Epcot in the evening. Just my $.02.
For what it is worth, however, you may want to rethink leaving the hotel first thing in morning and not returning until after the fireworks at Epcot. That is a long time to be touring the parks without a break. One of the advantages of being on-site is the ease of returning to the hotel during the day for a swim, a nap or some other sort of rest. Do MK in the morning, rest in the afternoon and head back to Epcot in the evening. Just my $.02.
WDWHeadBanger
New Member
It depends because having the car is nice, however I feel that taking Disney Transportation sometimes is part of the experience.
Cosmo
Member
If you're going to have a car anyway, i would HIGHLY suggest using it. My wife and i are ap holders and go to disney about every other weekend (we live close and always drive) and usually stay one or two nights (Carribean is where we stayed most recently) and I can't tell you how many times we've been left standing waiting for a bus to come wasting precious disney mintues!!! Even when we've notified people of our wait, it didn't seem to help at all. So from now on we take only our own car (the only exception is when we stay in a monorail resort and take the monorail, but we still drive to ak and mgm).
The walk at any of the parks from parking to the front is not that bad and even if you don't want to walk the courtesy trams are very convenient and much quicker than waiting for a bus. Parking is free if you're staying on property, so you won't have to pay anything extra.
The idea of parking at epcot and going to mk is a very good one and one we always use, though i'm not quite sure what time the epcot monorail begins running.
The walk at any of the parks from parking to the front is not that bad and even if you don't want to walk the courtesy trams are very convenient and much quicker than waiting for a bus. Parking is free if you're staying on property, so you won't have to pay anything extra.
The idea of parking at epcot and going to mk is a very good one and one we always use, though i'm not quite sure what time the epcot monorail begins running.
Tom
Beta Return
I've always stayed at Dixie Landings (POR) and once we parked the car, we didn't get in it again until we pulled out to head home.
I give kudos to the WDW Transportation System. I despise city bus systems here at home, but at WDW, they're a gift from above. You never sit in traffic because the busses take many backroads, that are either off-limits or rarely travelled. It makes it easy to go back and forth to and from the resort and parks during the day, it saves gas, the busses never get lost, you avoid the trams, and at the end of the LONG days, all you have to do is plop your butt down in a bus seat and ride back to the resort.
I don't know when the monorails start, but if you're using Disney Transportation only, the monorail would only be beneficial if going between EPCOT and MK.
Now, that's just my opinion, not fact. Try it the first day and see how you like the bus.
crazydaveh
Active Member
I would use the DIsney Transportation. I've never waited more than 15 minutes from a bus at the resort. Having a car in the lot is nice, but in the morning, you are battling all the other tourists coming in, as you are on the busses from the hotel, though the busses are easier to manage!
Just think, on the bus, you are not driving with others who are from different areas and don't know how to drive, or where they're going! Leave it up to the nice bus drivers!
Take a nap too! You will get tired!
Have fun.
Just think, on the bus, you are not driving with others who are from different areas and don't know how to drive, or where they're going! Leave it up to the nice bus drivers!
Take a nap too! You will get tired!
Have fun.
SpongeScott
Well-Known Member
mkt is right, we're about split on this issue. That being said, take the car--you can get in and out and you will be on your schedule. To us, the busses just aren't worth the hassle. And stay in the park as long as you want--we do it and have a ball. We can sleep while the parks are closed. Have a great trip!
tigsmom
Well-Known Member
We usually use our car if we are headed in very early or heading out of the parks very late...its just easier for us. We also use it to head over to the Boardwalk , Downtown Disney or the water parks. We have never had a problem with WDW transportation, but sometimes its nice to have the option of keeping your own timetable.
As far a taking a break...it all depends upon your family. We have done both and taking a break works out better for us. Have fun. :wave:
As far a taking a break...it all depends upon your family. We have done both and taking a break works out better for us. Have fun. :wave:
Cosmo
Member
I really wouldn't worry too much about getting lost if you're in your own car either. There are signs EVERYWHERE! Disney's done a great job pointing you in the right direction.
The other advantage to having your own car is you always know you'll have a seat, sometimes on the buses (especially at peak times) you'll have to stand...and if you're tired...boy...that's a LONG ride!
The other advantage to having your own car is you always know you'll have a seat, sometimes on the buses (especially at peak times) you'll have to stand...and if you're tired...boy...that's a LONG ride!
haveing the car is a definit plus, you can hotel hop easier with a car, and I recomend useing the car to go to downtown disney because you can shop and make a few trips to the car so you don't have to carry you stuff all over the place. also a car is great to go off property for any supplies (film, water, etc) walmart isn't too far. but if your going to the parks, your best bet is the bus. then you can still come and go as you please and relax, and you don't have to deal with the people in the paring lot that only came for the day.
Wow, you guys and gals are great!
Thanks for all the great advice. I can say that since I think I have gotten every possible point of view. My wife and I will be celebrating our 5th anniverary. No kids. So since we are both type A personality types while vacationing I don't think we will need mid day breaks. This is our first trip to Disneyworld but we have been to Disneyland many times. We wanted to see the other side of the world this time. Since I am not a public transportation fan I think we will try the car the first day and if it seems a hassle use the buses there after... once again. Thanks for the info.... :wave:
Thanks for all the great advice. I can say that since I think I have gotten every possible point of view. My wife and I will be celebrating our 5th anniverary. No kids. So since we are both type A personality types while vacationing I don't think we will need mid day breaks. This is our first trip to Disneyworld but we have been to Disneyland many times. We wanted to see the other side of the world this time. Since I am not a public transportation fan I think we will try the car the first day and if it seems a hassle use the buses there after... once again. Thanks for the info.... :wave:
Thanks!
Thanks to everyone for the advise! We ended up using the car all week with no problems. Even after the evening shows we where able to get right out. I was shocked at how efficient the Disney Trams where at DISney-MGM studios getting everyone back to their cars after Fantasmic! Sunday through Wednesday (Feb 8-11) all of the attractions at Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom and Ecpot where walk up and get on. Thursday at Disney-MGM studios was a bit busier we waited 20 minutes a few times.
Thanks again!
Thanks to everyone for the advise! We ended up using the car all week with no problems. Even after the evening shows we where able to get right out. I was shocked at how efficient the Disney Trams where at DISney-MGM studios getting everyone back to their cars after Fantasmic! Sunday through Wednesday (Feb 8-11) all of the attractions at Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom and Ecpot where walk up and get on. Thursday at Disney-MGM studios was a bit busier we waited 20 minutes a few times.
Thanks again!