Staying On-Site and Driving to the Parks

[Sadiebird]

Hi there. Just wondering what everyone's opions are regarding taking Disney bus transportation to the parks compared to driving to the parks. We're staying at All Star Music in May and we have a 1 1/2 year old with us. My DH prefers to drive and I prefer to take the Disney buses, particularly to the MK. We had one trip when we stayed off-site and drove to the MK and they held us back on the boat while all the on-site guests were let in before us and it wasn't an EMH day. I've never wanted to drive to the MK since then. But on the other side I know the wait for buses to the All Stars can sometimes be longer than if you were staying at a moderate or deluxe resort, simply because of the large number of people staying at those hotels.

Also, has anyone ever had any trouble with taking their own car and using the EMH benefit?

P.S. Cost of rental car is not an issue here. We were planning on renting a car anyway.

 

[mcranmer]

Gosh, I can't believe that I don't know this, but don't you still have to pay to park even if you are an onsite guest? That is, don't the buses save you a bit of money? Is it different if you are staying onsite at the Hilton (where they do have EMH)?

 

[Monty]

Gosh, I can't believe that I don't know this, but don't you still have to pay to park even if you are an onsite guest? That is, don't the buses save you a bit of money? Is it different if you are staying onsite at the Hilton (where they do have EMH)?

Parking is free at the parks for guests of Disney resorts, I'm never clear on which DTD hotels have what status, but actual resorts you get free parking.

 

[mgraef]

With the car you can go off property to buy milk and other snacks as well for less than Disney prices too.

mg

 

[3fordisney]

We usually take Disney transportation while we are there. We drive to WDW so we have our car with us. Its nice to be able to leave the car parked for a week and let someone else do the driving. We have, on a couple of occassions, driven to the parks. We parked at the TTC and rode to MK via the monorail. It was not a good experience. We had to wait almost 30 mins for a tram to the parking lot. We decided to walk. We have stayed at the All Stars and never waited that long for a bus to take us back to the hotel. We did drive to Ak for the character breakfast and the parking there, especially if you get there early, puts you closer to the front gate than the buses do.

Its really up to what you prefer. We rather take the bus than drie our car. We spend so long in the car to get to WDW. Once we are there, we'd rather take Disney transporation.

 

[davinakb]

Other posters are correct: EMH isn't effected by parking; it's the resort key, then you get a wristband. RE: driving to the parks. Just posted this on another thread, and we too love having the car, have found it much faster than the buses. Esp. if going to a resort for dinner or to DD. FWIW.

 

[Choya]

We always have a car, but only use it to go to Downtown Disney and Typhoon Lagoon. Everywhere else we always use the bus transportation. We just don't leave after a major event (parade, fireworks, fantasmic, etc)

 

[slappy magoo]

Ask yourself this: if your baby suddenly isn't feeling well, or has a tantrum, kicking and screaming, diaper rash, diarrhea, any combo or all of these scenarios...would you be ok on a bus with strangers and a child breaking the sound barrier?

Now, If the tables were turned, no matter how understanding a person you normally are, would YOU want to be on that bus with that family with the uncontrollably scraming child?

Having the car affords you a place to get your child away from all the bustle and noise and external stimuli. You can put on soothing music, crank the air, keep toys or blankets or other comfort items nearby (without having to lug them or lose them in the parks)...and you can get your child centered and relaxed without a captive audience.