To Drive or...take the bus.

[kfergdisney]

We are staying at Pop in very early December. We will have a rental car (what happens when you can't get a cheap flight into Orlando airport). Should we utilize the bus system for the parks or drive ourselves?
I've never used the bus system, so I am very curious on your thoughts! Thanks!

 

[sxeensweet]

When you take the bus it is only a short walk to the entrance and there is no fee, plus i've never had problems with the bus and sometimes you learn things from the driver. But if you know you will be taking the car to the resort you might as well drive to the parks

If you stay on property you do not have to pay to park. It is free to all people staying at the Disney resorts/hotels. We always drive (unless we are going between places we can use the monorail) as its alot quicker and less hassle. Also your not cramed on a bus with all your belongings etc.

 

[Fantasmic]

drive.... buses are good, reliable, but driving is quicker, calmer and less sweaty...
I will never forget the time a rather.... plump woman sat inbetween me and another lady and sweated all over me... ugh.

 

[Poofiesdream]

We drive to Disney we only live 3 hours away. Once we arrive at the resort our car sits till the drive home. Let them deal with the parking and traffic I'm on vacation. Even if the bus is crowded its better than driving around. My husband uses a scooter and we still prefer the buses. I am tired when we return at night. The last thing we want to do is have to drive!

 

[ExtinctJenn]

Lots of responses and lots of differing opinions. Mine is similar to many of the above. We drive down each trip and once we are there we drive everywhere on property. If you're staying at Disney Resort you get free parking at each of the parks. You also can come and go when you want and don't have to worry that you're leaving when the busses will be so packed that you have a sweaty Brazilian practically in your lap. If you have a child that is sick or just ornery, you don't have to force them to wait even longer to get to something somewhat familiar and comfortable. Just all around we like to drive.

That's not say the busses are a bad option... they are great for some folks... just our preference is to avoid them.

 

[ThinkTink721]

We usually fly & don't get a rental car, but we are driving this trip...we are planning to drive to the parks most of the time instead of taking the bus.

 

[kfergdisney]

Drive except for maybe MK and DTD... the latter just if you are drinking

Basically the car will always beat the bus except at MK. But that can be weighed by the desire to AVOID the bus terminal leaving the MK. The resort monorail and ferry can get you back without much hassle.. unlike the bus terminal.

True. I'll be the one driving the car as the person that I am going with drinks A LOT more than I do, which isn't saying much because all I can tollerate is a sip or two.

 

[kfergdisney]

We fly. We don't rent a car. I'm in a car in traffic all week long at home. The buses were so packed on our last trip this past June that I think I might have actually sat down about 20% of the time. I ALWAYS gave up my seat to someone who I knew needed it more and just stood up and grabbed a strap or a bar. Think early EMH as far as gettin' to sit down. I didn't give a bloated rodents beeeeehind, though. I was either so excited to get there or had been standing all day anyway, so it just didn't matter.
Plus, I tend to imbibe a bit, so as has been mentioned before in this thread, let someone else who's ( presumably ) sober do the driving.

When you are at the world, the good out weighs the bad. I remember being so tired every night, but it isn't what I remember most about being at WDW! Joy overtakes all other emotions!
That will be me. I will be the sober one. I don't drink much or often...at all. A sip or two is all I can do.

 

[bigorangeandy]

We take the bus to MK but will drive about half the time to the other parks. Sometimes when we can't decide which park that morning, we just let the first bus to arrive make the decision. It is always a good feeling with you get to the bus stop and the bus pulls right up, just as if its been waiting on you to arrive.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

There are pros and cons to both. There are times where we've driven where I wish we were using the bus just b/c we were so darn tired and there have been times where we have had no car where the bus has been horribly late (like 45+ min). If you have your car there, I'd be inclined to try the bus but use your car as the backup plan if the bus is running late. Of course, this only works for transportation from your resort, but you can manipulate it a little more if you plan on breaks back at your resort.

 

[Lucky]

Drive to water parks & AK. The others it doesn't make much of a difference.

 

[DManRightHere]

We always bus it. Some trips the buses drive me nuts (boardwalk) some were ok (port Orleans) some were awesome (Coronado). I've never stayed at a value, but have seen insane lines for them before. I'd play it by ear. I don't mind an extra 10-15 minutes longer for a few reasons.

1. It saves me gas money
2. I don't have to walk the theme park parking lot
3. I don't have to figure out where the crap I'm going
4. No waiting at toll booth lines
5. I'll drive enough the nine hours back home

 

[Matt817]

If you stay on property you do not have to pay to park. It is free to all people staying at the Disney resorts/hotels. We always drive (unless we are going between places we can use the monorail) as its alot quicker and less hassle. Also your not cramed on a bus with all your belongings etc.

Thanks for correcting me i've never been sure about the toll part to the disney parks

 

[sxeensweet]

Thanks for correcting me i've never been sure about the toll part to the disney parks

Yw! Always glad to be able to help with important info. . Yeah if your staying on property you have this paper that you put on your drivers side dash that says where you are staying at and the dates. They look at that and let you go right on through.