Driving to parks

[armmh]

Heading down in June for our first trip!!! -Driving from Michigan.
We are staying at CBR. Should we drive to the parks or use the transportation? We have a 9 and 5 yr old.
Thanks for your help. I have no cool icons because I am really computer illiterate!!

[JPL]

First off!

to Intercot!!

Transportation coming home from the parks can be a pain at times depending on crowds and bus availability. The only park where the the buses are really more convenient is the Magic Kingdom since you bypass the Ticket and Transportation Center which means you don't need to take the parking lot tram and Monorail or boat to reach the main entrance. So my advice would be to drive to all the other parks and take the bus to the Magic Kingdom.

[MickeysEars]

Welcome!

DRIVE!!! The busses in the evening after you have been walking all day makes you worse than Grumpy! Like the last post we too are considering the bus for MK just to bypass the TTC, but DD and DS love the Monorail...so...I guess I just decided...Car. Free parking and you know you will get a seat!

[skisurf2]

I always take Disney only transportation. I love parking the car and not seeing it again until I leave. The only time you will have problems is when the parks close due to large crowds leaving at once. Orlando is a traffic jam during those times. Give the buses a shot first day or two and see if you like it since it is your first visit. I have been to Disney over 20 times and truly never drive my own car unless going to Downtown Disney. And let your kids take the Monorail, it is something they will always remember. Try to seat up front once.

[jensantuit]

We have never rented a car or driven to Floria so I can only speak from the experience of using the bus transportation. After our experience last September, we have decided to rent a car from now on to get back and forth from the parks. We found the busses were very crowded both getting to and from the parks, and seemingly long waits to get on a bus. Almost every evening we would have to hold a sleeping child and stroller while standing (we have a 2 and 4 year old). My husband and I have always used the busses ever since we started going to Disney together however, over the past couple years the bus transportation seems to be going downhill in my opinion. Maybe when our children are older and can (safely) stand on their own we would think about using the busses again.

[SandmanGStefani24]

i vote drive!

I have used both the WDW shuttles and a rental and I highly recommend the car. Thing is, when you have your vehicle, you can come and go as you please. With shuttles, you have to wait to go, and return. With kids in tow, you are looking at some grumpy, tired, and irritable companions in a long line to get back to the resorts. At least in the car they can sleep while you make the short drive back. Plus, let's not forget yourselves. You can spend time waiting for the busses, or at the poolside bar, or even better, in bed sleeping!

Welcome to Intercot, and enjoy your trip! Hope my 2 cents help!

[hubbyofadisneyholic]

Unless we have to leave the grounds for some reason I like to drop my keys on the dresser when we arrive and not touch them again until we are ready to head home.

I spend a minimum of 90 minutes a day driving back and forth to work. It is a 1200+ mile drive for us each way to WDW. While we are there I am quite content to sit back and let someone else do the driving. If it takes a few extra minutes, so what? I am on vacation. Isn't the idea to relax and unwind???

[JPL]

If it takes a few extra minutes, so what? I am on vacation. Isn't the idea to relax and unwind???

The problem is that lately the buses have been terrible and often very stressful especially standing in long lines at the end of the day. So it can be more like it takes an extra hour or 2.

[kakn7294]

We prefer the Disney buses. I'm on vacation and more than happy to allow someone else to do the driving, even if it means standing in a line for a bus at the end of the evening. For the most part, I've always found the buses to be fairly tolerable and I've never really seen the need to drive myself. And I've never run across the situation where the buses have taken an extra hour or two beyond what getting to your own vehicle and getting out of the parking lots would take.

[gueli]

Be flexible. See how the transportation is. Because of cutbacks the busses could be a nightmare, or they could be totally convienent.
our last trip- which was some time ago, we stayed at a monorail resort & thought the transportation system was great. Staying at a moderate- I would tend to believe that you would have an easier time navigating in your own car.
If you have 'AAA' there are supposed to be close parking spots (provided they are not filled) in their special area of the lots.

I agree with the others about Magic Kingdom. But it will also depend on when you intend on leaving the park, because at the end of the day...

Either way- Welcome and have a great trip

[KevMcNJ]

we used our car to get around WDW last year.

Much easier. Youre not subject to someone elses schedule.

Some busses are pleasnt in the middle of the day to get from one park to another as they are usually 25% full.

End of the night when they are 110% full they are less than pleasnat.

Alsoo, many very tired kids make for a loud and long ride back to yuor resort

[jakeybake]

We always rented a car and found it to be the way to go. There is nothing worse than a long day at the parks and coming out to a huge bus line. We only stay at the Beach Club now so a rental really isn't needed thanks to the location but definitely go with a car.

IMHO each minute/hour is precious on a WDW vacation so the less amount of time you spend waiting around the better. Taking your own vehicle to the parks allows you to maximize the time you have.

Jay

[barnaby]

Another vote for driving yourself.
I like being able to come and go as I please.

[kathiep]

Drive, drive, drive. I couldn't imagine waiting for a bus with 2 hot, cranky kids after a long day in the parks. I can't tell you how many times we've gotten our kids into their car seats and they are asleep before we make it back to the hotel. I don't think this would happen on a bus. It makes for a nice break. It's also nice to have some control over where you're going when. A lot less planning is involved.

[DizneyRox]

My vote is to use the Disney transport when you can.

I used to drive, I love to drive, but really, here's the issue. You don't know where you're going. Neither does many of the other people out there, which makes for some trying times on the roads. It not anyone's fault really, it's just the nature of the beast.

Everyone else has valid points, lately the transport has been a little iffy, BUT, they do run the busses, they know where they are going and I very rarely see the busses involved in an accident.

That's just my opinion, but I have saved a ton of money not renting a car lately and I really don't have much desire to go back to driving on vacation.

[alilprincessmom99]

My vote is for WDW transportation. It is so nice to put the keys away and not see your car until it is time to leave! We have never really experienced major problems with the busses, so that is why I sway towards WDW transportation. Of course, I have never been in June, July or August, so I can't really speak for those times!

[armmh]

All great points of view. At least I now feel comfortable just trying it out...maybe letting it depend on time of day, where we are going...
Good input though, I am a bit of a control freak so we will probably drive
Thanks again so much! What a GREAT site!!!

[DizneyRox]

Of course, I have never been in June, July or August, so I can't really speak for those times!

I've never had a problem for the July 4th holiday. That's our vacation week.

[ParkMan]

Another vote for the buses!

Something about being completely taken care of adds to the Disney magic for me. Once I step in a car (especially my car), it seems a bit like I'm back in the real world.

Sure, you have to wait for the buses. For us, the waits only until the next bus arrives. It's only at the end of the night that I sometimes have to wait for a second bus to arrive.

And yes, they can be crowded. A nice side benefit of a crowded bus is it's a good opportunity to chat with your fellow park goers.

Even with these factors, I figure it's a small price to pay to gain a bit more Disney magic!

[tiggerandpooh63]

We've always used the Disney transportation system and been very big proponents of it, but based on discussions with friends who've been there recently, and talk on this board, we're going to try renting a car this year. Given the money we're saving with the promotion they're running in January, we thought it would be the time to try it.