[melisa]

Hello everyone! This is my very first post, and I'm thrilled to have found such a knowledgable and enthusiastic community!!
We're staying at the POFQ (Dec.12-19) and will have our car with us. I've read several guidebooks that recommend we drive to the parks rather than use the bus service. Is this also your advice? We have a two-and-a-half year old and will be bringing his (very light) folding stroller, and will return to the hotel every day in the early afternoon for naps.
Also, if we have PS at O'hana one night, is it possible for us to park at the Poly on that morning (then take the monorail in--which I want Jack to experience)? Do they mind our parking there if we aren't guests?
Thanks! I'm so excited about it all!

[mickey]

Melisa, welcome to DisneyCentral. In the past, we have always driven to the parks rather than used the bus system. The big reason is that we tend to go to two or three parks a day, or come back to the resort for some rest time in the afternoon.

My suggestion would be to drive to the parks, with the exception of the Magic Kingdom. The buses from the resorts will take you right to the gates, whereas you must park at the Ticket and Transportation Center, wait for a shuttle bus, take the monorail, etc. It is much faster to take the bus.

The monorail resorts will allow you to park there if you have a PS at a restaurant, but it is usually timed. The Poly has a very small lot, since it is adjacent to the Ticket and Transportation Center. You may just want to park there, and either walk over or take the monorail.

[wdwspider]

Originally posted by melisa
Hello everyone! This is my very first post, and I'm thrilled to have found such a knowledgable and enthusiastic community!!
We're staying at the POFQ (Dec.12-19) and will have our car with us. I've read several guidebooks that recommend we drive to the parks rather than use the bus service. Is this also your advice? We have a two-and-a-half year old and will be bringing his (very light) folding stroller, and will return to the hotel every day in the early afternoon for naps.
Also, if we have PS at O'hana one night, is it possible for us to park at the Poly on that morning (then take the monorail in--which I want Jack to experience)? Do they mind our parking there if we aren't guests?
Thanks! I'm so excited about it all!

Wow, which Guide Books are you reading? I would not drive to each park if on Property. Part of the Vacation is using the transportation provided. As far as the Poly is concerned, maybe you should drive there to make your PS on time, but that isn't necessary. I would highly suggest to use the Bus transportation to it's full advantage IMHO.

I do not know if you are allowed to remain at the Poly lot if you want to go to Disney also.

[wdwspider]

Gee, I just read Mickey's Post. I guess it could have advantages to drive, but you sure won't catch me doing it. :p

[melisa]

"The monorail resorts will allow you to park there if you have a PS at a restaurant, but it is usually timed. The Poly has a very small lot, since it is adjacent to the Ticket and Transportation Center. You may just want to park there, and either walk over or take the monorail."

Do you mean the Poly lot when you say "there"? And when you indicate that the parking is "timed", it sounds like we might not be able to park there in the morning. Maybe if we make a PS for Kona Cafe for breakfast, too? Or perhaps there is a better way for Jack to "do" the monorail? I'm sorry for my ignorance---I haven't done this before!
Thanks for your replies!

[mickey]

"There" is the TTC parking lot. It is adjacent to the Poly. When you pull up to the Poly, you tell them you have a PS for one of the restaurants, and they give you a temporary parking pass which usually is only good for 3 hours. Disney does not like guests parking in resort parking lots and then going to the parks.

There are two monorails, one that does the loop that includes the Magic Kingdom, the TTC and the three monorail hotels, and the other that runs from the TTC to EPCOT. There is no cost to ride them, and no ticket is required. Just take a break from the MK one day and ride around the loop a couple of times, then hop off at the TTC and ride to EPCOT and back. The kids love it, and it is a nice break.

[mmouse67l]

We used the WDW buses and monorail for both of our trips and found them to be very convenient with not too long of a wait between buses. (Both of our trips were off season)

One thing to consider is your 2 1/2 year old's tantrum level. You would not your son to have a meltdown and then have to sit and wait for a bus and then ride it all the way back to your hotel with him screaming the whole time. Speaking from personal experience here. :dazed

But if you don't think that will be a problem with your child then I say give the WDW system a try. You can always change your mind later if you have your car there anyway.

Welcome to DisneyCentral.:)

[ilvminnie]

Originally posted by WDWFan
Gee, I just read Mickey's Post. I guess it could have advantages to drive, but you sure won't catch me doing it. :p

I second that. We park hop between 2 or 3 parks almost daily while we're there, & we never drive. We just take the buses & monorails. This past trip, since we stayed at the BWI we would walk through EPCOT to get to the monorail just so we could go to that bakery/coffee shop in Future World. I know I've said this on posts before, but it just feels like the real world comes back as soon as we get in our car.

[melisa]

What great ideas! Thank you, Mickey!

[melisa]

And thank you to everyone!!! Sorry---I'm just catching up tonight... the idea of sustaining the fantasy by not returning to our car makes so much sense; but I guess the trick is to balance that with the needs of our little one---it also seems wise to have a car in case of impending (or occurring!) tantrum. I just wish I could know how he'll respond to all of the magic! Whether he'll be overwhelmed or excited--- probably both!!
Thanks again for such thoughtful advice. I guess we'll be better able to gauge these things after arrival... but who can wait?!!! Not I... I'll be dreaming about buses tonight for sure!

[melisa]

One more thing--- why so much park-hopping?
And should I have started a new thread to ask this question? Just curious-- thanks.

[BDavis932]

We have been to WDW several times (with and without kids).

I highly recommend all of disney transportation! It does make your trip seem more magical.

But, we went this past June with our 2 1/2 year old and 6 year old. We always drive to WDW from Texas, so our car is always parked and we usually never use it. This past trip was the first time we decided to try driving to the parks. It was great!
(I have to second Mickey's opinion of not taking your own car to the Magic Kingdom.....big mistake!!!)

We kept extra clothes and shoes in the car,"just in case" and didn't have to fuss with keeping up with both kids on a bus with backpacks and a stroller....along with a crowd of hot, exhausted people.

I do agree with iluvminnie...the real world comes back...but we would pop a Disney video in the cars VCR and the kids would watch it on the way back to the resort!!

[ilvminnie]

Originally posted by melisa
One more thing--- why so much park-hopping?
And should I have started a new thread to ask this question? Just curious-- thanks.

Melisa, we just find that due to various restaurants we feel like eating in or the mood that hits us at a particular time or what parades or other entertainments are going on we go from one to another pretty frequently. For example, one day was our 2nd day in AK & we didn't want to spend the whole day there so we went to EPCOT for the rest of the day. That night we did the Luau & were going to go back to EPCOT but got too tired. Then there was a day where we went to MK, but since it closed at 6 we went to EPCOT & had dinner in Germany. And days we do the water parks we usually leave early & then go to another park for rides and/or dinner that evening. I just love the flexibility of hopping.

And back to the car thing, since you'll have your car, why don't you try it without for a day or 2 & see how your little one will react. You can always head back to the hotel during the day for a nap & then pick up the car for later trips if you find you need to. Just a thought.

[trishb]

Park Hopping is the best part of being a resort guest! I think that spending little bits of time in the parks, separated by a lot of time at the resorts makes for a happy and relaxed vacation!

The resorts are what make Disney World so special!:)

And..if driving allows for a quick escape...go for it! I would recommend driving to the AK, Studios, Epcot, Downtown Disney and the other resorts. Especially the resorts! No way would I take bus transportation...that can take up to 90 minutes! No one needs that on vacation!

Plus, you can take your little one to special things, like the campfire program or the petting zoo at Ft Wilderness.

Happy planning! Remember, when baby is happy, everyone is happy!

[melisa]

Excellent, excellent, excellent! Thank you all so much for your help! I hope that one day I'll be able to contribute good advice to newbies as you all have to me. Only... that will mean I've returned from WDW. :wow: Maybe I'll just try to stay present and enjoy YOUR expertise for now! This forum certainly adds to the excitement level of upcoming trips!
Thanks again!!