Disney Shuttles or Drive to Parks?

chetnet · 07-16-2004

Curious of what similar experiences have been.......

We're staying at Old Key West, and will have a rental car for trips to Universal. Are there any benefits to driving to each park (parking is free I believe for resort guests) versus waiting, and riding, the Disney shuttles? Does your answer change if I'm visiting 2 parks in a day? 3 parks?

I've had no problems in the past with Disney shuttles, but do know that some waits can atleast 'seem' long in the heat. Also, will there be many stops at Old Key West, etc (problems with full shuttles for last stop folks) ? Of course, I'll have to factor in walking from the back of a parking lot for rental too.

Any advice, especially from experience, is greatly appreciated!

DisneyDreamer16 · 07-16-2004

We always rent a car for the purposes of getting around to the different restaurants at Disney and also when we do some night time activities at the parks. During the day though we always use the disney buses and never seem to have a problem with it being around at CBR.

Metalfan · 07-16-2004

I always use the Disney buses unless we are leaving the property for dinner or something else. I think the longest we have ever waited was like 5 minutes and it wasnt bad.

downsouthtigger · 07-16-2004

Disney buses are great, since OKW is so large there will be frequent buses going to and from the resort. But there are frequent stops within the resort, as with all large resorts. Having a rental car is a way to go, since you get free parking with a resort stay anyways.
Here's my advice from numerous visits: Take your own car at the end of the day, except for MK. MK is the only park I suggest taking the bus to and from. As much as I love the monorail/ferry boats, at the end of a long day I do not need to take another ride then find my car! Plus the buses will put you at the gates of MK anyways.
Oh if you want to ride the monorail, just do what I do, spend the day at MK and have dinner at GF, Poly, or CTR.

tragic312 · 07-16-2004

i had no problem with the disney buses during my trips last year. the wait wasn't that long and the travel time wasn't long either.

hiner · 07-16-2004

We've always rented a car. This past visit was the first time we used the car our entire stay. We figured that we probably saved an entire day by using the car on our 11 day trip. The nicest thing was, when we were ready to go back to our resort, all we had to do was hop in the car and go, no waiting. Also, if you have PS', you have to leave early to get there in time. With the car, we had more time to play with.

It was great also that we could stop at the supermarket to pick up water and snacks on our way to the resort. We also went out of WDW for dinner one night.

To us, the car is really worth it!!!

tinkerbell · 07-16-2004

this is such a personal choice .. our choice is disney transportation, busses, monorail, boat what ever. even though we drive to WDW from Texas ..once we are there we leave the van in the resort parking lot till we have to go home.
1. I think even having to stand on the bus is better then fighting traffic and finding a parking spot ..taking the tram to the the ticket gate and then depending on the time of year .. you get in a hot car and try to get out with the rest of the herd at the end of the day.
2. I enjoy meeting people on the bus, and other ways the bus can be fun is often the drivers have info or joke around with the passangers.
3 why waste my gas and add milage to my van when Disney will give us a ride.

crystalrp · 07-16-2004

Personally speaking, DH and I would rather leave the driving to someone else!

disneyguy · 07-16-2004

I think that since you are going in October you would be fine using Disney busses. They are wonderful and since OKW is so large and a DVC resort they want top service there.

JOANN · 07-17-2004

I have to agree with Tink. We don't drive anymore, but when we did we still used WD Transportation.
I remember the only time we used our car was for the Water Parks, and when going to Downtown Disney.

JOANN

Cinderellafifi · 07-17-2004

Use the buses. Much more convenient and your tired feet and exhausted kids will thank you!

Storm59 · 07-17-2004

You're right about the heat making the wait seem longer, but the only times I really wished I had a car was leaving a park at close. Your feet are killing you, you're exhausted, the kids are cranky, and there are 100 people in your line with no bus in sight even though the *other* resorts have 2 or 3 busses each...lol....or so it seems!!

gcbdad · 07-19-2004

When we stay on site we always use the Disney Transportation. I have never had any issues with the buses. If you are planning on park hopping I would think that driving your own vehicle would be troublsome.

07-16-2004	#1 (permalink)
chetnet Mouseketeer Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 81	Disney Shuttles or Drive to Parks? Curious of what similar experiences have been....... We're staying at Old Key West, and will have a rental car for trips to Universal. Are there any benefits to driving to each park (parking is free I believe for resort guests) versus waiting, and riding, the Disney shuttles? Does your answer change if I'm visiting 2 parks in a day? 3 parks? I've had no problems in the past with Disney shuttles, but do know that some waits can atleast 'seem' long in the heat. Also, will there be many stops at Old Key West, etc (problems with full shuttles for last stop folks) ? Of course, I'll have to factor in walking from the back of a parking lot for rental too. Any advice, especially from experience, is greatly appreciated! __________________ In my mind, I am already there! - Kramer (Seinfeld) 1976 - Off-site somewhere, 9 yrs old 1984 - Off-site somewhere, High School Trip 1990 - Grosvenor, Part of Honeymoon Trip 1995 - Caribbean Beach - 1st time as Dad 2000 - All Star Movie, and Wonder (3 day) 2002 - Magic (7 day) 2004 - Old Key West (Rm 4632, October) Disney pics, including cruising, can be found at family website.

07-16-2004	#2 (permalink)
DisneyDreamer16 Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 191	Re: Disney Shuttles or Drive to Parks? We always rent a car for the purposes of getting around to the different restaurants at Disney and also when we do some night time activities at the parks. During the day though we always use the disney buses and never seem to have a problem with it being around at CBR. __________________

07-16-2004	#3 (permalink)
Metalfan Big Cheese Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 851	Re: Disney Shuttles or Drive to Parks? I always use the Disney buses unless we are leaving the property for dinner or something else. I think the longest we have ever waited was like 5 minutes and it wasnt bad. __________________ Rock Hard! Ride Freeeeee! Like a tiger in a cage, I begin to shake with rage! Nothing else.

07-16-2004	#4 (permalink)
downsouthtigger Big Cheese Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 947	Re: Disney Shuttles or Drive to Parks? Disney buses are great, since OKW is so large there will be frequent buses going to and from the resort. But there are frequent stops within the resort, as with all large resorts. Having a rental car is a way to go, since you get free parking with a resort stay anyways. Here's my advice from numerous visits: Take your own car at the end of the day, except for MK. MK is the only park I suggest taking the bus to and from. As much as I love the monorail/ferry boats, at the end of a long day I do not need to take another ride then find my car! Plus the buses will put you at the gates of MK anyways. Oh if you want to ride the monorail, just do what I do, spend the day at MK and have dinner at GF, Poly, or CTR. __________________ OK Where Havent I stayed? Old Key West, Contemporary, Boardwalk, Fort Wilderness, Yacht and Beach, and All Star Sports. Just Easier to Remember that way . Dream It! Do It! Disney! WDWCP Campus Rep WDW College Program! Proud Testee of the first annual Pirate and Princess Party!!!! Lets Make this new Celebration a Success!!! My Disney Countdown Counting down to: All Star Sports With Dining Plan! At WDW!

07-16-2004	#5 (permalink)
tragic312 jay & silent bob's mommy Join Date: May 2003 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 3,185	Re: Disney Shuttles or Drive to Parks? i had no problem with the disney buses during my trips last year. the wait wasn't that long and the travel time wasn't long either. __________________ Jan. 15 - 22, 2003 (1st Trip to WDW) -- Beach Club June 7-16, 2003 -- Beach Club Jan. 10, 12 2004 - First Trip to Disneyland Sept. 26 - Oct. 4, 2004 -- All-Star Movies Sept. 29, 2004 -- Wedding Date January 3 - 9, 2005 - All-Star Music Sept. 24- Oct. 1, 2005 - Swan Nov. 1 - 6, 2008 - Pop Century http://www.myspace.com/tragic312 http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt...5f47/event.png

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Disney Shuttles or Drive to Parks?

07-16-2004	#6 (permalink)
hiner Mouse Meister Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Body: Worcester PA Heart & Soul: WDW Posts: 1,600	Re: Disney Shuttles or Drive to Parks? We've always rented a car. This past visit was the first time we used the car our entire stay. We figured that we probably saved an entire day by using the car on our 11 day trip. The nicest thing was, when we were ready to go back to our resort, all we had to do was hop in the car and go, no waiting. Also, if you have PS', you have to leave early to get there in time. With the car, we had more time to play with. It was great also that we could stop at the supermarket to pick up water and snacks on our way to the resort. We also went out of WDW for dinner one night. To us, the car is really worth it!!! __________________ I could be ready in a minute for WDW, just tell me when! 11/78 & 11/84- WDW - Ft. Wilderness 09/87 - Disneyland - Off Site WDW - Off Site 10/89, CBR 10/99, CBR 05/04, CBR 05/05, CBR 05/07 STEELERS WILL BE BACK IN 2008! YANKEES WILL BE BACK IN 2009! AND THE BROWN'S WILL BE BACK IN WDW 2009! My Disney Countdown Counting down to: The Brownies are returning to WDW 151 days 22 hours 37 minutes

07-16-2004	#7 (permalink)
tinkerbell Neverland Tour Guide ® Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: The Ark-La-Tex Posts: 7,601	Re: Disney Shuttles or Drive to Parks? this is such a personal choice .. our choice is disney transportation, busses, monorail, boat what ever. even though we drive to WDW from Texas ..once we are there we leave the van in the resort parking lot till we have to go home. 1. I think even having to stand on the bus is better then fighting traffic and finding a parking spot ..taking the tram to the the ticket gate and then depending on the time of year .. you get in a hot car and try to get out with the rest of the herd at the end of the day. 2. I enjoy meeting people on the bus, and other ways the bus can be fun is often the drivers have info or joke around with the passangers. 3 why waste my gas and add milage to my van when Disney will give us a ride. __________________ Stinkerbell, so named by Darth Official Defender of Swiss Family Treehouse MB chitchatter. We don't need no stinkin' post counts Protect Texas!!! Arm A Dillo

07-16-2004	#8 (permalink)
crystalrp Mouse Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: skowhegan, maine Posts: 1,235	Re: Disney Shuttles or Drive to Parks? Personally speaking, DH and I would rather leave the driving to someone else! __________________ 1972~off site 1982~Contemporary 1998~Port Orleans 1999~Caribbean Beach/Disney Magic 2001~Dixie Landings/Disney Wonder 2003~Wilderness Lodge/Disney Wonder 2004~POFQ and AKL

07-16-2004	#9 (permalink)
disneyguy Moderator/DC's Airmouse Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,195	Re: Disney Shuttles or Drive to Parks? I think that since you are going in October you would be fine using Disney busses. They are wonderful and since OKW is so large and a DVC resort they want top service there. __________________ New to DC? Looking for An Abreviations List? Click Here. *Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming...* --------------- Its been far too long.... Most recent: POFQ Feb 2005

07-17-2004	#10 (permalink)
JOANN Mouse Meister Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: CRETE, Illinois Posts: 1,041	Re: Disney Shuttles or Drive to Parks? I have to agree with Tink. We don't drive anymore, but when we did we still used WD Transportation. I remember the only time we used our car was for the Water Parks, and when going to Downtown Disney. JOANN __________________ Been There, Done That, DID IT AGAIN!! Oct. 23-Nov. 6 2005! When You Wish Upon a Star! 1975 Contemporary, 1977 Royal Plaza, 1986-1991 CBR, 1993-1997 Dixie Landings, 1998 Wilderness Lodge, 1999(Twice)-2000(Twice) CSR, 2001(Twice)-2002(Twice)-2003(Twice) CSR & AKL, 2004 AKL & CSR 3 times, 2005(Twice) POFQ Going to Disneyland Sept. 9-12th!!!!!!

07-17-2004	#11 (permalink)
Cinderellafifi Mouse Meister Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: S. Florida, Baby! Posts: 1,058	Re: Disney Shuttles or Drive to Parks? Use the buses. Much more convenient and your tired feet and exhausted kids will thank you! __________________ A whole year without a Disney visit leads to a crabby family DC's Tinkerbell is a very special fairy! A dream is a wish your heart makes...

07-17-2004	#12 (permalink)
Storm59 Big Cheese Join Date: May 2003 Location: Connecticut Posts: 560	Re: Disney Shuttles or Drive to Parks? You're right about the heat making the wait seem longer, but the only times I really wished I had a car was leaving a park at close. Your feet are killing you, you're exhausted, the kids are cranky, and there are 100 people in your line with no bus in sight even though the other resorts have 2 or 3 busses each...lol....or so it seems!! __________________ "You cheated!" "Pirate!" ~ CBR 5/93 ~ ASM 2/95 ~ CSR 7/03 ~ AKL 2/04 ~ PC 2/05 ~ ´¨) x¸.•´ ¸.•´¨)xxxx¸.•¨) (¸.•´xxxxxx(¸.•`xxx´¨)Thanks for noticin' me...´¨)

07-19-2004	#13 (permalink)
gcbdad Big Cheese Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Brandon, Florida Posts: 917	Re: Disney Shuttles or Drive to Parks? When we stay on site we always use the Disney Transportation. I have never had any issues with the buses. If you are planning on park hopping I would think that driving your own vehicle would be troublsome. __________________ DVC Owner since 2005 My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Last Minute Trip before our Passes run out. Using the last few days on our passes.

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