As much as we love Disney, and as hard as Disney tries to move people from location to location on their grounds, it is a difficult task. But, there are some ways for those using the transportation options to get from place to place somewhat quicker - a lot quicker in some instances.
Walking sometimes is faster than using boats at Epcot (actually unless you need the rest - the boats are a "slow way to China" or any stopping point. Taking small boats from the Polynesian or the Grand Floridian is sometimes faster than the monorail (depending on the time of day). Eating at Epcot in one of the countries, and need to return to your resort? It might be best to go to the Beach Club bus stop to catch transportation to your hotel rather than walking all the way through Epcot to catch a bus by the monorail entrance (and it would be less crowded).
Staying off the grounds, but you would like to park for free and still get into Disney attractions. Drive to Downtown Disney, park for free, and use the Disney buses to connect you to the parks. There no longer seems to be any restrictions against this and you do not have to show any ID that you are staying at a resort on the property. Years ago this was not possible, but I see no postings anywhere that this cannot be done legally. These are just a few ideas.
If you stay at any resort and drive to Disney - your car is a definite plus. For those, flying in or taking the train, renting a car for your stay may not be a bad option if you like to get around quickly. This is espcially true if you are going from one resort hotel to another, or even from resorts to specific parks (attractions). It is also beneficial to have a car, if you wish to go to Celebration, visit another area attraction, or go to the store (it is a lot cheaper to buy water, soda, etc. at local stores and have it in your room - or take drinks into the parks/to the pools - than purchasing the same items on the grounds). And some resorts have refrigerators available to keep your drinks cold for you ($2.50 for a bottle of soda from a hotel vending machine - or about $2.50 for a 6-pack of the same soda from a grocery store). Even getting from the train station, or airport, is likely faster by your own car (and the cost for the car for a week might be well worth it if you are paying for limosines or taxis). It is also quicker than the currently free Disney transportation from the airport.
We have gone to WDW without a car and stayed at the Polynesian (where we tend to chose most of the time). Taking the train was fine, but as I mentioned previously, renting a car was a option I unfortunately overlooked. Not only did I encounter the problems previously stated, but having to solely use the WDW transporation system of buses, monorails, or boats wasn't that much fun at times. You must remember that you cannot take transportation between hotels. Consequently, just to have dinner at Artist Point - a 5 minute drive by car - you have to do one of the following: take a boat to Magic Kingdom from the resort and then a second boat to the Wilderness Lodge (not to mention stops that occur along the way there and back), go to the Ticket and Tranportation Center (walking is the fastest option) and catch a bus, or use the Monorail to MK and catch a boat. If you time it right, it will still take at least a half hour (or up to an hour or more) - not to mention the possibility of dealing with a late day downpour. Coming back is the same. Therefore, a 10 minute round trip by car (and you can valet park if you wish), can take from 1 to 3 hours by WDW transporation.
The same goes between most parks from the Poly. We always drive the 10 minutes (max) to MGM, Animal Kingdom, the water parks, Downtown Disney and the Boardwalk. However, we take the transportation system from the hotel to Magic Kingdom and Epcot. For those staying a resort properties further away, or staying off the grounds, the transportation is one of the issues that creates frustration. And we would rather smile, use our car, and save valuable time!
Unfortunately, there really isn't much option for Disney. The system runs often (buses every 20 minutes), but there are stops - you have to wait at each stop - and it just takes time espcially if you have to use two buses, or any two means of transporaton back to back.
With the rental car prices in Florida, it is definitely the way to go! Of course, I'm sure this would start to be a problem if every visitor did this, but that will never happen - most will simply continue to use the system that is in place (and unfortunately for some this will create them to less than delighted with the overall Disney experience).
Anyhow, if you need to know further details about using a car at WDW, let us know - we are here to help!
We have gone to WDW without a car and stayed at the Polynesian (where we tend to chose most of the time). Taking the train was fine, but as I mentioned previously, renting a car was a option I unfortunately overlooked. Not only did I encounter the problems previously stated, but having to solely use the WDW transporation system of buses, monorails, or boats wasn't that much fun at times. You must remember that you cannot take transportation between hotels. Consequently, just to have dinner at Artist Point - a 5 minute drive by car - you have to do one of the following: take a boat to Magic Kingdom from the resort and then a second boat to the Wilderness Lodge (not to mention stops that occur along the way there and back), go to the Ticket and Tranportation Center (walking is the fastest option) and catch a bus, or use the Monorail to MK and catch a boat. If you time it right, it will still take at least a half hour (or up to an hour or more) - not to mention the possibility of dealing with a late day downpour. Coming back is the same. Therefore, a 10 minute round trip by car (and you can valet park if you wish), can take from 1 to 3 hours by WDW transporation.
The same goes between most parks from the Poly. We always drive the 10 minutes (max) to MGM, Animal Kingdom, the water parks, Downtown Disney and the Boardwalk. However, we take the transportation system from the hotel to Magic Kingdom and Epcot. For those staying a resort properties further away, or staying off the grounds, the transportation is one of the issues that creates frustration. And we would rather smile, use our car, and save valuable time!
Unfortunately, there really isn't much option for Disney. The system runs often (buses every 20 minutes), but there are stops - you have to wait at each stop - and it just takes time espcially if you have to use two buses, or any two means of transporaton back to back.
With the rental car prices in Florida, it is definitely the way to go! Of course, I'm sure this would start to be a problem if every visitor did this, but that will never happen - most will simply continue to use the system that is in place (and unfortunately for some this will create them to less than delighted with the overall Disney experience).
Anyhow, if you need to know further details about using a car at WDW, let us know - we are here to help!
