Downtown Disney resorts: Transportation.

[dwellsbct]

I'm going to WDW for my B-Day...of all the probably hundred times I've been to WDW I never have managed to go on my B-Day. So, this year my wonderful Fiance' is taking me there for my B-Day. We will be staying at the Royal Plaza in Downtown Disney. I was wondering how reliable/frequent is the transpotation system from there to the parks? Do they have separate buses for each park or does one bus go to all the hotels and then all the parks in one big loop? Any other hits ,tips, suggestions would be appriciated. Thanks!!

[DoctorK]

I've never stayed there specifically, but if you have problems, the transportation from DTD should get you everywhere you need to go, whether that be a park (via another resort) or another resort itself!

[theBIGyowski]

The only downside to DTD as far as Disney Transportation is that I believe from there (Marketplace) you go on to make stops at the West Side and Pleasure Island. So...it takes you longer to get to where you need to go. Also...I could be wrong...but I don't think there are any buses that go from DTD directly to a park. I think you have to take a bus to one of the resorts...then transfer over to a park bus. Again...I could be wrong but I want to say that is the case and why all of my planned trips to DTD for my upcoming trip down there are from my resort and not a park.

[DoctorK]

Yes, that's accurate. I guess they didn't want people parking for free at DTD and catching a park bus, so there aren't any buses you can catch from DTD that will take you to a park. However, you can take a bus to any resort, and then on to a park from there, but that could take a while...

[dwellsbct]

Well according to the hotels website...there is transportation from the hotel where I am staying direct to the parks...I will not be going from the DTD shopping area... my question was how "direct" is this transportation... does each hotel have their own or will I go to each hotel then to each park? or maybe there are 4 routes each hotel then to a specific park? or my hotel to the park I want to go to?

[Amy]

Well according to the hotels website...there is transportation from the hotel where I am staying direct to the parks...I will not be going from the DTD shopping area... my question was how "direct" is this transportation... does each hotel have their own or will I go to each hotel then to each park? or maybe there are 4 routes each hotel then to a specific park? or my hotel to the park I want to go to?

I would call the hotel directly and ask them. That way you are prepared. I would think that most hotels nearby WDW have their own transportation and don't share with other hotels unless they are owned by the same company. I wouldn't think the hotels would have dedicated buses to each park though. Probably a few buses all on the same circuit that run throughout the day. I would also think that they would have several buses running in the morning and more in the evening in anticipation of multitudes of guests leaving and wanting to come back at those times. My only concern would be how often is the shuttle service provided. That is one nice thing about being on property. You never wait more than 10-20 minutes for a bus!

[dwellsbct]

Ok I went on the trip.. The Downtown Disney Resorts are all served by a dedicated bus line with 2 routes... one route goes to ALL the DTD Resorts and 2 theme parks and the other route goes to ALL the DTD Resorts and the other 2 theme parks... ..we decided to drive ourselves. Thanks to all who answered

[Amy]

Ok I went on the trip.. The Downtown Disney Resorts are all served by a dedicated bus line with 2 routes... one route goes to ALL the DTD Resorts and 2 theme parks and the other route goes to ALL the DTD Resorts and the other 2 theme parks... ..we decided to drive ourselves. Thanks to all who answered

That is good information to know ~ thanks! That would make for a rather long journey to any of the parks but handy to know if you were in a pinch you could get where you needed to go...eventually

[horizons1]

This is what happens when you don't stay on top of the discussion. Sorry I missed your post before your trip, but I used to stay at the DTD Hotels back in the early '90's and back then they had a dedicated bus for each park, although they still stopped at all the DTD hotels. Sounds like they've consolidated a bit. Also - they are a separate bus line, right? Not DIsney buses, so the park bus stops are farther out. You may not be able to verify since you drove. Smart move, by the way.

[dwellsbct]

This is what happens when you don't stay on top of the discussion. Sorry I missed your post before your trip, but I used to stay at the DTD Hotels back in the early '90's and back then they had a dedicated bus for each park, although they still stopped at all the DTD hotels. Sounds like they've consolidated a bit. Also - they are a separate bus line, right? Not DIsney buses, so the park bus stops are farther out. You may not be able to verify since you drove. Smart move, by the way.

Yes the buses that they use are run by "Mears Transportation" and they use the Charter Bus lot which at MK is at the TTC and I think at the other 3 parks the Charter lot is a bit closer but not as close as the Disney Transport buses get.

[DIAC1987]

lol, for next time a sneaky thing to do is head over to Saratoga Springs, which is right behind Downtown Disney, and go to the parks from there. To add to that its a very pretty resort with many wonderful sights.

[Amy]

lol, for next time a sneaky thing to do is head over to Saratoga Springs, which is right behind Downtown Disney, and go to the parks from there. To add to that its a very pretty resort with many wonderful sights.

I think they encourage people to visit the resorts in the hope that they will want to stay there the next time!
About how far of a walk is it from DD to Saratoga Springs?

[DIAC1987]

Like 5-10 minutes. You can even take a boat to Saratoga.

[Len90]

They even have a bus that runs from DTD/West Side to Saratoga at night. Saratoga has their own exclusive route. We watched them get three buses while waiting for 1 bus to come for Swan/Dolphin/Yacht/Beach/Boardwalk. Just a piece of advice, if you stay at any of those resorts, I would advise finding other means of transportation to DTD. The Downtown Disney buses will go to the charter lots as stated. In parks like DHS and EPCOT that is after the main bus stop. You will actually be let off in a similar spot when you take the Disney Transport shuttle bus between DHS and EPCOT. It is a bit more of walk but not terrible.

[boilerbabe]

They even have a bus that runs from DTD/West Side to Saratoga at night. Saratoga has their own exclusive route. We watched them get three buses while waiting for 1 bus to come for Swan/Dolphin/Yacht/Beach/Boardwalk. Just a piece of advice, if you stay at any of those resorts, I would advise finding other means of transportation to DTD. The Downtown Disney buses will go to the charter lots as stated. In parks like DHS and EPCOT that is after the main bus stop. You will actually be let off in a similar spot when you take the Disney Transport shuttle bus between DHS and EPCOT. It is a bit more of walk but not terrible.

Is that something new Len?! I don't remember DTD buses going to the charter lots?!