Driving Disney World. Advice?

[Jacca5660]

Didn't Jacca once post a link to an advice article that included parking advice? Don't know where it is, but you might want to look it up. Some of it was pretty good, I recall.

You used to be able to park at the resorts and jump on a buss to get to the parks. Now there are only a few convention centers and DTD that you can do this at. Most of the resorts have protected parking now. When you check in they give you a parking card.

[Satchel T]

You may already have things figured out but I would encourage you to try staying on property. The money you save by staying off site will be spent on gas driving back and forth, parking fees, and then the annoyance of trying to get in and out of the parks each day. That said, its your trip and I have no doubt you'll have a blast regardless of where you stay! Enjoy!

[figmentaholic]

I would second the staying in the World if possible, other than just no parking fees and faster transportation, it is just magicall and it really helps keep you in the Disney spirit.

But if you do have to drive around town DON'T GO TO INTERNATIONAL DRIVE. it is a tourist trap and a parking lot on a good day. Or if go, park on one end and walk, if you want to shop there.

Trust, me, save yourself hours of heartache and don't do it.

[annafab]

You guys rock! This is super helpful and will be super helpful for many others, I'm sure.

[Pluto23]

I have been to WDW many times, always drive, and stay off site about 1/3rd of the time. I often purchase an annual pass which will cover parking. The Hilton is the only non-Disney hotel in the downtown area that will receive extra magic hour privledges. You need to check about parking. Buses do travel from those resorts, but not at nearly the frequency of the Disney buses.

Off site - prossibly still faster to the parks except for the Magic Kingdom. So - unless you are staying at the Hilton, Swan, or Dolphin, you do not get to use Extra Magic Hours. Decide if you want to use those extra park hours, then with the cost of parking, it will help you decide on location. Of course, many off site choices are so much less that you will easily cover your parking. You will also find tons of eating options at half the price or less in your area.

[Joe90]

We always get a car (believe it or not it comes free with our holiday package. We get a choice of a free rental car or free DME).
We always get the free car parking for staying at a resort. The other resorts will let you in if you show the pass and your KttW.
Park at The Contemporary and walk to MK? I haven't tried it yet but there is no reason why not.
Driving and navigation around WDW is EASY. At first it might help if you can get someone sensible, good at communicating and literate to ride shotgun so they can help read signs and navigate. (Sleepy90 gets a 1.5 out of 3 on this count)
The Nav gets easier day by day as you learn the routes.

Journey times are actually pretty short.
All Star to MK parking lot is around 8 mins. (No speeding)
Pop to MK about 10 mins (No speeding)

Just remember.

Disney resort = free parking.
Disney resort = EMH
And if you want to try the adult beverages Disney resort = free bus home

[figmentaholic]

You guys rock! This is super helpful and will be super helpful for many others, I'm sure.

Always happy to help

[Amy]

We always get a car (believe it or not it comes free with our holiday package. We get a choice of a free rental car or free DME).
We always get the free car parking for staying at a resort. The other resorts will let you in if you show the pass and your KttW.
Park at The Contemporary and walk to MK? I haven't tried it yet but there is no reason why not.
Driving and navigation around WDW is EASY. At first it might help if you can get someone sensible, good at communicating and literate to ride shotgun so they can help read signs and navigate. (Sleepy90 gets a 1.5 out of 3 on this count)
The Nav gets easier day by day as you learn the routes.
Journey times are actually pretty short.
All Star to MK parking lot is around 8 mins. (No speeding)
Pop to MK about 10 mins (No speeding)
Just remember.
Disney resort = free parking.
Disney resort = EMH
And if you want to try the adult beverages Disney resort = free bus home

A free car with your holiday package? That is awesome!!
Only a 1.5 for Sleepy? You sound like a tough judge

[Sleepy90]

A free car with your holiday package? That is awesome!!
Only a 1.5 for Sleepy? You sound like a tough judge

Actually I thought that was more than fair considering when I get in a car and I am not driving I tend to switch of and look at the scenery. If someone specifically says watch for something I will but otherwise I am in a little world of my own and enjoy not having to concentrate on where we are going.

[Joe90]

Only a 1.5 for Sleepy? You sound like a tough judge

Nope

She is one of those "You wanted to go that way at the last junction" navigators.
Which way? you may ask.
"That way"
Which way is that way?
"The other way"

For all its idiosyncrasies Sat Nav is great.

[Amy]

A free car with your holiday package? That is awesome!!
Only a 1.5 for Sleepy? You sound like a tough judge

Actually I thought that was more than fair considering when I get in a car and I am not driving I tend to switch of and look at the scenery. If someone specifically says watch for something I will but otherwise I am in a little world of my own and enjoy not having to concentrate on where we are going.

Nope
She is one of those "You wanted to go that way at the last junction" navigators.
Which way? you may ask.
"That way"
Which way is that way?
"The other way"
For all its idiosyncrasies Sat Nav is great.

Ok then! No longer feeling like Joe is a harsh critic of Sleepy's navigational skills I hope she at least reminds you to drive on the "other" side of the road

[jacobcary1]

Its more than likely to late for advice but the best thing is stay on property and just use their transportation. Its all very close on the time issue. I have never waited more that 10 minutes on a bus and in most cases the location of the bus stop is not a far walk.

[figmentaholic]

Its more than likely to late for advice but the best thing is stay on property and just use their transportation. Its all very close on the time issue. I have never waited more that 10 minutes on a bus and in most cases the location of the bus stop is not a far walk.

Occasionally at the hotels you may have to wait a little longer if you arent going when the big crowds are out in the morning but overall yes the wait times are pretty short, and unless you are going when there are a lot of people or leaving after a fireworks show with tons of other people the buses are are rarely full.

[figmentaholic]

Its more than likely to late for advice but the best thing is stay on property and just use their transportation. Its all very close on the time issue. I have never waited more that 10 minutes on a bus and in most cases the location of the bus stop is not a far walk.

Occasionally at the hotels you may have to wait a little longer if you arent going when the big crowds are out in the morning but overall yes the wait times are pretty short, and unless you are going when there are a lot of people or leaving after a fireworks show with tons of other people the buses are are rarely full.

[Wizzard419]

The only drawback to the buses in the mornings (when you're headed to a magic mornings park or whatever they call it today) is that if you're the last stop for a bus then it's going to be more crowded, to the point that you may not be able to get on. I don't think they have the buses "jump the line" to serve later stops either. In that case it would be wise to either stay at a hotel that is at the first stop (you'll take slightly longer to get to your destination but you're the first stop on the way back) or just walk to it, if the stops are close enough.