Originally Posted By RoadTrip We haven't rented an auto at WDW for the past half dozen years or so. I prefer not having to drive when I'm on vacation and I will put up with a certain amount of inconvenience to accomplish that. I also truly enjoy having a location where I can get anywhere I want via public transit, even if it does take a while. Here in the Twin Cities you can't get much of anywhere unless you are willing to do the "park and ride" thing in the suburbs. Even when we rented cars, the only time we left Disney property was to go over to Universal Studios. Once we found out how economical shuttles were that would pick us up at our Disney hotel and bring us to Universal there really seemed to be no point in renting a car anymore.
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey My opinion is similar, if not exactly like, RoadTrip's. I commute to work every day (40 miles round trip, but to it's a lot to me) and spend my morning and afternoon behind the wheel on the interstate. I love the fact that I don't need a car at WDW. I don't mind waiting a few minutes to go somewhere because my entire day is on the clock. I don't want to wait 30 minutes for a bus (and that's only happened in a few instances), but I don't mind a little wait. I know, I'm a symbol of all that's wrong with WDW. The bean counters love me.
Originally Posted By Disney and beyond In terms of transportation, That's the reason why my family trys to find residence at the EPCOT resort area first very time. We prefer walking to EPCOT/ Taking the freedom boats to DHS. If we can't get to there, then we plan breakfasts around where we want to go. If we want to travel to Magic Kingdom, we have breakfast at one of the Monorail Hotels. And I don't mind the buses. The only thing that bothers me is that there are forty million buses going from Blizzard Beach to either AK or DHS, and non going to the hotels.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA I don't like to drive either if I don't have to, so I'm similar to RoadTrip and Nikki in this instance. I'd prefer to use on-site transportation.
Originally Posted By Disney and beyond I actually took the buses for the first time this last trip, and I didn't find them terrible. I prefer the Freedom Boats because there is interaction with the captain. One time the cpatain of the freedom boat actually did Disney Trivia with us. I got one answer right and won a map of DHS XD
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo If the buses arrived with greater frequency (45 min on a few occassions and 25 min the ave in 2006), it would be far more bearable. But I prefer to walk around DL, DLP and hopefully one day TDL.
Originally Posted By danyoung >...how can people lock in to be at certain restaurants at certain times on certain days for a whole week.< Well, to be fair you have to do this even without the dining plan. For me it's just a part of the facts of planning a Disney vacation. I try to block out what park I'm planning to be in when, and then book a dining rez to match it. And I've never yet found that I'll approach a dinner at the Coral Reef, for example, and be thinking "I'm just not in the mood for fish tonight". It's more a case of looking forward to what's already been booked. Still, I miss the days when you did your dining booking ON THAT DAY!
Originally Posted By CarolinaDisneyDad Dave, this year we never had a long wait for a bus (10 minutes or less) except when we were returning to a park at midday or leaving at closing. Closing is expected because of the crowd. I think the midday was longer because less buses run in off times but during morning entry times there were plenty of buses. I don't know for a fact that they cut back at midday but it seemed that way to us. This year was much better than last and the year before. Then we also had long waits regardless of what time it was. As a matter of fact, that's why we either drive or take boats to DTD because 1 night years ago .we had to wait 45 minutes for a bus there. I hope this years experience continues.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Well we went at all times, but usually waiting about 30 mins before park opening. It was poor. And I wont talk about the 2.5 hours to get from Wilderness Lodge to AKL via DTD. We used cabs in the end.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 My daughter and her family, stayed at WL this year, our room was 2 away from hers, they NEVER had more than a minute or 2 to wait for a bus. We had long waits for the bus we wanted, but several other buses would show up while we waited. Maybe my husband & I just chose the wrong parks to go to?? No, it's me, even in the grocery store I pick the wrong line.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Well we went at all times, but usually waiting about 30 mins before park opening. It was poor. And I wont talk about the 2.5 hours to get from Wilderness Lodge to AKL via DTD. We used cabs in the end. << When we eat at Boma's we always take a cab back to WL too Dave, even if we have a car on the trip. I just hate driving when I'm there, plus i refuse to drive if I've had an adult beverage. Those other drivers just get crazy when I drink!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Lol. Yep, we should have known better. The issue was we needed 2 car seats and didn't know until a concierge told us that the mini van cabs often have 2 car seats available! After that it was cabs all the time.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Still, I miss the days when you did your dining booking ON THAT DAY! << Me too Dan. I remember when we would call, and make a priority seating at 9am for seating at 7:30pm that evening. That would be for places like Le Cellier.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> thing I don't understand about the meal plan ,is how can people lock in to be at certain restaurants at certain times on certain days for a whole week. My touring plan flexes based on crowds and weather. We can schedule 1 or 2 meals but I would hate to lose my park hoping freedom. I just don't get the value. << I can't stand that either CDD. I would have however made an exception. I would have made an ADR 180 days out had I known your Mom was serving Cornbread Dressing this Thanksgiving!
Originally Posted By MPierce >> congradulations phil holmes and jay rasolu you severly tarnished the image of a great american icon and formerly fun vacation destination. << Even with all of it's faults it's still fun for me Skelly. Sure it needs some help, but I think we have to keep the faith that it will all work out in the long run. At least I hope it does.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Lol. Yep, we should have known better. The issue was we needed 2 car seats and didn't know until a concierge told us that the mini van cabs often have 2 car seats available! After that it was cabs all the time. << I'm sure your kids are patient little angels Dave. I can only Imagine trying to keep a rein on the young ones trying to get from WL to DD, and then over to AKL. We did that one year, and never again, and that was just my lovely childbride and myself.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Well my kids are far from angels, but they tried their best. It was my MIL that really made the trip stressful - I really wanted her to be No. 1000 at Liberty Square a couple of times ;-)
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Well my kids are far from angels, but they tried their best. It was my MIL that really made the trip stressful - I really wanted her to be No. 1000 at Liberty Square a couple of times ;-) << That explains a lot about that trip Dave!
Originally Posted By A Happy Haunt << I really wanted her to be No. 1000 at Liberty Square a couple of times ;-) << GOOD ONE!!!
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 Yes, sometimes inlaws can be difficult to deal with. Whereas my children are always perfect, at least at WDW. We were suppose to meet up with GastonLives, but his mil dictated his trip, so we just played phone tag.
