Transportation at Disney - Bus System, Vehicles, and Uber Discussed

You’re at Disney World. Woohoo! Now you just need to figure out how you’re going to get to the parks. With a rather long distance to cover, you’re going to need to become familiar with the evils of transportation to hopefully expedite your entertainment at the parks. This article will discuss three methods of  transportation while you’re there: the resort bus system, cars, and Uber.

Resort Buses

The bus system at Disney... Most people either love it or hate it.

The Pros

• Anyone can use them! You don’t need to scan in or anything like that when you get on. If you want to get around, this provides a cost-effective way to get from one park or resort to another. This can even benefit those not staying on-resort if they don’t want to risk a far-away parking spot by moving their vehicle. 
• Buses can be quite efficient. Hop on one and you’re on your way to the park gates. Perfect if you want to get in and go. Also, who wants to ride that tram if you’re heading to the Magic Kingdom? I’m not that masochistic :)
• Buses are very accessible. The drivers allow all those requiring extra assistance to board the buses first to ensure they are comfy before everyone else gets on. The buses are also service dog friendly!

The Cons

• Multiple bus stops on resort can mean a bus to your destination for the day could be full by the time it reaches your stop.
• The buses can get pretty crowded. Get ready to know your neighbour REALLY well. Hopefully they’re wearing deodorant.
• You’re at the mercy of the bus schedule. You will have to wait for a bus that is going to your destination.

Personally, the buses are my favourite method of transportation at WDW. I’ve only waited for a bus for more than 10 minutes once, and that was an anomaly. Yes, they can get crowded, but they are like a well-oiled machine in terms of efficiency. These are perfect for getting around on Disney property.

My tip: if you can, figure out the first bus stop at your resort for the destination you’re going to and walk there. It will help you get a seat when the first bus comes along and avoid the disappointment of having to wait to get to the parks. Another option is to stay at Port Orleans - French Quarter. This resort only has one bus stop, which makes taking the buses super easy from there.

Vehicles

Like us on our first trip, a lot of people opt to drive to the parks. Maybe you’re staying off-resort, maybe you just like the convenience of being able to go when you want, or maybe you’re a local who is visiting the parks for the day. Either way, this is a very popular option for getting to the parks.

Pros

• You have no schedule but your own. No waiting around. You can travel to wherever, whenever.
• If you need to get around a large resort (such as Old Key West), this could help you get around a bit better. Cars are also quite handy if you have limited mobility. Disney is a 20,000+ steps a day kind of vacation for those choosing to travel on foot as much as possible.

Cons

• If you’re renting a car, this can add up. What you might save in staying off-resort if you choose might be negated by the costs you incur with your car. This could include the actual rental, gas, insurance, etc.
• PARKING. The absolute Satan of Disney Parks. Parking is going to cost you $20+ USD per day just for visiting the parks alone. Luckily, your parking will transfer over to another lot if you choose to drive to other parks that day. Additionally, the resorts charge a parking fee as well. So you're getting a double whammy in the pocketbook if you stay on-resort.

You may want to consider a few things before deciding to go with a vehicle:

• How often will I be driving the car? If it isn't going to be much, do you really need it?
• Will I be leaving the resort during my stay?
• How big is the resort I'm staying at (if staying on-resort)?
• Can I get around having a car, or will it be more advantageous to have one?

Uber

Where I'm from, Uber is the stuff of legends. We have regular taxi cabs and not much else. I was amazed at how efficient Uber was to use the last time we visited Florida.

Pros

• It can be cheaper than renting a car. If you plan to go to a few select destinations, it's not going to cost much for each ride (around $18-25 USD depending on where you go). Much less than renting a vehicle at any rate.
• You can go anywhere you want. It's not like you can take the bus at your resort to Universal Studios after all. You can take a Mears Shuttle, but that's also going to cost you and is recommended to be reserved at least 24 hours in advance.
• The app makes it convenient. You can arrange a ride, watch for your driver as they approach your destination, get a description on the vehicle so you know what to watch for, and even pay.

Cons

• Uber drivers can be hit or miss. We were lucky enough to get two that came highly rated, but you might get someone who provides bad service. Usually you can check the person out via the app once they are dispatched to you, so that can help provide some peace of mind.

Uber turned out to be super handy for getting around off-resort. For the amount of time we spent on-resort, it would not have made sense for us to rent a car. This option provided us with the flexibility required to get everywhere we needed: buses for on-resort and Uber for off-resort. I highly recommend this option to individuals wanting to see more of Orlando than just Disney World.

Additionally, Lyft is a service similar to Uber. You can also use Minnie Vans powered by Lyft if you want a more magical ride. Either way, Uber and Lyft are good choices for those of you who won't be going off-resort much on your trip or wish to get the experience of using a Minnie Van.

How do you travel at Disney World? Comment, subscribe and/or follow me on Instagram :)