Bus System within Disney World

[Edge]

Thinking of staying at one of the budget Disney hotels on property. How does the bus system work/getting around the property?

Cost? How late/often do they run/ etc.

[FantasiaMan]

The bus systems are great. They come by every 15 minutes or so & take you straight to the parks in no time flat. It's worth it to stay at a value resort just for the transport. I recommend Pop Century, not only because it's cheap, but because it's right near Epcot, MGM & Downtown Disney. It's kind of a long drive to Magic Kingdom from there, but by bus, it only takes about 15-20 minutes to get there.

[CJ]

The on site buses don't cost anything to use. They run frequently to and from the parks. I stayed at the All-Star Sports Resort during my last trip, and I never had to wait more than 20 minutes for a bus to the parks.

I'm sure the times vary depending on the time of day, and how crowded the parks are. If you wait until the parks close to catch a bus back to your resort, be prepared for a long wait.

I also noticed that the All-Star Sports Resort is the first pick up out of the value resorts. I never had to stand going to the parks from the resort.

[Edge]

Thanks, appreciate it.

I'm a total west coast boy, and it's been years since I went to Disney World and this will be my first time staying on property.

I'm just trying to navigate the world of booking this vacation myself.

We're taking a red eye into Florida and so that first day I'd like to rent a car and go to beach and then have the magical express thing pick us up after we drop the car off and then take us back to the hotel later in the day.

Planning on also getting the dining package because the parks are the main point of our vacation.

How would one get from there to Universal?

[Mr. Toad]

Nothing more to add except for agreement with the others. I rented a car but had to take the bus a couple of times. It was fantastic service.

[Kram Nebuer]

I've read that the shuttle buses at the All-Star resorts are the most efficient out of all of them, so good choice!

As far as the dining plan goes, I've heard some people love it and some people think it wasn't worth it. On our school trip we had meal coupons to use at the quick service restaurants in the park and they were terrific. Then again, none of us knew how much it cost, but nonetheless you certainly got a complete meal with dessert and beverage everytime! I guess the catch is that you're limited to only quick service restaurants.

I hope you have a good trip and you figured out an awesome plan to enjoy Florida's beaches. I think you might have to call a taxi or something if you want to get to Universal Studios. Disney does not offer transport outside of their property (except the airport Magical Express and Disney Cruise Line bus), but I'm pretty sure the hotel people get that question a lot and would be happy to help you.

If worse comes to worse, try and blend in with a chinese/japanese/brazilian tour group and ride their rented shuttles! lol, jk please don't do that!

[Edge]

I believe the food plan includes (for each day staying at the resort)

1- Snack
1- Quick Service
1 Sit-down

Per person per day. And something like two sitdowns can be traded for a premiere dining.

But when I was looking at the restaurants in the parks, most of the ones I wanted to eat at were included anyways. At least if I am reading it correctly.

Getting to Universal doesn't really worry me, so much as coordinating the Beach visit.

Just feel like there's so many moving parts to this trip that everything needs to fall right.

[Tom Cloudkicker]

I'm from New Jersey and I don't enjoy riding on buses very much at all. The Disney Transport buses were a delightful exception because the Disney drivers are cheerful and courteous. One driver I had when visiting Walt Disney World (2005) gave a little guided tour as he travelled his route. He was very funny too and had all of us in stitches.

As I'm getting off at my hotel I told him everything I'm telling you good people right now about how I enjoyed my ride on his bus as much as I enjoyed any other ride in the Disney parks themselves. I had a wonderful time.

[Chrissy31886]

I agree with what every1 has said, the bus transportation is AMAZING. I love it. Because of how often my boyfriend and I go (and the fact that we're on a tight budget) we always stay in the value resorts. I've stayed in Sports, Music, Movies, and Pop Century. I would probably say Movies is my favorite as far as the atmosphere goes, but Pop Century is newer and laid out very nicely as well. Whichever resort you chose to stay at youll be very pleased..and the bust transportation wont disappoint!