Transportation around Walt Disney World can be a nightmare. In the final installment transportation hacks we are going to leave Jack and Sally behind and move like Lightning McQueen (ka-chow) around Walt Disney World Resort by driving.
Keeping It Simple
If you are like me, you like to be in control of whatever mode of transportation you are being transported in. Flying absolutely terrifies me, but I know it can cut travel times greatly, I just don’t like to do it.
I’ve driven across the United States 3 times because of the fact that I hate to fly. Which is a bit odd considering my favorite Disney characters are Peter Pan and Buzz Lightyear… one flies with faith and trust, one falls with style.
In any case, my favorite mode of transportation around Walt Disney World is to simply drive myself. Now, I don’t mean to boast, but I know my way around WDW because I am a former cast member so I don’t need a GPS. That being said, all you need is a good GPS (I use the Waze App) to get you around Walt Disney World. Plus, the big purple signage helps too along the roadside.
Why Drive When Someone Can Drive For Me?
This is perfectly good logic, especially if you flew and/or are directionally challenged. By all means, take the bus if you need to. There are 2 main reasons I like to drive the parks when I am a resort guest:
- Disney Resort guests are allowed complimentary parking. In other words, as a resort guest, you don’t have to pay the $20+/day fee just to park your vehicle.
- I enjoy the water rides. Splash Mountain, Kali River Rapids, etc. I also enjoy clean clothes.
So, every day I’ll leave a change of clothes in the car in case I need them. This saves a lot of time from having to go all the way back to the resort in the middle of the day. I like to maximize my time in the parks.
With that being said, I do not have kids of my own, but if I did I would still drive for the same reasons. Having a change of clothes for the kids would be very beneficial too. I’ve heard of some even packing a cooler for lunch and just going to the parking lot for a lunch of sandwiches, to save money on the dining options within the park.
Essentially: tailgating.
TIP:
There are folks who know their way around the roads of Walt Disney World very well and often travel a bit faster than out of towners (I may or may not be one of them). Please stay to the right as much as possible so that the locals can get home to their families, pets or bed a little bit quicker. And of course, drive safely, keep an eye out for pedestrians, animals, motorcycles, etc.
I agree with driving except for when it comes to the Magic Kingdom. It can take an hour to get from the gate to your car during the evening rush. The other parks only take a few minutes.