Hi there, John!
Welcome to planDisney! I'm happy you stopped by with your question for us today.
Hooray for staying at
Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside! It's such a beautiful resort that offers a blend of Southern hospitality and classic Disney magic. You'll love the scenic routes as you stroll along the property, and I hope you try some of the deliciously lip-smacking dining at
Boatwright's Dining Hall!
The transportation options usually run about 45 minutes before the earliest park opens and will continue running up to 1 hour after the latest park closes. This includes both the
ferry, as well as the
Disney Monorail.
I'm happy to help you decide whether you should take the
Disney Bus Service or self-park during your Magic Kingdom Park visit, John!
When taking the bus, the ride itself should take about 15-20 minutes to get there, and it is complimentary. A great perk is that you would be dropped off closer to the park entrance without needing to take the ferry or Disney Monorail at the Ticket and Transportation Center. However, the Resort hotel does have multiple bus stops, so it may not be a nonstop trip to Magic Kingdom Park.
Regarding self-parking, your departure and arrival depend on your time rather than waiting for a bus to take you to your destination. Since you're staying at a Disney Resort hotel,
standard parking at the theme parks is complimentary. You will need to go to the Ticket and Transportation Center and take the ferry or Disney Monorail to head to the park entrance.
So, to sum it up, here are the advantages and disadvantages of both in a nutshell:
Bus Transportation Pros: -An estimated 15-20 minute ride
-Complimentary
-Drop-off is closer to the entrance
Bus Transportation Cons: -May have multiple stops along the way
-Waiting on a bus to arrive
Self-Parking Pros: -It's on your own time; no waiting for a bus
-Complimentary parking since you're a registered Guest at a Disney Resort hotel
Self-Parking Cons: -Park and walk/take the tram to Transportation and Ticket Center
-Must take the Ferry or Disney Monorail to entrance
Whatever choice you make, rest assured it will be the right one because you're choosing to visit
Magic Kingdom Park! As soon as you enter the theme park, all that will matter is making memories and experiencing the magic with your loved ones. I hope this helps you decide which route to take, John!
Wishing you an enchanting visit!
Aena