Hi Mina! Welcome to planDisney!
Oh boy! Your Walt Disney World vacation is fast approaching! Only a few more weeks until you are hanging out with Mickey, Minnie, and the rest of the gang! I'm happy you have decided to stay at a Disney Resorts Hotel for this trip! There is nothing quite like arriving at the Most Magical Place on Earth and not having to leave the magic until departure day. Disney's All-Star Movies Resort has everything you want in a hotel stay. There are several pools onsite, dining options, fantastic Disney theming, and even a pool bar for adults to enjoy! You'll also have access to Disney transportation to and from the theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs.
Since you'll have a car on this trip, you will have the option to drive to the parks. If you decide to drive yourself, there are a few things to keep in mind when doing so.
- Parking at any of the four theme parks will be free of charge since you are already paying to park at your Disney Resort Hotel.
- Parking areas at each theme park will vary. For instance, at the Magic Kingdom, you'll need to park at the Tickets & Transportation Center and then take a boat or monorail to the entrance of the park. This was part of Walt Disney's vision not to have a parking lot directly outside of the Magic Kingdom. At all other parks, you'll be able to park and walk to the main entrance.
- Depending on what time you arrive, you may have a long walk from your parking spot to the entrance of the park. Trams are running that will shuttle you to the front if needed.
Your other option is using Disney Bus Transportation to get to the parks. By taking Disney transportation, you'll be dropped off close to the front of the park each time. Many of the buses are wrapped with your favorite Disney characters on them. My daughters always look forward to seeing which one pulls up to take us to our destination. To take the bus to the parks, there is a pickup location outside the main lobby of the resort. There will be dedicated lines to wait in for the park you want to visit. The only downside to using this service is the wait time for the buses. If you are in a rush and need to get somewhere quickly, the timing may not be in your favor. I have always had the best experiences and have not had to wait long for a bus to come, but keep this in mind when planning your stay.
Mina, the best part about each of these options is that you can use both while you are there. If there is a day that you don't feel like taking the bus, you can hop in your car and drive to the parks. My family has always opted to use Disney transportation while on vacation because it adds to the magic for us. Depending on your plans, you may even be able to fit in a ride on the Disney Skyliner or the monorail. Walt Disney World has made getting around the Resort part of the fun!
Have a magical vacation, Mina! See ya real soon!
Greg