Buses....

[Pigeon]

We're staying off property, and are not renting a car. Our resort, however, charges for their shuttle to the parks. (I think this is ridiculous, every other place we've ever stayed at has a FREE shuttle....but I digress). We were thinking, instead, of hopping in a cab to Downtown Disney, and then using the transportation from there. So, can we get to the parks from the Marketplace? How often do the buses run? And how early/late do they run?
Thanks!!

[disneyfanatic101]

It depends how early/late they run...It's depends on the parks. They run about every10-20 minutes or so. (Don't quote me!) For the other questions, I'm sorry, but I don't know the answers! Sorry! Have fun!

[TestSherpa]

You might consider renting a car depending on how expensive the shuttle service is. We got a deal for less than $20 per day (I think it was around $17) for an economy car. Of course, there's gas and parking to consider, but the freedom of not waiting for the shuttles is nice.

[Maestr034]

Downtown Disney does not offer buses to the parks only to the resorts. You can still get to the parks from the resorts though.

[TinkAttitude]

i agree - you should at least look into renting a car - it'll take quite awhile via taxi to bus to resort to park...
best of luck!

[CleveRocks]

Aside from abusing Disney's transportation system, your plan would be carried out very slowly. From Downtown Disney to a Disney resort to a park would take about one hour.

[threeleggeddog]

Taxis are expensive in Orlando, I think it would be cheaper to rent an econobox.

[HappyDznyCamper]

Aside from abusing Disney's transportation system, your plan would be carried out very slowly. From Downtown Disney to a Disney resort to a park would take about one hour.

Not really abusing the system, the buses are for ALL guest of the WDW RESORT, not just those who stay at a Disney owned hotel. You are correct however that it is not a very effficiant way of getting to the parks.

[firemedic]

Yup, renting a car would be cheaper on the long run even if you factor in parking and gas. A cab ride could easily cost a ton more depending on how far you ride and how many times you have to ride it.

[CleveRocks]

Not really abusing the system, the buses are for ALL guest of the WDW RESORT, not just those who stay at a Disney owned hotel.

By the letter of the "law" you are correct, but by the spirit of the "law" you are not, at least regarding Downtown Disney (DTD). Doing as the OP asked WOULD be an abuse of the system. Please allow me to explain ....

In years past, there used to be buses that ran DIRECTLY between the parks and DTD. Problem was, Disney realized that many people who were NOT guests at a WDW resort were parking for free at DTD and taking buses to the theme parks in order to avoid the parking fees at the parks; this not only meant lost revenue from parking fees, but also meant that parking spots meant for patrons of DTD were being used up by people who weren't shopping and dining at DTD, and people who had DTD as a destination had difficulty finding parking spots.

As a DIRECT RESULT of this, Disney discontinued direct buses between the parks and DTD. Thus, we know that Disney has a history of not wanting people to park at DTD and go from there to the parks. They have a specific history of not wanting people to do this. Thus, my comment about abusing the system.

With this specific information in mind, perhaps now you have a better understanding of where I was coming from.