Disney World hotels' check-in and transportation
 

We are thinking about staying on site for the first time at Disney World. I can't find the following information which I feel some of you will know. If we drive there and arrive in the morning (before hotel check-in) can we park at the hotel and use their bus transportation to visit one of the parks? Do we need some type of proof of staying at the hotel to board the bus? Similar question: If we check out of the hotel on the last day but want to go to a park for a few hours, can we have our car parked at the hotel and once again use the bus?

Yes, you'll be fine on check-in day and check-out day.
Upon arrival, if the lines at the hotel aren't too full of people checking out, you might try to check-in early, if your room is not ready they will process everything and give you keys that won't work until 3pm. The bell desk will watch your bags if you don't want to leave them in your car. Same on checkout...if you don't feel comfortable packing up your car and then leaving it...just check your bags at the bell desk and retrieve them when you finally depart. (Don't forget them!)

The Disney buses do not check proof of anything. Just hop on and hop off. They are a free ride for anyone who wants to get on at anytime. Complements of Mickey. Have fun!

You will check in at arrival, but not have access to your room. You will receive your park tickets and parking placard for the hotel lot so there is no problem leaving your car. can either leave luggage in your car or with the bellman.

Don't be surprised if your room is ready early (perhaps not at 9am but if you arrive after 11, there's a chance you'll have access immediately ... I did on my last visit). Most of the WDW hotels have 1000+ rooms, so depending on timing, you might very well find a room available. But you might also be asked to wait until 3pm.

On arrival, you'll still need to check in so you can get your park tickets, which is an electronic card. You can start using your park tickets immediately, and you'll certainly need those to get in even though you won't be asked to show anything on the bus.

You may want to use the online check-in that is available 10 days prior to arrival. It asks what time you plan to arrive - your room might be more likely to be ready that way.

Thanks everyone especially ajcolorado. I will definitely try the online check-in.

Once you check in to your room, you might find driving to the parks is easier than riding Disney Transportation. Disney does a great job, but it's usually quicker to drive than to wait on the bus.

That's very true. On one visit I drove to all the parks because you have free parking if you are a WDW resort guest (I was staying at Animal Kingdom, which is pretty distant from all the parks). There are, however, two major exceptions.

1. Always take the bus to the Magic Kingdom. If you are staying in a WDW hotel (not a non-Disney hotel inside the WDW property like the Doubletree), you can take a bus right up to the main gate. This will save you half an hour of travel time because you won't have to take transportation from the transit center into the Magic Kingdom. Similarly, you can jump on the bus right as you leave the park and avoid having to take the boat or monorail again to the parking lots. If you are going to the Magic Kingdom on an off-hour, it's not quite as bad driving. When I returned in the evening, I usually drove, but it still takes a minimum of 20 minutes after you park to get to the park.

2. Don't drive to Downtown Disney at night. While you can certainly do it, the parking situation is really difficult at night, and you might have trouble finding a space. It might be just as fast to take the bus. This is also a consideration if you plan on drinking.

Thanks again, Doug for some great tips. Have copied this page for our future trip.