Hear us out — taking Disney World’s free transportation system around its parks and hotels sounds like a dream and most of the time it’s an extremely helpful accommodation. But, just like with most things at Disney World, there can be a downside to them as well.
Magic Kingdom is arguably one of Disney World’s most popular parks, which means on any given day it’s full of crowds.
After an extremely full day of exploring Magic Kingdom, you probably are dreaming of your head hitting the pillow to drift off to sleep before you’ve even made it past the park’s gate. Butttt, there’s just one problem because you’re choosing to take the Magic Kingdom bus right around 10PM.
You’ve watched the fireworks, ticked all of your “must-do’s” off your list, and could even be trying to leave the park before it officially closes…so what’s the problem? Well, everyone else has the exact same idea at the same time. As you’re exiting the park and making your way out to the transportation bus stop near the park’s entrance, you’re already starting to break a nervous sweat from the sheer amount of crowds you’ve become acutely aware of surrounding you. As you all continue to walk in the same direct, that anxiety might begin to intensify as you start to realize the long line for the bus in front of you is for the same hotel you’re trying to get back to.
At this point, you’ve witnessed several buses coming and going to clear out the slinking crowds as they inch forward ever so slowly. If you’re traveling with kids there’s a good chance you’ve already folded down the stroller and secured a game plan for all the loose souvenirs that were previously stowed within it in anticipation of your turn to board. Hopefully this also means you’ve made it on the bus without incident (or waking a sleeping child). This is when things get really interesting because you’re likely packed-in like a new can of sardines on their way to the grocery store. Your tiredness is only beginning to come full-realization as the ambiance of the glowing street lights enters the dimly lit interior of the smooth rocking bus traveling down the streets.
Your nightmare isn’t over yet, but you’re at least most of the way through. The next leg of your journey starts as you hear the bus’s overhead announcement as you slowly begin to near the hotel drop off. Unsuspecting bus patrons who aren’t so familiar are in for a rude awakening when the bus slows to a stop and flips on the bright glowing interior lights so you can see to unload one by one.
Our hats are off to you friend as you maneuver your way off the bus and on to the sidewalk and ultimately reverse order your previous tear down of the stroller and belongings while simultaneously nursing your tired feet. This is when you’re feeling the burn of the home stretch. You’ve pep talked yourself up for the journey ahead to your hotel room where once you pass the threshold, you leave that entire debacle behind.
All of this combined just reaffirms that deciding to leave Magic Kingdom by Disney World bus could be one of the most frustrating decisions you could make during your visit so we offer up the alternative of leaving a tad earlier to avoid the flood of crowds that’s typical after the nightly fireworks. Or, spend a little extra time taking photos with PhotoPass around Main Street U.S.A., taking a little longer on that stroll through the shops on the way out, or simply just sitting down to people watch for a bit.
So what do you think? Is this the worst time to be waiting for the Magic Kingdom bus at Disney World? Leave us your worst bus nightmare times in the comments below and stay tuned with us for all the latest Disney World news, updates, and more!
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What other times of the day would you prefer to avoid the Disney World buses? Tell us in the comments below!
It’s why we always take our car. Still have to wait it out a bit to board either boats or monorail to get back to the TTC, but it’s well worth it for us.
I always aim to arrive at the MK either before or during HEA.That will give me enough time to get thru Main Street and linger in front of the Crystal Palace until the show ends- when I rush to Advebtureland, thus avoiding the Exodus, as I call it.
We tested bus vs. car back to the resort once and I made it back to the resort 30 minutes ahead of the rest of my family by driving our car while they took the bus. The bus is great for going between parks and resorts from 10 am to 8 pm, however, if you are like us and stay until you are pushed out of the parks, using your car is the way to go.