Disney says resort buses start about 45 minutes before a park opens. At All-Star Music, I watched Magic Kingdom buses loading at 6:45AM for an 8:30AM early entry. That's almost two hours before the park opened to everyone at 9AM.

Here's what the planning pages can't tell you: what that early bus actually feels like.

I got up at 5:30AM and was outside by 6:30AM. It was 65 degrees. I'd put on a T-shirt and shorts and almost walked out the door before I checked the weather. Check it.

The resort was quiet, not the crush I expected, but the buses were already moving and people were already heading to Magic Kingdom.

By 7:05AM people were boarding. My bus left at 7:10AM and pulled up to Magic Kingdom at 7:28AM, 18 minutes. Every seat was taken, about five people were standing, and kids were sitting in laps. I squeezed into the very back and found the one spot left. A bus full of excited kids at 7AM is a pretty great way to start a Disney day.

The real advantage is where it drops you. A Disney resort bus pulls right up to the Magic Kingdom entrance. If you drive or take an off-site hotel shuttle, you land at the Transportation and Ticket Center and still have to cross the Seven Seas Lagoon by ferry or monorail. I timed the Disney Springs hotel shuttle to Magic Kingdom at about an hour midday, partly because of that crossing. The ferry is a great boat ride. Having to cross it every single time is a pain.

The honest catch: those early buses fill up. If you're traveling with little ones and want everyone seated, get to the stop before 7AM. And plan on standing room if you show up at the last minute.

I was back at All-Star by 9:37AM. Watch the whole ride here: the bus ride video.

If you're planning other Disney bus rides, here's whether you can take a bus from Grand Floridian to Disney Springs.

More getting-around answers are on my Disney hotel questions page.

One more thing before you book.

Whether you stay on property or off, the hotel decides how your mornings go. I've stayed at both and filmed real walkthroughs of every hotel so you can see it before you pay.

📋 Grab the free Disney Hotels Hidden Fees Guide first: Free Hidden Fees Guide

🏰 See every hotel before you book: Every Hotel.

So you can see how they really "feel" before you pay.

Stop guessing.  Don't book the wrong hotel. dDadbudget.com