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[myburgeoning]

How far is the Explorer's Hotel? Can you walk from it to Downtown Disney Village or it is it by bus only?

[captain rocket]

My estimate would be about 1.5/2.0 miles. It is walkable to Disney Village/parks, but the bus service is regular and plentiful during peak times. Walking back would be less of an option if you have spent the whole day pounding around the parks. Judging by what I have seen, virtually nobody walks to the partner hotels unless there is no other option.

[vampira]

I have stayed at the explorers hotel last year, and I'd say it isn't very far, it's possible to walk, but I prefer the bus.
We were very tired out first day and accidentally stayed on the bus too long, so we got out at the next stop and walked  bit to the hotel, but it wasn't a very nice safe road (or so it seemed to me), especially in the dark..

[myburgeoning]

What about to the village? Thanks

[vampira]

I think the Village is a little closer than the actual parks, but I would still recommend taking the bus. It's free and goes quite often. 

[DisneyDonna]

I wouldn't walk if I were you. The busses are a lot more easy plus less tiring.

[dejmurph1]

hi, dont forget the option of taxi, the rank is beside the bus stop. last time we stayed off site I think it was approx €5 or €6 to leave us back to the hotel. Worth it if your feet are killing you!!

[DisneyDonna]

hi, dont forget the option of taxi, the rank is beside the bus stop. last time we stayed off site I think it was approx €5 or €6 to leave us back to the hotel. Worth it if your feet are killing you!!

Why pay when there is a free shuttle bus available?

[clairabell13]

We are staying in the Explorers Hotel, and although we are driving to from the UK, once there we will be using the free shuttle buses (even though we also have the Fantasy AP that includes parking) 

[captain rocket]

As I see it, there is only one disadvantage with the bus  to the partner hotels and that is the appalling manners of people when the buses are crowded and especially after Dreams when it could be best described as open warfare! The only thing you can do is sharpen your elbows and behave like the rest! The rest of the time the buses are fine!

[myburgeoning]

thanks all! yes, we do plan to use the shuttle. I was just wondering if it was walkable or if there was a major highway involved etc. Sometimes it is nice to walk instead of waiting for a full shuttle

[Sugaroo_]

@myburgeoning The shuttle bus can be a pain at times. When we stayed at Kyriad it would often pull up totally packed so we had to wait for the next shuttle and maybe even the one after that. However, whilst doing some research for our next trip I came across the shuttle bus route, and Explorer's seems to be the first hotel it stops at when coming in from the parks. I imagine that means the bus arrives practically empty in the morning hours as most people are going and not returning. So that should work out for you quite well!   

[myburgeoning]

oh that's good news @Sugarzd where did you find the route map?

[Sugaroo_]

I found it after a lot of digging. I'll see if I can find it again for you! I googled it right now and found this on a trip advisor review:
"As the Explorers is the first stop for the shuttle bus to the Parks, you are guaranteed to get on, unlike a couple of the other hotels in the same area."

[captain rocket]

The sequence for the shuttle is Explorers,Kyriad,Magic Circus and Dream Castle. I always leave the hotel early as I am a Dream AP holder, usually catching the 07.40. service and there are usually 5 or 6 other people on board. The reason for this is that the vast majority of folk staying at these hotels do not have EMH access, so the first time they can access the parks is about 09.30. At busy times of the year I have known them lay on two different services, one going to Explorers and Dream castle and the other going to Magic Circus and Kyriad. This does take the pressure off, but at peak times they definitely need more buses.