Which resorts have best/worst transporation?

[soccer mom]

Planning a quick 5-day surprise trip for the kids in early December. Not sure where we're staying yet. What resort, in each category (deluxe, moderate, value), do you think has the best/worst transportation to the parks?

Thanks!

[chrissyk]

DH and I stayed at the GF in May. The transportation was HORRID!! That alone will probably keep us from going back to WDW for many years. On the 2nd to last day of our week-long trip, we finally figured out that we could drive our rental car and park at most parks. What a difference that made! After spending over ONE HOUR getting to Blizzard Beach and back on a WDW bus, we vowed to never use Disney transportation again! The really bad part about using the rental car was that we didn't opt for valet parking since we were using the car so often. The non-valet lot at the GF was a far walk from the actual resort, which was a pain. We'd never stay at the GF again because of the bad transportation and long walk to the car lot. If we do Disney again, we'll stay at the Yacht Club or the Boardwalk, since you can walk to Epcot and MGM from that area. HTH!

[imbe@aol.com]

Originally posted by soccer mom
Planning a quick 5-day surprise trip for the kids in early December. Not sure where we're staying yet. What resort, in each category (deluxe, moderate, value), do you think has the best/worst transportation to the parks?

Thanks!

I have to respectfully disagree with the person who stated that the Grand has such horrible transportation. I've been staying there for years, and while NO place has *perfect* transportation, the Grand's has been .. for the most part... perfectly fine. You can get to the MK either by way of the monorail, or walk right to the dock there and catch the launch over. Bus transportation to the other parks.

The Poly has very good transportation options. Monorail or launch to the MK, and you're right next to ...w/n walking distance of the TTC, to Epcot. Again, bus transport to the other parks.



The Contemporary's transportation - monorail to the MK, or walk if you're up for it. Monorail around to the TTC for transport to Epcot, and bus to everywhere else.

The Yacht Club, Beach Club and Boardwalk are a bit different, in that you can either take a boat, or walk, to Epcot and MGM. Bus to everywhere else..

[DisnutDave]

The Wilderness Lodge, because of its remote location, can be more time consuming with DW transportation. Other than a boat to the MK, you take buses everywhere. And Murphy's Law clearly states that the bus you are waiting for will not arrive until two others of every kind have come and gone!

That said, I would heartily recommend that you stay there in early December. It is absolutely, jaw-droppingly gorgeous with all the holiday decorations up. If you choose to stay there, though, you'll want a car.

For ease of DW transportation, you can't beat the Epcot resort area- the BWI/BWV, YC/BC/BCV and S/D. Quick access to both Epcot and MGM, and short bus rides to DD.

Whatever you decide, have a wonderful trip!:D

[MinnieGi]

I think I have read transportation problems and gripes about every Disney resort on these boards at one time or another. So I think you will get varied opinions. Sometimes it seems to be hit or miss as to how speedy of service you get. Personally we have not had problems and have found on the whole Disney transportation to do quite well no matter where we are staying.

[2boys'mom]

We stayed at WL last year. We had a rental car and just didn't know when to use it, I guess. We thought the bus system would work. It works, but with small kids, it is not working well enough. For example, last year, with small kids, It took an hour to get back to WLfrom AK after waiting 20 min with wailing kids desperate for a nap. I also took 1 and 1/2 hours to get to Boardwalk area for dinner, partly my fault with a bad route plan.

This year, we did a bit better. We loved taking the boat to MK from WL. This works great. We could also take the boat to Contemporary and catch the monorail to get to TTC then Epcot which worked. But, we knew to drive the car to MGM and AK. Worked great. We also knew to drive to dinner at AKL. We also drove to Poly and GF for dinner, even though we could have done OK with the boat to the monorail. Driving decreases our frustration in the prolonged trips.

Another option. Cabs. Roughly $12. Last year we took one back to WL from the Boardwalk after our long trek to get there. This year, I took one from Epcot to Blizzard Beach with my 6 yo in the afternoon at 2 pm to go to that in the afternoon. This worked well. Also took one back to WL so we'd be on time for dinner. I wouldn't do it every time as it costs $, but it could save the day or evening with kids in a time or nap crunch.

So, having a car, and figuring out when you should use it versus WDW transport is an ongoing adventure.

[soccer mom]

Thanks for all the info! But let me ask it this way...if everything is running according to plan (I know, I know, it's not very likely!) which resorts have the best set up. I know WL shares with FW and I have read that can be a little longer. AKL doesn't share buses with any other resort. And POFQ and RS share. How about the other moderates? Do all of the AS share? What about Poly, CR, and GF, if you have to take a bus at one of those, do they share?

[Dopey Sharon]

We have stayed at the All Stars a few times and Dixie Landings our last trip. Of these two resorts, I'd have to say that the All Stars wins hands down!

[Dana_Buckley]

We stayed at the Poly & it does share buses with Contemporary & GF. CO was first, Poly then GF. The GF people usually had to stand on the bus. Sometimes a long ride to AK (15+min, i think). But the monorail was great to MK & Epcot. We didn't have to wait but 5 min or so for a bus (2x MGM, 1x AK). If the rate was right, I will stay here again, especially with DS now 2 1/2. Primary trip was to MK, I think we went 5x (2am, 3pm). Monorail can't be beat, we don't even have to take DS out of his stroller!

[Otisp]

From Dolphin it was a breeze to boat to MGM and walk or boat to Epcot. But going to MK and AK, the bus stopped at YC/BC and BW before heading off to the destination (it was quick coming back though!).

[Brer boy]

Best: All Stars
Worst: Swan
When we were at the Swan two years ago the buses were too far apart, not continuous like AS. The boat could be worse. If you just miss it you're in for a long wait. Then if you get it, it seems to stop everywhere before getting to MGM.

[cboudre1]

We have found getting to the 4 main theme parks was easy from all the Disney hotels we have stayed at. Some were more crowded then others but I think that was determined by the time of year we went. Getting to a water parks and DD was long every time we did it regardless of the hotel. I like the idea of a taxi for those places if you want to save time.

[drusba]

Literally all have some problem areas. The MK monorail resorts, GF, Poly and Cont., are very easy to MK or Epcot as you just take monorails, but the bus to AK or MGM can sometimes be time consuming (GF and Poly share a bus). At the Epcot deluxe resorts, BW, YC/BC, and Swan/Dolphin, you can walk to both Epcot and MGM (or take a boat), but the bus to either MK or AK can sometimes be a pain (AK busses stop at Blizzard Beach when it is open and busses are shared by those resorts except S/D now has its own to MK). AKL has busses to all parks that usually run fine but again problems can develop sometimes resulting in a long wait. The moderates and values, CBR, PO, and AS and the deluxe home away OKW also have busses to all parks and they usually have internal resort stops also which can soimetimes result in long trips. WL has a convenient boat to MK and then shares busses elsewhere with FW (and that Murphy's law noted above can sometimes happen). For worst, I would vote FW because you need to take an internal bus to get to another bus or the boat dock (to MK) to get to a park. Where they all do have more failures in timely trips is going to places other than parks. The Downtown Disney trip can often be very long (with three stops there) and going to another resort can take what seems to be a millennium as you often need to go to a park or Downtown Disney to switch busses. (Note about the above post about the Swan--the boat trip between MGM and Swan/Dolphin is direct now and thus takes only 8 minutes and it does not take much longer to walk there since the MGM walkway opened; also S/D has its own bus to MK; in other words if you were there two years ago things have changed and S/D now has one of the better systems.)

[Crichton]

We think that CBR has fantastic transportation - though during our last trip we saw more "older" buses than newer (cutbacks perhaps from 9/11?). However, regardless of the age and "newness" of these buses, they were always prompt, quick and cool. The only park that is time consuming to get to is MK. Epcot and MGM are just a hop, skip and a jump - while AK is a little longer :smooth:

[ducklite]

Best is probably a toss up between BW/BC/YC and All Star Sports (not movies--more on that later)

But it REALLY depends on the time of the year you go!!!

During peak times the All Stars each have their own bus during rush hours. During off seasons, they share. Which means if you are in Movies you are the last to be picke dup and will almost always stand, and sometimes not even be able to get on.

BW/BC/YC the BW is usually teh first stop, so you can usually get a seat, with BC being last. But because you walk to Epcot and MGM (or take the seldom crowded boat) I put those first on the list. Very easy to get into two parks with NO WAIT.

The Monorail resorts are also pretty good, but only for the MK, and not during peak times, as the monorail gets super crowded. Also, in order to get to Epcot you have to transfer at the TTC, and the lines there can be huge.

My vote for worst is probably the FW and CBR. I find the internal routes incredibly confusing, and time consuming.

I've had excellent and horrendous experiences at most of the resorts, but give me a resort I can walk to two parks from anyday.

Anne

[MNT568]

We stayed at CSR in March and I thought the buses were great. We never waited long for any of the buses and we always got a seat.

[catwho]

I really think that transportation is dependent on perspective. ;) We stayed at AS last year and felt that there were times that we waited forever for buses to arrive. We saw tons of buses for the moderates and deluxe resorts while we stood with all the other "poor" resort guests waiting and waiting. I came back and reported this to the boards and another family that was staying at CBR said they felt the same way. They saw bus after bus come for the AS but their bus didn't arrive after 5 buses had already been by for the AS. So I think we notice other people's buses while we are hot tired and waiting for our own.

All in all, the bus service was fairly easy to deal with and we rarely waited more than 20 minutes anywhere. Just when you are holding a 45 lb sleeping 3 yo it seems like forever!

:earsgirl:

[MauraAndIainsDad]

We've become too frustrated over the years to continue using WDW buses. (Ask my family - I'm not the most patient person in the world!) The last 2 trips we've taken, we have had our own transportation and bypassed the WDW buses altogether. We did use the boat to MGM when we stayed at BC last year however.

[SnackyStacky]

The BEST transportation on property is at the non-Disney owned hotels on hotel plaza blvd!

They have one bus for each of the four theme parks that stop only at the the DTD resorts, so they get you to the parks fairly quickly. It looked from your post like you were going during an off-season, so I should imagine you won't have to worry about crowds.

The negatives I noticed:

- No direct busses to the water parks. You have to go to the TTC and use Disney transportation from there.

- The stops at the parks aren't as close as Disney transportation. Not horrendously far, just not as close as Disney.

They only run every 15 minutes, but it's a definite schedule so you know when to arrive at the stops to be able to catch a bus.

Good luck!

[mat2672]

Ive stayed at most of the resorts and I just dont think you can throw a blanket over any one and say it has bad transportation. ive had my good and bad experiences at all of them. Its like the one poster who mentioned the GF and then someone else disagrees and says that it was great for them. Thats usually how it is. For every horrible experience, someone else says it was perfect when they were there. Some may be generally worse than others, but I totally disgree when someone who has stayed at a resort one time and had a bad experience says that the transportation is just always horrible. I think it will always be hit or miss, especially with the bus. Just my opinion based on many stays at many resorts.

[milmore104]

I'd have to say that the worst resort on bus trans. is hands down OKW. There we times we waited over 40 min. to get on a bus.
However I would have to say that AS resorts are great when it comes to trans. They are more crowded at park closing times due to all 3 resorts sharing a bus back to the resorts but there is usually 3 waiting so you don't have to wait very long.
And to answer your question about them sharing a bus it really depends on how many people are waiting for a bus on the way to the parks. We only made a trip to pick up people twice at the other As in a 2 week period.
Hope this helps!
I have noticed to while waiting that CBR seems to have a good bus system as well but I couldn't tell you from expe.

[PistolPete]

For the moderates, this is how I rate them:
1. CSR
2. PO-FQ
3. CBR
4. PO-R (because it shares a bus w/PO-FQ and is 2nd stop)

Monorail hotels are great for MK and EC, but slow for AK and MGM

BC/YC/BW/Swan/Dolphin are great for MGM and EC, average for MK and AK

WL/FW share the boat for MK, good at off times, but long waits at peak times. Buses are good for MGM and EC, poor for AK.

I have no personal experiences with All Star's.

[Vlahakis2001]

I believe that the GF has the best transportation out of any of the resorts. Maybe the CR is close but the GF has the best transportation by far.

[SueM in MN]

As someone else said, for each negative there will be a positive. We've stayed at CBR, PO, WL and we've been DVC members at OKW for 9 years and have not had a problem with the buses. The last few years, we've gone over Spring break (sometimes even been there right over Easter). Sometimes we walked to the stop and a bus came right away, sometimes we've missed the bus and had to wait 15-20 minutes for the next one, but seldom longer than that.

The transportation at all the resorts generally run every 15-20 minutes. They sometimes get off schedule or break down, which increases the time between buses. So, a lot of it is luck. If you get there at the right time, you will hardly wait at all and will think the transportation is great. If you just miss one bus, or the bus is delayed, you'll have to wait at least 15 minutes and you might not think the bus service is good. In general I think the transportation is pretty good for the number of people they carry each day.

[BadgerBruce]

I feel the best deluxe transportation is at the Swan, especially if you like to walk. You can walk to both Epcot & the Studios. The Swan is also the first stop in the Epcot resorts loop so you should always be able to get a seat. The only moderate we have stayed at is POR, and in 4 stays the bus service has always been very good. The boat to DD is very nice, too! We've also stayed at BC, BWV & Dolphin-never had bad service at any of them.

[eeyore0062]

You will probably find as many answers to that question as there are people posting, because "bad transporation" can be a subjective area around here! Also, transporation at resorts can vary with the day, the bus driver, and so many other factors. My suggestion is not to base your decision of resort on the transporation factor alone. Go with the resort you like the best, and let the chips fall where they may!

[milmore104]

I think that that was the best advice. I think that sometimes when we are all writing are opinions we forget that somethings really don't matter. I know that a bad bus ride can ruin your day but we have to remember that we are in Disney and that should make us happy. I know the only thing bad we have to say about our recent trip was the bus rides but it was not do to wait or the driver it was the rude people on the bus. So I would agree don't choose a resort because of the trans.

[Desnik]

chrissyk
When we stayed at the GF we used the guest parking and we too thought it was so far away. Then while staying there in Nov, we asked the Bell Hops at the entrance if there was a way we can get a ride to the lot? Well, they gladly got one of those vehicles they drive around for luggage and drove us right to our car!!! They said they do this all the time and to just ask next time and if someone was available they'd drive us there! We tipped them each time and were very grateful! They also offered the same to us after coming off the bus from a long park day, DD was asleep in my arms and they gave us a ride to our bldg.!

Personally I thought the "best" transportation we've encountered was at CSR and we didn't like the resort and will never go back, but their trasportation was great! Always a bus waiting. I had an isussue with the GF and BW transportation to certain parks because they often share buses with other resorts, this can get annoying when you just want to get back to your resort. Other than that I am greatful to not have to drive after driving to WDW from NY!!! and its free!

[Peter Pirate]

AKL has the best (most efficient) transportation. One stop, no sharing.

WL has the worst - even though they have a boat to MK it's often full & very slow. The busses to the other parks are always shared & the other Resorts (Poly & GF) aren't that close.

Swan/Dolphin/YC/BC/BW are all about the same as they share busses (different routes at diferent times & seasons). The Swan is the best as you're first on and thusly guranteed a seat over Dolphin folks...As would be the YC when they're sharing with th BC & BW. Also these hotels have the availability of boat (although slow) and are walkable to MGM & Epcot. A very convienient choice.

GF/Ploy are the same...Great to Mk, very mediocre (due to sharing with GF & WL) to other parks.

CSR / PO are good but the internal stops are bothersome...The loss of the BW direct bus (at CSR) was a big loss IMO...

Never stayed at the others but the AS lines at the Parks are what has kept us from staying there.

The Contemorary has to be a great choice what with walkability & monorail to MK and ease of monorail to Epcot.
:cool: :cool: :bounce: :cool: :cool:

[DeeP]

I have stayed in almost every WDW resort and I think considering the number of people they transport in any given day they do a wonderful job but if I had to pick a resort where I have experienced the fastest bus transportation it would be the All Stars and the resort where I have had the longest waits and bus rides would be OKW.

[Luv2Roam]

I think the transportation is partly based on just dumb luck.
For our stays --
The best: ASMo
Close second: CSR
Terrible with a capital T: POR

[soccer mom]

Thank you everyone for all of the information. Since this was a short trip I didn't want to spend too much time on transportation. You've given me food for thought, but like some of you advised, I guess I won't let it be the DECIDING factor in our choice of where to stay.

Thanks again, I knew I could count on you guys for help!

[BostonTigger]

It seems to me that most people agree that the AS resorts seem to have the best transportation. The last two times I've gone, I've noticed that the busses for the AS resorts seem to come more frequently than other busses, I guss this is due to so many more people staying at the AS resorts. The last two times I've gone to WDW I stayed at the POFQ, and loved it. The trasportation didn't seem to be that much of a problem. It did get a little irritating that we shared busses when going to the MK with the RQ, this wasn't the case for my first trip. I'm planning for a trip in January and I still haven't decided as to where I want to stay, but after hearing so many people say good thing about the transportation for the AS resorts I just might stay there. I do have one question regarding the AS resorts though. I think someone mentioned that the ASMo is the last to be picked up. If this is the case, which AS resort is the first? Thanks in advance for your imput.

Steven

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by soccer mom
Planning a quick 5-day surprise trip for the kids in early December. Not sure where we're staying yet. What resort, in each category (deluxe, moderate, value), do you think has the best/worst transportation to the parks?

Thanks!

This really depends on what parks are important to you. The YC/BC/BWI/BWV/BCV/Swan/Dolphin all allow you to be able to walk or take a boat to both MGM and EC. Everything else is by bus and all of these resorts share the route so the bus can get crowed to the MK,AK or DTD.

All of the moderates and the value resorts have bus transportation only besides POR/POFQ which has a boat to DTD but buses everywhere else. My understanding is that the All Stars all share buses, POR and POFQ share buses, the CBR is very large and the buses make six stops or so inside of CBR before going onto it destination. CS is also very large and there are multiple stops inside of CS before the bus goes onto its destination.

AKL is direct bus from the AKL to where ever you are going.

POLY, GF and CONT are most convient to the MK and then next to EC by monorail. Everything else is by bus and I believe these three share a bus route.

WL has a boat to the MK and then everything by bus. I believe some of the bus routes are shared with FW.

It comesdown to what park is most imporatant to you. We spend the least amount of our time at the MK therefore we will proboly never stay at a monorail resort the convienence of the YC/BC, Swan/Dolphin or the BW cannot be beat if EC and MGM are our faviorate parks.

This was kind of long but I hope it helps you out.

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by Brer boy
Best: All Stars
Worst: Swan
When we were at the Swan two years ago the buses were too far apart, not continuous like AS. The boat could be worse. If you just miss it you're in for a long wait. Then if you get it, it seems to stop everywhere before getting to MGM.

There must have been a problem with the buses during your trip because regardlesss of what on-site resort you stay at( All Stars or Swan) buses are supposed to run every 20mins from your resort to a park and back. In theory if everything is working ontime noone should have to wait more then 20mins for a bus.

The Swan/Dolphin is the last stop on the boat route to MGM. Going from the Swan/Dolphin to EC you also stop at YC and BW.

The boat at the EC resorts is a "slow" boat so to get to EC we walk and now that there is a walkway to MGM we will be walking from the Dolphin to both MGM and EC on our upcoming trip to the Dolphin.

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by ducklite

BW/BC/YC the BW is usually teh first stop, so you can usually get a seat, with BC being last. But because you walk to Epcot and MGM (or take the seldom crowded boat) I put those first on the list. Very easy to get into two parks with NO WAIT.
Anne

I think they must change the routes around? We have stayed at the YC twice and the BWI and once and on all three trips the order of the bus stops was the Swan then the Dolphin then the YC then the BC then the BWI.

[Dopey Sharon]

Steven...to answer your question...Sports is the first, Music second and Movies last. We've stayed at Music (Movies wasn't done being built yet) and Movies. Even though we were last, we always got a seat going anywhere in the morning...coming home, at night, when the parks closed, depending on my mood, we would stand or wait till the next bus and get a seat.

[mat2672]

I think in general too that a negative post is always more juicy than a positive one and it just sticks out more. its easier to remember a description of a "horrible" transportation story than it is to remember when someone says it was "fine". You can have 5 negative posts and 20 positive, but the negative ones will usually stick in your head and might cloud the truth a little. I really think a bad transportation day is just dumb luck and nothing more. And someone else made a good point that some people would find a 20 minute wait to be acceptable where as someone else comes on and trashes the resort because of the same wait. A lot of this is really subjective.