Bus Service at SSR

[DisneyDreamer99]

We're debating between renting a car and relying on the buses at SSR.

What has everyones experience with the busses at SSR been like? How long is an average wait? I know sometimes waits will be longer, but on average how long are people waiting.

Also, on average, how long is the ride to MK, Epcot, MGM and Epcot? I read in the Unofficial Guide that it takes 25 minutes to get to MK. Do you think this is accurate?

Thanks for your help.

 

[2manypets]

I'd like to know also, I was thinking about buying DVC at this resort.

Thanks!

 

[chalee94]

when i went in november, we relied on buses and enjoyed letting disney do the driving. the bus from SSR to epcot seemed reasonably quick but we didn't time it. seems like they were coming every 15 or 20 minutes, but i think i read that they may have changed some of the routes. we stayed in the paddock building nearest congress park and liked being a 5-10 minute walk to the buses at DTD, where we could hop buses to the resorts (AKL and grand floridian) for dining. (also gave us another option getting back from epcot since we could hop the DTD bus if the SSR line looked long.)

SSR has added a building or 2 since then and i don't know if the buses are keeping up. i expect they'll have things under control when construction is completed.

if you're going during a busy time and/or you're in a "commando"-mode for hitting the parks, it might be safer to rent a car, but if i were staying at SSR again, i would plan to rely on the buses again. JMO.

 

[PlainJane]

The SSR buses didn't seem any less reliable than any other WDW resort I've stayed at. I generally left an hour to get anywhere though, so we wern't usually in a hurry, so I never really noticed how long it took to get places. If your not up for waiting possibly 30 minutes for a bus, I don't think disney transportation is for you.

 

[chalee94]

for the other side of the argument, read this thread (currently in progress);

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1409790

 

[2manypets]

Not meaning to hijack your thread DisneyDreamer99, but thank you all for the information.

J

 

[nhdisnut]

We have stayed at SSR twice (3rd trip in 2 weeks!!! ) and have found the bus service to be excellent. We waited 5 - 10 minutes at most for most theme park buses (last April and during Christmas week). We waited about 30 minutes once - but that seems to happen at all resorts occasionally.

One advantage to SSR is the fact that it is possible to catch a bus to any WDW resort from DTD - makes it really easy to have dining reservations at any restaurant on property!

 

[Deb & Bill]

We had no problems with the buses at SSR when we stayed there on two separate trips. It takes about 12-15 minutes to get to the MK from SSR once it makes the last stop at the resort.

 

[MagicFam5]

We stayed here in July. Bus service was great. Waited ten min. tops each time. We were traveling in a large group and a friend and I were the "leaders" cause we've been so many times. They kept asking how we knew when the bus would get there. Our response "Everything we do is carefully planned!" By the end of the trip that line wa a running joke. We had so much luck, err, I mean Disney Magic!

 

[cobbler]

Bus service at any resort is hit or miss. Honestly for everyone that says they had great service, you will have an equal number of replys saying they had horrible service.

There is no way to judge and I wouldn't choose a resort based on bus experience.

 

[Sammie]

I agree with Cobbler, bus service at Disney truly is equal at all resorts. Good and bad at any given time. I would not give it a thought.

 

[DisneyDreamer99]

Wow, alot of different views on this subject. It's alot to take in.

Thanks everyone for your input. And thanks Chalee94 for the link to the other thread.

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

Generally, we've had great success with transportation at SSR.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I agree with the fact that bus service is hit or miss with ALL the resorts. The best two for me have been CBR and SSR which doesn't mean didly squat! One of the reasons I now have good bus experiences is I NEVER allow anything less than one hour when I am trying to make anything at WDW, whether its a parade or fireworks I want to see, an ADR I have made or a park opening. Not only does that give me the leeway I need in case a bus is running late but also time moves much slower when you are trying to make something and cutting it close. I saw this for myself at CBR. As we walked up we saw our bus (AK ) pulling out. We didn't try to run and didn't need to so no biggie. Another family was just coming up as well and also missed it. They were trying to make an ADR and after about 15 minutes the mom gets on the phone thats there in the bus stop, calls the desk at CBR and starts in on them. She claims they have been waiting over a half hour. No way, since they got there when we did no more than fifteen minutes earlier. But when you are sitting there with whining kids upset they will miss breakfast with Donald, time moves differently, stress heats up and you start to whig out. I have no doubt that from this woman's standpoint the bus service at WDW stunk that day. I have been there and done that and now have even been known to tamper with the alarm clock in our room to make my family think its later so that we are in fact on time! Bottom line, its free, its public transportation and you have to expect the worst and prepare for it.

Oh, and there is no way it takes 25 minutes to get to the MK from SSR once the bus is moving. More like 10-15 minutes I am guessing.

 

[MissyDVC]

We did not have ANY problems with the bus system at SSR. We were there last November/December and stayed in Congress Park. It was a short walk to the bus stop as well as to the path for the walk to DTD.

I'd like to know also, I was thinking about buying DVC at this resort.

For 2manypets and anyone else, we are DVC owners at SSR and would be happy to answer any questions we can help with! Just Post or PM Have a magical day