Bus frequency to parks from resort hotels?

[HollyEpcot]

Hi- was wondering if the bus service from the moderates or deluxe was better (ie: more frequent, less crowded) than the service to the value resorts. We stayed at All Star Movies last year, and while we liked the hotel, we (especially Grandma!) weren't that thrilled with the bus service in early December. If we stay at a moderate resort - one of the POR, or CB or CS would the bus service be better? Or do we really need to upgrade to a deluxe for better bus service? Thanks!!!!
(ps We are thinking of a fall 2011 trip- sometime in October/November - any tips for visiting that time of year would be great!!!!)

 

[Nadjalu]

Sorry the bus service is run the same for all catagories of resorts.

Just staying deluxe does not get you better bus service.

The resort Allstars you stayed at, they all 3 share the buses. So you have 3 resorts on the bus.

When you stay moderate, the bus supports one resort. However there are multiple stops within that resort as they are so large. (usually 4-5 stops)

The deluxes actually share to an extent. For instance I believe it is the GF and the Poly....or the Poly and WL....etc.
AKL however does not share with another resort, but it has 2 stops as it stops at the main house and the DVC resort.

The only resort that has one stop and doesn't share is POP Century. It is a value resort.

All buses are suppose to come at least every 20mins. What may I ask were you not happy with? Depending on that you may do better to rent a car. Or stay at POP where the buses don't share...however that is a big resort and those buses can definitely get FULL quick.

 

[HollyEpcot]

Thanks for the info. The buses at All-Stars were very full- we were the last stop and there would be a lot of people on the bus already from the other 2 All-Star resorts. We also had a really long wait getting a return bus from Animal Kingdom (which really surprised us, because it is the closest park to the All-Stars?)

 

[Nadjalu]

Thanks for the info. The buses at All-Stars were very full- we were the last stop and there would be a lot of people on the bus already from the other 2 All-Star resorts. We also had a really long wait getting a return bus from Animal Kingdom (which really surprised us, because it is the closest park to the All-Stars?)

Ok, there in lies the issue....you were last on the route. So if you stay Allstar again make sure you stay in Sports, it is picked up first and dropped off first. Music is second and Movies last. This is how these resorts go.
In busy times often Allstars each one has a dedicated bus to MK, but not always.

So if you wish to stay value, POP is probably the best way to go since it has it's own buses.
Or stay at Sports, since it is first in the rotation.

It doesn't surprise me about AKL. It is notorious for slow buses. In 3 trips that is the only time we waited longer than 15mins for a bus. We left AKL to go to Epcot for a transfer to the POP bus. (we always stay at POP)

Many people report slow buses at AKL...which is a deluxe, so again they get no special treatment. You aren't paying more to stay there for bus treatment. You are paying more for the theming and accomidations, location as well.

Best thing to do is research the resort you are thinking of if not POP, that way you know how the buses are.

Good luck on your next trip!!!

 

[cbg1027]

I second what Nadjalu said - it has nothing to do with the resort category. It's just pure dumb luck as to how long you wait.

I also echo the advice about staying at Sports. And sometimes, the All Stars don't share buses...so just more luck of the draw!

 

[ronniewms]

We stayed at the AS Sports. I can only think of 2 times we shared a bus with the other All Stars. There were quite a few times, there were only 5 or 6 of us on the bus at all returning from the parks. I know of one time returning from MK we were the only ones on there because we thought it was pretty cool to have the bus all to our selves. I've stayed at AS Music before and always shared a bus, so maybe try the Sports next time.

 

[madalex]

It doesn't surprise me about AKL. It is notorious for slow buses. In 3 trips that is the only time we waited longer than 15mins for a bus. We left AKL to go to Epcot for a transfer to the POP bus. (we always stay at POP)

Many people report slow buses at AKL...which is a deluxe, so again they get no special treatment. You aren't paying more to stay there for bus treatment. You are paying more for the theming and accomidations, location as well.

I've stayed at AKL many times and the bus service there is no better and no worse than the bus service at any other Deluxe resort. AKL is no more notorious for slow buses than any other resort and there are complaints about slow buses at all the resorts.

That being said, one thing you are paying for at many of the deluxes is the ability not to have to use a bus. For example, at the Epcot resorts, no bus is needed for 2 of the 4 parks. At the monorail resorts, same thing.

 

[HollyEpcot]

I've stayed at AKL many times and the bus service there is no better and no worse than the bus service at any other Deluxe resort. AKL is no more notorious for slow buses than any other resort and there are complaints about slow buses at all the resorts.

That being said, one thing you are paying for at many of the deluxes is the ability not to have to use a bus. For example, at the Epcot resorts, no bus is needed for 2 of the 4 parks. At the monorail resorts, same thing.

Is that because you can walk to EPCOT & Hollywood Studios from EPCOT hotels? How long is the walk?

 

[krb2g]

Is that because you can walk to EPCOT & Hollywood Studios from EPCOT hotels? How long is the walk?

Yes. The walk is easy. From the Boardwalk no more than 10 minutes to Epcot and 15 to the Studios.

 

[nkereina]

I agree with PP, if the buses irk you, deluxe resorts would be good for you because many of them have more than one transportation option. Swan/Dolphin, though not true Disney resorts, are probably the most affordable. In addition to the buses, they have the boats to DHS and Epcot. Also walking distance to DHS and Epcot. In that same area is BC/YC and Boardwalk. Of course there's also the monorail resorts - Poly, GF & Contemporary where you can take the monorail to MK or Epcot. So you'd only have to deal with buses to go to 2 of the 4 parks.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

When staying at most of their Deluxe Resorts you will have less buses to deal with.

At the Monorail Resorts you the only buses you need to take are the ones which go to Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom/Blizzard Beach and Downtown Disney/Typhoon Lagoon. So when going to the Magic Kingdom you can take the Resort Monorail, Boats or walkway. Going to Epcot you take the Resort Monorail to the TTC and switch to the Epcot Monorail.

At the Epcot Resorts their buses only go to the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom/Blizzard Beach and Downtown Disney/Typhoon Lagoon. So when going to Epcot or Hollywood Studios you can either use the walkways or Boats to those parks.

Now the Wilderness Lodge has buses which go to the all the 4 Theme Parks, however they also have a boat to the Magic Kingdom.

The Animal Kingdom is the only Deluxe Resort with only buses and no other options for getting around.