new blog: Walt Disney World Transportation – Flawed or Convenient?

[jcb]

If we're going to a different area though we will take a taxi rather than deal with the bus system. Yes, there are exceptions. We might be staying at BLT and want to eat at Artist Point or Citrico's so we can simply take the boat or monorail there. But if we are at Old Key West (as we often are) and want to eat at Yachtsman Steak House (as we often do) then its an issue. Either I drive and don't have the wine, or we take a taxi since the WDW transportation system would make this a rather torturous journey.

Riding in the Seven Seas water launches after a few beers at Narcoossee's is itself something of a thrill ride.

 

[OKW Lover]

Riding in the Seven Seas water launches after a few beers at Narcoossee's is itself something of a thrill ride.

Especially if Thommy is driving.

 

[zulemara]

Especially if Thommy is driving.

I read the PP reply and immediately thought exactly what you posted I might be known to purposely hit the wake of the Castaways, then make a hard turn to be sideways to the wake, causing even more rocking. It ain't a good docking unless you're rocking your own wake

 

[jcb]

I read the PP reply and immediately thought exactly what you posted I might be known to purposely hit the wake of the Castaways, then make a hard turn to be sideways to the wake, causing even more rocking. It ain't a good docking unless you're rocking your own wake

It is also more of an adventure if there is a driving rain.

 

[peel]

I read the PP reply and immediately thought exactly what you posted I might be known to purposely hit the wake of the Castaways, then make a hard turn to be sideways to the wake, causing even more rocking. It ain't a good docking unless you're rocking your own wake

I'm gonna look for your boat the next time I'm down there for some extra thrills!

 

[raidermatt]

The only problem with indirect profit is that it does not show on a Profit & Loss sheet. What the bean counters at Disney look at is the bottom line.

True, but it is only a problem when you let bean counters run a business that is about more than just counting beans.

 

[raidermatt]

Sure no system is perfect, but seriously look:

Walt Disney World is a mini-city, and offers FREE TRANSPORTATION anywhere to anyone, whether or not you are staying there, and whether or not you are going to the parks. What other city can offer that?

It is not free. You pay for it in your room fees, park tickets, and even the bottles of water you buy.

 

[raidermatt]

ding ding! Disney determines a capacity on the buses, monorails, and boats. If it's too crowded, waiting for the next one is always an option. If Disney reduced capacity, it would mean a better experience EVERY time, but would also create a mandatory additional wait time. With the current system, Disney is letting the guest choose if they want to get on or wait for the next bus/boat/monorail

Yes, that's quite a choice. Squish yourself into somebody's armpit or wait up to another 20 minutes (sometimes more) for another bus with no guarantee it will be any less crowded.

And nobody said they have to reduce overall capacity. If they chose to, they could offer a greater variety of transportation options that would relieve the pressure on the bus system, and there would be no mandatory additional wait. Failing that, they could add more busses, change the types of busses they use, or just use the busses they have more efficiently.

 

[simmons_m]

Can WDW add LED screens to their Bus stops, that tell guests the destination and approximately wait time until the next bus arrives? If this can be done in horrendously unpredictable traffic cities like San Francisco, you'd think it'd be possible at WDW. See it on the top of this image:

Cell phone apps would soon follow.

+1 here. This would be great. I hope something like this is at least incorporated in to my Disney experience.
One advantage to the time, or count down to the next bus, would be the ability to adapt plans.

 

[WebmasterMike]

True, but it is only a problem when you let bean counters run a business that is about more than just counting beans.

And that is what the company has become.

 

[disneyholic family]

excellent article!!!

i haven't depended on the disney transportation system for many years now....it's rental cars for us...

even DD, who is there now, rented a car for the first time this trip..

after 2 days, she couldn't take it anymore and hightailed it over to alamo to rent a car...

and as a result, as you pointed out, she and her husband have ventured off property with their new found freedom....a dangerous thing for those bean counters...

 

[JERME81]

I also use my own car. We drive from Illinois and I'm use to how my car drives. I have been to Disney many times and know the roads pretty well that I don't get lost very easily. Even if I flew to Orlando I would probably get a rental car. I like the flexability of having my own car. I can buy as much stuff as I want at any theme park or Downtown Disney and not have to worry about standing trying to hold on to the grab handles and keep hold of my purchases.

The only exception is sometimes we bus it to Magic Kingdom just because the bus drops you off close to the entrance. I also will use the busses if I will be drinking adult beverages. I don't think anyone should drink and drive....PERIOD!

 

[lroger01]

Personally I like the idea of a set bus schedules. I was at DisneyLAND in June. I stayed at an off-site hotel that had a shuttle bus. It left the hotel on the hour and half-hour and left Disneyland on the :15 and :45 minute. It made it so easy to plan our day.

To help Disney efficiently schedule buses, I think they need dedicated bus lanes - even dedicated bus roads. Cut out (or down) the number of times a bus needs to stop at red lights. Use emergency vehicle technology to automatically change signal lights to green. Or,use a dispatch office that can see video of each intersection and change lights when buses are piling up. They could also build bridges over intersections and smooth out tight corners to allow for higher speeds and larger buses. Essentially create a light-rail type system but use buses instead of trains.

I like the idea of larger buses whether the double-decker or bend-in-the-middle type. The more people you can move and still only employ one driver is a win for everyone.

Lastly, Disney could help themselves more by spreading out park closing times and night time shows.

 

[capricorn19]

Can WDW add LED screens to their Bus stops, that tell guests the destination and approximately wait time until the next bus arrives? If this can be done in horrendously unpredictable traffic cities like San Francisco, you'd think it'd be possible at WDW. See it on the top of this image:

Cell phone apps would soon follow.

Disney knows where the buses are at all times, as they are equiped with GPS, so there would be no added cost of equipment there. The added cost would only be the LED screens at the bus stops...or there could be a dedicated channel on the resort tv. This would be a savings of $$$ for the LED's. Even a tv screen at the bus stops would be more cost effect than LED's. Besides they have a channel for everything else Disney why not let us know when the next bus will be arriving.

Just a thought!

 

[canuckcm]

I love the transportation system at WDW! I' ve never had a problem with waits or overcrowding, but I generally go off season (for good reason!). The sheer scope of the system in itself is impressive, and I think you need to just CHILL and remember you're on vacation! Whats the hurry? Stop and smell the roses!! I always see the huge mass exodus from MK after Wishes and shake my head. Its my fav time to find a bench, sit down and relax and people watch! I think a lot of it is going in with the right mindset.

As for the comments about the people who abuse the system, using wheelchairs/scooters, I have seen a lot of them in my recent visits, large groups, with one scooter, and every day a different person would be in the scooter . It's a shame that people abuse the system and make a bad image for those people who truly need the assistance. Again you ignore these people and don't let it get to you!