OKW transportation advice

[princessaloha]

HI! Just started reading the Unofficial Guide to WDW and it stated that bus transportation from OKW to the parks and back only run from noon to 6pm. Is this correct? If it is then:

1. How are we suppose to get to the parks in the morning? We do not have a car...too long of a drive from Hawaii

2. How are we suppose to get back to our rooms after dinner (our adr's are for 8:00 and later and include mostly signature restaurants at other resorts, GF, WL, etc)?

3. A little off the main subject but sort of related, if we are having dinner at the Grand Floridian's Victoria & Alberts, does the GF provide transportation? Because I think it will feel strange riding on the Disney buses in our coat/tie and evening gown.

Thank you in advance for any information, help, suggestions!

 

[Pakey]

HI! Just started reading the Unofficial Guide to WDW and it stated that bus transportation from OKW to the parks and back only run from noon to 6pm. Is this correct? If it is then:

1. How are we suppose to get to the parks in the morning? We do not have a car...too long of a drive from Hawaii

2. How are we suppose to get back to our rooms after dinner (our adr's are for 8:00 and later and include mostly signature restaurants at other resorts, GF, WL, etc)?

3. A little off the main subject but sort of related, if we are having dinner at the Grand Floridian's Victoria & Alberts, does the GF provide transportation? Because I think it will feel strange riding on the Disney buses in our coat/tie and evening gown.

Thank you in advance for any information, help, suggestions!

The buses run all day. At least an hour before park opening and an hour after park closing.

For V&A we have taken the bus all dressed and have seen many others do it. Of course we do not do the tie and evening gown as we prefer cocktail attire over formal when dining. We usually take a cab back after dinner because we are miserably full from the meals there.

 

[DizBub]

HI! Just started reading the Unofficial Guide to WDW and it stated that bus transportation from OKW to the parks and back only run from noon to 6pm. Is this correct? If it is then:

1. How are we suppose to get to the parks in the morning? We do not have a car...too long of a drive from Hawaii

2. How are we suppose to get back to our rooms after dinner (our adr's are for 8:00 and later and include mostly signature restaurants at other resorts, GF, WL, etc)?

3. A little off the main subject but sort of related, if we are having dinner at the Grand Floridian's Victoria & Alberts, does the GF provide transportation? Because I think it will feel strange riding on the Disney buses in our coat/tie and evening gown.

Thank you in advance for any information, help, suggestions!

The only time we have stayed at OKW (love it!) was last May. Didn't notice that the buses were any different than any other resort. They were running early and late. ???????

I have seen people on the buses dressed very nice, like they were going to a fancy restaurant. You could also take the boat from OKW to DTD and catch a bus directly to GF. If you don't feel comfortable going by bus I'm sure you could hire a cab. Have Fun!!

 

[DebbieB]

I've stayed there several times and it was no different than any other resort. If that is what the Unofficial Guide says, it's a major error.

 

[spiceycat]

don't worry - the buses start at around 6:30am in the morning - they are surpose to quit an hour after closing - but sometimes it is 2 hours after closing. if you still miss one - just go tell security - they will get you back to your WDW resort (only works if you are staying at a WDW resort)

now don't particuilar like the GF - neverthe less - unless it is busy the GF has been know to send it limeousine - but only when it was not busy.

would take the bus there then ask at the front desk for help getting back to okw - the worst would be a taxis - so be sure to have the money if you need it

 

[bumbershoot]

I've stayed there several times and it was no different than any other resort. If that is what the Unofficial Guide says, it's a major error.

Agreed. Major error.

 

[princessaloha]

Thank you Pakey, DizBub, DebbieB, spiceycat, bumbershoot! That helps a lot. Appreciate the advice about the taxi and alternative route. Will look into these, otherwise it sounds like it wouldn't be that strange to be dressed up on the buses.

Yeah, that typo is a major mistake. It's located in the UG WDW/with kids 2012 edition on page 75 bottom right hand corner in the blue print with the picture of a bike rider and reads,"...Disney's Old Key West Resort is centrally located but offers only limited bus service noon-6pm". Just want to say as an aside that with that exception, I'm really liking the UG information.

Again, thanks everyone!

 

[princessaloha]

The buses run all day. At least an hour before park opening and an hour after park closing.

For V&A we have taken the bus all dressed and have seen many others do it. Of course we do not do the tie and evening gown as we prefer cocktail attire over formal when dining. We usually take a cab back after dinner because we are miserably full from the meals there.

I read on several of the threads that V&A are very strict about the tie and coat (and strappy sandals...for women...that would be strange if I was talking about men, lol). Are you saying they are not strict? DH would prefer cocktail attire (although I'm sure that means something altogether different in the mainland than here in Hawaii).

 

[Peebee]

I'm guessing that sentence is trying to state that the service runs in a more limited fashion during those hours, compared to the rest of the day when you will likely see more buses. As others have stated, buses run from before park opening to past closing time.

Have a great trip!

 

[WsPrincess]

I read on several of the threads that V&A are very strict about the tie and coat (and strappy sandals...for women...that would be strange if I was talking about men, lol). Are you saying they are not strict? DH would prefer cocktail attire (although I'm sure that means something altogether different in the mainland than here in Hawaii).

For V&A they are strict but the big thing is men have to wear a jacket. It can be a sports coat or a suit but they have to wear it. A tie not a requirement and recent posts have said dressy sandals are fine but not flip flops.

 

[CarolMN]

Thank you Pakey, DizBub, DebbieB, spiceycat, bumbershoot! That helps a lot. Appreciate the advice about the taxi and alternative route. Will look into these, otherwise it sounds like it wouldn't be that strange to be dressed up on the buses.

Yeah, that typo is a major mistake. It's located in the UG WDW/with kids 2012 edition on page 75 bottom right hand corner in the blue print with the picture of a bike rider and reads,"...Disney's Old Key West Resort is centrally located but offers only limited bus service noon-6pm". Just want to say as an aside that with that exception, I'm really liking the UG information.

Again, thanks everyone!

I'm guessing that sentence is trying to state that the service runs in a more limited fashion during those hours, compared to the rest of the day when you will likely see more buses. As others have stated, buses run from before park opening to past closing time.

Have a great trip!

I agree with Peebee. That sentence just means the buses do not run as often between Noon and 6 pm as they do during the mornings and evenings.

If you choose to go back to OKW (or back to the park) in the afternoons, you may have to wait a bit longer for a bus. But that's pretty much true for all of the resorts that use buses to get between the resort and the parks.

 

[princessaloha]

Thank you Peebee, WsPrincess, CarolMN! Haha that makes more sense. I was very confused. That's why I love this board, helps to straighten everything out.

Our visit is still a month out but we are getting so excited, we can hardly contain ourselves!!!

 

[swiss family robinso]

My 2012 UG doesnt give information about limited bus service from OKW-but maybe I overlooked it. UG is usually spot on. I will say, I waited in the PO bus line at MK and watched 2 OKW buses come and go before mine arrived.
Perhaps, you could carry your evening wear on the bus and change at the GF. Doesn't cost a penny extra, and doesn't create stares. Have fun!

 

[cornish pixie]

Were here at the moment and the bus service we feel is Brilliant. We have a car but have used the transport especially going to Magic Kingdom as it takes you right to the entrance of the park . We also love taking the boat over to Downtown Disney this is a first for us and we give it a huge early magic hours and the transport is there ready to get you to those parks. My Hubbie loves it as well as he gets a break from driving and can actually have a beer if he choses without having to worry that he has to drive back .
Enjoy your trip
Cornish Pixie

 

[dianeschlicht]

You will be very pleasantly surprised. We find bus service at OKW to be among the best in the system. As stated in the UG though, they do come less frequently in the middle of the day when there are fewer travelers.

 

[vicki_c]

Buses at OKW were great this past spring. We were at the bus stop at 6:10 AM one day and picked up by around 6:25 AM (this was an EMH morning at 7 AM at MK) and also used the buses coming home later at night from MK - no problems at all. DH also used the bus internally to run back to the room from the Hospitality House when we forgot something in the room. Worked great.

 

[Huey]

Just booked OKW for May/June. Have heard reports that bus journeys can be lengthy due to the internal pick up and drop offs. This doesn't concern me too much as I am used to Port Orleans from previous trips, but, I learnt the best stops to jump on and off to ensure seating and less time doing the rounds in the hotel. Does anyone have any tips for how best to navigate the OKW bus system / routes that they might be willing to share please. Thanks in advance and a special thanks to the regular posters whose valuable information has been a great help esp. with respect to purchasing dvc.

 

[lovin'fl]

Just booked OKW for May/June. Have heard reports that bus journeys can be lengthy due to the internal pick up and drop offs. This doesn't concern me too much as I am used to Port Orleans from previous trips, but, I learnt the best stops to jump on and off to ensure seating and less time doing the rounds in the hotel. Does anyone have any tips for how best to navigate the OKW bus system / routes that they might be willing to share please. Thanks in advance and a special thanks to the regular posters whose valuable information has been a great help esp. with respect to purchasing dvc.

The stop at the hospitality house is the very last stop when heading out to the parks. The stop at the Penninsular Rd location is the very first stop when coming back to OKW from the parks. We book the HH special booking (have to book likely before the 7 month window to get this) and we go to the HH stop when heading out and jump off at the Penninsular stop when coming home (it's right next to the HH pool area, so close to where we'd be in the HH section). There are buildings you can request that are near these 2 stops (that aren't in the HH special booking). Here is a link to the OKW resort map. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=722349 it's post #4. Buildings 11-14 and 23-25 are the special HH booking. The bus stop near building 23-26 is the Penninsular Rd stop.

 

[mlittig]

I have always had very good luck with Old Key West busses

 

[Huey]

Great advice, thanks!

Let's hope the luck rubs off =o)