Why aren't there park-to-park buses?

[siskaren]

We have a late dinner ressie at Ohana and are staying at BI. What bus will we take when all the parks are closed?

If all the parks are closed, you can take a bus to DTD.

 

[Marshel]

I'll be honest here and say that TTC is as much a part of MK as the castle is, as far as I am concerned. That is how I originally entered MK in the days of long ago and that is how I prefer to enter it now. I always feel that something is missing if I don't get to take the Ferry or the Monorail. Why is everyone in so much of a hurry that they actually miss some of the best stuff there?

I'm with you. It was also the way Walt wanted it designed, to ramp up the anticipation as you approach the MK from afar, getting more excited as it comes into view as you approach it.

 

[Alesia]

If all the parks are closed, you can take a bus to DTD.

Or you could save yourself and take a cab. It should cost around $20, plus tip.

 

[Brian Noble]

Or you could save yourself and take a cab. It should cost around $20, plus tip.

Yes, this, absolutely. For some reason, the resort-DTD buses are notoriously painful.

 

[goofy4tink]

Their has always been park to park travel, whether bus, boat or monorail. What they need is resort to resort buses. for those that have dinning reservations at other resorts than their own.

Will never happen....not unless guests want to start paying double for their room rates. Each resort pays for it's bus service, out of their budget. There is no way you would be able to run buses, efficiently and cheaply, between resorts.

I'll be honest here and say that TTC is as much a part of MK as the castle is, as far as I am concerned. That is how I originally entered MK in the days of long ago and that is how I prefer to enter it now. I always feel that something is missing if I don't get to take the Ferry or the Monorail. Why is everyone in so much of a hurry that they actually miss some of the best stuff there?

I have to agree. It's the parking lot for MK. If you are planning on taking a bus from another park, and it will be a busy time of day, I would suggest just taking the bus to the CR. Then walk over to MK...takes under 10 mins. Or bus to the Polynesian and take the boat or monorail over.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

I noticed construction going on near the MK bus stop a couple of weeks ago--perhaps that's what they're doing. I haven't bothered to research yet so don't know.

Looking at satellite photos and remembering where the construction I saw was, I think it very likely they are expanding capacity at the MK bus stop.

I think they were just burying a pipe, possibly to help with the flooding under the water bridge when it rains. On Wednesday it looked like they were already covering over the excavation with sod.

Of course, it's possible the work was in support of the rumored future expansion, but whatever it was, it looks like this phase is already wrapping up.

I recall reading or hearing (on a podcast) somewhere that the MK bus depot roadway was not suitable for extra-long articulated buses. Maybe that is what the work is for...changing the minimum turning radius.

 

[joelkfla]

I recall reading or hearing (on a podcast) somewhere that the MK bus depot roadway was not suitable for extra-long articulated buses.

Not true -- MK to Pop was one of the routes they used during the artic bus tests. (Actually, your photo looks like it was shot at the MK.)

It might be true for the north loop (the one that loops under the monorail beam), but that loop only has 5 of the existing 18 load zones. The north loop also presents a problem for some hybrids, as they are usually a few inches taller and can't fit under the beam. On occasion, lost charter buses have entered the north loop and had to be backed out.

If WDW decides to go with artic buses in a big way, a lot of load zones would need to be reworked, because as they are now, the back door is often beyond the curb, and in some cases next to the bus in the load zone behind.

 

[goofy4tink]

Not true -- MK to Pop was one of the routes they used during the artic bus tests. (Actually, your photo looks like it was shot at the MK.)

It might be true for the north loop (the one that loops under the monorail beam), but that loop only has 5 of the existing 18 load zones. The north loop also presents a problem for some hybrids, as they are usually a few inches taller and can't fit under the beam. On occasion, lost charter buses have entered the north loop and had to be backed out.

If WDW decides to go with artic buses in a big way, a lot of load zones would need to be reworked, because as they are now, the back door is often beyond the curb, and in some cases next to the bus in the load zone behind.

Wow!!! That's a lot of bus!!! I haven't seen those yet. Wonder if I'll see any in Dec!!! Very cool.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

Sorry...I'm a little confused. You said:

Not true

to my:

I recall reading or hearing (on a podcast) somewhere that the MK bus depot roadway was not suitable for extra-long articulated buses. Maybe that is what the work is for...changing the minimum turning radius.

But then say:

If WDW decides to go with artic buses in a big way, a lot of load zones would need to be reworked

My comment about turning radius was uninformed speculation...I don't remember what I heard/read specifically other than work would need to be done to accommodate the articulated buses.

So what's not true....work would need to be done to accommodate long buses or that the specific work being discussed earlier in this thread is not related to accommodating long buses?

 

[joelkfla]

Sorry...I'm a little confused. You said:
to my:

But then say:
My comment about turning radius was uninformed speculation...I don't remember what I heard/read specifically other than work would need to be done to accommodate the articulated buses.

So what's not true....work would need to be done to accommodate long buses or that the specific work being discussed earlier in this thread is not related to accommodating long buses?

Not true that the MK loop could not accommodate the articulated buses because the turn is too tight.

And also not true about the specific work; it was just burying a pipe, but the reason for that pipe is open to speculation. Anyhow, that work has now wrapped.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

I just assume it's a lack of space. Someone else may have a better answer.

Probably cheaper, too, for Disney. (i.e. Fewer bus miles, less gas, capacity already exists on monorails and ferries from TTC, etc.)

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

Not true that the MK loop could not accommodate the articulated buses because the turn is too tight. And also not true about the specific work; it was just burying a pipe, but the reason for that pipe is open to speculation. Anyhow, that work has now wrapped.

I used to be a public transit planner. Articulated buses actually make turns more easily than shorter buses do. It's because each half is shorter than the length of a standard bus. They were originally developed for European cities needing high-capacity buses that could negotiate the tight, sharp turns of old European downtowns. So basically, any turn a standard bus can negotiate at WDW, an articulated bus can negotiate, too. So probably the only real issues Disney faces in terms of adopting them World-wide are operator training and making sure both public bus berths and backstage maintenance bays are long enough.

 

[mesaboy2]

Probably cheaper, too, for Disney. (i.e. Fewer bus miles, less gas, capacity already exists on monorails and ferries from TTC, etc.)

Since this thread went dormant, it is now a known thing that additional stops are coming to the MK depot. Along with that all signs point to park-to-park buses going to MK vice TTC.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

Since this thread went dormant, it is now a known thing that additional stops are coming to the MK depot. Along with that all signs point to park-to-park buses going to MK vice TTC.

I did knew about the longer bus berths being built at MK (and I'm sure backstage as well). I wanted to make sure anyone reading this legacy thread would not come away believing what is a longstanding myth concerning the turning radius needs of articulated buses.

I'm not sure what you mean by the rest of your comment. Do you mean that existing signage for park-to-park buses traveling to and from MK indicates service via TTC transfer, or do you mean that it is likely that once articulated service begins to MK, service will still be via the TTC? (Reports from earlier this year suggested direct park-to-park articulated bus service to/from MK).

 

[mesaboy2]

I did knew about the longer bus berths being built at MK (and I'm sure backstage as well). I wanted to make sure anyone reading this legacy thread would not come away believing what is a longstanding myth concerning the turning radius needs of articulated buses.

I'm not sure what you mean by the rest of your comment. Do you mean that existing signage for park-to-park buses traveling to and from MK indicates service via TTC transfer, or do you mean that it is likely that once articulated service begins to MK, service will still be via the TTC? (Reports from earlier this year suggested direct park-to-park articulated bus service to/from MK).

Once the new berths open, my understanding is that the TTC will no longer be needed for park-to-park bus routes, thanks to the increased capacity.

I was also under the impression the new berths are being built specifically to accommodate the new artics, but I could be wrong. I will be curious to see if they use only the new loop--my guess is yes.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

Once the new berths open, my understanding is that the TTC will no longer be needed for park-to-park bus routes, thanks to the increased capacity.

I was also under the impression the new berths are being built specifically to accommodate the new artics, but I could be wrong. I will be curious to see if they use only the new loop--my guess is yes.

Oh ok, that makes sense. Also, I reread my response. Not meant snippy, so my apologies if it came across that way!

 

[mesaboy2]

Oh ok, that makes sense. Also, I reread my response. Not meant snippy, so my apologies if it came across that way!

No worries--didn't read it that way.

 

[joelkfla]

I was also under the impression the new berths are being built specifically to accommodate the new artics, but I could be

Yes, that is the case. There will be fewer, longer load zones than the current south loop has in roughly the same amount of space. And the queues will be configured to facilitate loading thru both doors.

 

[joelkfla]

I used to be a public transit planner. Articulated buses actually make turns more easily than shorter buses do. It's because each half is shorter than the length of a standard bus.

The NovaBus artics actually have a slightly wider turning radius, as shown on this spec sheet. But maybe that's because the Nova 40' model turns more tightly than other manufacturers' models.

The New Flyer artics have the same turning radius as their 40', as shown here. But their 40' turns like Nova's artic.

We are getting NovaBus artics, but I haven't been able to get an answer on who is manufacturing the other half of the order.

 

[phillymummer]

Oh my! Why has this embarrassing thread been resurrected??