10/29-11/5 Saratoga Springs bus transportation problems

[jsm715]

What is everyone's experience with bus transportation at SSR? We stayed at SSR for the first time from 10/29-11/5, and we were not impressed with the bus transportation at all! We've stayed at other resorts, and we had occasional snags, but they were not common. I'm trying to figure out if this was a fluke or a consistent problem with SSR.

The buses were often extremely crowded. We also noticed when leaving the parks in the evenings, the SSR lines were much longer than other deluxe/dvc resorts. Overall, not as relaxing as previous trips! One morning, we waited 40 minutes for the first Epcot bus to show up (and we were 20 minutes late for our Princess Storybook Dining breakfast!), and when the bus made its last stop at the Springs, several people waiting couldn't even get on. I felt so bad for them, because we had waited 40 minutes, and perhaps they did as well - and then they were still left waiting.

Anybody else had similar experiences?

 

[dmoore22]

We've stayed at SSR twice in the past few years, most recently the first weekend in October. Both times we found SSR transportation definitely has room for improvement compared to what we've become accustomed to at our home resort.

 

[jsm715]

dmoore: what is your home resort?

 

[StevesBLT]

For what it's worth, I've had the same experience. I've stayed at SSR twice for week-long stays--once in 2008 and once in 2009. I found the transportation to be exactly as you've described--long waits were the norm (and, based on the lines, it sure seemed like the SSR buses were running less frequently than other resorts), and often the buses would fill up before the last stop. We finally learned that it was best to only take the buses to MK, and just drive to the other parks.

 

[dmoore22]

dmoore: What is your home resort?

okw

 

[DMKEDM]

I was at SSR 10/24-10/29...we took buses to the parks at least twice each day (we came back for mid-afternoon breaks)...

Once, my friend waited for an Epcot bus for 30 minutes. Other than that, none of us waited more than 10 minutes for any bus to any park.

We got on at Grandstand...in the mornings, by the time the bus got to the Springs it was standing room only and one time a family w/one of those big (folded) runners strollers and 2 small kids in add'n to the stroller sized kid decided to wait for the next bus rather than trying to "cram on"...

Obviously, a very different experience than the one you had...we've stayed at SSR at least 5 times and all our bus experiences have been similar...

We've also stayed at almost every other DVC resort (still missing Wilderness Lodge) and there's been at least one trip w/one long wait on the way home from a park from every one of them...

Also have caught buses from non-DVC resorts (Poly, POR, GF) and had similar experiences (mostly short waits w/an occasional long one; mostly get seats but sometimes have to stand)...

FWIW...

Happy T-giving!

 

[Sammie]

The buses are crowded because of people parking at Downtown Disney and coming over to ride them for free to the parks instead of paying to park. This is suggested by bus drivers for those trying to get from a park to Downtown Disney. It is also suggested alot on the Transportation forum of this site.

Ever since Disney stopped buses going from the parks to Downtown Disney it has gotten worse. People also walk over from the Buena Vista Palace and ride the buses.

It is a problem that is getting worse. Please write Member Services and complain.

We did not have long waits during our stay but we did have big crowds getting on the buses.

Only when enough people staying at SSR complain will we ever see any change.

 

[burberryplaid]

We didn't have problems every time, but there were definitely issues. One thing that worked out in our favor was the fact that we were at the Grandstand - first bus stop. A couple of times we had to give up our seats to families with small children. The busses to the MK were especially crowded. We had especially long waits from Epcot.

 

[jsm715]

dmoore22: I now realize I should have just looked at your signature to know your home resort! Duh! I'm glad to hear that OKW doesn't seem to have the same issues with the buses.

 

[jsm715]

Sammie: I never even thought of people from Downtown Disney using the SSR bus transportation to parks, but it makes total sense! Until Disney gets it straightened out, we will probably avoid SSR. (Although we did absolutely LOVE the short walk to Wolfgang Puck Express from our Congress Park studio. YUM! Best quick-service in WDW!)

 

[Deb & Bill]

Never had a bus problem at WDW. Ever.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

The buses are crowded because of people parking at Downtown Disney and coming over to ride them for free to the parks instead of paying to park. This is suggested by bus drivers for those trying to get from a park to Downtown Disney. It is also suggested alot on the Transportation forum of this site.

Ever since Disney stopped buses going from the parks to Downtown Disney it has gotten worse. People also walk over from the Buena Vista Palace and ride the buses.

It is a problem that is getting worse. Please write Member Services and complain.

We did not have long waits during our stay but we did have big crowds getting on the buses.

Only when enough people staying at SSR complain will we ever see any change.

With the exception of those people who park at Downtown Disney and walk over to Saratoga Springs to take their buses so they don't pay for parking at the theme parks, if guests staying at other WDW Resorts who might take the bus from the Magic Kingdom to Saratoga Springs if they wanted to visit Downtown Disney they are not doing anything wrong. I believe WDW says that their guests staying onsite can use any form of transportation even from the resorts they are not staying at, so how is this any different when guests not staying at the Monorail Resorts ride the Resort Monorail or walk over from the Magic Kingdom to the Contemporary and get on their buses to Hollywood Studios or the Animal Kingdom?

 

[quirty30]

We were at SSR from 10/21 thru 10/24 and we were equally disappointed with the bus service. Thankfully we were staying in the Carousel and when a bus did show up, we were always lucky enough to get a seat. Some trying to board at Congress Park or the Springs were often disappointed.

 

[Sammie]

With the exception of those people who park at Downtown Disney and walk over to Saratoga Springs to take their buses so they don't pay for parking at the theme parks, if guests staying at other WDW Resorts who might take the bus from the Magic Kingdom to Saratoga Springs if they wanted to visit Downtown Disney they are not doing anything wrong. I believe WDW says that their guests staying onsite can use any form of transportation even from the resorts they are not staying at, so how is this any different when guests not staying at the Monorail Resorts ride the Resort Monorail or walk over from the Magic Kingdom to the Contemporary and get on their buses to Hollywood Studios or the Animal Kingdom?

I was not talking about guests going to Downtown Disney to shop, or dine we are talking about guest bypassing paying to park at the theme parks and over crowding buses.

It would be the same as those that lie at the gate at the Contemporary saying they are dining and then take up parking spaces by going to the Magic Kingdom and I am sure you would not be in favor of that.

Have you personally experienced the problem at SSR, if not I have and it's not pleasant. Twice during our last visit there were strong words between those doing this and those staying at SSR.

 

[Cee]

Never had a bus problem at WDW. Ever.

You must be doing something right!

We just returned from VWL(10/31-11/7) and commented to each other how the bus transportation was the slowest we'd ever experienced. Being on vacation, we don't worry about how long things take. But the morning we had an ADR at Boma, it took over an hour to get there and we were about 5 minutes late. No problem getting our table, of course, but it was a bit stressful as the minutes ticked by and still no bus. I think it's always going to be "hit or miss", but we are very lucky to have this transportation...or we'd ALL be renting cars!

 

[pmcpmc]

What is everyone's experience with bus transportation at SSR? We stayed at SSR for the first time from 10/29-11/5, and we were not impressed with the bus transportation at all! We've stayed at other resorts, and we had occasional snags, but they were not common. I'm trying to figure out if this was a fluke or a consistent problem with SSR.

The buses were often extremely crowded. We also noticed when leaving the parks in the evenings, the SSR lines were much longer than other deluxe/dvc resorts. Overall, not as relaxing as previous trips! One morning, we waited 40 minutes for the first Epcot bus to show up (and we were 20 minutes late for our Princess Storybook Dining breakfast!), and when the bus made its last stop at the Springs, several people waiting couldn't even get on. I felt so bad for them, because we had waited 40 minutes, and perhaps they did as well - and then they were still left waiting.

Anybody else had similar experiences?

I always bring the car but when staying at our main home at bwv we only have magic kingdom and animal kingdom to worry about the buses .

 

[dianeschlicht]

Sammie: I never even thought of people from Downtown Disney using the SSR bus transportation to parks, but it makes total sense! Until Disney gets it straightened out, we will probably avoid SSR. (Although we did absolutely LOVE the short walk to Wolfgang Puck Express from our Congress Park studio. YUM! Best quick-service in WDW!)

While I'm sure there is some issue at SSR with people from the DTD area riding, I think the other issue is that SSR is HUGE resort. Lots of rooms means lots of people, and maybe their management is under utilizing the transportation system. Maybe they need to hear a few complaints from members before they "fix" it.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I was not talking about guests going to Downtown Disney to shop, or dine we are talking about guest bypassing paying to park at the theme parks and over crowding buses.

It would be the same as those that lie at the gate at the Contemporary saying they are dining and then take up parking spaces by going to the Magic Kingdom and I am sure you would not be in favor of that.

Have you personally experienced the problem at SSR, if not I have and it's not pleasant. Twice during our last visit there were strong words between those doing this and those staying at SSR.

Anyone who purchases a WDW park ticket is entitled to use the transportation system.

 

[hakepb]

While I'm sure there is some issue at SSR with people from the DTD area riding, I think the other issue is that SSR is HUGE resort. Lots of rooms means lots of people, and maybe their management is under utilizing the transportation system. Maybe they need to hear a few complaints from members before they "fix" it.

I think you are partially correct with the size. I stayed at the Springs in 06 and there was not the SRO busses like this year. Week before the OP, I did notice CM's at grandstand and springs logging times. Honestly, I'm now thinking I'd prefer carousel to springs, unless you like to stand on every bus out.


I will agree about EPCOT issues. I swear they take the longest possible route to EPCOT, and that results looooooong waits for EPCOT busses @ SSR. I'd love to hear someone take a GPS on an EPCOT bus just to hear all of the "make a legal uturn, recalculating route.."

 

[disneynutz]

Member dues pays for the transportation system. If SSR owners aren't getting what they are paying for, Disney needs to know.

Bill