54 Minutes

[ryanmilla]

This is most likely the result of the new satellite tracking system as a previous poster suggested and I would definitely let them know. We were there this past Feb right when they implemented the new tracking system and it was HORRIBLE. We routinely waited 40 minutes or more for the buses. I always thought I was good planning 45 minutes to get us from resort to park, but that was never enough. The drivers were complaining too of the system and encouraged the guests to say something. I know we did and most of the people I spoke with did as well. And more for Disney to fix the problem, not to just complain.

We are headed back at the end of April and I'm hoping it is fixed by then. The OPs comments are not to encouraging.

 

[BroganMc]

From what I understand the satellite tracking system is supposed to tell central dispatch where busses are along their route and if they are delayed by traffic or pickups. That part doesn't seem such a bad thing.

So where is the problem? Is Central Dispatch innacurately measuring demand at certain stops? Wasn't that based on check-ins determining how many people would be using the service that day? Perhaps these are questions better asked on the Transportation Board.

FWIW, that's one of the reasons I love SSR so much. I don't have to rely on any Disney transportation to get to DTD. My own personal wheels (powerchair) suffice at any time of day and on my schedule. (At 4.5 mph max, I can get from the most remote regions of SSR to Pleasure Island in about 15 minutes.) I wondered how the nightclub crawlers managed to get home when the ferries stopped running at 11:30pm.

Only place I was truly tempted to ditch the bus was to AK. Handicapped parking is a lot closer to the entrance than the bus lot, and I can drive direct without stopping at Blizzard Beach first.

 

[profdsny]

We rarely use the buses, though the kids do. But overall the experiences haven't been bad. But, they haven't been great either. It seems from OKW the best experiences have been to and from MK. We use the car constantly, and find it the overall best way to get around.

 

[Tiger926]

Sorry for that wait - we always have a car (our own or rental) for this reason, or, to handle emergencies if necessary.

Not cool to have to wait that long, Tiger

 

[Sully]

We stayed at SSR during the month of February and had several bus issues due to the new tracking system. We believe in being (green) so the car stays parked and we use the buses that are provided. I did file a complaint that was forwarded to central dispatch. It must be taking a while to get this system working properly. The proper thing to do is file the complaint so they here from us.

 

[crisi]

We cab to DTD or to the resorts. Bus service to DTD has always been particularly dismal in our experience. And since we aren't ever going to spend a lot of time at DTD, and when we go often go under time constraints (dinner reservations, Cirque tickets) spending a large amount of time dedicated to transportation is a pain.

Though DTD parking isn't much better. Went last year when I was at a conference staying off site and had a rental car, and it was a twenty minute search for a parking spot.

 

[Chester's Mum]

It only took us an hour from MGM, sorry DHS, to Downtown Disney, and we had to transfer. We hopped on the first bus leaving DHS which was Wilderness Lodge, and we arrived a WL just as a DTD bus was leaving so we had to wait about 20 minutes there. Considering our unfortunate timing, I don't think that was bad at all. I do wish there was a direct bus to DTD from the parks though.

 

[keishashadow]

in order to not miss ADRs when using the bus we allow for at least an hour, plus the time it'd take to walk from the bus stop to the restaurant

i was more troubled with ME taking alost 1-1/2 hours to arrive @ BCV in Oct a few years ago (we arrived around 12:30 pm @ MCO & had to wait until the bus filled, then long stops @ each resort for folks who were off loading their luggage, strollers, ect. Doesn't anyone have their luggage delivered ).

We went back to renting a vehicle, well worth it imo

 

[drakethib]

Disney Trans is hit or miss.

We have had great experiences and we have had nightmares.

If you are relying solely on the buses and in a hurry, you may be in a bad spot.

If we know we have a reservation somewhere we normally will take a cab.

 

[aprince&princess]

We have used the buses on several trips and I would say the only time that the waits have seemed so long are to DTD.

We once sat outside the Boardwalk for 45minutes waiting for the DTD bus. And we waited so long once when we were leaving DTD and staying at the Contemporary that we tried to get on a bus marked MK. MK had closed early for grad night and we asked if we could just ride back to MK and walk to the contemporary. The bus driver was so nice, he actually pulled into the Contemporary to drop us off.

 

[RCM]

Not us........once we get to the resort we never see it again until we leave. That's what we love to do since we don't have to rambo style anymore we just go with the flow and it all works out.

 

[manning]

We started using a car last year and it's hard to break the habit. Renting a car to buy groceries at Publix or going out for a cheep meal off site makes it will worth it. We also like to go from resort to resort and taking the bus can eat up a couple of hours. You can rent a car cheaper than taking a taxi.

Going off site for a cheap and excellent meal pays for the rental.

Disney restaurants don't impress me anymore, except for several.

 

[missy2217]

Travelling with two small boys, I have always opted to rent a car or stay at a monorail resort. I need to be able to go back and forth easily for naps. Naps are an important part of our vacation enjoyment. No Naps=Cranky Miserable Kids

 

[kiingor]

It was 54 minutes from the time I arrived at the BWV bus stop last Thursday evening until I arrived at Downtown Disney. 8:39 to 9:33.

This was the first trip that we regularly used bus transportation (although we routinely take the boat from VWL to MK). We occassionally got lucky and caught a bus quickly, but we had one 40 minute trip to AK in addition to the DTD nightmare.

I know some people love the transportation and some have never had such a ridiculous wait, but I refuse to spend 54 minutes waiting to ride Peter Pan or Soarin', so why spend that much time to travel a couple of miles in a bus? I'm glad the buses are there, but it's back to the car for us!

I just came back from my SSR stay and from my bus stop to epcot took 1 hr. 15min. That bus wait was a real turn off for me this vacation. I remember it used to be a lot more efficient last year when i stayed at the all star. I saw a lady got so upset, she called the front desk to complain on her cell phone. Another lady complained to the bus driver that she waited 1hr. 15min. for the bus.

 

[50 years Too!]

I know some people swear by the busses, but we always rent a car.
If we stay at VWL we'll take the boat to MK. Or if we stay at BCV or BWV we'll walk to STudios or Epcot.
Everywhere else, the car!

Deb

 

[kiingor]

I know some people swear by the busses, but we always rent a car.
If we stay at VWL we'll take the boat to MK. Or if we stay at BCV or BWV we'll walk to STudios or Epcot.
Everywhere else, the car!

Deb

I agree- but after a 16hr drive straight from NJ... i really didnt want to get behind the wheels for a week. And as I recalled, my stay last year at all star was nothing like this time- there were plenty of buses.