AKL and bus question

[SnowMum]

I am headed to AKL for the first time with my family in December. I am renting an ECV for the 3rd time. I wasn't too worried about traveling on the buses until I heard about the new bus policy where they don't load the ECVs first. Since the buses stop at Kidani before AKL Jambo, I wonder if I would be better off going to the Kidani stop in the mornings to catch the bus to the parks. That way I'd be loading onto a less full bus. The downside of this plan of course is that we'd have to leave 10 minutes earlier for the bus stop and that my family would have more walking to do just because of me.

Does anyone who has been to AKL have any suggestions? I'm concerned because we'll be completely dependent on the buses at AKL unlike our previous stays at BC and the Poly. I really don't want to delay our family's arrival at rope drop just because of my stupid body's need for an ECV.

Thanks in advance,

Rachel

 

[bedogged]

I cannot comment on the new rules. I was there over Memorial Day this year using an ECV. We used the buses to go everywhere, even to do Signature Dining at other resorts and never had a problem. The buses never were more than a 5 minute wait and the bus was never full coming from Kidani. No problems loading. It does take a while to get places because of the distance involved, but that is not the fault of the bus. The bus stop at Jambo is very nice and very large. I just pulled up in front and parked so the bus driver could see me. Again, never a problem. The Cast Members at Jambo are very nice and treated us like royalty. Frankly, I wouldn't bother going to the Kidani bus stop unless I started having problems and I would not think this would be the case.

I am headed to AKL for the first time with my family in December. I am renting an ECV for the 3rd time. I wasn't too worried about traveling on the buses until I heard about the new bus policy where they don't load the ECVs first. Since the buses stop at Kidani before AKL Jambo, I wonder if I would be better off going to the Kidani stop in the mornings to catch the bus to the parks. That way I'd be loading onto a less full bus. The downside of this plan of course is that we'd have to leave 10 minutes earlier for the bus stop and that my family would have more walking to do just because of me.

Does anyone who has been to AKL have any suggestions? I'm concerned because we'll be completely dependent on the buses at AKL unlike our previous stays at BC and the Poly. I really don't want to delay our family's arrival at rope drop just because of my stupid body's need for an ECV.

Thanks in advance,

Rachel

 

[dclfun]

As there are no queue lines at the Jambo bus stops then you are still going to be boarded before guests who are walking. There may be guests from Kidani on the bus but it won't be full. I've never had a problem going from the resort to any of the parks from Jambo House and we stay there alot (thanks, DVC). The walk to Kidani is a very long one- definitely not worth it.---Kathy

 

[Magicbus]

As there are no queue lines at the Jambo bus stops then you are still going to be boarded before guests who are walking. There may be guests from Kidani on the bus but it won't be full.

That is correct.
As long as you're at the bus stop before the bus pulls in and you do not have an oversize ECV, you will be loaded first if the driver determines it's safe to do so. And if it's the typical Kidani Village bus load, it will be safe. However if boarding is underway and you arrive, boarding will continue until completed. If at the drivers determination it's safe, you will be loaded last. If it's not safe, you will be informed to take the next bus.

BTW, I hope it's me that picks you up. I love dogs and I especially love service dogs. They're just the best.

 

[maroo]

I just want to echo what they have said -....

The buses at AKL are wonderful! Don't worry and just catch the bus there at Jambo.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Another option would be for just you to wheel on over to Kidani and board there, and give your family the extra ten minutes and have them board at Jambo.

 

[dclfun]

Another option would be for just you to wheel on over to Kidani and board there, and give your family the extra ten minutes and have them board at Jambo.

While I doubt this would be an issue, there technically could be a situation with a bus totally filling at Kidani and the driver then heading straight to the park and skipping Jambo. At that point of course another bus would be called into service but then you'd be separated. The only time I've seen this happen is in the early a.m. at the All Star resorts but really, I think it would be better to keep your party together in case of an unforeseen circumstance. Also, what if you got on the bus for a particular park at Kidani but another one was there earlier and is already at Jambo picking up the rest of your family- so again you are separated. That's a more likely scenario as sometimes several buses will arrive in quick succession at busier times of the day.---Kathy