AKL vs SSR transportation

[laserpastry]

I've read a lot of complaints about AKL transportation because AKL is farther away from MK, HS, and EP. However, there are only 2 stops before heading to the parks. I've also read a lot of complaints about SSR transportation because there are so many internal stops before you actually head to the parks. However, it seems to be physically closer to most of the parks. My question is, which of the two has overall better transportation in terms of how long it takes you to get from a bus stop at your resort to any given park on average?

 

[CastAStone]

From Kidani, it’s often no extra stops.

AKL takes forever to MK, Epcot, DHS. No getting around it. The Unofficial Guide to WDW has a table with all of the average bus wait times from each resort to each park based on them taking dozens of trips per resort each year. Unfortunately, I tossed mine On my last trip back from WDW to make room for souvenirs. But it’s well worth the $13 or whatever it costs.

 

[drusba]

I have found AKL to have better bus service than most others, with fewer delays. Though the trips to three of the parks are longer than other resorts, the total trip time is comparable and often less because they do not share with another resort, there are only two resort stops, and during rush times in the morning Jambo and Kidani each often has its own bus to MK.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

It depends on where you are in SSR. If Springs section or are close to walk to that stop which is the last one before buses go to the parks then it's better since SSR is centrally located. Returning from the parks you'll go thru all stops though unless you wanted to get off at Grandstand which is the first stop and walk over to your rooms in Springs.

I've never considered AKV bad though. The longest is to MK and of course it has a very short ride to AK. From Jambo it's right to the parks and from Kidani there's the stop at Jambo first. Reverse that for the return.

Just speaking generally I've found AKV to have more consistency but things can get messed up at any time with any resort on the bus service due to traffic.

 

[drusba]

I have found AKL to have better bus service than most others, with fewer delays. Though the trips to three of the parks are longer than other resorts, the total trip time is comparable and often less because they do not share with another resort, there are only two resort stops, and during rush times in the morning Jambo and Kidani each often has its own bus to MK.

 

[Deb & Bill]

It takes about 13 minutes from Kidani to Epcot. Should be a tiny bit shorter to get to DHS. MK will take longer. SSR will take longer to go to AK. It's not that far from Epcot and DHS.

 

[a1tinkfans]

We ve not had issues at AKL or kidani. They always were timely relaxing rides. Am I the only one that considers the bus ride part of the experience, lol.
Whenever you decide, Enjoy!

 

[Ariel 1715]

Saratoga can take forever. There are 5 stops and if there are wheelchairs involved you can add up to 10 additional minutes. If you are at Springs it is great because you are the last stop and then off to the parks. At Grandstand you are first on and then stop at the others before going to the parks. And returning from the parks was worse. Since it is so large sometimes you had to wait for 3 buses to get back. I know one night we waited over an hour to get back to the resort.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Saratoga can take forever. There are 5 stops and if there are wheelchairs involved you can add up to 10 additional minutes. If you are at Springs it is great because you are the last stop and then off to the parks. At Grandstand you are first on and then stop at the others before going to the parks. And returning from the parks was worse. Since it is so large sometimes you had to wait for 3 buses to get back. I know one night we waited over an hour to get back to the resort.

That's not exclusive to a large resort or SSR though. I've had that happen for BLT/CR in the evening too as well as WL/BRV/CCV. Other places I've had to wait for the second bus more than once although that did not take quite as long.

 

[Ariel 1715]

That's not exclusive to a large resort or SSR though. I've had that happen for BLT/CR in the evening too as well as WL/BRV/CCV. Other places I've had to wait for the second bus more than once although that did not take quite as long.

I am sure it does depending on the crowds and the hotel. The week I was talking about, it seemed like all the hotels had lines but buses were coming every 15 minutes and the buses for SSR were not. There were 3 buses for Wilderness Lodge before 1 came for Saratoga. We wound up taking a lot of Ubers/Minnie Vans that trip

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I am sure it does depending on the crowds and the hotel. The week I was talking about, it seemed like all the hotels had lines but buses were coming every 15 minutes and the buses for SSR were not. There were 3 buses for Wilderness Lodge before 1 came for Saratoga. We wound up taking a lot of Ubers/Minnie Vans that trip

It's just the blip that can happen with any resort bus service. I was referencing leaving a park and having an hour wait (both times at DHS actually) but once in trying to get from OKW to AK we had more than an hour wait with buses coming multiple times for other parks. All resorts are on the 20 minute schedule but it can get messed up.

 

[Ariel 1715]

It's just the blip that can happen with any resort bus service. I was referencing leaving a park and having an hour wait (both times at DHS actually) but once in trying to get from OKW to AK we had more than an hour wait with buses coming multiple times for other parks. All resorts are on the 20 minute schedule but it can get messed up.

That is for sure. You never know with the buses especially at the end of the night when everyone is leaving!!

 

[ColonialMouse]

Bus-wise, I far prefer AKL over SSR. Even though they’ve worked to improve SSR with multiple buses running during peak times, it still takes forever to get through the resort (and they aren’t able to do anything intelligent like have the second bus skip a stop so while it’s nice there can be two MK buses at times, the second will run right behind the other picking up no-one.). I really think at peak times it takes less time from AKL to MK than from SSR. Certainly with the board showing when the next bus will arrive, I think it’s far nicer waiting at the stop at AKL than on a bus meandering through SSR.

Which isn’t to say I won’t stay at SSR (usually treehouses), just that a lot of times we’ll rent a car and drive except to MK.

Bruce

 

[laserpastry]

From Kidani, it’s often no extra stops.

AKL takes forever to MK, Epcot, DHS. No getting around it. The Unofficial Guide to WDW has a table with all of the average bus wait times from each resort to each park based on them taking dozens of trips per resort each year. Unfortunately, I tossed mine On my last trip back from WDW to make room for souvenirs. But it’s well worth the $13 or whatever it costs.

After finding out that the Unofficial Guide to WDW was written by the people who do Touring Plans, I just looked up the average wait times on their website. Thanks!

 

[laserpastry]

We ve not had issues at AKL or kidani. They always were timely relaxing rides. Am I the only one that considers the bus ride part of the experience, lol.
Whenever you decide, Enjoy!

Thanks! I'm sure we'd really enjoy either resort, but to me, time is money!

 

[laserpastry]

So, it sounds like SSR and AKL are comparable for HS and EP, but SSR is generally better for going to the MK (depending on which stop you get on), and, of course, AKL is better for going to AK. Also, it sounds like AKL might be better during peak times. I knew Disney wasn't going to make this easy... lol. Thanks for the replies everyone!