Alert new nova buses are being tested in disney world

[disney david]

http://twitpic.com/8nclh6



http://twitpic.com/8nclfm



http://twitpic.com/8nclj7

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

I think the double buses would work fine for most resorts, specifically for the Value resorts where I have seen the most complaints about double loading buses and long waits. Those resorts have large numbers of guests that they need to move all at the same time. I'm not positive, but I think that was where ost of the 'cattle transporter' type vehicles were being tried.

It could also work at the locations that share buses because the bus may be very full by the time it gets to the final resort.

I can see some diffuculty at OKW, because of the way the bus turnarounds are constructed. See the turnarounds near buildings 18 and 40 on the map.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/okwmap.htm

The regular buses are a challenge to fit there because the bus is very long compared to the size of the turnaround. There isn't room at OKW to change those, but some resorts with multiple stops have fairly straight stop locations are have space that they could rearrange them.

It all comes down to a combination of equipment options, driver and road. In and off itself these types of busses do not have to be ANY problem at all, including at the turnarounds one can find at for instance OKW, CBR, SSR etc.

Heck, turnarounds is a huge favorite here in keeping traffic moving smoothly, including innercity traffic. Busses like the nova bus pic posted are nothing uncommon when it comes to Dutch public bus transportation in innercities. It's the norm for many companies. No problems what so ever with turnarounds, it just takes proper equipment, proper driving skills and proper turnarounds. Those I've seen at different WDW resorts are amongst the type that can be navigated by said bus with no biggie. You'ld seriously be amazed what nowadays technology and being professional at ones job can result into. Let me put it this way; back in the day when I was still driving without needing aids, I could drive alike busses and trucks with ease yet having no drivers licence for either. (I know! Not legit, perhaps not the smartest thing, but the best way to get a real appreciation for those fellow road users and easily arranged when having a family transportation brance) All thanks to smart usage of nowadays technology making it easy as can be to operate such large sets of wheels with an amazing small footprint.

Let's reserve judgement about this possible change until at least having experienced it. Seems fair to me.

 

[disney david]

here avideo of one turning in nyc it the second bus the first is a m.a.n bus it what the company called that makes that bus. it dose not have a problem but the nova bigger and had a little problem so the other car had to back up.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjs-7ub1rwQ

 

[seashoreCM]

Disney can test the bus to see if it will go around each turning loop.

If the bus makes it once then it will always make it around. Disney will have to be more meticulous about keeping the glide path of the bus clear, namely clear of other vehicles.

Speaking of blocking other vehicles, maybe it would be a lesser evil if buses double parked for loading stopped with the accessible door in line with the open space. This would block a bus in the next berth up ahead and the latter, too, should just wait until the double loading bus is ready to depart.

 

[ttintagel]

I still think loading wheelchairs and ecv's on a but with people on it isn't safe. Some people have never used an ecv and ram the seats! really unsafe! I'm glad they are thinking of helping cut the wait down though.

Especially since children are allowed to run around instead of staying with their parents. Even under the old system of loading wheelchairs first, I rarely saw a parent try to stop his or her child from running onto the bus and playing in the aisles as soon as the doors opened.

 

[disney david]

Got some more info testing is taking place till April or sooner no official date and they will be able to hold 112 passengers. Again if Disney decides to buy they may be able to get different seating to hold more but 112 will help when it park closing.

 

[I Love Pluto]

disney david - Thanks for the YouTube video. That bus is HUGE!!!!!