Any good experiences with POR busses??

[indymom1]

We are planning an 11 day trip to DW July 2005 and my son wants to stay at POR hopefully in AB. For some reason he loves the idea of taking the boat to DTD. Anyway I see posts all the time telling of horror stories of the busses at POR: long waits, no seats, long commute times etc. Can anyone share any positives or is this just the way that it is?? I figure as long as we are prepared then we can handle it I hope

Thanks in advance!!

 

[Sandi]

While I've never stayed there in the summer, we have always had good experiences with busses. We've stayed in Alligator Bayou in buildings 14, 15 and 18 on a number of visits. That part is usually the first stop in POR, so that may be an advantage. POFQ is the first stop for the whole POFQ-POR route. Sometimes the busses do get crowded -- after fireworks, etc. -- but people are pretty reasonable about dealing with it. Lots of folks will give up seats to older people and those holding infants (some people are idiots, but what are you going to do). The boat to DD is lovely.

 

[ScottOKW2K]

We've stayed at Riverside several times before becoming dvc members, and have done seveal short stays since then. We have always enjoyed our stays there, and have never felt that the bus service was anything other than what Disney claims it to be. We've probably had a few waits in the 20 minute range - most likely the last bus for the destination we wanted had just left.

It all averages out. Sometimes you get there before the bus, sometimes the bus gets there before you.

And Yes - we have been on full busses going to / from Riverside. We have also been on full busses going to/from OKW,BG,Poly, AKL, AS Sports, etc. Get the picture ??

 

[ajksmom]

we just returned from a 2 night stay at POR. I can only comment on transportation to DTD and MK as they are the only 2 places we went to from the resort. Busses were fine to MK, I also had heard horror stories but I believe that at least for our stay something has changed. The 1st stop was the depot right by building 24(west?) and the bus worked clockwise from there thru the resort. The am bus did not travel to POFQ at all, in the early evening returning to MK POFQ was the last pickup. Returning from MK after Wishes there were 2 separate busses for POR/FQ and almost as soon as a bus filled there was an empty one there.
My DS17 and his girlfriend did take the bus to DTD and said it was 35 minutes. The rest of us took the boat and I can't tell you how long it was because it was so enjoyable. The walk to the boat landing from our room was quite far,we didn't help any by getting lost.

Kristy

 

[kinggoofy]

As you can see by my Sig. line.we have stayed at POR MANY times and are returning in 30 days.

The only problem with buses is leaving from the main depot first thing in the morning to MK and early evening to MK.

Now with the reopening of FQ...I think the buses stop there first.
I am not sure but am trying to find this info out.

But overall....buses have never been and hopefully will not be a MAJOR problem. I think a wait is to be expected...as long as its not a "prolonged" one.

 

[indymom1]

Thanks everyone....I like everyone else enjoy the busses and so do my DS's. I am glad not to be driving around Orlando. I have stayed at All Star Movies and the Poly and taken their busses also. We have never had a problem in the past but since thinking about POR it seems like this is something most people bring up. I guess we will just put on our positive attitude during that time and be glad that we are at Disney

 

[katiemegcz]

We've stayed at POR 3 times, and love it. Great value and theming for the money, and Old Man Island is great for kids.

As for teh busses, I am not a big fan of the WDW bus system as a whole. BUT...We have never had a significant prob from POR. A couple of suggestions though:

-Go to the bus stop closest to your room-they are far less crowded than the main entrance buses.

-Try NOT to take the buses to the park that has early entry for the day first thing in the morning. It is extremely crowded, and you may have to wait for 2 buses to load before you get on one. Our longest wait was 2 buses, for a total of 30 minutes. The other lines, on the other hand are practically empty in the morning.

-The boats are great. We love to ride them home from DTD at night. It is cool and quiet, and the kids feel the magic .

Enjoy POR! (I highly recommend the Alligator Bayou section).

 

[DisKim]

I just came back from POFQ. The buses picked us up first. At busy times of the day, I noticed that FQ would fill the bus and POR would be left with standing room only at the first stop. The bus often would not even make it to the other stops. Keep in mind, I was there over the 4th of July. It doesn't get much more crowded than that. We stayed at POR before. I would suggest going to the first stop.