ART Bus Questions

[pixiewings71]

What about the return trip to the hotel? The only bad experiences I've had with the ART were leaving the parks late at night. We waited 45 minutes and they packed us in like sardines.

Then you just do it in reverse. A few chaperones go get the vans and drive back to DL to pick up.

 

[SANDIEGOFAN]

Then you just do it in reverse. A few chaperones go get the vans and drive back to DL to pick up.

I thought about that but not everyone wants to leave at the same time. Unfortunately, I've experienced the large younger group dynamic at DL.

BTW - 243k on TSMM.....

 

[glendalais]

You can also take the local bus.

There is a bus stop just south of the DoubleTree on Orangewood Avenue. OCTA Route 43 runs busses from there to the Bus Stop across the street from the DLR Harbor Boulevard entrance (approximately 3 stops, 5-10 minutes each way).

Many of the busses on that route are articulated (bendy busses), so they will be able to accomodate large parties.

It's a 24 hour service, and busses run at all hours in both directions.

 

[HydroGuy]

What about the return trip to the hotel? The only bad experiences I've had with the ART were leaving the parks late at night. We waited 45 minutes and they packed us in like sardines.

I thought about that but not everyone wants to leave at the same time. Unfortunately, I've experienced the large younger group dynamic at DL.

BTW - 243k on TSMM.....

Good question. The director's plan is that we all go together in the morning and everyone can go their separate ways as long as kids are in groups. Then they can return to the hotel whenever they want. So getting the vans back to DLR at the end of the day will not work. At least not for everyone.

People can return by ART, taxi or by walking. If they wait until late at night it does sound like ART may be too crowded. We can alert people to the options.

 

[HydroGuy]

You can also take the local bus.

There is a bus stop just south of the DoubleTree on Orangewood Avenue. OCTA Route 43 runs busses from there to the Bus Stop across the street from the DLR Harbor Boulevard entrance (approximately 3 stops, 5-10 minutes each way).

Many of the busses on that route are articulated (bendy busses), so they will be able to accomodate large parties.

It's a 24 hour service, and busses run at all hours in both directions.

Thanks. I will check into it.

 

[momrek06]

Hmmm...HG, I am not sure if you just want all the kiddos going back whenever. When we went with DS' school, we all went together in the morning to the SAME Park. We allowed them to go wherever they wanted during the day in that SAME Park. 2x a day at a certain hour and designated spot every single student and parent volunteer had to meet up to do a head count and then be off again. Then at the exact same time each day we all returned to our meeting spot and returned to the hotel TOGETHER. We just could not allow students (and mind you this was 9-12 gr.) going back willy nilly to the hotel. We had meetings once a month for 6 months prior to going with all the students and all the volunteers. Everything was decided at those meetings.

 

[HydroGuy]

Hmmm...HG, I am not sure if you just want all the kiddos going back whenever. When we went with DS' school, we all went together in the morning to the SAME Park. We allowed them to go wherever they wanted during the day in that SAME Park. 2x a day at a certain hour and designated spot every single student and parent volunteer had to meet up to do a head count and then be off again. Then at the exact same time each day we all returned to our meeting spot and returned to the hotel TOGETHER. We just could not allow students (and mind you this was 9-12 gr.) going back willy nilly to the hotel. We had meetings once a month for 6 months prior to going with all the students and all the volunteers. Everything was decided at those meetings.

This group is 7th and 8th graders. Most all will have cell phones and a phone number list will be distrubuted. The director said he has done it this way before and as long as the kids are not traveling solo he said it works. I do not see any problems with it. The kids are 12-14 in age. I can see with younger kids one would need a more controlled strategy.

 

[DCA_MillionaireFreak]

I honestly dreaded the rides back from DLR.

The first time we were in a Garden Grove hotel but they had their own shuttle.

The StayBridge shuttle was good.

But the freakin' L route or whatever the Hampton was on... lived up to L for Late.

 

[momrek06]

This group is 7th and 8th graders. Most all will have cell phones and a phone number list will be distrubuted. The director said he has done it this way before and as long as the kids are not traveling solo he said it works. I do not see any problems with it. The kids are 12-14 in age. I can see with younger kids one would need a more controlled strategy.

You will have to update us after the comp and let us know how the trip went and how the kiddos did!!!!!

 

[Disney Dreams]

Too late! I already sent him a link to this thread.

Hi Mr. Band Director Welcome to DIS. (Careful, this place can be addicting!)

The idea is that a few willing chaperones drive everyone up to the DL gates and drop them off. Then they return to the hotel and park the vans. After parking they catch a taxi back to DLR. If they get back to DL before the gates open they just join us in line. If not, they find us inside DL.

Okay, I know they are 12-14, but to me, that just seems a little young to be walking 1 mile, after dark, in Anaheim (up hill, both ways, 4 feet of - uh - moonbeams?, LOL). Inevitably, there will be the 1 kid that gets left solo and ends up walking alone. IDK, just seems like a plan that has room for trouble, imho.

What if...
The van that brings everyone is parked for the day. It cannot be THAT much more than round trip cab (less than a dollar / kid) - and guarantees everyone gets home safely at the end of the night.

Just my 2 cents,
Dreams

P.S. I just wanted to say congrats to DS12 and his band-mates for getting to go to this competition. Band trips have memories that truly last a lifetime WTG, kids!

 

[pixiewings71]

I thought about that but not everyone wants to leave at the same time. Unfortunately, I've experienced the large younger group dynamic at DL.

BTW - 243k on TSMM.....

Hush! I got 150k....lol

Hi Mr. Band Director Welcome to DIS. (Careful, this place can be addicting!)


Okay, I know they are 12-14, but to me, that just seems a little young to be walking 1 mile, after dark, in Anaheim (up hill, both ways, 4 feet of - uh - moonbeams?, LOL). Inevitably, there will be the 1 kid that gets left solo and ends up walking alone. IDK, just seems like a plan that has room for trouble, imho.

What if...
The van that brings everyone is parked for the day. It cannot be THAT much more than round trip cab (less than a dollar / kid) - and guarantees everyone gets home safely at the end of the night.

Just my 2 cents,
Dreams

P.S. I just wanted to say congrats to DS12 and his band-mates for getting to go to this competition. Band trips have memories that truly last a lifetime WTG, kids!

I think it's more than 1 van tho, $12 a day per van can add up quickly. But leaving one might work......I think I'd let them to ART back, as long as they have a chaperone.

Oh and yes, as Dreams says, congrats to DS12!!

 

[S. S. Columbia]

"Haha! Who in their right mind would be so obsessed to join a Disneyland forum?! Ha!"

Too late! I already sent him a link to this thread.

Hi Mr. Band Director Welcome to DIS. (Careful, this place can be addicting!)

"Mr. Band Director" would make a good username, or maybe... "MusicGuy."

 

[S. S. Columbia]

... I am going on an atypical trip to DLR in May.

"Mr. Band Director" would make a good username, or maybe... "MusicGuy."

Any news about

The Adventures of HydroGuy and MusicGuy?

All systems "go" for your one-day trip in May?

 

[mommabo]

Many years ago (2004 ish) I came to these boards to plan our first family trip to WDW. It was here I came across a gentleman by the name of Hydroguy. With similar families (spouse and 3 kids) more experience at DL and a shared desire to make the most of our Disney vacations without breaking the bank, I found Hydroguy to be quite helpful. We shared some of our experiences staying at FW cabins (did that work for you HG?) and learned much from HG guides to DL.

Alas, here is HG once again with a similar experience. 2 years ago I was headed to DL in May as my then 7th grade DD was going with her MS band. They too stayed at a hotel (Embassy) that was what I considered too far from the gates. I did not chaperone, but her younger sister went with me and we met them there.

As we were coming from AZ, the kids took a bus to CA. The buses then transported them to DL each day. My point is, they had a special place for the buses and various transportation of school groups set aside. Is this an option for your jazz group? It was not out front where shuttle and such drop off, but in a 'back' area. The kids would meet at Carnation Plaza (?), head out a back door area, then board their buses away from the regular crowds. Could your vans be parked there? I also agree, the ART would definitely not be the way to go with your group.

Hope your trip with your son goes well HG. I haven't posted in quite a while, but have thought of you often when we make the occassional trip to DL. Your tips have always been appreciated. Now back to the cruise forum as we are planning our first Disney Cruise end of this month.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

My sis did that in high school at DL with her marching band on Main Street. In this case the competition is offsite Friday night and the awards are in Big Thunder Ranch on Saturday afternoon.

About 20 kids and 10 chaperones. Not sure we need that many chaperones but lots of parents volunteered...
The music director is setting up van rentals for the weekend. We could drive these to the DLR parking structure and it is starting to sound like this would be a better option than ART when we have 30 people. Or we could bite the bullet and walk the one mile each way.

Hey Trey,

Depending on what hotel you're staying at, ART could be okay. If you are in an area where there are more hotels, then I think you're going to spend a lot of time waiting for transportation. My personal opinion is to pay that extra $12 for parking (more for oversized vehicles) so you have more flexibility how to spend your time.