Boardwalk to DTD by bus. How bad will it be?

[eeyoresmom]

Our first full day is a no park day. We are staying at Boardwalk Villas and want to go to DTD for lunch. I know the bus service at BW, especially to DTD can be frustrating. I'm assuming we will stop at TL first. How long do you think it will take once we get on the bus?

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Remember the BW buses stop at YC, BC, Swan and Dolphin. That in and of itself can take 20 minutes.
I would say 40 -45 minutes to get there

There is only one bus stop at DTD now. The marketplace bus stop is under construction. As I watched the buses come in last month, only 3 buses make it through the traffic light at the corner.

 

[eeyoresmom]

Ugh. I've experienced this myself several times and always consider it when booking BW orBC. Add all those stops to TL and it may not be worth it........

 

[twinkle49]

I hate the bus ride to DTD!! We also stay at BWV and we take a taxi the most we've paid for one way is $13 with tip - it just depends how many red lights you get!!

 

[joelkfla]

BW is the last resort stop for the DTD bus.

The MktPlace stop reopened a couple of weeks ago, so everything is back to normal.

If you leave the resort before noon, your bus may stop at TL before DTD. After noon, MktPlace wil be the first stop.

So once you get on the bus, travel time should be around 15 minutes, or around 25 if the bus stops at TL.

If you'll be returning to BW from DTD, you can cut your travel time by boarding at PI instead of MktPlace. Expect the bus to stop at TL on the way. You can cut another 10 minutes or so by getting off at the Swan and walking across the bridge to BW.

 

[eeyoresmom]

BW is the last resort stop for the DTD bus.

The MktPlace stop reopened a couple of weeks ago, so everything is back to normal.

If you leave the resort before noon, your bus may stop at TL before DTD. After noon, MktPlace wil be the first stop.

So once you get on the bus, travel time should be around 15 minutes, or around 25 if the bus stops at TL.

If you'll be returning to BW from DTD, you can cut your travel time by boarding at PI instead of MktPlace. Expect the bus to stop at TL on the way. You can cut another 10 minutes or so by getting off at the Swan and walking across the bridge to BW.

Really? So if we get a bus around 12:15 we should stop at MP first? I never picked up on that.

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm one who really doesn't have an issue with buses at BW/BWVs. BUT...I do dislike taking the bus to DTD. Once I drove myself there, and found out how little time it really takes to get from BW to DTD, it just annoyed me to spend so much time on the bus...both coming and going.
But, having said all that, if you figure on an hour total, you'll be fine. Since it's a non-park day, you should just be relaxed and 'go with the flow'!!!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Remember the BW buses stop at YC, BC, Swan and Dolphin. That in and of itself can take 20 minutes.
I would say 40 -45 minutes to get there

There is only one bus stop at DTD now. The marketplace bus stop is under construction. As I watched the buses come in last month, only 3 buses make it through the traffic light at the corner.

Yup. This was what I encountered. 45 minutes to get to DTD from the Boardwalk.

I've decided that I'm too impatient for that and have taken a cab to DTD if I stay at any resort other than POFQ or POR and could take the boat. I consider the boat another ride. LOL

I also take a cab back to the resort when I leave DTD now. It's much faster and saves me getting aggravated when the bus drivers change out and take forever to get the bus on it's way back to the resorts.

 

[castle1]

Last October, we took the bus back from DTD to BWV at night, after shopping for a few hours. It took us one hour and ten minutes....by the time we waited for a bus and made it to the resort. Of course, the bus was packed! The cab idea sounds great!

 

[joelkfla]

Really? So if we get a bus around 12:15 we should stop at MP first? I never picked up on that.

Yes, normally.

As with any other Disney bus, you need to allow up to 20 minutes wait time for the bus to arrive. And beginning late afternoon, traffic on the street between BW & DTD can get very bad. But early afternoon, the ride itself should take about 15 minutes (about the same as driving yourself.)

 

[joelkfla]

It's much faster and saves me getting aggravated when the bus drivers change out and take forever to get the bus on it's way back to the resorts.

That's one reason to board at PI rather than MP. You may walk up while the driver swap is happening, and thus not have to wait thru the whole thing.

Last October, we took the bus back from DTD to BWV at night, after shopping for a few hours. It took us one hour and ten minutes....by the time we waited for a bus and made it to the resort. Of course, the bus was packed! The cab idea sounds great!

Some of the worst traffic is between MP & PI, especially at night. That's one reason the buses go around the back way when going into MP, and another reason to board at PI if it's convenient.

And remember, when going back to the BW, the bus does stop at the other 4 resorts 1st. And the more crowded the bus is, the longer it takes to unload at each stop.

 

[eeyoresmom]

So, if we decide to go, which we may not....Get on/ off the bus at PI. On the return trip, get off at the Dolphin and walk back to BW. Correct?

 

[CarolMN]

So, if we decide to go, which we may not....Get on/ off the bus at PI. On the return trip, get off at the Dolphin and walk back to BW. Correct?

On the return trip, you get off at the SWAN - it should be the first stop.

Once off the bus, you go into the resort and walk all the way through the resort to the entrance nearest the dock. Take a right, walk over the bridge and you are at the BWV. We do this all the time - it's quick and easy.

 

[Missyrose]

It doesn't matter which resort we stay at now (with the exception of the resorts that have boat access to DTD), we NEVER EVER take a Disney bus to and from DTD. We either have a rental car for the trip, or we budget for cabs each way. It's not worth spending upwards of two hours out of your day getting to and from a shopping center.

 

[TDC Nala]

It's not going TO DTD that you have to worry about, unless there's a possiblilty that you won't get a seat on the bus since it's been to 4 resorts before BW (there probably won't be that much demand for DTD around lunchtime).

It's returning FROM DTD, when BW is the last of 5 resorts. You do have the option of getting off at the Swan and walking back.

Also remember that if Typhoon Lagoon is open, the bus will also stop there. And Pleasure Island is an area where the bus drivers change shifts. So you could be waiting even longer while the new driver does their paperwork.

DTD buses always take quite a long time, so you should be prepared.

 

[eeyoresmom]

Thank you everyone. It really is too much, especially for deluxe resorts prices What do you guys think of taking the boat to HS, bus to SSR getting off at CP which is a very nice, short walk to MP? Not sure we are even supposed to use an SSR bus if we are not staying there. It will be at an off time though. This plan may not be any faster, but may be more relaxed.

 

[a742246]

Since it is a non park day for you, I agree you can take the boat to HS and a bus to SSR or OKW then take a boat (or walk)to DTD. This would be a fun trip as long as there are no time issues.

 

[maxiesmom]

Save your sanity and spend $20 on a taxi. I think they make the bus service to DTD bad on purpose, to keep people from parking there and using it as a hub to get to the parks and resorts.

 

[joelkfla]

Thank you everyone. It really is too much, especially for deluxe resorts prices What do you guys think of taking the boat to HS, bus to SSR getting off at CP which is a very nice, short walk to MP? Not sure we are even supposed to use an SSR bus if we are not staying there. It will be at an off time though. This plan may not be any faster, but may be more relaxed.

Again, the trip to DTD in the early afternoon is not a big deal and should not take more than 15-20 minutes plus wait time. It's the trip out of DTD that can be aggravating if you don't use the tips and tricks, and prepare yourself for delays.

But if you're not in a hurry and just lke the boat ride and walk, by all means go for it. There are no restrictions on taking the bus to another resort.

 

[goofy4tink]

Thank you everyone. It really is too much, especially for deluxe resorts prices What do you guys think of taking the boat to HS, bus to SSR getting off at CP which is a very nice, short walk to MP? Not sure we are even supposed to use an SSR bus if we are not staying there. It will be at an off time though. This plan may not be any faster, but may be more relaxed.

I completely understand how you feel, but in all reality, you aren't paying those deluxe prices for better bus transportation. You are paying for better park access at one or two parks. The other parks?? Oh well...stuck with the regular, crazy bus service.
In all seriousness??? The resorts with the best bus service? The values!!! Pop has some of the best bus service I have seen at WDW!!! No other stops, plentiful buses.

If you have the time, then sure, head to DHS, take their bus to SSR and walk to DTD. But it isn't going to save you any time over taking the bus directly (and I say that with tongue in cheek!!) from BW to DTD. But it will be relaxed.