Bus crowding at DVC resorts? / ECV boarding denial

[nerd1701]

We're considering buying into DVC, looking at SSR right now.

We've stayed at BWV in the past but had problems getting to the parks in the mornings due to the fact that the busses are full when then get to BWV.

Since my wife has MS and she uses an ECV, we were denied boarding several times and had to wait thru 2 or 3 buses sometimes.

Complaints to mgt fell on deaf ears and we were very frustrated.

We enjoyed Contemporary since we didn't have that issue there or at AKL either.

Anyone have any comments on this??

Thanks,
Doug

 

[Chuck S]

I wouldn't think that that problem is unique to BWV, but could occur anywhere. However, because of BWV popularity, and the fact that BWV shares busses with other resorts it probably is more frequent there.

Since OKW and SSR have dedicated busses (or occasionally share only between those two resorts) you are likely to have fewer instances of that happening at either of those resorts.

My Mom uses a w/c in the parks because of hip surgeries, but is ambulatory at home. The only delays we've had at OKW were due to bus lift equipment problems, we've been driving our own car lately (which has a w/c lift) so we have not had an opportunity to try the new ramp busses, hopefully they also help allieviate the mechanical problems.

 

[drusba]

I believe they have changed the BW route -- though it shares with S/D, the bus now stops first at BW when going in the morning. Nevertheless, it is true that this is likely to be less of an issue at SSR.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I had a couple of trips where I needed to use an ECV. We always stay at OKW, and I was never denied access, even during the crowded morning times. Maybe that has something to do with OKW not having to share buses with other resorts, but we were at the last stop each time I had the ECV, and I always got on. They actually made the other folks waiting at the bus stop wait until I was on, before they could board. If there wasn't enough room, it would have been the ambulatory folks that had to wait.

 

[DISNEYWORLDBORN2SHOP]

We had a similar experience as the OP when we were staying at the Coronado Springs and DMIL had an ECV. It was a nightmare. It was my only Disney trip where I was ready to go home after 2 days. We are attempting it again this June at BWV only difference is both DMIL and DGMIL will have ECVs.

 

[jade1]

I was wondering for my DW Mom, do these run down too soon if you drive them to EPCOT from BCV or MGM from BWV etc. We thought using the bus as little as possible would be the way to go but I get the impression taking the bus to every park is better?

 

[DISNEYWORLDBORN2SHOP]

We never had a problem with the ECVs running down. The battery seems to go for a long time.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I never had trouble with the battery running down, but the first one I had wouldnt' charge, so they brought me a different one.

 

[SHELL]

We just got back from our trip to the BW April 22 and the buses are still an issue. We herd more complaints from people because of this. Yes they have a bus for the BW and S/D in the morning however the rest of the day and into the night the buses were still combined with Y & B Club. It was terrible. It took us on average of 45 min to 1 hour to get home from Animal Kingdom and MK each day. If you didn't take the bus from the hotel by about 10:00 then that was it it was combined the rest of the day. Even when we got out of MK at Midnight the buses were still combined. It was extremely unpleasant. We spoke with a ton of people that stayed at the BWI and would never stay there again because of the bus situation. There was actually a big convention and the person that was running it was at the bus stop and said he would go elsewhere next year because he had so many complaints from his guests. Not a good situation!!

 

[Tiggerfan40]

We just returned from SSR and found 90% of the time we were the only 4 people on the bus! We never saw a crowded SSR bus in the 11 days we were there. Whenever there was someone in an ECV the other passengers were told to wait until that person was safely on the bus, then we were allowed to board. I don't think you will have any problems with any SSR busses.

 

[nerd1701]

Thanks for the info.

FYI - When we were denied boarding, the bus was pretty full when it got to BWV. This was a MK bus. Standing room only. The driver told us we would have to wait for the next bus since if he took my wife on he would have to leave all the people waiting on the bus stop and there were more of them. I complained to the manager of the hotel, and he told me that the buses were run by a different company and it wasn't his problem.

Getting to Epcot or MGM was not a problem from BWV as we used the boats and had no problems.

The only thing I would caution folks with the ECVs is to make sure the tires are fully inflated. We had one situation where the tire was low and it drained the battery faster. Maintinence was more than happy to help us, taking it in the back and filling the tires.

As a side note, not all the bus drivers are bad. Last year, my wife forgot to charge overnight, and she was running VERY low. We were staying at the contemporary and we were coming back from the Dolphin to MK after mini-golf. I told the driver that her ECV was almost out of juice and asked if he could stop at the contemporary after MK on his way back. He said sure, no problem.

 

[spiceycat]

this is a WDW problem and one DVC can't control.

Please go post about the BWV situation over on the transportation board.

Tyler say that this problem was of the past when I mentioned it.

So make them aware of it again!!!

this is just not right - you spend alot more money to stay at an Epcot resort and who gets the good bus service the value resorts.

I would complaint to WDW and put something on the Transportation Board - I don't think the transportation planners look on the DVC board - I do think they look at the Transportation Board.

also go post on the WDW resorts board - if those people know that are thinking of staying at the BC/YC that they will have to share their buses - maybe they will also complaint to WDW.

this has been going on long enough - WDW should know that the Epcot resorts don't want to share a bus and it is way past time to stop it.

 

[manning]

If this happened to me, I would have no trouble staying at DVC and...spending my discretionary money elsewhere. Just let Disney know of your plans.

They have our lodging money upfront already but are trying to figure out how to get people into the parks to spend more money.

With me the way to do that is to give me decent service.

 

[SoCalKDG]

We just got back from our trip to the BW April 22 and the buses are still an issue. We herd more complaints from people because of this. Yes they have a bus for the BW and S/D in the morning however the rest of the day and into the night the buses were still combined with Y & B Club. It was terrible. It took us on average of 45 min to 1 hour to get home from Animal Kingdom and MK each day. If you didn't take the bus from the hotel by about 10:00 then that was it it was combined the rest of the day. Even when we got out of MK at Midnight the buses were still combined. It was extremely unpleasant. We spoke with a ton of people that stayed at the BWI and would never stay there again because of the bus situation. There was actually a big convention and the person that was running it was at the bus stop and said he would go elsewhere next year because he had so many complaints from his guests. Not a good situation!!

I was there from 4/9 to 4/19, never a problem with busses. Went to MK three times, AK once. 5 minute wait max at any time, home in less than 20 minutes. It should be noted that the weeks of April 10 to April 30 were considered crowded at WDW(7-8 in revised scale by UOG). Additionally I was following UOG's guide to what day to go to the parks so our days at specific parks might not have been as crowded as yours. Closing crowds at MK are notorious for being a pain to get to almost any resort by bus.

As mentioned the advantage of any of the Epcot resorts is the ability to either walk(or ride your ECV) or take the boat to either DS or Epcot. The other thing that can be done to cut down return time from the MK is to get off at the D/S stop if its first and walk across the bridge.

 

[SoCalKDG]

We just returned from SSR and found 90% of the time we were the only 4 people on the bus! We never saw a crowded SSR bus in the 11 days we were there. Whenever there was someone in an ECV the other passengers were told to wait until that person was safely on the bus, then we were allowed to board. I don't think you will have any problems with any SSR busses.

This is funny because a few weeks back there was a thread compaining about the busses, crowding and the sharing with people at DTD. The buses really come down to the exact day and hour that you are trying to take the bus.

 

[jade1]

Well if I am reading this right this is a no brainer for us. We will be coming back 2 nights after Illuminations and 2 nights after Fantasmic (MIL favorites), we only go 1/2 day to AK (and there is no night show), and 1 night from MK. Since the vehicles have enough power I cant imagine not staying at BWV or BCV and eliminate 4 nights of hassles instantly. We could be to BCV after Illuminations before even reaching the entrance to EPCOT, much less to the bus line, waiting for the bus, loading on the bus and riding the bus back to a resort and unloading and going back to the room. Same with MGM except a longer but stress free sidewalk. Thanks for the info and to OP for asking.

 

[CarolA]

We had a similar experience as the OP when we were staying at the Coronado Springs and DMIL had an ECV. It was a nightmare. It was my only Disney trip where I was ready to go home after 2 days. We are attempting it again this June at BWV only difference is both DMIL and DGMIL will have ECVs.

Go over to the DISabilities board and post. I think that if you have more then one ECV or Wheelchair there is a way to get a special bus. You will have to plan ahead, but it might be worth it. Most buses only take about two of the things so even if the bus is farily empty you could be out of luck if there is another ECV already on.

 

[magicmama]

I was at OKW for a week at Christmas (very busy!!) and had to use an ECV because of a surgery. I was surprised at how well the transportation worked with an ECV. The bus drivers were all very helpful, especially as I learned to back the ECV onto the lift and parellel park the ECV on the bus!!! Buses were sometimes very crowded but I was never turned away. Everyone was so helpful it made it easy for me to go everywhere on the buses! And I really went everywhere with that ECV!! Never had a problem with the battery - lasted a very long time.
Don't let your experience ruin the fun!! It must be a rare happening! Enjoy SSR!

 

[jnrrt]

We stayed at the BWV and took the bus to MK a year ago last January. We were one of the first busses of the day, and we still stopped at S/D and Y/B before going to the park. I thought it was ridiculous. We also stopped at those resorts AGAIN before ours when we were coming home. My daughter who was very short and couldn't see outside, got so car sick from all the turning and driving around that she threw up when we got off the bus (not a fun way to start your magical day).

We love the BWV and bought there anyway, but my husband and I both commented that we thought it was crazy to have 3 deluxe resorts sharing busses when Pop Century has it's own. That's nuts! I think Disney needs to fix this.

 

[Nanajo1]

We're considering buying into DVC, looking at SSR right now.

We've stayed at BWV in the past but had problems getting to the parks in the mornings due to the fact that the busses are full when then get to BWV.

Since my wife has MS and she uses an ECV, we were denied boarding several times and had to wait thru 2 or 3 buses sometimes.

Complaints to mgt fell on deaf ears and we were very frustrated.

We enjoyed Contemporary since we didn't have that issue there or at AKL either.

Anyone have any comments on this??

Thanks,
Doug

Doug,
I did have one time when all the HP cars on the monorail were full. The attendent made folks move to another car. I believe a while ago it was posted on the disAblilities board that you can call the front desk about twenty minutes before you go to the bus stop and request that a bus which is HP accessible to be availble to take you to your park. Please post on the disAbility board I know someone can give you advice.