Bus "On Demand" Program!

[RobDoc]

We arrived at OKW this afternoon. Check-in was easy and room was ready and in great shape.

We took the bus over to MK- and had no problem...or wait. On our return to OKW, there was a driver waiting for the OKW bus, so I asked about the new bus program.

Bus-on-Demand started officially this morning. The stated goal is to have guests waiting no more than 15 minutes for a bus- from venues back to resorts. There will be a transport supervisor at each bus return area at Parks and DD. (The supervisors will be at Parks and DD- but not at all resorts.) Time will be noted when the first guest arrives at an empty bus queue and the supervisor will call for a bus within 15 minutes.
Due to "technical" difficulties, also this morning, the program was terminated and the "old" system was used for the remainder of the day today. (He could not <or would not> elaborate on what the difficulties were!) The new program will begin again tomorrow. I'll try to provide an update tomorrow night!

Doc
doc@wdwinfo.com

 

[BobH]

Thanks for taking the time to provide 1st hand information. What internet service provider do you use with your Laptop when you are on the road?

 

[Caskbill]

Thanks for your timely post Doc. Hope this works out as desired as this sounds like it could be a nice improvement. Looking for your next post.

CB

 

[Olaf]

Too funny! We were just there and the bus drivers we spoke to were dreading the implementation of this program. They all agreed that something needed to be done, they just didn't want to have go through the implementation stage.

Steph
DL - 1966
DL - 1970
WDW - 1973 - Contemporary
WDW - 1975 - Day trip
DL - 1988 - Day trip
WDW - 1993 - CBR
WDW - 1995 - SOG
WDW - 1997 - SOG
WDW - 1999 - SOG
WDW - 2001 - SOG & PO

 

[RobDoc]

I'm logged in with Netzero- a free ISP which has local access numbers both here at WDW and at HH. Cost is just for the .35 phone charge here at OKW.

Doc
doc@wdwinfo.com

 

[drusba]

"Technical" difficulties? You don't think they are using infopop too,do you?

 

[Dumbo]

LOL

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I would be interested in your experiences with this new bus program while you are there, Doc.. Thanks for keeping us informed.

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[LauraZ]

We just returned from a week at OKW. My husband and I are waiting to hear how the new bus schedule works out. We're hoping to hear good news, as we've always been satisfied with Disney bus transportation (except after Illuminations, of course)

 

[sumessefui]

Doc, we have not had any problems with the parks, but DD has been a problem. It would be great to know if the new system helps with this. Jerry.

 

[spiceycat]

have you heard which resorts will not be covered -or it is that the main bus stop will be covered but the others ones won't? like the hospitality house at OKW will be covered but the one at Miller road won't be.

 

[RobDoc]

My guess (I have no resort information) is that the resort end of the program will most likely be handled by Bell Services staff at each resort. They can simply call the bus folks and let them know. I can't imagine there will be any need for dispatchers at each stop at multi stop resorts....or even a dispatcher at any resort.
The buses will still have routes to run- the general perception is that they want to move guests away from venue areas as efficiently as possible. This should also result in a more effective pick-up system.
Transport from DD has been good this week. We have had no wait (less than 10 min) there at all.

Doc
doc@wdwinfo.com

 

[RobDoc]

The computer system is still crashed, which has put quite a strain on the system. The program is now being run manually, but that creates a whole new set of problems.
To answer the question about resort dispatchers- currently, the drivers themselves are using their radio to inform the dispatch of guests waiting at stops. OKW has run pretty well today- with a possible exception of AK runs (have been some delays there.) The 2 drivers I spoke with today indicated that right now, the large resorts (AS, CBR and DxL/PO) are struggling due to the large numbers of guests using the system. They can send a bus, but by the time it arrives- another is already needed. Both drivers told me that OKW is exceptionally smooth compared to most other resorts.

The eventual program (as was reported in another post this week) will have a terminal at each bus stop where a guest may scan his room ID- enter party size and destination- which will allow the computer to dispatch a bus to the area. The terminals will be located where the phone is found at each stop. This will take awhile to get implemented...as they have to keep the program up and running using the current technology before the terminals can be utilized. The system will be further challenged once AKL and Pop Century come on line this year.

As for OKW bus transport- all is well!

Doc
doc@wdwinfo.com

 

[spiceycat]

thank you very much!

 

[BobH]

Using a id scan at the bustop seems like a great use of the computer technology. Is OKW set up for this yet? Thanks again for the report Doc!

 

[Cinderelli]

We just returned Sunday night from a 4 day stay at CS. On Saturday, EE for MK, we couldn't even get a bus. We were the last stop at CS and each MK bus was full, standing room full. We finally gave up and went to AK (good choice). Sunday AM we headed to MK and there was a bell services employee at the stop. He asked each group where they were headed and keyed something into a hand-held computer thingamajig. We had a bus with plenty of seats in about 5 minutes.

Coming back to the resort, we were the first ones at the bus-stop (had just missed the bus). There was a man there who noted our arrival and a bus was there within 10 minutes. Much improved over Saturday.

I hope they keep up the good work. Sounds like a good system.

Contemporary 1997
Wilderness Lodge 1997
Port Orleans 1998
OKW 1999
Off-site - Oct 2000
Hilton Head - Nov 2000
CSR - Mar 2001
VB - Jul 2001
OKW - Sep 2001