Bus Service is where USO beats Disney...BAD!

[GatorChris]

I've done many trips to WDW, all from bus service resorts. I've seen good, bad, and AllStar ugly. After doing Disneyland the last 7 years, I'm not missing waiting on Disney buses for half an hour, only to see them fill up with ECVs and their families of 20.

I sorta expected more of the same at USO. I was absolutely wrong. Every single morning at Cabana Bay, we'd walk out to the bus stop. There was never a time when bus wasn't already there. And when they would fill it up to Covid19 capacity, another bus would be rounding the corner. I always worried the buses would keep us from getting to the parks early so we can beat the rush. But every morning, I was the happiest man at the resort.

Even coming back to the resort, bus service was always impeccable. I remember our first night after our first full day at IoA getting off the escalator to go to the Cabana Bay bus stop. There was a line all the way back to the stairs! I said out loud, "This is terrible." A USO worker said, "Don't worry, another bus is coming." So I replied, "It's going to take about 4 more buses to take care of this line." Within 3 minutes, 4 buses were lined up waiting to take us back to the resort. I was absolutely stunned. Really! At Disney, you just stand in line knowing that if you don't get on the first bus, and you're lucky enough to have a second bus come in a few minutes later, if you miss that one, it's another 15 minutes waiting in line. That was never the case for Cabana Bay/USO. It really made the whole resort experience so much better.

Universal absolutely kicks Disney's backside all day long when it comes to bus service.

 

[TommyJK]

Absolutely!

Cabana Bay is our favourite resort on site and have stayed there many times (although most recently we've always stayed at RP due to the express pass) and even during busier pre-covid times the buses were always plentiful and reliable. Never had to wait more than 5 minutes for a bus any time we've stayed there.

 

[Disxuni]

I concur. I absolutely adore the bus service at Universal. It's night and day compared to Disney. I've had such horrible, long waits at Disney. At Cabana I've only had to "wait" one time for a bus and honestly that was less than a minute wait. All the other times the bus was already there for me. Recently when I visited a friend at RP I waited a couple of minutes for a bus to pull up, but it was for something else, they called to let another bus know I was waiting, and a minute later a different bus appeared for the City Walk appeared to take me.

 

[DRussell88]

Even at Endless Summer there was always a bus ready to go with another one rounding the corner. I was a bit skeptical about it based on past experiences I had at WDW, but quickly found out there was no reason to be. I also feel like the busses are a bit nicer and more comfortable at UO, but I may be crazy.

In Disney's defense, there are a lot of moving pieces in the public transportation system there, but it is all in need of an update.

 

[Disxuni]

I think the thing in Disney's case is that it's so spread out (all the various locations they have to go to) and on top of that they have to travel within the regular guests. Which so does Universal, but the amount of travelers it seems so much more than Universal. I think their buses are so great since they're much newer than Disney's buses. So that's one defense for them there. Since they're newer they also appear cleaner and while most Disney buses are good with having air conditioning, all Universal ones definitely have it. Also, they have a video to show going back and forth usually which I think is nice way to distract and advertise at the same time.

While I know Disney has and probably needs more buses than Universal due to the variety of places they have to go I personally think they need even more, or need to time the buses better. I know life happens, but multiple times I've even been waiting for a particular bus to come and next to me I'd have a bus appear for the hotel, or park next to me multiple times before finally getting the bus I need. One time it got so long that a bus appeared, confirmed where I was going, and even changed what the marque to where I was going. I have a feeling that never happens so I wonder if they were notified something wrong happened.

But yeah, Disney needs to update a lot of things... Like their monorails. I don't think a refurb of what it looks like on the outside and inside is what is needed unless they plan on seriously reworking what's under the hood, but let me stop there since that's another topic.

But yes, Universal is good. Disney eh, but yes, they do have their reasons as to why.

 

[GatorChris]

While I know Disney has and probably needs more buses than Universal due to the variety of places they have to go I personally think they need even more, or need to time the buses better. I know life happens, but multiple times I've even been waiting for a particular bus to come and next to me I'd have a bus appear for the hotel, or park next to me multiple times before finally getting the bus I need. One time it got so long that a bus appeared, confirmed where I was going, and even changed what the marque to where I was going. I have a feeling that never happens so I wonder if they were notified something wrong happened.

Yeah, this is what I think of. When I'm at WDW resorts, if I walk to the bus stop and only wait 5 minutes for the park bus I want, that's a huge win. It's usually in the 5-15 minutes range. But I'll also say in the mornings I've waited up to 45 minutes MULTIPLE times. Not just MK, either. I mean DHS, where you wait so long that when you finally see the DHS bus, it's already full from the previous stop where people were waiting. Disney needs a MAJOR upgrade for this.

 

[serene56]

I have to ask== is the bus service like that in normal times? We went in august and a bus was always waiting there for us.

 

[hhoope01]

The two times we've stayed at CBBR (7 nights each time) the buses were almost always there waiting for us (instead of us waiting for the bus.)

 

[fredandkell]

I think Universal beats Disney in logistics, the "bubble" concept, etc. And if you're spoiled by the buses, stay at one of the hotels with the water taxis--we are now ruined, LOL!!

 

[GatorChris]

I think Universal beats Disney in logistics, the "bubble" concept, etc. And if you're spoiled by the buses, stay at one of the hotels with the water taxis--we are now ruined, LOL!!

Really? I figured you'd have to wait even longer for those since they move by water. But maybe it's because it's not that long of a trip. Next time!!! Well, if I don't do Cabana Bay again. Such a cool vibe there.

 

[nkereina]

We always stay at one of the Universal deluxe resorts. The water taxis can have a bit of a wait, but the walk is so easy that we rarely wait on them anyway. If you're used to Disneyland and the proximity for walking back to your hotel, you'd enjoy the Universal deluxe resorts for a similar or even shorter walk in some cases.

With WDW, you have to keep in mind that Disney property is roughly the size of the city of San Francisco. The buses are making longer commutes both in time and distance, and the fleet is servicing many more parks and resorts than Universal ever has to contend with. The larger the fleet and logistical considerations, the more room for error. Its easy for Universal to run a tight ship in this department because their logistical considerations are, frankly, easy. Disney has room for improvement for sure, and they've added another layer of complexity now trying to balance operational cost with guest demand in the current environment.

 

[RamblingMad]

I have walked when the water taxi is running slow. Everything is so close together at Universal. It’s really like a DL experience.

 

[hhoope01]

For us, it depends on which Deluxe hotel we are staying at. The 2 times we stated at HRH, I don't think we ever used the water taxi. But when we stayed at PBR, we may walk only one or 2 times (usually during a 7 or 8 night stay.) At RPR, we tend to go about half-and-half. If we are heading to Citywalk or to IOA, we will will usually just walk. But if we are heading to US, we will usually wait for the water taxi.

 

[cschaaf]

Really? I figured you'd have to wait even longer for those since they move by water. But maybe it's because it's not that long of a trip. Next time!!! Well, if I don't do Cabana Bay again. Such a cool vibe there.

The water taxis benefit from both the security checkpoint and the dock location deep into City Walk. Even if they were slower than the buses (and I'm not sure if they are or aren't), you don't have to go through the hub and walk through City Walk.

 

[Disxuni]

Yes, that is one thing to consider is that with water taxis you're definitely getting the whole security thing out of the way and plopped in the middle of CW. Typically there is no one in front of you during the security process if you do it that way (or maybe one person in front of you). As for after that they have markers on the floor to where you stand after that point to wait for the boat. Most of the time it's only a few people. However, even the one time we had a long line (even if you'd call that) and the whole boat was full (due to social distance seating) we had another boat right behind it so were boarded immediately.

Personally when I take the boat it's due to wanting a little boat ride. As walking is easy to do as well and buses are technically faster if I really need to really get somewhere. Depending on what resort you're at the actual travel time (boat vs bus) would be the same, or at least it feels the same. It's the wait time that's really the difference. Due to the speed of the bus, but slightly longer distance vs the slowness of the boat and shorter amount of distance I think is the reason why they're similar in time. However, to me, it feels roughly the same amount of time. I haven't had much experience at different resorts to know exactly.

 

[cfoxga]

The boat is just an enjoyable way to get to the park; something you don't get to do every day. It is our preferred way to travel while at UO. While the buses are fine, there is nothing special about them. We do enough walking in the parks that I'd prefer to not walk back to the room (except for HRH, since it is so close) unless the lines are very long for the boats.

 

[gopher101]

Bus is awesome. Had to wait at longest 2 minutes. Disney the longest was 30/40 minutes. I was at CBR (where there is six bus stops in it) and the AK bus keep filling up before it got to my stop. 3 busses came for AK and filled up before they got to us. They had to re route another bus just to take our stop alone. Than when going back at night the bus driver tried to tell us it was not taking us to our stop, and told us to get off at the furthest stop away (Me, my disabled sister, and a mom and her baby). He had to call his boss to verify he could take us to stop. Made me really appreciate universal.

 

[tony67]

Yeah - I have to say Universal does a great job with the buses - there is always one waiting.

I usually stay at Aventura and I prefer to take the water taxi to the parks and the bus back - at closing the wait for the water taxis can be ridiculous and the buses are always there. Before one leaves another is pulling up behind it.

I'm the last to defend Disney - but I think with the number of guests they have and how spread out it is they do a decent job. The biggest issue I have with the Disney Buses is most of the resorts share buses with one or two other hotels. In addition getting between resorts is a nightmare. After the parks have closed to get from the Polynesian to CB you have to go to Downtown Disney and back. Same for the Boardwalk.

 

[cfoxga]

I'm the last to defend Disney - but I think with the number of guests they have and how spread out it is they do a decent job. The biggest issue I have with the Disney Buses is most of the resorts share buses with one or two other hotels. In addition getting between resorts is a nightmare. After the parks have closed to get from the Polynesian to CB you have to go to Downtown Disney and back. Same for the Boardwalk.

Disney World's size is what sets it apart from Disneyland or either Universal sites. While that means it wins on the park side with everything it offers, it definitely loses out on the transportation side. The total package of UO just makes a more relaxed vacation, which is one reason we keep going back.

When/if UO opens the new park (Epic Universe), they will begin having similar logistical issues as Disney World. If the add that park to the existing route of Hotel-to-CityWalk, then it will really slow things down.

 

[tony67]

When/if UO opens the new park (Epic Universe), they will begin having similar logistical issues as Disney World. If the add that park to the existing route of Hotel-to-CityWalk, then it will really slow things down.

Agreed - but that's quite a ways away now unfortunately