bus transportation from Boardwalk villa

[bjakmom]

I love the BW, just joined at BWV - will continue to stay and enjoy my stays there, but I always complain about the shared bus service! The last few years we have gone off-peak, so we haven't experienced packed buses or SRO - but by the time we make all those stops on the way to and from the parks I feel like "come on, already, get me where I'm going!". I do not understand why so many resorts must share a bus route - why not BWV/Swan/Dolphin and BCV/BC/YC - sorry, but it makes no sense to me. When I stay at CBR I expect to make the stops at all the buildings around the circle, but I must admit that it irks me to stay at a deluxe and have to drive/stop/wait at each resort. I'm not an impatient person - I know how to relax - I love the option of walking to MGM and Epcot - and I don't mind the boat stops on the way back from MGM, like you say, it's the boat experience. Last year at AKL I was amazed at how well the buses ran the week we were there - it was a refreshing change after a week at BW. I'm one who is hoping that Disney changes the bus stops at the Epcot resorts! (and I'll continue to e-mail them my complaints after any trip that I find it lacking).

 

[dianeschlicht]

We also try and use the parks to catch other resort or DD busses. For example, we went to MGM and got busses to AKL and DD from there. This seems to work better than getting a bus directly from BWV or BCV.

That is a great solution! We have used that too. OKW really doesn't have bad bus service considering how large it is. I suspect that is an advantage in a way, since we don't share with other resorts. It will be interesting to see if they have SSR share with OKW when SSR first opens. I can't imagine they would have enough from just one building to justify their own bus.

 

[joepoe]

We don't have issues with Disney transportation, but it IS rather annoying whenyou come home after a long day at a park, that BWV is the last stop. Sometimes the kids are asleep, so we just go with the flow. Other times, we get off at the first stop (Swan) and walk across the bridge to get home.

I don't like getting in a hot car, driving to TTC, waitning for a tram, taking a tram, waiting for a monorail/ferry, getting on a sometimes crowded monorail, and then doing the same shtick on the way back. AK wasn't so bad. At least you only have to deal with the tram.

Doc published drive times vs bus times a while back. We rent a car just about every time now, and STILL take the buses to the park. We do a lot more off-site shopping, etc than we used to.

 

[DeeP]

Originally posted by dianeschlicht
And that's why we stay at OKW. Bus service there is just fine. I know when we go from MGM to the Boardwalk or to Epcot, we have taken the water taxi, and it took more than 35 minutes because of all the stops! We walked it once and left just as the Freedom was leaving the MGM dock. We arrived at World Showcase and the Freedom was not past the Dolphin yet!

I stay at BWV about every 3-4 months (or less) for 9-14 days per trip, and have done so for years--I have NEVER had a problem with the buses. I have been there during slow seasons and during busy times--i.e. Christmas, Easter, 4th of July etc, and have always had wonderful bus service. Also the Epcot resorts require bus service to ONLY 2 of 4 major parks and numerous restaurants, NOT to 4 or 4 major parks, as some other WDW resorts do.
True the vast majority of the delulxe resorts combine bus service i.e MK resorts and Epcot resorts, however even with the combined resorts they DO NOT make any more stops nor take any longer than a resort that has numerous stops within the resort like OKW or CBR.
IMO taking a nice boat ride to parks or taking a walk in a beautiful area has a lot more of the "vacation experience" than jumping into a hot car and driving everywhere. I do that 7 days a week at home and it has yet to remind me of a vacation experience nor really be what could be termed a pleasant experience, in my car trips at either home or when driving from a WDW resort, including OKW.
Over the past 30 years, I have stayed numerous times in every WDW resort but GF and I have both driven from these resorts and taken Disney transportation and I have yet to discover anything pleasant about walking to the car, cooling the hot car down, getting everyone buckled in, loading in strollers, etc, driving to a park, parking the car, walking to the tram, then walking to the entrance of the park, just to have to repeat this ordeal all over at the end of the day when everyone is tired! Not to even mention the fact that the walk from the parking lot into a park is as long or longer than the total walk from an Epcot resort to the International Gateway and this did NOT require the whole car/parking scenario! --Nope, not my idea of a vacation experience. But to each his own!!!!
BTW, the boats that service the Epcot resorts are called "Friendship" not "Freedom" but actually "Freedom" is a good word for them due to the "Freedom" they give their guests from doing the parking lot shuffle and do it yourself drives. They also provide "Freedom" from walking to the 2 parks that are within walking distance for when guests are tired, hot or just feeling lazy.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Over the past 30 years, I have stayed numerous times in every WDW resort but GF and I have both driven from these resorts and taken Disney transportation and I have yet to discover anything pleasant about walking to the car, cooling the hot car down, getting everyone buckled in, loading in strollers, etc, driving to a park, parking the car, walking to the tram, then walking to the entrance of the park, just to have to repeat this ordeal all over at the end of the day when everyone is tired!

Boy, do I agree with that!! I think Disney transportation works great for everything except resort to resort travel late in the day.

 

[StevieD]

We haven't yet stayed at BWV, but we stayed at BCV (our home resort) on two separate trips last year - one week of Spring Break, and one week in late October. The buses tended to be rather full during our trip. Epcot and MGM, of course, were a breeze. But on trips to MK or AK, we did notice that the folks at BWV were significantly inconvenienced. They were always the last to be picked up and dropped off. Frequently, the bus would get to BWV and only have room for a few more folks. We heard numerous angry comments from the BWV folks during our trip, and we noted that if we stayed at BWV, we would either utilize our car, or walk over to Swan/Dolphin to pick up the bus.

 

[dianeschlicht]

AFter re-reading this whole thread, I am quite sure that WHEN you travel and stay at BWV will have a lot to do with how crowded and agrevating the buses will be. I think the resorts that don't have to share buses with other resorts have an advantage there. (this is not a slam)

 

[Lesley]

I didn't really mean to be negative...we've really had primarily good experiences with the Disney transportation. I do commend the person who lets it be known that the bus sharing situation is not sufficient (at least at some times for some destinations).

Funny that someone mentioned AKL as a "good bus" location....that's where we had our worst bus experience ever!

But seriously, in 10 trips we've had only 2 or 3 bad bus problems and a handful of minor issues....and except for our last visit we've primarily used WDW transportation. As I said, the only thing I've found completely unacceptable is the service to DTD (over multiple trips at multiple resorts....we've learned to drive there at all costs) And unless we're already at a park and heading back to a park, we drive to other resorts.

 

[DeeP]

I think a major factor is how different people perceive bad transportation. Some people get annoyed if they have to wait more than 2 minutes for a bus, boat, monorail, etc. I have been at BWV and used their bus transportation to MK, AK, and DTD at all times of the year and during very heavy crowds and we have never had a problem, but then we tend to be very relaxed while on vacation and waiting a few minutes for a bus is no big deal. Don't sweat the small stuff, you are in WDW and staying at one of it's top notch resorts for goodness sake! Be happy and count your blessings!

 

[DaveH]

I have not stayed at BWV yet. I have stayed at VWL and WL. I have been mostly in off season. There have been times that the bus goes from WL to Poly to GF. By the time we have gotten to the GF the bbus was either full or standing room only. The problem is there was not enough folks for each resort alone but too many for all 3 to share the same bus. The S/D, Yc,BC,BCV,BWI and BW seems to me could possible split into maybe 2 runs instead of one. I do not know how heavely they are actually used all the time or just at certain times like I have ran into at the WL/VWL. We are staying at BWV in late Sep., we will find out then what it is like.

 

[StevieD]

Originally posted by DaveH
The S/D, Yc,BC,BCV,BWI and BW seems to me could possible split into maybe 2 runs instead of one. I do not know how heavely they are actually used all the time or just at certain times like I have ran into at the WL/VWL. We are staying at BWV in late Sep., we will find out then what it is like.

Not a bad suggestion. Or at the very least, they should occasionally alternate the route so that BWV isn't always last on, last off.

 

[disneyberry]

btw, here is a thread on the Transportation board that discussed this fairly recently.

Very disappointed with the bus transportation from BWV

 

[DJGifford]

When we were there in July/August (geesh just 2 weeks ago!) we stayed at the BW and were the last to be picked up on the buses. I just assumed we would be the first dropped off...NOPE...last again. I was a bit frustrated, and realized that it wasnt' all tht bad, as long as I was able to get a seat. But, at least the buses didn't drive bye, they weren't full...and it was a busy time there.

I definately think they need to work on the bus system.

Sorry to be rude, but why do the Dolphin and Swan appear to have better service than the "Disney" resorts? I am defiantely not trying to start an arguement here. Maybe there is just too much on this bus route.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Welcome to the boards, DjGifford! I think the bus issue is because each resort must arrange for transportation with Disney Transit on their own. Each resort pays a fee and makes their own contract with the trasit company. Just because they are all under the Disney umbrella does not mean they negotiate the same things. I do believe if BWV was to make their own contract BWV exclusive, it would add to maintanance fees at your resort.

 

[DJGifford]

I don't think it should be BW exclusive, but to have 5 resorts all on one bus is a bit much!

 

[ralphd]

Originally posted by dianeschlicht
Boy, do I agree with that!! I think Disney transportation works great for everything except resort to resort travel late in the day.

I agree!

ralphd

 

[jennymouse]

I, too, was always a big fan of Disney buses until my trip to BWV in June. We waited from 7:15am until 8:05am for a bus to go to AK EE. When a bus finally showed up, it was sooo full only a handful of people could get on. We gave up and walked to Epcot that day and I have no idea how long the rest of those guests waited for another AK bus. We had simular experiences with early buses to MK & AK as the week progressed, but not as bad as on June 24th. Also, by the time we made all of those stops coming home in the afternoon, there wasn't much time left for our "swim/nap break."

I've never before complained about the bus service from other resorts, but it is very bad to/from BWV. And, I think that if ANYONE had simular experience would be complaining too. Just because you may have gotten lucky with the buses to/from BWV, doesn't invalidate the experiences those of us who have had poor service. You sit at the bus stop for an hour for an overfull bus to come one time and I bet you'd change your tune!

 

[kathleena]

I believe that pre-9/11 Swan and Dolphin were on their own bus run? Anyone remember that?

Maybe it's time to go back to separate buses.

 

[DJGifford]

Nancy in ME...I agree with you...I love your moose, BTW!

Althought he Swan and Dolphin is technically on Disney property...it isn't owned by Disney, I think...

Dolores from NH

 

[Lisa F]

Originally posted by dianeschlicht
I am really sorry you feel like you are being put down for owning at BWV. That was not the intent of my statement at all. I think you are being overly "sensitive and defensive about all this. The discussion is about transportation issues at ALL the DVC resorts. Did you not notice my first "tongue smile" when I first stated staying at OKW???? Lighten up! Oh, BTW, it took us 15 minutes to walk from MGM to the International gateway at Epcot, and YES we COULD see the boat dock from there!

Who said anything about being put down? I'm all for an objective comparison of resorts. It's great that you stay at OKW for whatever reasons you stay there. Maybe the buses do suck at BWV, I hate the darn things and don't take them on vacation so I don't consider the existence of bus transportation to be a plus anyway, just something I have to pay for as part of the package. When did I say that people couldn't talk about their experiences (good or bad)? I guess I'm just confused about who all of these people are who told some random (to them) guest about how much buses at BWV suck.

The boats, on the other hand, do take some time. That's not due to a flaw in the system whereby they are overloaded, it's due to the fact that sometimes it takes a while to get people loaded (especially if there is someone who needs assistance). The boats have a logical route from MGM to Epcot and back, stopping at all of the resorts in between (in reverse order from the other on either route). I would rather be sitting on an air conditioned boat that stops at all of the resorts than standing at the dock at either end waiting for the right boat to arrive.

Maybe we are thinking of different things, but the Swan/Dolphon boat dock is around the corner from Jellyrolls. Maybe your vision is a lot better than mine is, since everything is so spread out at OKW, you need to be able to see miles away to see if there's a pool or a restaurant there .

Lisa