Buses - Basic Questions (not specifics like A to B)

[TheTurners]

This will be our first visit to WDW without a rental car. Not only have we never been on a Disney bus, we've never been on any bus (other than an airport or resort shuttle).

When you're at a bus stop, how do you know where the bus is going (is there a screen in the windshield that shows the destination?)

When you're leaving a park, are there buses lined up and you seek out the one headed to your resort, or are you just waiting for buses to pull up and leave?
Also, what is the setup at DTD?

Is this system easy to get used to, and is everything clearly organized and marked?

When you're leaving a resort, is the bus headed to all of the parks, or does each resort have a dedicated bus for each park? Approximately how many buses does each resort have?

How would you rate the bus system as a whole? What warnings or recommendations do you have?

We're staying at CSR for 9 days and will likely hit everything except ESPN and the golf courses. Thanks a lot.

 

[smitch425]

This will be our first visit to WDW without a rental car. Not only have we never been on a Disney bus, we've never been on any bus (other than an airport or resort shuttle).

When you're at a bus stop, how do you know where the bus is going (is there a screen in the windshield that shows the destination?)Yes, they have a sign in the windshield

When you're leaving a park, are there buses lined up and you seek out the one headed to your resort, or are you just waiting for buses to pull up and leave?Each resort has their own bus stop at each park. There will be a sign that lists the stop number and you walk to that stop and wait for you bus
Also, what is the setup at DTD?
I can't remember this exactly, but I think it is just like the park setup. There will be signs telling you exactly where to go to get to your resort.
Is this system easy to get used to, and is everything clearly organized and marked?It is VERY simple to follow. Signs are everywhere.

When you're leaving a resort, is the bus headed to all of the parks, or does each resort have a dedicated bus for each park? Approximately how many buses does each resort have?Each park has MULTIPLE buses to itself. You take a bus from your resort to the desired park with no add'l stops. (with the exception of the All-Star hotels, they share busses and stop at each resort if the bus to the park isn't full)

How would you rate the bus system as a whole? What warnings or recommendations do you have? If you have a stroller, be sure to fold it down before boarding. The buses are EXCELLENT and easy to use. I highly recommend them!

We're staying at CSR for 9 days and will likely hit everything except ESPN and the golf courses. Thanks a lot.

Have a great trip!

 

[Jestocost]

The Disney bus system works about as well as the public bus system in many cities; although its cleaner and less sketchy for the most part. If you are comfortable using public transportation, then you should be fine with Disney buses.

Buses will have a lighted marquee over the windshield that shows its destination. For the most part, buses leaving the resorts will have a single destination. The exception is that buses to the water parks usually will share a route with a park or DTD bus (I can never remember exactly how that works).

At each resort, the set up is a bit different. Many of the resorts have two or three different bus loading areas and there will be a sign at each loading area showing which buses will stop and load there. At the mods and deluxes, everyone just kind of hangs around and then lines up to board when the bus arrives. I think that some or all of the values have roped areas where guests line up. If there are guests in wheelchairs, they will be loaded first through a door in the side of the bus, then everyone else will board through the door up front.

All of the resorts, except for I think POP, either share bus service with other resorts (the Poly shares with the GF and/or CR, for example) or have multiple stops within the resort itself (SSR, CBR, etc.). As a result, you likely will make one or more stops on the way to a park after you board and/or before you get to your stop when you return.

Each of the parks has a couple of loading areas with individual lines for each resort or grouped resorts. There are signs over each line and signs outside of the bus depots listing the resorts and their corresponding loading zones. You just find your resort on the sign and head to the correct loading zone. The DTD bus areas are basically the same as the parks.

In general, buses run about every 20 minutes. Buses from the resorts to the parks start running at about 6:30 a.m. to get guests to early ADRs, but they don't start running on the regular 20-minute schedule until about one hour before a given park opens (including EMH openings). At park closing or after fireworks/parades, buses will run more frequently back to the resorts. Even when there's a huge line, it generally doesn't take too long to catch a bus.

There are no buses between resorts, so you generally will need to use a park or DTD as a transfer point when making resort-to-resort trips. The obvious exceptions are the monorail resorts and the Epcot area resorts, which are connected by monorail and boat service, respectively, and there are a couple of others.

There also is no transport between any of the parks and DTD. You will need to get to a resort to catch a bus to DTD or take a bus to SSR and walk to DTD from the Congress Park stop.

There is some form of transportation from park to park. All of it is direct, except for transportation to or from the MK, which requires a transfer at the TTC.

We always use Disney transport on our trips and it usually works quite well. Of course sometimes the bus schedule gets messed up, monorails break down, boats suspend service during thunderstorms, etc., but rental cars break down, accidents happen when you are driving, etc.

 

[goofy4tink]

Many people stress about the Disney transportation system before they get there. But, rest assured, it's all very easy once you get there and start using it.
As noted, each bus will have it's destination listed on it. And once at each park, your resort will have it's own bus stop.

At DTD it is slightly chaotic. Yes, it is set up like the parks, but you will find the bus stop area to be almost like an island...with 2 resorts sharing one area...one facing to each side. There is plenty of signage to help you out.
Be aware though...you can not get a bus to a park from DTD..you must go to a resort from DTD and then transfer to a park bus.

As for combining of routes, the water parks are combined with regular parks on certain routes. But, again, it's marked on the bus...side and front.


The transportation system is very good. It always amazes me to see how wonderfully Disney moves so many people around such a large area. Yes, there are those who complain about having to wait for a bus to come. But, it's public transportation basically...so it isn't always all that quick. Be sure to leave about an hour to get anywhere....and if you are going from resort to resort via the bus, you may want to leave 90 mins.
But you will find good signage to point you in the right direction. My best piece of advice is this...if you have a quetion about the buses, ask a bus driver. Do NOT ask at your front desk or in the food court..they have no idea what they are talking. And I don't care if they seem to be 100% sure. Check with a bus driver. If you're at the bus stop and get confused, just walk up to a bus, stick your head in and ask the driver. THey can give you the right info.
Same thing goes for the boats and the monorail...ask someone who actually works with them.

If you have any specific questions, don't be shy about coming here and asking us!!

 

[maxiesmom]

Keep in mind that they fill the busses full, and many people have to ride standing up. If you see a bus is standing room only and don't wish to stand, you can step aside and wait for the next bus. I'm not sure if you have any children, but this can mean even the little ones will have to stand. And if you have a stroller along it will have to be folded up too.