Buses from Boardwalk??

[MicheleC]

I'm hoping to get some opinions on buses vs. rental cars. DH and I have had a rental car on every visit to WDW. We've been going for 14 years and even before we had children, we always rented a car. It's getting more and more expensive since we now extend our visit and visit family in Naples, rent the car there and then drive up to Orlando and then keep the car for our 8-10 day WDW stay. And of course we need a bigger car since we have 2 kids, 2 carseatsand lots of luggage. We're wondering if we should save the money and just use the buses. We always use the boats to go to MGM and we walk to Epcot, so the buses would just be for MK and AK. Does anyone know how many stops are made on the way to and from MK, that would be our most usual destination. We are so worried about waiting for buses with cranky/tired children and getting on and off with 2 strollers. Anyone out there with opinions would be great. Thanks!

 

[madalex]

Thoughts on buses:

We have always rented a car because we do a lot of dining at other resorts and there is just no easy way to go from resort to resort via Disney transport.

We usually stay at YC, which is on the same bus loop as the Boardwalk. The bus ride to MK is fairly easy and lets you off right near the gate (versus having to park and take the monorail or ferry from the TTC). However, often in the morning by the time the bus gets to the Boardwalk (after stopping at YC and BC), the bus will be full or close to it, so that people who want to get on at the Boardwalk either have to stand or can't get on at all.

I have never liked the bus ride from YC to AK (I think it just takes too long), so I usually drive, but such bus ride does not usually have the "full bus" issues that the bus to MK has.

As for concerns about waiting with the kids and the strollers, we've been there many times. I think the bus system gnerally runs pretty well so that waits are not usually that long. At the same time, getting on and off the buses with strollers is a bit of a chore, but can be managed without too much difficulty.

 

[ahoff]

We also stay at BW, and always rent a car. Find that the cost of a car vs cost of some other form of transport from airport is about the same, and like knowing the car is there if we need it. That being said, using the buses to go to the parks is the best way to go. Especially MK. The lot is a long way away, and there is the wait for a tram, then a wait for either the ferry or monorail. I would rather wait for a bus (which is not usually that long) and be dropped off rather close to the entrance.

A hint for the return, we get off at the Swan stop and walk back to BW. Sometimes there is a seperate bus for S/D and the line for that is pretty small compared to YC/BC/BW line.

 

[goofy4tink]

When we were at BWV in August, we found that most of the time the bus went to Swan/Dolphin. Then reversed it coming back. Only once in awhile did we go to YC/BC. We also did the get off at the Swan and walk over to BW route. Pretty quick walk.

 

[vicb]

We have never rented a car at WDW, we have stayed at BWI twice.

For the most part the busses do a fine job. Each time we stayed at BWI we had only one bad experience each trip. Once was trying to get a bus from TL back to BWI and this year there was an overcrowding issue on one bus. We took busses to MK, BB and DTD this past trip.

When time really matters like a PS for Chef Mickey or the time we had the kids on the Pirate Cruise at GF we took a cab, cost about $10 but worth it.

 

[greendoor678]

I've not had any bad experiences with Disney Bus Transportation.
In fact, I highly recommend taking the busses! It takes a little longer than driving yourself, but you get dropped off/picked up near the park gates which is nice. My experience has been that the busses run regulary and often so if you miss one bus, another will be along within 10minutes.

I often head to the bus pick up area before the parks close to beat the crowd.

Of course, it's always nice to have a rental car in case you have other plans.

 

[Dreamin' Disney]

Do buses to MK from the Boardwalk area stop at every Boardwalk resort?

I am staying at the BWI and if the buses stop at YC/BC before they get to BWI, they probably will be full.

Has this happened to anyone? Or do they have direct service?

 

[DebbieB]

I've stayed at BWV 5 times and always rent a car. You can get great deals on rental cars, by time you add in airport transportation, it's practically free for the rest of the time. The part that drives me nuts at BW is the ride home from MK. We usually take the bus when we go to MVMCP so that we don't have to worry about getting the monorail or boat over to the TTC to get the car late at night. The bus stops at the Dolphin, Swan, YC, BC then finally BW. We're too tired to get off at the Swan and walk. If we go to MK during the day, we drive. We also drive to AK and DTD. We also have the car to go offsite to the outlets and grocery shopping. BW is the last stop going to MK, sometimes we have had to stand.

 

[jiminy14]

We just stayed at the BW in August and found that they have changed the bus route because of numerous complaints about overcrowded buses. The bus to MK and AK now only stops at BW and Swan and Dolphin. BW is usually the first stop each way. Usually the YC/BC/BC Villas have their own buses. However, keep in mind that this is always subject to change. There were several times when we boarded the bus back from a park and the driver did stop at all of the hotels. When we asked a driver about the change, he told us that Disney had received a lot of complaints from BW guests about not being able to board buses due to overcrowding. It was decided to split the route and the BW guests would be the first to board and the first to get off. Again, this did not always happen as several times we were the last to get off as the driver would go to S/D first.
We always rent a car. We prefer to drive to AK and avoid the stop at BB. We also like to eat off property and shop at the outlets. With all the codes and coupons available, you can usually find a good deal on a rental car.