Buses on demand?

[bunnymkc]

What do you guys think about the new "buses on demand" policy at Disney? How do think that will affect OKW and the other DVC resorts on site? There is a topic going on at the transportation board that is very interesting....Check it out..Marianne <IMG SRC="/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif" alt="confused">Opps it was on the rumors board and it seems that it has started already...

[This message was edited by bunnymkc on 03-18-01 at 10:55 AM.]

 

[dvcdudes]

I heard about this on our last trip this February. Is it in effect already?

DVCDUDES
Owner BWV Feb 2000

 

[Dennis the WDW Menace]

I'm very interested in seeing what happens at OKW. When I was at OKW last Jan. the bus drivers did not seem to think that the new system was going to work out to well, just like the last try to change the bus system that was a complete failure. The drivers were very excited about the new buses that are due to be put into service in April or May. They told me that the new bus is lower to the ground and will make loading wheelchairs faster and will be easier for everyone to get on the bus. I saw one of the new buses and they look larger but will hold fewer people acording to the drivers.

 

[dhudson1]

Holding fewer people, that doesn't sound good.

<font color="#FF0000"><font face="Comic Sans MS"><font size="3"><center>Darryl</font>
<font size="1"><marquee>71 Offsite, 72 Offsite, 81 Offsite - Honeymoon, 83 Offsite, 84 FW Tent, 85 Poly, 90 Offsite, 91 Offsite, 92 Offsite, 93 CBR, 94 Offsite, 96 ASM, 98 CBR-Bought DVC @ BWV, 99 BWV & OKW, 00 OKW & FW Cabin, 01 BWV in July</marquee></font></font></font><IMG width="125" height="122" SRC="http://members.aol.com/robert1958/private/Disney.jpg"></center>

 

[bicker]

The program is not really a big change; they're simply going to start doing in the morning what they've always done in the evening.

Brian Charles Kohn
"in my own words"
Some Imagination, huh? - Mickey Mouse

 

[Dumbo]

Walt Disney World has a serious transportation problem. The bus system is already over taxed. And with Animal Kingdom Lodge, Pop Century, and Beach Club Villas comeing on line it's only gonna get worse. Disney keeps building on site hotels, therefore adding more buses.

No disrespect to other DVC owners, but I am grateful that I own at Boardwalk Villas so that my dependence on buses is limited.

Dumbo

 

[mickeyc]

My last trip to WDW was last July and the bus service was very good. I have been going to disney since 1971 and I think they do a good job minimizing the wait time. Two years ago we were the last ones to leave the Magic Kingdom and the last bus had already left for our resort. The CM on duty made arrangements for another bus to pick us up within 10 min. As it turned out it was a bus for about 5 people at different resorts. This is good customer service. Keep riding!!

 

[Bennet]

Just back. Driver said new bus program starts the end of this month. Will be in the morinings. CM @ bus stop will determin where people are going, and call for a bus to that stop going to that location. It is similar to the way they are load managing now in the evenings.

<A HREF="http://members.home.net/dunlapsdisney/" TARGET=_blank>

</A>
</P>

Disney silliness: Buzz's Spin, Parks, Parades MORE TAPESTRY and MORE OF THE Unfortunate Footwear of Walt Disney World: http://badshoe.com

 

[dvcdudes]

Maybe they will start using some smaller busses or van service for times when there is only one or two people. I hope they don't wait to dispatch a bus only if there is X number of people waiting.

DVCDUDES
Owner BWV Feb 2000

 

[dianeschlicht]

I can't imagine that this will be an improvement! It will be pretty stupid in the middle of the day!

Disneydiane

 

[bunnymkc]

Diane, from my understanding it will only be used in the mornings, I guess "they" will see how that works out and maybe do it at another time also...Marianne

 

[bicker]

Well, given that they're already doing it in the evening, the only other time they could do it in the afternoon, and I agree that there wouldn't make much sense for them to do so. Generally, there aren't as many problems with transportation that time of day anyway.

Brian Charles Kohn
"in my own words"
Some Imagination, huh? - Mickey Mouse

 

[J.P.]

I am going to OKW in about three weeks, i am concerned about the buses on demand but i am going to hold me thoughts till i get back and see how the whole system works. I feel they do a great job at night time when the fireworks or parade has end and everyone starts to leave the park at once. There was comments about the use of the fastpass system thru out the parks. I like the fastpass system. Lets' give a Disney a chance to try the new system on the buses.

90-Fort Wildreness
92-Carribean Beach
93-OKW
94-OKW
95-OKW and VB
96-OKW, VB
97-OKW, VB
98-OKW,VB
99-OKW,Dixie, VB
00-OKW, VB
01-OKW, VB, Cruise

 

[KNWVIKING]

Bottom line is that as they keep adding on-site resorts they have to move more people. Is this idea going to solve the long waits 100%- probably not- but they acknowledge they have a problem and they are attempting to fix it. I've read comments from guests and drivers to the negative but I haven't heard those "experts" offer a cure that doesn't come short of a billion $$$$ monorail system that goes from park-to-park and resort-to- resort.Disney are experts at moving 15 million people a yr around WDW, I'm going to wait and see how it works before I voice an opinion.

 

[bicker]

I don't think the addition of resorts really causes the problem -- generally adding resorts simply cannibalizes the business of off-site hotels. That tends to result in LESS traffic, since folks who previously traveled from off-site are now traveling the shorter distance. Furthermore, I suspect that when folks move on-site from off-site, they tend to use the busses more, which also relieves the traffic problem.

Rather, the problem is stemming from the increasing popularity of the parks themselves. Increasing attendance, more water parks, DD, etc.

Brian Charles Kohn
"in my own words"
Some Imagination, huh? - Mickey Mouse

 

[BobH]

How will they handle all the bus stops within the OKW complex. I am sure they are not going to put a manager with a radio at each stop. You'll probably have to hike to the hospitality house? Anyone know about this?

I would suggest that buses on demand is the first step toward no bus service. It was supposed to be a perk of ownership and a convenience. Disney can well afford to provide it every 20 minutes as originally promised.

[This message was edited by BobH on 03-20-01 at 09:47 AM.]

 

[KNWVIKING]

It's not outside guest who are waiting for buses back to resorts, it's resort guest. The more on property rooms,the more load on the bus system. Outsiders mostly go from park to central hub to next park. Their outside resort transport them in the morning and takes them home at night,not disney.