Buses?

[dchfnp]

Everytime that I've been to WDW, we always drove so I never had to worry about taking the resort buses, but this time is different. We are driving, but since we are staying in the resort we will be utilizing the busing system. Being a new rider, can anyone tell me how late the system runs and do they continually go from one place to another? Thanks for any tips!!!

 

[DNSDisney]

I believe they run for an hour after park closing.
Not sure what you mean by going from one place to another. But if you mean does one bus go to everything , No they are indiviual buses. Like one goes from say Poly to GF then to BB and MGM then it makes the return to the Poly and Gf and the circle continues for that perticular bus.
In the front of the bus at the top you can read where it goes, and I think they have a moving sign on the side as well.
Hope this answers some of your questions.

 

[jimmybop]

when your at your resort, find the bus stop there (or the closest one to your room if your resort has multiple stops) and watch the marquee on the bus, and it will tell you where it is going....

on the way back from the parks, look at the signs and find the stop for your resort and stand in the line (95% of the time it will pick you up at the same place it drops you off at the park). Bues for each park run on about a 15-20 apart (sometimes even less)

if you have any questions there, call the front desk and ask, ask any bus driver, or any cast member around the bus stop.

 

[kathylovesdisneyworl]

The buses run about every 15 or 20 min. all day and night to there designated place. They do not run to and individual hotel unless you stay at one of the hotels that have shared bussing. The hardest part about the Disney bus system is trying to go to another hotel for breakfast. It can take some time.

 

[hucifer]

A friend of mine rents a car for her family of five when she stays at the POR. She says for them it is much easier to drive to the parks than to wait for the buses...especially when she had a few of her kids in diapers and strollers. Now that her children are older, they STILL prefer to drive to the parks. She said there are few problems associated with doing so. And because they were resort guests, they didn't have to pay for parking.

Just a thought.

 

[seashoreCM]

Buses usually run every 20 minutes or more often, but a few areas are scheduled every 30 or 40 minutes.

Going from resort to park or back takes one bus, going resort to resort requires a transfer at a park, going from park to park or from park to Downtown Disney sometimes requires a transfer at a resort.

During some hours of the day two or three resorts close to each other may share buses.

When the park closes you don't have to hustle out, just don't straggle too far back. Actually the bus stop outside the park is the most crowded in the first half hour after park closing.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[pennylynn]

The buses from Downtown Disney run until 2:00 am. So if you come out of the park late and discover that the bus to your resort is already done for the night just take the bus to DTD and then catch the bus to your resort.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

This is how it REALLY works:

Buses start up at 7:00am. From 7:00am - 8:00am, buses run for Character Breakfasts. These buses are able to take you directly to any theme park or resort on property. Just check with the driver of the bus to make sure you're getting on the right area bus. The bus's destination sign will either read CHARACTER BREAKFAST, or it might have the theme park area that it serves.

Also starting at 7:00 will be buses running for Early Entry.

At 8:00, theme park buses start regular service. These buses get dispatched in 15 minute intervals, although if demand warrants, sometimes the interval will be less.

Buses run from the resort to the theme park up until about 15 minutes prior to close. Buses run from the theme park to the resort until the theme park is clear of all guests. We will not leave you behind at a theme park.

Downtown Disney buses run from 8:30am-2:00am. Last bus is at 2:15am. Miss it, and you need to find a taxi.


A few tips:

Always read the destination sign on the bus. What it says is where it goes. If it doesnt say it, it doesnt go there.

Always read the directional signs at the bus stops. Chances are the bus will not drop you off at the same place that you will be picked up. Just before you get to the main bus terminal at any theme park, there will be a big huge sign saying which bus stop you need to go to. That sign doesn't lie.

All strollers must be folded prior to boarding the bus. If you have a stroller, and you see you bus pulling in, start folding.

 

[dchfnp]

Thanks for all the great tips!!! I really appreciate it!! My main problem is on Saturday we are going to Animal Kingdom and then are eating at Rainforest Cafe at 6pm. If the park closes at 5 and they only run for an hour after the park closes, do we then have to take a taxi back to the CB resort or what?

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by dchfnp
Thanks for all the great tips!!! I really appreciate it!! My main problem is on Saturday we are going to Animal Kingdom and then are eating at Rainforest Cafe at 6pm. If the park closes at 5 and they only run for an hour after the park closes, do we then have to take a taxi back to the CB resort or what?

Buses run from the theme parks until EVERYONE IS GONE. That includes Rainforest Cafe. Don't worry, you'll be fine.

 

[Beckles]

Originally posted by Chip 'n Dale Express
Downtown Disney buses run from 8:30am-2:00am. Last bus is at 2:15am.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Indeed, Downtown Disney is the only location to have a fixed "Last Bus"... however, that 2:15 bus isn't allowed to leave until PI is clear, and anyone who needs to board a bus is on board. Although PI is "open" until 2:00am, they tend to start shutting down at 1:30... that gives folks plenty of time to head out.

 

[clkelley]

Originally posted by Chip 'n Dale Express
This is how it REALLY works:


Buses run from the resort to the theme park up until about 15 minutes prior to close. Buses run from the theme park to the resort until the theme park is clear of all guests. We will not leave you behind at a theme park.




Once when we were trying to get to Magic Kingdom for eride night from All-Star Music 1 HOUR before regular closing, we were having problems getting a bus. We waited patiently at the Magic Kingdom stop for 35 minutes. I finally figured out after I saw the 3rd bus marked "special" stop at the Mears stop and only let folks off that they were no longer picking up. We finally went over to the Downtown Disney stop and told that bus driver what we needed and we finally got someone to take us to Magic Kingdom for eride night 10 minutes after park closing. It was a full hour into eride night before we got our wristbands and were on the first attraction.

So even though they are "supposed" to run from resorts to parks up until 15 minutes before closing, if you want to go to eride night after a break at your room, I would suggest leaving your resort 2 HOURS before park closing.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

We run from the resort to the Magic Kingdom all throughout the e-ride.

 

[Beckles]

Originally posted by Chip 'n Dale Express
Indeed, Downtown Disney is the only location to have a fixed "Last Bus"... however, that 2:15 bus isn't allowed to leave until PI is clear, and anyone who needs to board a bus is on board. Although PI is "open" until 2:00am, they tend to start shutting down at 1:30... that gives folks plenty of time to head out.

My amusement was that you said the buses run until 2:00 AM, then added that the last bus is at 2:15 AM ... so the buses run until 2:15 AM then, right?

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by Beckles
My amusement was that you said the buses run until 2:00 AM, then added that the last bus is at 2:15 AM ... so the buses run until 2:15 AM then, right?

LOL... technically, the last bus is at 2:15... I tell everyone 2:00 though in order to make sure that no one is late for the last bus... some people end up cutting it too short... and if thier watch isn't sync'ed with Disney time... It also helps push people out quicker.

But as for my original statement... well... umm... oops.

 

[panfan]

For our upcoming trip next week we have a ps at Donald's in the AK for 8:10. If the AK doesn't open till 9:00 then I would have to board a special Character break. bus instead of the regular AK bus in order to put us at the AK gates around 8 or so. Is this correct?? I was worrying about this because I believed that the buses didn't start untill 8 on not early entry days! We were thinking of doing a taxi (not really wanting to of coarse!) How do these character breakfast buses run--to every resort etc??

Any info would be much appreciated!!!!!!!!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Yes, take the DAK Character Breakfast bus.

 

[panfan]

Thanks so much for the fast reply!!!!!!

I really was thinking about this all day not knowing about the character buses!!

What does the D in DAK character breakfast stand for ?? (sorry)

Also what is a good time to be at my resort bus stop to catch this bus for AK ?? We are staying at Boardwalk


Thanks again

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Disney's Animal Kingdom

7:30-7:45... that will get you there with plenty of time...