BWV/BCV Owners Re: Transportation

[PamOKW]

I see where some BWV/BCV owners would like to have quicker bus transportation. One way suggested is to have the bus service fewer resorts. Quite a few years ago, OKW owners were asked by DVC whether they would pay more in dues to add a bus. How would you all feel if DVC proposed something similar to give BWV/BCV a bus that would stop at the Beach Club (hotel & DVC) and BW (hotel & DVC) eliminating the other resorts? What would you be willing to pay? Please, only owners reply.

 

[Donald-n-Daisy]

I agree a BCV/BWV bus would be a good thing, b/c the current situation with five hotels sharing the same route is inadequate.

It is in Disney's best interest to add the bus line to keep guests happy. If WDW transportation becomes to much of a hassle, more people will rent cars during their stay for the convenience factor. More rental cars means more guests being able go off property which translates into dollars once going into Mickey's pocket now being spent off-site.

DVC Members should not have to bear the cost of adding bus service, but should continue to voice their displeasure with the current situation and maybe it will start to resonate with those in a position to make transportation improvements a reality.

 

[gopherit]

We own at BWV. I personally feel that the problem simply shouldn't exist (i.e. it's up to Disney -- not DVC -- to provide that service equally to all resorts). And if not equally, then one would certainly expect it (service) to be better at a deluxe resort than a moderate or value. Just makes sense. And DVC is only located at the deluxe resorts, so if we aren't receiving the best bus service around, something is wrong with Disney planning, not DVC.

It probably doesn't eat at us as much as some folks -- maybe we're just easy. We also like walking -- kids included. And we have a car with us and we don't hit MK that often (we're more MGM/Epcot type folks)-- so it makes it less of an issue for us.

But I don't see why this would be a DVC issue anyway. At OKW, you could argue the point that it would be a DVC decision. But why should I pony up extra dough for the BWI, BC and YC guests who aren't paying squat diddly other than their room or package fee? Will their room rates or package fees rise accordingly? I did check the lowest fee increase - that's about as high as I would go, but more to just keep the peace of my fellow DVCers than for myself.

 

[pat-rick]

BCV is my Home.

We spend most of our time at MGM and Epcot. We only occasionally go to DTD, MK and AK. When we do the bus service it has been below the standard that would be expected. An example is the wait to go to the MK. There were people waiting when we arrived that were highly upset at the time they had already been waiting with no bus. After 40 minutes with no bus we called a taxi, it arrived and we did not see a bus before we left.

I do not feel paying extra is an option especially the limited times we use the bus service. If the DVC Members pay extra to be removed from the present route with the Swan, Dolphin and Yatchclub then they will also benefit by use being removed.

 

[Speed Weasel]

Before it is asked how much we are willing to increase our dues, how about reiterating how much of our dues is already devoted to transportation.

Do the other resorts served contribute an equal amount compared to each DVC resort?

 

[jaysue]

Like other posters, I feel that as these are all deluxe resorts, it is up to Disney to pull up their bootstraps and improve the bus service

thanks
jaysue

 

[paults]

zero,nill, none, its not up to us to make the bus service better. If we did pay extra how can you enforce it at the bus stops. What stops YC&BC people getting on the BCV bus and BWI people getting on BWV bus.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Originally posted by paults
zero,nill, none, its not up to us to make the bus service better. If we did pay extra how can you enforce it at the bus stops. What stops YC&BC people getting on the BCV bus and BWI people getting on BWV bus.

Actually, this may not be very hard as your note may indicate, there could be a separate bus line for Swan/Dolphin and YC bus stops and a bus for BC, BCV, and BWI/BWV bus stops. If people choose to use the alternate bus stops, so be it, but the bus wouldn't be full in the morning by the time it got around to the BC and BWI/BWV stops. No need to enforce anything, just have the extra dedicated route during more busy times that doesn't have to make all five stops before going to parks.

I was glad to see a CM with a radio monitoring bus traffic at BC bus stop during our last visit to help monitor and reduce waits. Seems like they called in some extra busses when needed.

Perhaps a future light rail stop for the crescent lake resorts would solve the problem....

 

[cheyita]

I was just thinking about this last week. I noticed that none of the other bus stops service 5 resorts! (At least not that I saw) I'm not sure what the capacity is of each of the hotels compared with others that have dedicated service, but I think they could at least have one bus for BW/Swan, and another for BC/YB/Dolphin; or some other similar breakdown. I don't mind another stop or two, but on that trip back from MK, when we're all exhausted, it's hard having to wait for a second bus to come around because there are too many people for one bus, and then be the 4th or 5th stop to get "home."

 

[PamOKW]

Well, as usual, I made a mistake with the poll. If possible, could a moderator add a category of "non-owner but interested" so we could see the results of the poll without actually voting? It would be appreciated.

I think you have to consider the number of people being serviced rather than the number of actual resorts. The buses to moderate or all-star resorts may not be going to other resorts but they are making multiple stops within the resorts and carrying as many (maybe more) than the Epcot resort loop carries.

 

[crisi]

Pam, I did the math a long time ago, and the Epcot area resorts do have slightly more rooms per route than the other routes - with the exception of some resorts with dedicated bus service due to their location, but few rooms (OKW CSR and AKL come to mind). But they were well within one standard deviation of each other (IIRC). And when you consider that there is probably substantial variation in bus ridership between resorts (Swan/Dolphin and BW are convention hotels - not as many guests going to the parks each day and I'd guess that guests at the Deluxe resorts are a little more likely to rent a car than those at moderates - further driving down ridership - although I could be wrong), the ridership is possibly less than the All Stars or CBR loop.

I think the routes have since changed (WL was on the MK resort loop when I did this, I think - not the campground loop), if someone wants to do the research (post the loops and the room count for the loops) I can post the stats.

 

[PamOKW]

Crisi -- nice to know someone else can get math obsessive! Overall, I agree that Disney needs to keep up with the transportation for all the resorts. I wonder what effect adding in Pop Century is going to have?

 

[mb168]

I agree it would be hard to enforce if there was a BWV/BCV bus. It would be found out about and everyone would go to that stop unless it didn't have a route advertised when it pulled up and you had to reference a number it displayed to one in the Perks Pages.

Otherwise, maybe the Swan/Dolphin should get their own like the other hotels not owned by Disney but are on their property like the DD resorts.

 

[jekjones1558]

Why should our dues go up to pay for the quality of service that other DVC resorts already have? Maybe charges to Swan/Dolphin owners, who use Disney bus transportation, should be increased. The problems would certainly be eased if Swan/Dolphin stops were out of the loop.

 

[Terry S]

The Bus service is the biggest down fall of these resorts. I am just glad that we can walk to 2 parks. If I had to use the bus for all of the parks, I would be really upset. I have been late for many a PS because of the MK bus. Sometimes waiting for 45 to 60 minutes for a bus to even show up and then of course we have to make stops. All of these resorts are Deluxe resorts and really need more buses and less stops. In my opinion Swan and Dolphin should not be in the loop.

 

[Lexxiefern]

I voted the second price increase (.04 - .06 I think) but after reading all these posts - I wish I had voted no increase. I totally forgot that there are 5 hotels too - BWI, YC, BC, Swan and Dolphin. If we have to pay, so should they.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Haven't stayed at our BWV home yet, but have stayed at Dolphin recently. Have only used the bus service from Dolphin once to AK, have always driven car to MK or MK area destination. We love the boats for Epcot and MGM.

Disney should pick up the tab for better bus service if it's needed.

Bobbi

 

[Doug Wolfe]

This is a very well done & thought out question.

Since I own at Beach Club, I walk to Epcot & take a boat to MGM. That leaves the bus trips to Magic Kingdom & Downtown Disney. For me, I am never in a hurry and the bus waits/rides don't bother me.

I have watched Disney CM's at several resorts charting bus ride patterns to decide when/where to add service. They should do the same for the Boardwalk & Yacht/Beach Club. Remember, it's not only DVC members using this service from these areas.

Disney should realize we are spending big bucks at the parks every year and provide us the bus service we need without adding to our dues.

 

[PamOKW]

Thanks for adding the option for non-owners to "vote" just to see the results!!

 

[DVCPAT]

It’s impossible to efficiently service five hotels on one bus line. My last visit I watched frustrated guests get really upset with this cheap set-up. For example, one morning most guests were waiting for the MK bus. As the crowd grew, people lined up in an informal line. A non MK bus (BB?) pulled up stopping next to the first person in line. No one boarded the BB bus but…

A few seconds later, the anticipated MK bus pulled up behind it and all the people at the end of the line boarded the bus filling it to capacity. The visitors waiting the longest missed the bus and were HOT, they waited another 20 minutes for the next bus.

The next MK bus pulled up 20 minutes later. It was alone but stopped at the end of the informal line. Before the driver could open the door, people began to yell, telling the driver were the front of the line started.

I waited about 45 minutes and people were really upset. One fellow held up the second full bus complaining to the driver in protest. He must have kept him about 5 minutes voicing his dissatisfaction with the set-up. I had to laugh, I work too many hours in between vacations to let anything like this bother me.

I started to think about the first time guests paying full price, possibly saving money for vacation for some time and then have to experience this. I don’t care how many Disney employees they put at a bus stop with communication gear. Five deluxe resorts on one line is ridiculous.

Every DVC member needs to complain, even if you don’t own at BWV. We love the BWV but its time for a transportation improvement.