BWV transportation review (last week)

[Robert P]

Just back from 7 nights at BWV. Transportation during last visit was good. This time it was not so good. The BW bus stop was combined with all the other resorts on that loop. It was also last for pick up all the time. It NEVER broke out to either a Swan/Dolphin only, or a BW/YC/BC route. All the resorts, all the time. Of the 6 times we waited for a bus, 3 times we couldn't get on the first one that came by, and 1 time we were packed in like sardines for the 'standing on the bus' ride (no FASTPASS required).
For a deluxe resort, this is by far the worst bus service I have seen. We ended up taking a taxi on 3 occassions, once to CG and twice to DTD West Side, to make our PS times (barely).
On the other hand, boat service was super. No complaints.

 

[DebbieB]

We always rent a car. When you consider the price of airport transfers, it's not that much more, I can usually play with the discounts and get a car for around $120. It's great to also have the car to go grocery shopping or to the outlets. People say they don't want the hassle of driving when on vacation. So you want to be smashed on busses instead? No thanks. We do enjoy the boat service, it is very dependable.

 

[JOC]

Hi DebbieB,
We'll be at BWV the same time as you!

Robert P: Thanks for the heads up about the BWV transportation. We'll also have a rental car; we like to use Disney buses as much as possible, but sometimes it's just easier and more convenient to drive ourselves.

 

[beattyfamily]

I can't believe how many 'complaint' posts I read about BWV bus transportation! It's so depressing!

We haven't stayed at our 'home' resort of BWV yet but we will be for the first time this Nov 30 thru Dec 5 and I'm dreading trying to get to MK for EE and for MVMCP! It sounds like I'll have to leave 2 hours early to get there on time!

I will have a car but I've heard it's a pain to drive to MK. That from the BWV area, I should take the buses.

What a bummer!

I think if I have a similar experience, I will write to DVC.

 

[kpgclark]

Please be sure to let Disney know (formally) about this issue. This way hopefully things will improve (hopefully soon, see my countdown! We're going to BCV)

 

[Maxwell]

I have mentioned this to the GM of the Boardwalk on several occasions to no avail. The bus service is still horrendous!

 

[donmil723]

beattyfamily--I wouldn't worry too much about getting to the MVMCP from BW. My DH and I attended the October 30 MNSSHP and we wanted to be at MK between 4-4:30 p.m. as that's when we could start getting in with just our party ticket. Anyway we got to the bus stop at 3:45 and waited less than 5 minutes for a bus. We were at MK by 4:15. The longest wait we had was to PI about 6:00 one evening and that was only 10 minutes. We always got off at the Swan on the way back though as it was faster.

Donna

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by donmil723
beattyfamily--I wouldn't worry too much about getting to the MVMCP from BW. My DH and I attended the October 30 MNSSHP and we wanted to be at MK between 4-4:30 p.m. as that's when we could start getting in with just our party ticket. Anyway we got to the bus stop at 3:45 and waited less than 5 minutes for a bus. We were at MK by 4:15. The longest wait we had was to PI about 6:00 one evening and that was only 10 minutes. We always got off at the Swan on the way back though as it was faster.

Donna

Thanks for the note to reassure me! I really appreciate it. We're eating at 5:15p at MK and I thought I'd have to leave BWV at 3:30-3:45 to get there in time via bus!!!

 

[crisi]

We used cabs liberally during our stay, but some people have suggested walking over to the Swan/Dolphin, which is the first stop. The walk is very short. We didn't, as we were traveling with two children and no strollers, and two seniors.

We were there the middle of October, and we had at least one bus that started at the BW - probably because the previous bus had filled.

The first bus for EE wasn't too crowded (we watched it pull away, but 70 year old ladies don't run for the bus), the second bus was packed!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by Robert P
It NEVER broke out to either a Swan/Dolphin only, or a BW/YC/BC route. All the resorts, all the time.

How can you be sure that it was all 5 resorts all of the time? If the Boardwalk is the last stop, then you can't be sure that the bus traveled to all 4 other resorts. Just because a bus is crowded, does not mean that it traveled to all 4 other resorts.

It's actually very rare that a MOD bus would do all 5 resorts. Typical routes would be one Swan -> Dolphin -> Boardwalk bus, and then one Yacht -> Beach -> Boardwalk bus. So, just because you have folks on your bus who are at the Swan, doesn't mean the bus stopped at all 5 resorts. It should also be noted that in some situations, the bus will START at the Boardwalk (as noted by a previous poster).

For afternoon and evening operations, AK does not have the demand to necessitate splitting of the resorts. Especially since BB is closed.

Downtown Disney does indeed split the Boardwalk as it's own separate bus from 630pm-1100pm every night.

One thing I might add... last time I checked, the boat stopped at all 5 resorts. Coming from the Studios, the Boardwalk is the last stop. If one is going to complain about the buses stopping at all 5 resorts, then it's only fair to include the boat with that complaint. Especially since it only takes 10 minutes to do the Epcot Resort loop by bus, and 15 minutes by boat.

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by Chip 'n Dale Express
How can you be sure that it was all 5 resorts all of the time? If the Boardwalk is the last stop, then you can't be sure that the bus traveled to all 4 other resorts. Just because a bus is crowded, does not mean that it traveled to all 4 other resorts.

It's actually very rare that a MOD bus would do all 5 resorts. Typical routes would be one Swan -> Dolphin -> Boardwalk bus, and then one Yacht -> Beach -> Boardwalk bus. So, just because you have folks on your bus who are at the Swan, doesn't mean the bus stopped at all 5 resorts. It should also be noted that in some situations, the bus will START at the Boardwalk (as noted by a previous poster).

For afternoon and evening operations, AK does not have the demand to necessitate splitting of the resorts. Especially since BB is closed.

Downtown Disney does indeed split the Boardwalk as it's own separate bus from 630pm-1100pm every night.

One thing I might add... last time I checked, the boat stopped at all 5 resorts. Coming from the Studios, the Boardwalk is the last stop. If one is going to complain about the buses stopping at all 5 resorts, then it's only fair to include the boat with that complaint. Especially since it only takes 10 minutes to do the Epcot Resort loop by bus, and 15 minutes by boat.

I totally understand your defense of the WDW transportation system and I love hearing your perspective on it but would you be willing to admit that the BWV buses get the most complaints on this board compared to other resorts?

It certainly seems that way to me, unfortunately, and I really wish they'd do something to fix the problem. It seems sad to me that so many say this is the reason they rent cars or that they use taxis instead of the buses at the BWV.

 

[Robert P]

reply to Chip & Dale Express:

You are correct in the questioning of NEVER, an absolute term.
Let me qualify that, with, at no time during my stay did I have a reason to think otherwise, nor did I have info to the contrary. I asked the bellhop when we checked in about the busses, and he said all 5, no break outs that he had heard or seen (I was specific). Also, as a test of sorts, on return trips from MK and AK, the p/u LED display said all 5 resorts. We stayed on for the whole route on 2 of the returns, rather than getting off at the Swan and walking over. Sure enough, like the sign said, it hit all 5, BW being last. As a final test, our last MK morning, we walked to Swan and boarded, and still the bus hit all 5 resorts (Swan being first).

As for DD, your comment may be correct, but coming from Pleasure Island on 4 nights, we always took the bus from the PI stop, and we left 3 times @ 10:00 - 10:30, and once about 11:45, and the same 5 resorts were displayed on the p/u bus LED sign in the window, no breakout. The driver only one time asked which resort, and we said BW. Still stopped at all 5, BW last. We stayed on for the full loop 2 imes, bailed out at the Swan the other 2.

As for the boats, we never found a boat too full to hold all the guests waiting at the dock, so since we were not forced to wait for the next boat, we had no complaints.

Question for you:
Does the 5 resort loop actually have 5 'busses' on rotation (1 for each resort, in theory only of course), or are they running maybe 2-3, to service all 5 resorts.

They point of my post was my experience with BWV transport during our stay. For a group of 5 deluxe resorts to be packed onto a few busses is not, in my mind, appropriate. Quite a few comments were overheard during the first few days of our stay, by other guests, at the bus stop. It was almost a game of sorts. My 2 cents: The previous 2 stays, good/fair rating. This stay, poor.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by beattyfamily
I totally understand your denfense of the WDW transportation system and I love hearing your perspective on it but would you be willing to admit that the BWV buses get the most complaints on this board compared to other resorts?

Yes, I do read about it a lot on these boards, and I feel it gives the Boardwalk a bad rap. Out of the past 10 or so times that I have picked up at S/D/BW or Y/B/BW, I have personally left folks behind once. In that particular situation, I was a Y/B/BW->MK bus, and the S/D/BW->MK bus was behind me and picked up whoever I left behind. About half of the other times, I had 0-5 people standing... everyone else had a seat.

I'm not saying that there weren't other buses that may have filled up and/or left folks behind... my point is that not all of the buses are like this.


I think the problem lies in differing opinions on levels of bus service. For example, as long as buses run every 15-20 minutes, and don't leave anyone behind, Disney is happy. Other guests might be outraged by this. There are many different types of people with many different opinions on the matter. Some are more differing than others. Acceptable service to some is horrible service to others.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by Robert P
I asked the bellhop when we checked in about the busses, and he said all 5, no break outs that he had heard or seen (I was specific).

No offense to you or the bellhop... however, they really have no clue about bus operations, just as I have no clue about bellhop operations. My best advice that I can give to folks is "Never trust bus information from someone unless they're wearing purple pants." Sounds silly, but it's oh so true. I can't begin to tell you how many times Guest Services, Central Reservations, or Park Greeters have given out bad information to our guests. As much as we try to communicate the latest and greatest information, sometimes it becomes a very difficult task. We're a very dynamic operation, always changing.

Originally posted by Robert P
Also, as a test of sorts, on return trips from MK and AK, the p/u LED display said all 5 resorts.

During the afternoon/evening, combining the routes increases efficiency, and only adds 5 minutes to ones journey.

Originally posted by Robert P
Question for you:
Does the 5 resort loop actually have 5 'busses' on rotation (1 for each resort, in theory only of course), or are they running maybe 2-3, to service all 5 resorts.

We don't have fixed routes. Our operation is highly dynamic. During the morning "MOD" (Magic on Demand) buses are dispatched by computer from the Studios to the Epcot Resorts to AK and MK. Buses are dispatched on a demand basis. The greater the demand, the more frequent the buses. The system can also easily respond to buses leaving folks behind, and guests who might have special needs.

In the afternoon, each hub converts to Flex dispatch. Each time a bus enters its hub, it gets dispatched to a new location by a dispatching computer. MOD and Flex are highly efficient and extremely dynamic dispatching systems that work so much better than fixed routes.

 

[Robert P]

Thank you for clarifying the term 'MOD'. I guess in guest terms, that is the end result of what we see as 'CMWC' (Cast Member With Clipboard).
Yes, I know the bellhops are not the most informed people at WDW. However, as I do not want to dedicate significant hours of my vacation time to verifying transportaion efficiency by sitting at bus stops taking notes, I asked someone who might know. As I saw nothing to the contrary in 8 days and 7 nights, I can't say he was incorrect.
I admire your stern support (and detailed info) of WDW transport (bus service in particular), but I am puzzled by what appears to be an attempt to invalidate or cast doubt on my transportation experiences getting around the world last week.
In the past, we have stayed at WL, CR, CS, PO, and ASM. The only transport experience as bad has been the CR to DD/PI (at night) bus ride, which hits the Poly and GF also, and took @ 35-43 minutes from boarding to disembarking, and was always packed full (SRO) by the GF.
BW consistently gets bad comments on these boards for bus transport. My point is that it is not acceptable for a deluxe resort to have transportation this poor. None of this is directed to the drivers, as they are dispatched and scheduled from some kind of transport HQ. But with the consistent problems and numerous complaints, obviuosly someone in charge of scheduling this route has 'missed the bus' (yes, pun intended).
We aren't picky, we just would like for the resorts charging rack rates of $300+ per night to be able to get us where we want to go, with some type of efficiency rating better than 50%. Instead, we have what appears on the boards to be an ongoing problem, still unresolved, due to what amounts to a cost saving measure involving the number of busses servicing a group of 5 deluxe resorts.
This past trip, we would have been thrilled to have seen a consistent bus service and no people left behind. I surmise that guest satisfaction could happen a lot more often if there were not 5 resorts worth of guests trying to pack into 1-2 busses. Even the WDW system as a dynamic operation is reactionary at best, trying to resolve the problem after the guests have piled up and been disgruntled to the point of complaining.
I cannot fault the drivers. as the problem is clearly in the scheduling (at a higher level). But the failure of that higher level to correct this problem has it's effect on everyone.

 

[DebbieB]

Originally posted by Chip 'n Dale Express

One thing I might add... last time I checked, the boat stopped at all 5 resorts. Coming from the Studios, the Boardwalk is the last stop. If one is going to complain about the buses stopping at all 5 resorts, then it's only fair to include the boat with that complaint. Especially since it only takes 10 minutes to do the Epcot Resort loop by bus, and 15 minutes by boat.

On the boat, Swan/Dolphin is 1 stop and Yacht/Beach is 1 stop. So there would only be 2 stops before Boardwalk by boat. On the other hand, anytime I've taken the bus from MK, it stopped at all 4 separately.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by Robert P
Thank you for clarifying the term 'MOD'. I guess in guest terms, that is the end result of what we see as 'CMWC' (Cast Member With Clipboard).

They serve multiple purposes, but actually they have very little to do with MOD. In addition to being a greeter, they provide us with accurate arrival statistics. With thier data, we can

Originally posted by Robert P
I am puzzled by what appears to be an attempt to invalidate or cast doubt on my transportation experiences getting around the world last week.

By no means am I trying to invalidate them, comments of all kinds are definetly welcome here. That's why this board is so great. I'm simply trying to point out that not all buses are like you described.

Originally posted by Robert P
We aren't picky, we just would like for the resorts charging rack rates of $300+ per night to be able to get us where we want to go, with some type of efficiency rating better than 50%.

Actually, according to the 'CMWC' the Boardwalk typically has a efficiency rating in the mid 90%.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by DebbieB
On the boat, Swan/Dolphin is 1 stop and Yacht/Beach is 1 stop. So there would only be 2 stops before Boardwalk by boat. On the other hand, anytime I've taken the bus from MK, it stopped at all 4 separately.

So you would rather have less stops, but lengthier ride?

 

[Robert P]

Oddly enough, when we were going out for the night, (and forced to take a taxi (3 times) to get to our dinner PS despite leaving the room in plenty of time based on numerous past trips), we did not see a CMWC. We only saw them there in the mornings.
I wonder if their efficiency calculation % comes only from when they are there taking down information.

You are correct on the final point, b/c on past visits, I do recall the busses only hitting S/D/BW (at times). However, I do not recall seeing (or experiencing) the bus problems on those past visits.

But, with the BW & YC/BC @ capacity (b/c of F&W Festival and at least 3 conventions), the bus service this trip was inadequately prepared/dispatched for the situation.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by Robert P
Oddly enough, when we were going out for the night, (and forced to take a taxi (3 times) to get to our dinner PS despite leaving the room in plenty of time based on numerous past trips), we did not see a CMWC. We only saw them there in the mornings.

Indeed, they are only there for MOD. That's really the only time they're needed. (8-11am)