Can I park at Downtown Dis and use the buses?

[Geoff_M]

With the exception of priority seating for breakfast, only Disney Resort Guests are allowed into the parks for Early Entry. Offsite guests will not be allowed into the park.

My personal observation has shown that enforecement of this has been very "hit-n-miss" on this one. The last two times we did EE we weren't asked for a key when we used our paper park hoppers. It seems that the larger the crowd at the turnstiles the less likely they are to check. I assume they don't want to grind the rush to a halt to ask parties for room keys.

 

[allshookup]

We have also walked right from our car to the bus a couple of times because we ran to the store to get something (once a new stroller because ours broke and one time a pair of sneakers because my husband's feet were blistering) and then hopped right on the bus. We WERE in fact staying at the resort so I agree with other posters that you should NOT assume that people who walk to their cars and onto the buses are free-loaders!

I am just curious so please don't flame me but I thought dining or shopping at any of the Disney Resorts was open to ALL guests and not just resort guests. So wouldn't you be allowed to take the monorail from the MK to the Contemporary (just as an example) because you wanted to dine at Chef Mickey's and then return to the MK or are you told to take your car?

And one more question....if the Monorail CM's are checking resort ID's to use the resort Monorail do you have to be staying at a Monorail resort or any Disney resort?

 

[allshookup]

Anybody? I'd really like to know the answers to these questions because we are planning to try Kona Cafe for lunch one day for a break from MK and I was hoping we could just hop on the monorail. We are staying at the Boardwalk during our upcoming trip and yes I do want to know the OFFICIAL DW policy. Thanks!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by allshookup
Anybody? I'd really like to know the answers to these questions because we are planning to try Kona Cafe for lunch one day for a break from MK and I was hoping we could just hop on the monorail. We are staying at the Boardwalk during our upcoming trip and yes I do want to know the OFFICIAL DW policy. Thanks!

You'll be fine.

 

[allshookup]

Originally posted by Chip 'n Dale Express
You'll be fine.

Thank you!

 

[seashoreCM]

When the monorails are not crowded you can joyride and visit resorts.

Many people will say that resort guests include resort visitors.

When ID's are being checked at the monorail station, you must have an ID for a resort on the monorail line, although sometimes the checker does not catch this. There is a resort code embedded in the serial number of the room key.

The official policy has such statements as off site one day (hopping not allowed) ticket guests may not use WDW transportation, but the defacto policy is that, except where there is overcrowding, the only thing that keeps guests off of the transportation is not having anything to do at the destination.

However you should expect to be shooed out of the pools of a resort you are not staying at.

 

[peachgirl]

Lastly... remember... this is DISNEY. If a guest needs to get somewhere, we're going to help them. Period. That's just the Disney way.

You know, you're absolutely right. As far as my complaints about those using the transportation (especially busses) who "by the book" aren't supposed to probably stems from my disapppointment with the bus service at OKW during our trip last month.

I don't know what the deal was, but the busses just couldn't seem to get there on time for the EE parks. They even had what appeared to be a "suit" from OKW at the main stop several mornings talking to the drivers that would arrive going to the parks that weren't EE. Three days in a row they were so late that it was impossible to get to the parks before they opened. We like to get to the EE parks early to avoid the long lines and it was frustrating.

We've always had such good experiences with WDW transportation that I was truly surprised and a bit disappointed.

Given a choice between a WDW that never experiences a glitch, busses always on time and plenty of seating, yet with rules that would choke a horse and never bent them or a WDW that on occassion has problems but can dish the magic like no one else and I'll take the latter!

Thanks for a wake-up...I needed it.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by peachgirl
We've always had such good experiences with WDW transportation that I was truly surprised and a bit disappointed.

We try hard, but alas, there are times when we are not perfect. I can think of two possible reasons (but not excuses) as to why those buses were late.

1 - Often times, those pre-8:00 runs are the first run of the day for that particular bus. Prior to that bus going into service, it must pass a comprehensive pre-trip inspection done by the driver. If for some reason, the bus does not pass the pre-trip, the driver has to take it to our maintenance facility to be checked out before it can go into service. Problems could include little things like mirrors that dont adjust properly, a tail light out, or big things like brakes, or a loose hand rail. Most often times, the bus can be fixed quickly, but often times not in time for that first run.

2 - The bus was there, but filled up before reaching your particular stop. In this case, if another bus is sent out, it will take 10-15 minutes for it to arrive... often times the next scheduled bus is already en-route. The dispatcher might call that bus and have them run a different order.

 

[peachgirl]

The bus was there, but filled up before reaching your particular stop.

That may have been it. Our villa was near the main bus stop and as I'm sure you know, it's the last stop for the bus. We were there the 2nd week of June and after all the reports about low attendance, I was amazed at how busy it was.

Along with the gripe, how about a pat on the back?

We went to E-night on the Friday we were there. Less than an hour into it, I wasn't feeling well and decided I'd just go back to the resort for the evening. Of course, there wasn't anyone in all of WDW that wanted to LEAVE the MK that early , so I was the only one at the OKW bus stop. I fully expected to have a very long wait, but within a couple of minutes a bus rolled up.

I'm assuming that another driver saw me and called it in, but I was really impressed that I didn't have to wait. I've never been the only person on a bus and I have to admit I felt very wasteful for taking a entire bus just to deliver 1 person to their resort. But, it was nice and very much appreciated!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by peachgirl
I've never been the only person on a bus and I have to admit I felt very wasteful for taking a entire bus just to deliver 1 person to their resort. But, it was nice and very much appreciated!

LOL... Old Key West is very often like that during the majority of the day. It's only during peak times that the bus ever sees more than a handful of people.

 

[jaysue]

We bussed from OKW in May 03 with no car and it was just fantastic - only significant wait was at Disney Studios during a rain storm. DS and I puddle jumped waiting for the bus.

At other times when were leaving OKW later in the day after an EE visit, we would take whichever bus came first which was a big laugh for my DS and made things a little more interesting.

Another time we flagged the bus down between stops so we would not miss it and the bus driver stopped at a safe spot and let us on.

I think in many cases, it is what you make of it....

I think WDW Transportation is great given the tall orders and tasks it is required to deliver.

Thanks
jaysue

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by jaysue
Another time we flagged the bus down between stops so we would not miss it and the bus driver stopped at a safe spot and let us on.

Just so you know for future reference... technically, we're not allowed to let passengers board/disembark outside of our designated bus load zones. So, if you see a bus pass you, and they don't stop, it's not because they're not being nice, it's because they're not allowed to. There are a few drivers that might... but it is rare.

(Reasoning has to do with safety and liability)