caution*bus service to early priority seatings/tours

[justplaingoofy]

Not sure what is going on... The other day I called Disney to book a tour (the same extension did my meals) and I booked Keys to the Kingdom for 8:30, but you have to be there by 8:15. They told me busses started 2 hrs before park opening.
I had to change the day and called back last night... and the rep. asked me if I had a car? Not sure yet, Why? He said "busses don't start until 1hr before) so it would be tough for you to get the 1st bus and here by 8:15. I told him that the person that booked my original reservation for the tour told me it was 2 hrs. and he said "alot of guests have been saying that, I'm not sure where they are getting that"
So I switched it for 9am tour, but thought if it is true, it may help someone.. Anyone else run into this?

9/17/06 *edited* I called Disney bus dispatch last night and they gave me information that I believe is correct... I posted it further down

 

[Pats Dragon]

We have always been picked up 2 hrs early for a breakfast but if you are 1 hr 10 minutes and not early enough you might have a problem.

 

[CindyT]

I would also be interested in the answer to this one. We have an 8:30 tour booked for July, and will have the same transportation problems.

 

[disgram]

I would be interested, too, as we have 8:05 AM ressies in August for Crystal Palace!!!

 

[bethbuchall]

I would be interested, too, as we have 8:05 AM ressies in August for Crystal Palace!!!

Us, too! (On the 21st)

Beth

 

[betterlatethannever]

There will be busses to the early morning breakfasts and tours. Here is a
link
to the information. It is an old thread but the information is still valid.

The person who started the thread (Chip n' Dale Express) was a bus driver at the time. He still works for WDW and he is also a moderator on the Transportation board. So the information is good.

Busses to the MK area start before 6:30AM. The busses to the other three parks start about 7AM.

Ed

 

[Cheshire Figment]

When you get to the resort you can find out exactly what is going on. If the bus schedule can not work for you, ask at the desk to talk to the "Duty Manager". Explain the problem and your reservation time. Tell the manager that since a bus cannot get you there on time, when could the hotel have a van with driver ready to take you to the park (or other resort) so you can be there on time.

Note that you do not ask: "Can you have a vehicle for us", but the proper question is "At what time will you have a vehicle for us". This way you are showing an expectation of a service to be performed and not asking if they can perform the service. It is a much stronger request.

 

[Enna]

I have to agree with Cheshire Figment. When I booked the Backstage Magic tour for my hubby, the gal working in Tours told me, "When you check into the hotel, remind them that he NEEDS to be at Epcot at 8:15, and that they need to figure out how to get him there." It wasn't a question of "if"...I was clearly instructed to remind the hotel to arrange appropriate transportation.

 

[jonimce]

First off, You are going to LOVE this tour. A must do for all Disney fans. DH can't stop talking about it and it's been two years. We were at Fort Wilderness so we thought we would just take a boat over for our 9:00 tour. The only boat there was one for the resorts, so we took this to the Contemporary, then walked the ten minutes to the MK.

 

[justplaingoofy]

Okay folks!! Here we go... I just called Disney to check on this. I wanted information of when the busses started running in the AM. We are booking a tour at the MK & were supposed to be there by 8:15.

1st phone call- I called the dining number to see what they had to say. She said that information is very vague and that they suggest calling your hotel directly to find this info out.

2nd phone call- Pop Century (resort we are staying), she said she thought they started about 8-8:15, but she wasn't sure. She asked if I wanted to be transferred to Bus Dispatch for more information..

3rd phone call- Bus Dispatch.... She said that if you have an early character meal that busses usually start around 7-7:15am. Guests need to have their priority seating confirmation number in order for them to double check with a cast member before they board the bus. (I guess guest names of priority seatings are on a list). Although* if you have a reservation at another resort (yacht & beach club, etc) they recommend you providing your own transportation if it is early.

She also told me if I need to be there at MK at 8:15 to make sure I am on a bus by 7:45 the latest!

Hope this helps! Not only were these phone calls well worth the information, the cast member at bus dispatch told me to have a "magical day"

 

[lynninpa]

I would be interested, too, as we have 8:05 AM ressies in August for Crystal Palace!!!

us too! August 29th.

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

First thing for everyone to know and remember: DO NOT TAKE ANY TRANPORTATION INFORMATION FROM ANY CAST MEMBER NOT WEARING THE PURPLE PANTS OF THE DISNY BUS DRIVERS!!!!!!!
For whatever reason most CM on the phone and at the resorts just don't have a clue about WDW transportation. I really wish Disney would correct this serious flaw.
As already noted, bus service to the Magic Kingdom area begins at 6:30am daily and 7:00am daily for the rest of the World.
I also do not believe that the drivers will ask for your confirmation numbers. They really don't care and they should not have to. Just get on an early bus whether you are going to a meal or on a tour, it doesn't matter. You will need your confirmation number for the Cast Member at the turnstile, although in most cases they will just check your name on their list and not the number.
For those going to something like Chef Mickey's early just tell the bus driver. If time permits he/she will drop you off at the Contemporary. If you do exit at the MK bus station you can monorail or just take the seven minute walk to the Contemporary.

 

[Hobbes]

I did the 8.30 KTTK last October-I too was panicking about making it there on time-it was my first morning so I'd not got into Hakuna Matata mode at that point.I caught the 7.30 bus from ASSp with all the little princesses -imagine my horror when we detoured via Poly BUT the driver knew exactly what he was doing, we arrived at MK by 8am and I made it with plenty of time to spare.

The drivers do this every day. I agree with the poster who said accept what the drivers tell you and not the CMs.

 

[twinsmamma]

I would be interested, too, as we have 8:05 AM ressies in August for Crystal Palace!!!

us too on the 08/13

 

[NMW]

We have had plenty of 8:00-8:15 ADR's at MK, AK and even the POLY (took the bus to MK) and got there in plenty of time using the buses from the BW and BC.

 

[Houston_Disney_Fan]

When we went 2 years ago, staying at Boardwalk, we had ressies for a KTTK tour at 8:30. We were waiting at the bus stop at 7:15, but every bus that came by was ALREADY FULL. I began to go into panic mode, we wound up with a Boardwalk employee taking us over there, but it was too late and we missed our tour. Fortunately we were able to reschedule for 2 days later, and they even comped our dinner that night.

I will add that it was during a busy season. BTW, the tour was great!

 

[CF'er]

from WL and DH and DS did the 7:15AM Behind the Scenes Train Tour. They had no problems getting a bus to the MK and was there in plenty of time. I realize that WL is a MK resort so they didn't have that far to go. I'm sure that if you have early ressies (food,tour etc) Disney has a way to get you there on time.

To be sure I would check at your resort when you check in.
HTH

Kalen