CityWalk bus station - Hotel Order?

[MamaKate]

Hello ,

We are thinking of staying at Aventura or Surfside on our upcoming stay. Is there a map that has the bus pickup/drop-off locations at the CityWalk bus station? I'm trying to get more information on which hotels have the closer bus stop to the escalator.

We've always stayed at the hotels with boat service that are also easily walkable if needed so I'm unfamiliar with the bus area.

Thanks!

 

[georgina]

Hello ,

We are thinking of staying at Aventura or Surfside on our upcoming stay. Is there a map that has the bus pickup/drop-off locations at the CityWalk bus station? I'm trying to get more information on which hotels have the closer bus stop to the escalator.

We've always stayed at the hotels with boat service that are also easily walkable if needed so I'm unfamiliar with the bus area.

Thanks!

Can't help with Surfside, maybe ask on the specific resort thread for those? I recall going down the escalator that Cabana Bay and Aventura were among the first 3 bus slots on the right. Neither was a very far walk IMO, but I don't know if the others are on the left side or farther down the row.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Surfside is the furthest. Dockside is much closer. Multiple empty bays in between. Not that I'm bitter about that or anything . It's possible that has changed, that was last Nov.

 

[MamaKate]

Well, it sounds like Adventura's bus stop is definitely closer than Surfside. Those few extra steps make a difference on some evenings

That's also way I'm a little afraid of Dockside. It's bigger than Surfside so those extra steps to the room when you're tired ...

It may be worth the little extra to stay at Adventura.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Those few extra steps make a difference on some evenings

That's what was so aggravating about walking past multiple unused, empty bus bays, alllllllll the way to the very end of the Universal bus drop off, for no reason. As in, not in use at all for months, when all they'd have to do is change a video screen to say Dockside. How much effort would that take?
Not that I'm bitter about that or anything.

 

[georgina]

Well, it sounds like Adventura's bus stop is definitely closer than Surfside. Those few extra steps make a difference on some evenings

That's also way I'm a little afraid of Dockside. It's bigger than Surfside so those extra steps to the room when you're tired ...

It may be worth the little extra to stay at Adventura.

You can always take the SF boat back in the evenings, it's next door to Aventura. You could also take it in the morning to City Walk, I have not done that.

 

[MamaKate]

That's what was so aggravating about walking past multiple unused, empty bus bays, alllllllll the way to the very end of the Universal bus drop off, for no reason. As in, not in use at all for months, when all they'd have to do is change a video screen to say Dockside. How much effort would that take?
Not that I'm bitter about that or anything.

That does sound frustrating! I wonder why they do this??

 

[CAPSLOCK]

That's also way I'm a little afraid of Dockside. It's bigger than Surfside so those extra steps to the room when you're tired

I'm leaning towards Dockside over Surfside this Nov despite this. I figure, at least steps in the hotel have a purpose - your room is physically further so it's not senseless. I despise senseless. Plus there's the bus ride to "rest" between the hallways and walking through the parks.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

That does sound frustrating! I wonder why they do this??

Believe me, my friend heard that question a lot on that trip...
Not that I was bitter about it or anything.

 

[wendlle]

Well, it sounds like Adventura's bus stop is definitely closer than Surfside. Those few extra steps make a difference on some evenings

That's also way I'm a little afraid of Dockside. It's bigger than Surfside so those extra steps to the room when you're tired ...

It may be worth the little extra to stay at Adventura.

Hmmm, I was thinking of staying at Dockside, but perhaps we should stay at Surfside instead? Sorry to get off topic but what are the major differences other than the size?

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Sorry to get off topic but what are the major differences other than the size?

Primarily it's just size, and variety at the food court is better at Dockside. There are a few older threads comparing them, search "dockside surfside" in thread titles and you get a treasure trove.

 

[tony67]

Dockside is much bigger - so it gets larger groups - like high school dance teams etc...
It has a bar and a better food court - so that is a plus.

The walk to some of the rooms in Dockside can seem ridiculous to say the least - so much so that I did not want to walk back to the lobby to grab a drink or get food.

As for the buses - they run much more than Aventura IMO since Aventura has the options to walk, in theory take the boat, and the bus.
Leaving Aventura there is almost always a bus waiting to go, but coming back not so much.

I've said it many times but the Dockside buses really impress me, that's why I stay there - and the $50 a night cheaper than Aventura.

 

[tony67]

One other advantage of Dockside - and Surfside - for a family they have the suites - and they are a great deal IMO - so worth checking out. A lot more space and a private bedroom and Kitchenette. Even on a solo trip I consider it. There is only one bathroom, but at that price I would not expect two.

 

[MamaKate]

Dockside is much bigger - so it gets larger groups - like high school dance teams etc...
It has a bar and a better food court - so that is a plus.

The walk to some of the rooms in Dockside can seem ridiculous to say the least - so much so that I did not want to walk back to the lobby to grab a drink or get food.

As for the buses - they run much more than Aventura IMO since Aventura has the options to walk, in theory take the boat, and the bus.
Leaving Aventura there is almost always a bus waiting to go, but coming back not so much.

I've said it many times but the Dockside buses really impress me, that's why I stay there - and the $50 a night cheaper than Aventura.

One other advantage of Dockside - and Surfside - for a family they have the suites - and they are a great deal IMO - so worth checking out. A lot more space and a private bedroom and Kitchenette. Even on a solo trip I consider it. There is only one bathroom, but at that price I would not expect two.

Great input! Thanks

 

[Keladry84]

Hello ,

We are thinking of staying at Aventura or Surfside on our upcoming stay. Is there a map that has the bus pickup/drop-off locations at the CityWalk bus station? I'm trying to get more information on which hotels have the closer bus stop to the escalator.

We've always stayed at the hotels with boat service that are also easily walkable if needed so I'm unfamiliar with the bus area.

Thanks!

Surfside was the furthest away from the escalator when I stayed there. Aventura I usually notice as being closest, although honestly when I stayed at Aventura, I didn't use the bus, and just walked over to the boat at Saphhire Falls. It drops you off in the middle of the city walk and is less walking altogether than taking the bus/walking from the bus area.

 

[Keladry84]

Hmmm, I was thinking of staying at Dockside, but perhaps we should stay at Surfside instead? Sorry to get off topic but what are the major differences other than the size?

Surfside is quieter and more compact. Less people around. Negatives are buses have a slightly longer wait, and further to walk at the bus area at City Walk.

Dockside is larger and has a lot going on. Common areas are loud. Buses are very efficient and a shorter walk at City Walk to the bay.

 

[wendlle]

Surfside is quieter and more compact. Less people around. Negatives are buses have a slightly longer wait, and further to walk at the bus area at City Walk.

Dockside is larger and has a lot going on. Common areas are loud. Buses are very efficient and a shorter walk at City Walk to the bay.

Thanks, I ended up going with Surfside, I've been to the bus depot before at City walk and honestly walking a few steps more for a bus isn't a problem for us. I can't see how a bus being a few spaces back would be reason to not book a hotel.
I like the idea of it being less people, and I like the look of the pool better.

 

[Keladry84]

Thanks, I ended up going with Surfside, I've been to the bus depot before at City walk and honestly walking a few steps more for a bus isn't a problem for us. I can't see how a bus being a few spaces back would be reason to not book a hotel.
I like the idea of it being less people, and I like the look of the pool better.

I think you'll like Surfside. Having less people everywhere made a huge difference for atmosphere. It's my favorite of the two values.

 

[wendlle]

I think you'll like Surfside. Having less people everywhere made a huge difference for atmosphere. It's my favorite of the two values.

thank you, yes. After going to the parks etc, I just don't need masses of people at my hotel as well.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Update - staying at Dockside this week. The bus bay for Surfside is now closer than the Dockside one. Figures.