Confusing to figure out which POR bus stop to use?

[twinspluscade]

We're leaving Saturday for a week at POR. We've never stayed there before. From what I understand, POR has four different bus stops. How do you know which one is closest to your room? Do they tell you at check-in, give a map, or do you just have to wander around looking for one?

Also--I've requested buildings 14, 18, or 27. I know it's not guaranteed we'll be in one of those buildings, but if we are....which bus stop is the closest for those buildings?

AND--one more question. I've read that POR doesn't have separate waiting lines at the bus stops like Pop does (which is where we stayed last time). So is it a mad dash when a bus pulls up at POR? Are we going to have to be pushing our way through crowds to get on?

Thanks!

 

[Jillpie]

They will tell you at check in. Try to get a room near the food court and main pool (bldg. 14, 15, or 27 in Alligator Bayou). Have fun, you'll love this place!

 

[sunlover13]

We were there in May and stayed in Magnolia Terrace which was closest to the last bus stop. However, we were just as close to the main bus stop. We chose to walk over to the main bus stop so that we were more likely to get a seat. Plus, DH would grab coffee from the food court on the way anyways. We also chose to get off at the main bus stop and walk back to our room instead of ride the bus to the next 3 or 4 stops.

They will give you a map as to where all the bus stops are located, etc.

Have a great trip!

 

[helenk]

Here is a link to the map from Deb Wills site, it will give you an idea before hand how the bus stops are laid out. http://allearsnet.com/acc/portorleansmap.jpg

The bus stops are not like the value resorts that have a queue for each bus stop. The bus stops are a concrete "porch" for lack of a better word, they are covered and not out in the sun like the POP and the Allstar resorts. Sometimes yes there can be a mad dash for the bus when it stops. But I have not run into any problems. There are benches to sit on, so sometimes those people may have been at the stop first but are not first on the bus because there will be people milling around near the curb.
I stayed in the Oak Manor, so in the morning I would go to the food court and then use the Main bus stop. In the evenings I would walk over to the East Depot and use that stop.

 

[Disneyolic]

We stayed in building 18 and our bus stop was at the South Depot (main building). It was a short walk there, approximately 5 minutes.

 

[beccasmom]

We would almost always go to the lobby and get the bus there. It just seemed to work out better for us, especially if we were already in the building for breakfast.

 

[kimis]

The cm's at POR are very helpful. You will figure it out. You can go to any bus stop you want but they will tell you the stop that is nearest your room.

 

[binky]

We're leaving Saturday for a week at POR. We've never stayed there before. From what I understand, POR has four different bus stops. How do you know which one is closest to your room? Do they tell you at check-in, give a map, or do you just have to wander around looking for one?

Also--I've requested buildings 14, 18, or 27. I know it's not guaranteed we'll be in one of those buildings, but if we are....which bus stop is the closest for those buildings?

AND--one more question. I've read that POR doesn't have separate waiting lines at the bus stops like Pop does (which is where we stayed last time). So is it a mad dash when a bus pulls up at POR? Are we going to have to be pushing our way through crowds to get on?

Thanks!

We were at POR in May '06 and were in AB25. We used the West Depot every morning. I have read alot about the bus situation at POR/POFQ, and maybe we were just lucky and the stars aligned perfectly, but we had no problems at all with the buses. From what I read, the Main Depot is usually crowded, so that's where the mad dashes and pushing are most likely to happen. At the West Depot, there was usually just our family and maybe 1 or 2 other families total waiting. We would sit on one of the benches to wait, and when our bus arrived sometimes we were the only ones getting on that particular bus. We never waited more than 5 or 10 minutes for the bus we needed. We always had a seat on the way to the park. During our stay, the order of pickup was West, North, East, and South (Main) last. So the bus was empty when it got to us. What I've guessed is that maybe buses pick up at FQ, then go over to POR and often fill up at the Main Depot. So another bus is dispatched which then starts at the West Depot and makes the loop, ending at the Main Depot. Whatever the case, I would advise not using the Main Depot, but that is against what most people are going to advise! Coming back from the parks at night, we usually had to stand, but that wasn't a problem for us. In fact, since the 4 of us are all adults, we often gave our seat to others who needed it more. The other thing I would add is to get to the bus stops early, say around 7:45 to 8:00. That helps avoid the crowded buses and helps tremendously doing the popular attractions in the parks. Sorry this is so long! I know I would have been very nervous if I had read the POR reviews of late before our trip. We had none of the issues I've been reading about, but I would probably try another resort if and when we go back. Good luck!

 

[hbehrman]

We're leaving Saturday for a week at POR. We've never stayed there before. From what I understand, POR has four different bus stops. How do you know which one is closest to your room? Do they tell you at check-in, give a map, or do you just have to wander around looking for one?

Also--I've requested buildings 14, 18, or 27. I know it's not guaranteed we'll be in one of those buildings, but if we are....which bus stop is the closest for those buildings?

AND--one more question. I've read that POR doesn't have separate waiting lines at the bus stops like Pop does (which is where we stayed last time). So is it a mad dash when a bus pulls up at POR? Are we going to have to be pushing our way through crowds to get on?

Thanks!

Are you stealing my schedule? First Monday at 1900 Park Fare, now you're trying to steal my room too? You're twins are yours aren't they, and not mine?

Good questions though. We stayed in the Mansions (Magnolia Terrace) last year (w/out our DS) and used the East depot exculsively and experienced no lines and very little wait time (10-15 min) except on MNSSHP night (no long line, the bus never made to East depot due to being the lastpickup).

 

[mrsnj91]

I agree with binky. We only caught the bus at the main depot (south) once. It was the most crowded. Pick up ran west-->north-->east (our stop)-->south (main depot)--->Sometimes to the POFQ.

Drop off ran POFQ-->south (main)-->west-->north-->east

We were also one of the few families on the bus if we picked up at east and the last off if we got off at east. It was quiet and nice and not a far walk. If you are staying at the spots you requested you will most likely get on at the south (main) as that is the closest. If you don't mind the walk I highly recommend the west depot.