M. Tyler:
I have really enjoyed getting the depth of info from your posts. Sorry I'm so late in responding, but I'm diving into the latest Robert Crais novel and trying to keep up with these fantastic multiple new threads.
I admit, it may not have been the all-star run that was 35 minutes to the MK. Perhaps it was my last trip at CBR in 2000. Problem with CBR (and same for others, but obiously not for all-stars) is that there are multiple stops, depending upon where you catch the bus. From getting on, to getting off at the MK, was about 35 minutes (if memory serves, but of course it has been three years...)
It is a quibble, I know.
What is more important is the underlying issue:
Is the bus system as presently situated the best that Disney can offer? I would remind those of you who argue that other modes of transportation are too expensive...I'll be you a dollar to a donut that your predecessors on the Disney board made the same argument to Walt when he proposed a separate TTC with monorail access. IT MADE NO ECONOMIC SENSE TO DO THIS. It was just good show, and heightened the excitement of the visitor. (BTW: It still does this today for me, even after all these years).
M. Tyler, as much as your expertise has helped us understand the bus routing system, it does not answer this question. There seems to be two sides.
My feet are firmly entrenched in the side that says two things:
1. Buses, in the present configuration, are inherently un-Walt-like, and should be limited to as-needed-only.
2. Don't derail changes based on the present configuration of the parks and property development. An argument that the present configuration of parks on the property lends itself away from adding monorail/skytran/lightrail/waterway/safari vehicle/etc. transportation is barking at the wrong person. Blame the guy who masterminded the development of the resort ('cause he's the true culprit), but fix the problem as best as you can with what you got.
Ask yourself. What would Walt do? Walt is probably spinning in his cryochamber right now watching the buses whiz by.
And finally, a billion dollar investment in magical transportation WILL pay for itself by increasing resort occupancy, increasing shoping and eating dollars, and increasing attendance. I know there are some spreadsheets in Burbank that already allude to this. It really doesn't take Dave the Rocket Scientist to figure out that improvements to infrastructure increase days, density, and dollars.