disney buses

[henry lutz]

We were at disney last november and the only negative thing about the trip was the buses.
I understand it is about money but,I feel that as a resort guest we should have a comfortable ride on the buses.Standing is a little rough especially if you are a littli older.Having another person standind 20 " from your face ( butt first) to me is not disney magic.We stay at resorts for that little extra. I feel this is not very professional. just wanted to say my two cents.

 

[maxiesmom]

We were at disney last november and the only negative thing about the trip was the buses.
I understand it is about money but,I feel that as a resort guest we should have a comfortable ride on the buses.Standing is a little rough especially if you are a littli older.Having another person standind 20 " from your face ( butt first) to me is not disney magic.We stay at resorts for that little extra. I feel this is not very professional. just wanted to say my two cents.

Over the years the buses have changed to hold more people standing, and fewer in seats. I think in part because it makes it easier for people in scooters to get on and off. Also in part because they can fit more people standing than sitting. They can move more people, and move them faster.

The buses are what they are, mass transportation.

 

[kaytieeldr]

You can always step aside at the bus door and wait for the next bus if it's crowded.

 

[pamjb]

You can always step aside at the bus door and wait for the next bus if it's crowded.

Excellent Point

 

[goofy4tink]

Nothing is going to work perfectly for 100% of the people. Some will find something o be fine, others will think the exact same thing is far from fine! And Disney transportation is no different.
Here's the issue. We would all love it if we had a seat on the bus, and weren't crammed in like cattle going to slaughter. BUT....not many of would be happy with the room rates with that kind of transportation. The addtl cost has to come from somewhere....and that would be crazy high room rates.

There are some options though. You can leave the park before the hordes leave. Or, hang out in the park for an addtl 30 or so minutes. That way the majority of guests will have left the bus stop areas. Or, rent a car. I'm never happy to actually get a seat. And then find myself getting slammed in the head by someone's backpack! Happens all the time though. I usually prefer to stand because of that.

 

[ancestry]

The Disney buses work just like all other mass transportation systems in major cities - New York, Boston, Pittsburgh, etc.

Cramming people onto buses is how things function in larger cities and reminds me of my hometown (Pittsburgh). Disney does it the same way. It really is the standard for mass transportation.

 

[dawnhaze]

Disney buses beat the pants off NYC city buses, because at least when someone vomits on a Disney bus, they clean it up.

Solution to OP's problem: Rent a car.

 

[henry lutz]

I still figure you deserve a comfortable ride on the bus
You pay enough to stay at a resort
Its not like paying a dollar for mass transit
To each his own

 

[maxiesmom]

I still figure you deserve a comfortable ride on the bus
You pay enough to stay at a resort
Its not like paying a dollar for mass transit
To each his own

You would be paying more than a dollar in extra costs for Disney to add all of the buses they would need to add in order for everyone to have a seat. I think most guests would rather they not hike the costs of the resorts even more to pay for additional buses, bus drivers, and fuel for those buses. I can stand just fine it I have to.

 

[Jimsig]

They offer transportation from one point to another in the fastest most economical way possible to the masses. No glitz, no glam. No one says they have to offer the busses either. They could have it so everyone has to get a rental car and drive everywhere, but they don't and offer a bus service that IMO rivals and even surpasses a lot of transit agencies. It is what it is and if anyone could improve on the way it's done it would be Disney. In the end it's a simple bus, not first class transportation.

 

[DebbieB]

I read that they are adding longer busses.

http://damouse.com/2013/11/27/expan...ity-direct-routes-to-other-disney-parks-soon/

 

[tina.tina]

We rode standing up to MK from Pop and I decided I would not do that again on that trip. I had blisters and was sore all over from walking so much. We simply waited for the next bus each time we would've had to stand. We held our kids (5.5 and 10) when buses were full so more people could pack in.

We got really weird looks from people who passed us in bus lines but the weirdest looks were from both CMs and guests when we chose to wait for the next monorail. Rather than the 4 of us trying to pack into a space big enough for two people to stand, we had a whole car to ourselves to sit and relax on the next monorail.

 

[Gracie09]

You would be paying more than a dollar in extra costs for Disney to add all of the buses they would need to add in order for everyone to have a seat. I think most guests would rather they not hike the costs of the resorts even more to pay for additional buses, bus drivers, and fuel for those buses. I can stand just fine it I have to.

Yup and the fare in many areas is subsidized by the govt. so that $1
Fare likely actually cost $2 or more. Also most cities has the economy of scale in their favor. In NYC (whose fare is well over $1 a ride btw) the average daily ridership of mass transit is over 7.5 million people. So by your argument everyone should be guaranteed a seat after all the price of housing in NYC is crazy.

Or you should look into renting a car.

 

[dis_guy]

The buses are what they are. We use them and accept their imperfections. The new articulated buses made a big difference on our last trip two weeks ago.

A friend told me about a recent trip where they had a rental car. The description of the "guest" behaviour around the parking lot trams was an eye-opener. She said she saw guests shoving one another to get a tram seat and even a few punches being thrown. Apparently this is not that uncommon depending on some sources I've seen.

As always, do what works best for you.

 

[goofy4tink]

I still figure you deserve a comfortable ride on the bus
You pay enough to stay at a resort
Its not like paying a dollar for mass transit
To each his own

You pay those rates at the resort for what goes on at the resort. The only time higher rates impact transportation is when you stay at a resort that has alternative access to a park(s).....GF, Poly, CR...boats/monorail to MK. BW/YC/BC...boat or walk to DHS and Epcot.
Really.....the resort rates would have to be raised, a lot, to pay for enough buses to give every guest a seat, at all times.

I read that they are adding longer busses.

http://damouse.com/2013/11/27/expan...ity-direct-routes-to-other-disney-parks-soon/

I believe those buses only serve certain resorts.

 

[joelkfla]

Originally Posted by DebbieB
I read that they are adding longer busses.

I believe those buses only serve certain resorts.

Currently, Pop & AoA, and occasionally CBR. They're also used to supplement the MK Express Monorail on busy mornings.

I think Riverside or the All-Stars may be added soon.

FWIW, the articulated buses are configured to have an even higher percentage of standees.

 

[henry lutz]

You pay those rates at the resort for what goes on at the resort. The only time higher rates impact transportation is when you stay at a resort that has alternative access to a park(s).....GF, Poly, CR...boats/monorail to MK. BW/YC/BC...boat or walk to DHS and Epcot.
Really.....the resort rates would have to be raised, a lot, to pay for enough buses to give every guest a seat, at all times.


I believe those buses only serve certain resorts.

Thank you moderator for your informative and polite response
Lesson learned

 

[MillauFr]

They could improve the bus service if they wanted to. The buses should come by every 5 to 10 minutes. They could start charging $25 for parking over night at the hotels and up the parking price at the parks to $25 a day. That would generate needed revenue to improve the buses.

 

[goofy4tink]

They could improve the bus service if they wanted to. The buses should come by every 5 to 10 minutes. They could start charging $25 for parking over night at the hotels and up the parking price at the parks to $25 a day. That would generate needed revenue to improve the buses.

I really don't mean to seem argumentative, but seriously? To have buses arrive every 5-10 mins would mean doubling the number of buses and drivers out on the roads!

Yes, buses are crowded from 45 mins prior to park opening to 30 mins after park closing, and then right at park closing. Yes, it would be nice if buses could run more frequently at these times. But in all reality...people tend to think their wait times for buses are longer than they truly are. I usually look at the time when I get to the bus stop. I have listened to guests berating the drivers for their lengthy waits...even though they got to the stop after I did....and I had waited about 12 mins! Not sure how they arrived 5 mins after me, yet they had a 30 min wait! And I've had that experience many times..sad to say.

It's a very fine line to walk....who should get better service? Those taking buses, or those who drove a car? Resort rates cover the buses, as well as the parking lots. The guest makes the choice....car or bus. There are pros and cons to both. But...I can't imagine Disney 'penalizing' those that drive to WDW, in order to give bus riders more frequent service.

 

[lylone]

The question is... The more people that pack into a bus equals less time you have to wait. If u want to sit down on a bus then you can wait for the next bus to get a seat. If you move to the side and let me pass...the sooner I get back to my resort away from crabby folks!