Disney WDW Bus transportation

[ls3015]

Share your thoughts on the WDW bus's service, pro's and or cons.
It's a great way of getting around the world if you know how to use the system. But is over crowding any good, forcing small children to stand and hang on after a long day in the parks or would more bus's running be better?
I personally do not think standing is very safe, all though it has been done for a long time.

 

[maxiesmom]

More busses may be more comfortable, but not better. I would rather stand on a full bus if I choose to than have to more for my vacation. And having to buy more busses, and pay for everything that they need to run the busses, would be a large additional cost. Which would be passes along to us, the guests. No thanks!

No one is being forced to use the busses. If they are not your thing, you can rent a car or rely on taxis to get around. The only people forcing young kids to stand on the busses are their parents, or whatever adult is with them on the trip. If that makes you uncomfortable, then don't have your child stand. Wait for a bus with open seating, or grab a taxi back to your resort.

 

[goofy4tink]

Putting more buses into service, at any given time, means higher costs to the guest. There is really no productive, or cost efficient way to prevent standing.
If someone doesn't want to stand on the bus, they are always free to wait for the next bus to arrive and then board that bus in order to get a seat. Nobody is 'forced' to stand. It's up to each guest.

Standing on buses is not unsafe. I have been doing it for decades. My now almost 18 y/o dd has been doing it since she was 5..no problems at all. As already mentioned, if a guest doesn't want to deal with the buses, a rental car is a good option.

Basically, WDW buses do a fantastic job of moving tens of thousands of guests around the area every day. It is public transit..nothing more, nothing less.

 

[kaytieeldr]

People stand on public transit daily. I used to see MBTA/Boston buses like the WDW ones, but so loaded (and running red lights so fast ) that I was sure they were going to roll over. Never happened. They're safe - and the more people padding you the better.

 

[mickeyME2]

I don't think they need more buses. I think it depends on the resort...

I have stayed at every level from value to deluxe. I have noticed that the higher level buses are less crowded and the less expensive resorts are insanely crowded.

The problem isn't the amount of buses, it's the people on them. If a person who is healthy and strong sees a small child or elderly person standing, they should get up and offer their seat. The problem isn't the bus, it's the rude people on them that should know better.

 

[silmarg]

considering the number of parks, number of resorts and number of guests...

Disney transportation does an awefully good job.

Have I had to wait a long time for a bus? sure. Have I had to stand? sure. But all in all the busses are clean. The drivers are pleasant and they run at all hours.

+1

 

[aubriee]

Putting more buses into service, at any given time, means higher costs to the guest. There is really no productive, or cost efficient way to prevent standing.
If someone doesn't want to stand on the bus, they are always free to wait for the next bus to arrive and then board that bus in order to get a seat. Nobody is 'forced' to stand. It's up to each guest.

Standing on buses is not unsafe. I have been doing it for decades. My now almost 18 y/o dd has been doing it since she was 5..no problems at all. As already mentioned, if a guest doesn't want to deal with the buses, a rental car is a good option.

Basically, WDW buses do a fantastic job of moving tens of thousands of guests around the area every day. It is public transit..nothing more, nothing less.

People stand on public transit daily. I used to see MBTA/Boston buses like the WDW ones, but so loaded (and running red lights so fast ) that I was sure they were going to roll over. Never happened. They're safe - and the more people padding you the better.

I think alot of the problem is that alot of people are not used to public transit. I know we are not. I have a 14 y/o GD that has never been on a public bus in her life (other than at WDW). She has never even ridden a school bus. For that matter the only bus I've ever been on was a school bus when I was a kid and the buses at WDW. We just don't use public transportation around here. I seldom stand on a WDW bus. I always wait for the next bus. The only way I'll stand is if I see an elderly person or a woman (or man) holding a baby and no one else offers their seat to them. I don't feel safe standing due to poor balance and orthostatic hypotension, where my BP drops if I stand in one place too long. I just wish that if people need a seat, they'd wait for the next bus like I do.

Even with the crowded buses, I still feel WDW does a wonderful job with their transportation system though.

 

[Cest_la_vie]

Disney transportation, and buses particularly, is the best mass transit system in Florida. The pure number of people it moves, and the fact that the majority are probably not used to using public transportation means that yes there will be problems, people not offering seats to children/elderly, over crowding, unhappy kids. But just imagine how worse it could be.

 

[maxiesmom]

I don't think they need more buses. I think it depends on the resort...

I have stayed at every level from value to deluxe. I have noticed that the higher level buses are less crowded and the less expensive resorts are insanely crowded.

The problem isn't the amount of buses, it's the people on them. If a person who is healthy and strong sees a small child or elderly person standing, they should get up and offer their seat. The problem isn't the bus, it's the rude people on them that should know better.

I have to disagree with you on both points. The absolute worst bus experiences I had were when I stayed at the Beach Club. The busses were packed, and they shared with other boardwalk area resorts.

I also don't think people who choose to keep their seats on the busses are the rude ones. I think it is pretty darn rude to take grandma (or anyone who can't safely stand) onto a standing room only bus and expect others to get up. If grandma's safety is so important, than maybe her family should not be using the busses. They should rent a car, or use taxis.

A few years ago I went back and forth on getting a car, as my mom was along with me on that trip. And her knees were not the best. I gave her one shot at standing, but it turned out she was totally fine with it. If she goes wit me again, I know there is no way in heck she could stand on a moving bus, as her knees have gotten much worse. But as she is my mom, I am the one that will see to her safety. I would never have the nerve to get on a bus and assume someone else would or should get up for her. To me, that is rude!

 

[goofy4tink]

I think alot of the problem is that alot of people are not used to public transit. I know we are not. I have a 14 y/o GD that has never been on a public bus in her life (other than at WDW). She has never even ridden a school bus. For that matter the only bus I've ever been on was a school bus when I was a kid and the buses at WDW. We just don't use public transportation around here. I seldom stand on a WDW bus. I always wait for the next bus. The only way I'll stand is if I see an elderly person or a woman (or man) holding a baby and no one else offers their seat to them. I don't feel safe standing due to poor balance and orthostatic hypotension, where my BP drops if I stand in one place too long. I just wish that if people need a seat, they'd wait for the next bus like I do.

Even with the crowded buses, I still feel WDW does a wonderful job with their transportation system though.

See??? You get all sorts of new experiences at WDW. I know that I don't routinely take public transit but I understand how the buses operate in WDW. And there are going to be times that it's almost a sure thing that you will have to stand. So...you handle it the right way. You aren't sure you'll get a seat? You wait for the next bus. I wish more people would opt for that.
But, sadly, everyone thinks their particular needs are more important. There is much assumption here, on the boards and in real life, that if you see a gentleman or other seemingly able bodied person sitting in a bus seat and they don't offer their seat to someone who 'obviously' needs that seat more, they are rude and uncaring. But, there are many times that that person has their own issues.

I do wish more people at WDW would take care of themselves rather than assuming that others will do it for them. One should never assume that someone is going to jump up and offer you a seat because you look elderly or are holding a child.

The best bus service, onsite??? Pop. Yes, it's a value. But, it runs between Pop and the park..no other stops. The buses tend to be more frequent. Yes, the line gets long at park closing...but plan accordingly and you'll be fine.
I have had not so wonderful bus service at all the deluxes I've stayed at. The Epcot resorts tend to be more crowded than others, but again, plan accordingly. If you are at the bus stop about 30-45 mins before rope drop, you will have a ton of company and there will be sro on those buses..don't care what resort it is.

 

[ls3015]

I truly love WDW along with the convince of the Disney bus's. Sometimes a rental car just isn't an option, and waiting for the next bus just isn't good either.
The buses do keep down on a lot of car traffic, and they do have a very good driving record with moving as many people as they do, daily and weekly, could you imagine what traffic would be like without the buses.
I just feel that adding a few extra buses’ at key times would be a great help. It is dark, late everyone is tried and just want to get back to there room and relax, not have to wait again for the next bus, we all just waited for this one to show up.
Disney does pride itself on it's safety record, and watch to make sure everyone has on their seatbelts and stays seated during each ride, what would it be like if the safety devices were removed from the rides, how many people would ride space mountain or test track?
If anyone needed emergency help in the parks there would be someone on the spot right away with what ever was needed, this is Great and hope it continues, but than they cram as many people as possible into a bus and runs them 40, 50 MPH down the road.
Is that OK because it is public transpiration, Disney will raise prices every year regardless if they have a few extra bus's running or not.
A few years back, All of the all star resorts had there own bus without having to share, but because of budget cuts, something has to suffer.
It is confusing because on the DME they don't allow standing going to and from MCO, things seam to move along nicely, that’s also public transportation, nothing more, nothing less.
As I stated I love WDW Disney, been there 12 times and will go back and will again ride the bus, would just like to see a few more running.
Should we start a new theard on strollers and the bus?

 

[newyorkmike]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the obvious...

WDW bus drivers are the most informed when it comes to rumors and top secret Disney development plans and park changes.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I'm aware of the price difference. I believe the rooms at the MK-area resorts (not including BLT) are larger than the rooms at the Epcot-area resorts - another amenity.

I don't have any information to support this, but the difference may be because DME operates on public roadways while the park<->park and resort<->park buses operate solely on roads owned and maintained by Walt Disney World.

 

[joelkfla]

I don't have any information to support this, but the difference may be because DME operates on public roadways while the park<->park and resort<->park buses operate solely on roads owned and maintained by Walt Disney World.

That's actually not true. The roadways at WDW are owned and maintained by the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which, although under the control of Disney, is a public entity just like a city or county. In fact, Reedy Creek vehicles have "county" license plates, not the "fleet" plates worn by Disney company vehicles.

Both Disney and Mears (dba DME) operate under the same DOT regulations.

If we're talking about standees as opposed to no standees, I think the main difference is equipment. Disney runs transit buses, which are designed to optimize passenger capacity and speed of loading and unloading while carrying passengers on relatively short trips. All of the newer buses are actually rated to carry more standees than seated passengers.

DME uses "luxury motor coaches", which are designed to provide greater comfort for longer trips (although a Disney Transport trip to the last resort on a shared bus with a stop at a water park can exceed the time for an airport transfer.) I don't know whether the motor coaches are even approved to operate with standees.

 

[aubriee]

If we're talking about standees as opposed to no standees, I think the main difference is equipment. Disney runs transit buses, which are designed to optimize passenger capacity and speed of loading and unloading while carrying passengers on relatively short trips. All of the newer buses are actually rated to carry more standees than seated passengers.

DME uses "luxury motor coaches", which are designed to provide greater comfort for longer trips (although a Disney Transport trip to the last resort on a shared bus with a stop at a water park can exceed the time for an airport transfer.) I don't know whether the motor coaches are even approved to operate with standees.

I don't think standing is allowed on the DME buses. Once just as I was getting on one to go back to the airport, a family came running up screeching that they had missed their DME bus and had to get on ours or they were going to miss their flight. The CM with the clip board and also the bus driver informed them that there would not be room for them on our bus. The dad demanded that since their plane left before ours that some us be forced to wait for the next bus, so they could have our seats. The driver and CM both said that was not happening and they should have been there in time to catch their bus. Anyway in the course of the arguement the dad let it slip that they knew they were supposed to be there three hours before their flight, but thought it was stupid to get there that early, so had intentionally missed their assigned bus planning on just catching a later one, then they got tied up in DTD, then the buses going from DTD back to the resort was late, so they were later than they thought they'd be and absolutely had to get on our bus. When again told that there would be no seats available for them and no way were they kicking some of us off, the dad said they'd just stand then and proceeded to climb onto the bus, motioning for his family to join him. The driver informed him that standing was not allowed on a DME bus and asked him to exit the bus. The dad said they'd been standing on buses all week, and again motioned for his family to push their way past the driver. The driver informed him that a DME bus had different rules than a Disney bus and standing was not allowed. The dad still refused to exit the bus, when told to do so. A manager had to be called from inside the resort, to get him off the bus. We left, so I'm not sure what happened, but the guy was sceaming at the manager that they'd better not miss their flight.

 

[goofy4tink]

I truly love WDW along with the convince of the Disney bus's. Sometimes a rental car just isn't an option, and waiting for the next bus just isn't good either.
The buses do keep down on a lot of car traffic, and they do have a very good driving record with moving as many people as they do, daily and weekly, could you imagine what traffic would be like without the buses.
I just feel that adding a few extra buses’ at key times would be a great help. It is dark, late everyone is tried and just want to get back to there room and relax, not have to wait again for the next bus, we all just waited for this one to show up.
Disney does pride itself on it's safety record, and watch to make sure everyone has on their seatbelts and stays seated during each ride, what would it be like if the safety devices were removed from the rides, how many people would ride space mountain or test track?
If anyone needed emergency help in the parks there would be someone on the spot right away with what ever was needed, this is Great and hope it continues, but than they cram as many people as possible into a bus and runs them 40, 50 MPH down the road.
Is that OK because it is public transpiration, Disney will raise prices every year regardless if they have a few extra bus's running or not.
A few years back, All of the all star resorts had there own bus without having to share, but because of budget cuts, something has to suffer.
It is confusing because on the DME they don't allow standing going to and from MCO, things seam to move along nicely, that’s also public transportation, nothing more, nothing less.
As I stated I love WDW Disney, been there 12 times and will go back and will again ride the bus, would just like to see a few more running.
Should we start a new theard on strollers and the bus?

At busy times of day...park opening and closings, yes, there are many more people trying to use the buses. And there are more buses in service at this time. You say a few more buses need to be put in service??? Surely you don't mean just for your particular resort??? Because you would then have to put more buses in to service all the resorts....at least 10 more buses. And you would most likely want to double that in order to not have any wait times at all...so at least 20 more buses, which means 20 more drivers. Payroll has now increases as has maintainence on those addtl buses.

I'm sorry but I've been to WDW many, many times. I have stayed at almost all the resorts. The only resorts I have not stayed at are SSR, GF, CBR, CSR. So, I'm pretty familier with the buses at all the resorts. Only one time have I had a wait of more than 15 mins for a bus at park closing. That was when at Pop. I had to wait through 3 bus cycles..took about 30 mins total. The buses were coming about every 10 mins or so. This was as MK. Keep in mind there is only so much room for buses to enter, exit and park to board passengers.

The WDW buses are designed to allow for standing passengers. It is not unsafe. Very few guests are injured while riding while standing. The DME buses are not designed for standing...there are slopes in the floors which make it very unsafe to stand.
There is no way that Disney is going to ever be able to put enough buses into service to allow every guest to have a less than 5 min wait for a bus with a seat for everyone. Just isn't going to happen.

You can't compare the DME bus system with the WDW park/resort bus system. It's apples to oranges. There are not nearly as many people using the DME buses...it's a very, very small number when compared to the guests using park buses. Besides, those buses run about every half hour...and as you say, it works very well. No way to compare the two services.

If the current system doesn't work, then you have choices. Rent a car, walk to a nearby resort and get a cab. Or, just get a cab at the park. But, you are always going to have people standing on the WDW buses. It is safe. If you are worried about it being late and everyone's being tired then perhaps you need to readjust the way you plan your days. Maybe you need to leave the park a bit earlier in order to avoid the lines. Or, stay in the parks for a bit longer..also, to avoid the lines. 30 mins either way makes a huge difference. So, grab a Mickey bar, plop down on a park bench and people watch for a bit, then mosey on out to the buses about 30 mins later. Should be much better.

 

[ls3015]

At busy times of day...park opening and closings, yes, there are many more people trying to use the buses. And there are more buses in service at this time. You say a few more buses need to be put in service??? Surely you don't mean just for your particular resort??? Because you would then have to put more buses in to service all the resorts....at least 10 more buses. And you would most likely want to double that in order to not have any wait times at all...so at least 20 more buses, which means 20 more drivers. Payroll has now increases as has maintainence on those addtl buses.

I'm sorry but I've been to WDW many, many times. I have stayed at almost all the resorts. The only resorts I have not stayed at are SSR, GF, CBR, CSR. So, I'm pretty familier with the buses at all the resorts. Only one time have I had a wait of more than 15 mins for a bus at park closing. That was when at Pop. I had to wait through 3 bus cycles..took about 30 mins total. The buses were coming about every 10 mins or so. This was as MK. Keep in mind there is only so much room for buses to enter, exit and park to board passengers.

The WDW buses are designed to allow for standing passengers. It is not unsafe. Very few guests are injured while riding while standing. The DME buses are not designed for standing...there are slopes in the floors which make it very unsafe to stand.
There is no way that Disney is going to ever be able to put enough buses into service to allow every guest to have a less than 5 min wait for a bus with a seat for everyone. Just isn't going to happen.

You can't compare the DME bus system with the WDW park/resort bus system. It's apples to oranges. There are not nearly as many people using the DME buses...it's a very, very small number when compared to the guests using park buses. Besides, those buses run about every half hour...and as you say, it works very well. No way to compare the two services.

If the current system doesn't work, then you have choices. Rent a car, walk to a nearby resort and get a cab. Or, just get a cab at the park. But, you are always going to have people standing on the WDW buses. It is safe. If you are worried about it being late and everyone's being tired then perhaps you need to readjust the way you plan your days. Maybe you need to leave the park a bit earlier in order to avoid the lines. Or, stay in the parks for a bit longer..also, to avoid the lines. 30 mins either way makes a huge difference. So, grab a Mickey bar, plop down on a park bench and people watch for a bit, then mosey on out to the buses about 30 mins later. Should be much better.

I didn't say the current system didn't work, I was pointing out what had already been said about it being public transportation, they are both public transportation, not apples, not oranges and I certainly didn't mean for someone to get defensive. I too know the bus system well and what I meant is when leaving the parks after closing, key time, I have waited, as you say and yes the crowds do thin out, I'm just saying a few more bus's running at key times would be a big help, so tired quests, children, etc wouldn't have to stand , I still think standing is Unsafe, period I'm sorry, even with the bus's being designed for standing, I'm not from a big city and guess I'm not used to seeing it, ( MY Opinion). You say to leave early or adjust my time, excuss me, with what it costs to go to WDW, I also like to experience all I can and get my moneys worth, just like everyone else. Certainly a few more bus's would not change the costs any, for what I many others also have seen, and
You say you know the bus system well! than you must have seen the many bus's that usually are just setting off to the side, running, with drivers, waiting for what? I will use epcot parking lot for an example, they set there with their sign turned off, many of them, in a group, why can't they pull up and board passages, what are they doing, are they on break, they are already working. Why can't they be transporting people. I just feel it would be much safer than cramming people into a bus like sardines in a can.

 

[Arielle22]

I didn't say the current system didn't work, I was pointing out what had already been said about it being public transportation, they are both public transportation, not apples, not oranges and I certainly didn't mean for someone to get defensive. I too know the bus system well and what I meant is when leaving the parks after closing, key time, I have waited, as you say and yes the crowds do thin out, I'm just saying a few more bus's running at key times would be a big help, so tired quests, children, etc wouldn't have to stand , I still think standing is Unsafe, period I'm sorry, even with the bus's being designed for standing, I'm not from a big city and guess I'm not used to seeing it, ( MY Opinion). You say to leave early or adjust my time, excuss me, with what it costs to go to WDW, I also like to experience all I can and get my moneys worth, just like everyone else. Certainly a few more bus's would not change the costs any, for what I many others also have seen, and
You say you know the bus system well! than you must have seen the many bus's that usually are just setting off to the side, running, with drivers, waiting for what? I will use epcot parking lot for an example, they set there with their sign turned off, many of them, in a group, why can't they pull up and board passages, what are they doing, are they on break, they are already working. Why can't they be transporting people. I just feel it would be much safer than cramming people into a bus like sardines in a can.

Another MA person here who knows standing is very common on the transit system here. Compared to how many people cram on our buses and trains, Disney is a cake walk. The buses here do go at higher rates of speed (50+) on some lines. In high school I took a bus each day that went on the Mass turnpike and we stood on it and didn't even hold on while it was moving. We just braced our feet. Also people don't usually give up their seats to children. They stand along with everyone else.

Even the more roomy commuter rail lines are jammed at rush hour. Yesterday morning, not only did I have people standing on my train on the commuter rail but we had to hook up to another train to push it as it was disabled. So all the people on both trains got a good jostle with no warning.

I have no problems with the Disney buses. Have I had to wait longer than I wanted once or twice, yes but overall I think Disney does an excellent job.

 

[disneychic2]

I don't think standing is allowed on the DME buses. Once just as I was getting on one to go back to the airport, a family came running up screeching that they had missed their DME bus and had to get on ours or they were going to miss their flight. The CM with the clip board and also the bus driver informed them that there would not be room for them on our bus. The dad demanded that since their plane left before ours that some us be forced to wait for the next bus, so they could have our seats. The driver and CM both said that was not happening and they should have been there in time to catch their bus. Anyway in the course of the arguement the dad let it slip that they knew they were supposed to be there three hours before their flight, but thought it was stupid to get there that early, so had intentionally missed their assigned bus planning on just catching a later one, then they got tied up in DTD, then the buses going from DTD back to the resort was late, so they were later than they thought they'd be and absolutely had to get on our bus. When again told that there would be no seats available for them and no way were they kicking some of us off, the dad said they'd just stand then and proceeded to climb onto the bus, motioning for his family to join him. The driver informed him that standing was not allowed on a DME bus and asked him to exit the bus. The dad said they'd been standing on buses all week, and again motioned for his family to push their way past the driver. The driver informed him that a DME bus had different rules than a Disney bus and standing was not allowed. The dad still refused to exit the bus, when told to do so. A manager had to be called from inside the resort, to get him off the bus. We left, so I'm not sure what happened, but the guy was sceaming at the manager that they'd better not miss their flight.

Wow! Just Wow!

 

[goofy4tink]

I didn't say the current system didn't work, I was pointing out what had already been said about it being public transportation, they are both public transportation, not apples, not oranges and I certainly didn't mean for someone to get defensive. I too know the bus system well and what I meant is when leaving the parks after closing, key time, I have waited, as you say and yes the crowds do thin out, I'm just saying a few more bus's running at key times would be a big help, so tired quests, children, etc wouldn't have to stand , I still think standing is Unsafe, period I'm sorry, even with the bus's being designed for standing, I'm not from a big city and guess I'm not used to seeing it, ( MY Opinion). You say to leave early or adjust my time, excuss me, with what it costs to go to WDW, I also like to experience all I can and get my moneys worth, just like everyone else. Certainly a few more bus's would not change the costs any, for what I many others also have seen, and
You say you know the bus system well! than you must have seen the many bus's that usually are just setting off to the side, running, with drivers, waiting for what? I will use epcot parking lot for an example, they set there with their sign turned off, many of them, in a group, why can't they pull up and board passages, what are they doing, are they on break, they are already working. Why can't they be transporting people. I just feel it would be much safer than cramming people into a bus like sardines in a can.

I'm not feeling defensive, nor do I feel that you are not entitled to your opinion. But, as happens here so often, people start feeling that their opinions don't matter when the vast majority of others don't feel the same way.
Those 'other buses', just sitting there?? They are waiting to be dispatched. Yes, they could be boarding passengers, but for whatever reason they are not.

I am not going to belabor this point...but, at WDW, the powers that be have no issue with guests standing in the buses. The buses are designed for that. The bus system is not designed to allow every guest a seat. If that were the case they would use tour buses..similar to DME buses. That's the bottom line. The transportation system is there to move the most number of people at any given time. Each guest is free to either board and find a seat, or stand if no seat is open. IF they choose not to stand, they are free to wait for the next bus...it is the guests choice. BUT, Disney isn't going to put enough buses into the system to enable every guest to have a seat. That just isn't reasonable.

Most here are trying to be reasonable. You have the option of waiting for another bus, getting a cab or renting a car. Other than that, there just isn't another way. Disney will never put that many buses into service. It is not a limo company, it is public transportation. They will provide services that meet the needs of the majority of people.