Dolphin Guests 'Hijack' Swan Bus??

[Bill From PA]

Some months ago I read a post by someone recently returned from the Dolphin and he suggested that Dolphin guests would benefit from walking to the Swan bus loading area and leave from there. He said that the bus stops @ Swan first and sometimes fills up or has standing room only by the time it gets to Dolphin. My question is, can one see from Dolphin where the bus is so that you don't miss the bus at both stops by being halfway between when it arrives? Also, is this strategy even necessary? We'll be there at the tail end of Epcot's Wine & Food fest. and for Super Soap weekend so crowds may be a concern for our first weekend. We'll probably only use the WDW bus to get to MK as Epcot and MGM are within our walking range and we've learned that the busses out of AK in the afternoon seem to be too few and far between. ANy suggestions from S/D vets would be appreciated.


Bill From PA

 

[Mickeyfaniam]

Whether or not the strategy is necessary, I don't know, probably not, unless very crowded. The bus does stop at the Dolphin second.
As for location of the bus stop....the Swan and Dolpin are back to back and the bus stops of each are out in the front of each......so you have to go out the back of the Dolphin... cross the short walkway where the boat dock is....walk into the back of the Swan and walk right straight thru......out the front of the Swan and its right there on the left.....probably 5 minutes depending on how you walk.
I have gotten off at the Swan when going to the Dolphin when the buses were crowded..... just in a hurry to get off.

 

[Blondie]

I don't think you'll need to do that.

Give it a try, if you find that the buses are full by the time it gets to the Dolphin, then simply walk over to the Swan next time.

Even during "peak season" (easter break) in April 2001 we never found it necessary to do that.

 

[patattack]

I have never had a bus fill at either place, however from the looks of the picture, if the bus is full walk over to the Rose & Crown. I will be there from 10/24 thru 10/27 & 12/6 thru 12/10. I'll buy you you a black & tan to drown your sorrows!

 

[Bill From PA]

patattack,

Thanks for the kind offer, but we'll be there between your visits, from 11/8 - 11/16. The pic above shows the Daniels crew, minus my wife and son, about to enjoy yet another Tennants at what has become my favorite WDW 'ride'.


Bill From PA

 

[dreamflight99]

Your threads (use of diction) are always so interesting! I have not been to WDW during SUPER SOAP weekend, but the bus is never so crowded in the midst of summer that I need to run to the Swan for a seat. Remember, folks are also GETTING OFF the bus AFTER the DOLPHIN STOP. This means, it travels to the YC/BC after stopping at the Dolphin, and many of the passengers get off at these stops. So a FULL bus at the Dolphin, does not necessarily designate a FULL bus ride to the parks.

BTW..next time you belly-up to the pub, try not to look so darned giddy! (You have a lovely family ). I want to read about your experience at the Wine/Food fest. Do you plan to partake in the activities?

 

[BadgerBruce]

I would still suggest the Swan stop for these destinations:
MK in the morning
DD in the evening

As an example we were 2 of around 10 people that got on the MK bus on 2 different mornings. When the bus got to the Dolphin there were enough guests waiting for the MK bus to fill 2 busses. I'm sure when they have this demand the Dolphin lets WDW transportion know and additional busses are sent, so the wait should never be too long. The transportation at both resorts is as efficient as any we've experienced at the Disney-owned resorts. If you're going to MK later in the day, a walk through Epcot to catch the monorail (with a stop at R&C on the way?!) can be a fun way to get there. Have a great trip!

 

[Bill From PA]

dreamflight99,

Thanks for the kind words. Yes, the Wine/Food fest. is high on our agenda. Our usual touring plan involves hitting the EE park before it opens and doing our favorite things before the crowds get bad. In March, this is usually about 1 pm, don't know what to expect in Nov. At that point we hop to Epcot and finish the day there. We'll probably 'graze' our way around to all the food booths during the fest. With Dolphin so close, when we return to the room to recover from the day's activities, we'll be a short walk away, so we'll probably put in another shift. Certainly my wife will be doing a lengthy report on the trip. I just bought a domain last week and put up a quick and dirty page with last year's report/pics if your interested.

http://www.wcdaniels.com/


Bill From PA

 

[Bill From PA]

BadgerBruce,

Funny you should mention MK in the morning & DD in the evening as those are the only times and destinations that concern me. We'll walk to Epcot and MGM and drive to AK based on bad experiences the last 2 trips hopping from AK to Epcot and MGM. We lost 1 1/2 hours each time due to large crowds trying to leave via WDW busses around 1 pm. We don't want to miss EE at MK due to full busses.



Bill From PA

 

[cboudre1]

We walked over to the Swan in April. The bus was never very crowded but it was a nice walk. We plan to do it again on our next vacation just in case.

 

[dreamflight99]

Bill,

Tremendously great job on the page, writing (tips and hints too), and wonderful pics! You all look truly relaxed in the midst of the magic (I love the Teppan too!). The secret spots revealed and the pics from Epcot, MGM and POR are all FAB.

The descriptive details/adjectives used by your DW exposes her literary forte (or calling!). Amazing! I am saving this one to read and read again...absolutely excellent!

Thank you, for sharing. (I have GOT to DO THIS TOO!). BTW..I've been to W-B, Penn. Also Scranton and all the Factory outlets! God's country!

 

[lizdotcom99]

You have piqued my interest....where is the sercret garden for viewing Illuminations? We alos have a crusie planned and spen a lot of time at Rose and Crown...but where is that secret garden?

Thanks......
Liz and Greg

 

[Bill From PA]

lizdotcom99,

The pic on my page titled 'The secret Park fo Viewing Illuminations'
shows a little area next to the Rose & Crown by the water. In thi pic below, the R & C is 'uphill' to the left part of the picture. The picture was taken from the opposite side of the bridge from R & C. Hope that helps.

Bill From PA

<img src=http://www.wcdaniels.com/wdw/secretpark.jpg>

 

[gibbys1]

Hi Bill, I just noticed we are almost neighbors. We are from Dallas. Just thought I'd say hi!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Hi there...

You really shouldn't worry about the transportation. With all the changes that we've made the past few months, we are at an all time efficiency high. Everything is all done dynamically, and is very flexible. If a bus fills up at one stop, another bus is dispatched to the next stop. In addition... some busses do go Dolphin then Swan... It's just all based on how they were dispatched.

In the morning, busses are dispatched via MOD (Magic on Demand) from the Studios... at 11am, all hubs switch over to Flex Dispatch. This means busses are dispatched dynamically when they return to the hub. This eliminates the chance of any bus running late. With the same amount of busses, we are now able to run busses more reliably, and more frequently.

 

[Bill From PA]

Hi, gibbys1,

As I write this I am in Dallas. I'm a programmer and adjunct faculty member at College Misericordia. I see you'll be right behind us visiting WDW.



Bill From PA

 

[gibbys1]

Well Bill it is a small world as they say! I am only about a minute from the college. My son is a junior this year and we have been browsing colleges and I'd love it if my son decided to go there. I work the evening shift at VA Medical Center in WB so when you're at home tonight I wll be in your neighborhood. Funny isnt it. We will be going to WDW over the Christmas holidays. Somehow my husband and I managed to both get the holiday week for vacation plus the fact my son will be out of school. So we are excited. I see from your posts that you are also an overplanner! Hope to talk to you again.

 

[Bill From PA]

gibbys1,

You wouldn't happen to work with a husband & wife team of nurses by the name of Flannery at the VA, would you? The world may be even smaller than we think!


Bill From PA

 

[gibbys1]

Yes Bill I do! I worked with J for the last few years and our floor was split up do to a remodel and I now work on occasion with A.as she works all 3 shifts. I never met nicer people. J is one of the funniest men I ever met. He missed his calling as a comedian. I see him, but boy do I miss working with him. I'll tell him I spoke with you when I go to work tonight. See, it is a small world!

 

[Bill From PA]

gibbys1,

J is my brother-in-law and the best man at our wedding. A is my wife's sister. Naturally, the 'kids' in the photo on my posts are their neices. Don't believe a thing he says about me!


Bill From PA