DTD Bus Transportation

[SonicLogic]

We're going to be staying at the Courtyard by Marriott in a few weeks ($20.03 rate) and I wondered if anyone had an update about the bus transportation. Is it better to walk down to DTD and use the regular Disney bus system (i.e. take a bus from DTD to a nearby resort and then catch a bus to the various parks)? Or is it better just to stick with Hotel Blvd. buses? Any tips or advice on how to use the transportation system to our best advantage? Thanks.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

well we stayed at the doubletree guest suites at DTD in May 2003 we only used the buses one day
I found them to be late and overcrowded and I didnt feel safe holding my kids in my lap with people standing in the aisles
we walked to DTD from the hotel it took 10 to 15 minutes it was great
after the 1st day we used our car to go to the parks I didnt liek waiting we didnt spend alot of time in the room we would stay at the parks all day til late so it worked for us not to use the buses
it really depends on what your gonna do
are you going back to the hotel during the day and then back to a park at night?
theres lots of variables?
good luck

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

The main reason why Theme Park transportation was discontinued from Downtown Disney was precisely this reason. Too many Hotel Plaza guests using our buses instead of the ones provided. Although no one will stop you, it is typically frowned upon by Disney.

 

[SonicLogic]

Originally posted by Chip 'n Dale Express
The main reason why Theme Park transportation was discontinued from Downtown Disney was precisely this reason. Too many Hotel Plaza guests using our buses instead of the ones provided. Although no one will stop you, it is typically frowned upon by Disney.

I tend to agree with the Disney policy, except that they refuse to enforce it. I remember the days (back in the mid to late 1980's) when you had to show your Disney resort ID to the bus drivers in order to board a Disney bus. Sadly, they have done away with that system. Also, Disney does have a few bus routes (as I recall) that go directly from park to park (you can go directly from Epcot or MGM to AK via bus). Are these routes exclusive to resort guests? Thanks for the help!

 

[betterlatethannever]

Originally posted by SonicLogic
... Also, Disney does have a few bus routes (as I recall) that go directly from park to park (you can go directly from Epcot or MGM to AK via bus). Are these routes exclusive to resort guests? Thanks for the help!

No they are not. If you have a park hopper pass for example, even if staying offsite, you can use those busses.

 

[Antiguan]

When I stayed at the Wyndham at the end of August, I found the buses fine. We always caught the first one in the morning and then returned mid afternoon. Once you keep an idea of the schedule in your head I never had a problem, but it wasnt a busy time when we were there.

 

[SonicLogic]

Originally posted by betterlatethannever
No they are not. If you have a park hopper pass for example, even if staying offsite, you can use those busses.

Hi betterlatethannever! That's what I thought too. It is my understanding that any guests with "park hopper" or Annual Passes are permitted full use of the Disney bus system. We are AP holders so I don't see why it would be a problem for us to use both the Hotel Blvd. bus system and the Disney bus system as we so desire. However since Chip 'n Dale Express states that Disney frowns on this practice I sure don't want to be breaking any rules!

 

[doubled07]

Betterlatethanever is exactly right. Guests with park hopper passes or annual passes are supposed to be entitled to use the entire Disney transportation system. Not just the buses but the boats and monorail too. I intend to use the DD hotel bus system later this year when we visit but I'll have no regrets nor will I feel any guilt if we do make use of the Disney transportation system since all of us will have park hoppers. We won't be breaking any rules so it shouldn't be "Frowned Upon" by anyone including Disney.

doubled07

 

[SonicLogic]

Thank you doubled07. I thought that was the case too but after reading the reply from Chip 'n Dale Express I am not so certain now. After all, Chip 'n Dale Express is a long time cast member with lots of experience in these matters. I don't want to violate some WDW policy that might result in the cancellation of my family's AP privileges. Since we will not be staying in a Disney owned resort I guess to be on the safe side that we should not use the Disney Transportation System. Thanks for helping me in this matter. We're really looking forward to our trip!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by SonicLogic
I don't want to violate some WDW policy that might result in the cancellation of my family's AP privileges.

It won't, don't worry about that. Let me clarify a few things...

As for the technicals... one is allowed the use of DTD transportation if one has an Ultimate Park Hopper pass which includes admission to DisneyQuest, and said person is going from a park to DisneyQuest.

The reasoning behind this is that too many Hotel Plaza guests were abusing the system, and clogging up the buses so that legitimatly paying guests who need to get to and from DTD were having trouble.

We're unable to check IDs or passes, so one really won't get into any trouble for using our buses.

This is how I look at it... If you're going to use the Downtown Disney buses for a legitimate reason, feel free. Enjoy Downtown Disney. However, if you're only going to use it to avoid using Hotel Plaza buses, that is the action that is frowned upon.

 

[Sammy]

This is taken directly off the Disneyworld.com website:

<i><b>With every Park Hopper® Ticket</b> you get:
• Unlimited admission* to the four Disney Theme Parks: Magic Kingdom® Park, Epcot®, Disney-MGM Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park
• The flexibility to go from Theme Park to Theme Park on the same day
• Convenient Walt Disney World® transportation -- monorails, ferryboats, and motor coaches
*Except for activities/events separately priced.

<b>Every Disney Ultimate Park Hopper Ticket </b>provides:
• Unlimited admission* to the four Disney Theme Parks: Magic Kingdom® Park, Epcot®, Disney-MGM Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park
• The flexibility to go from Theme Park to Theme Park on the same day
• Unlimited admission* for length of stay to Pleasure Island, Disney's Water Parks, Disney's Wide World of Sports® Complex (days of operation depend on event schedule) and DisneyQuest® Indoor Interactive Theme Park
• Convenient Walt Disney World® transportation – monorails, ferryboats, and motor coaches
*Excludes separately priced activities and events

<b>Every Annual Pass</b> provides:
• Unlimited admission* for 365 days to the four Disney Theme Parks: Magic Kingdom® Park, Epcot®, Disney-MGM Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park
• The flexibility to go from Theme Park to Theme Park on the same day
• A wide array of Passholder benefits
• Theme Park parking included
• Convenient Walt Disney World® transportation – monorails, ferryboats, and motor coaches
*Excludes separately priced activities and events
</i>

So it would seem that no matter what hotel you actually stayed in, if you had any of these passes, you are entitled to use ANY of the WDW transportation options FROM anywhere TO anywhere. It doesn't say you have to stay onsite AND have these passes to use the transportation.

HTHs!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

well when we stayed in may at the Doubletreee guest suites at downtown disney they had buses to downtown on there own but they only ran at night when we were there and we walked we never used any disney transportation as we werent disney resorts guests but when visiting several resorts we were told since we were technically on property guests they would let us
but we never did we were fine with our won way and it was great

 

[SonicLogic]

Hello Sammy! Your post confirms the information I was given. When we bought our AP's, we were given little protective folders which hold the passes. The folders also have little booklets that explain all of the AP benefits, discounts and entitlements. The booklets state that AP holders have unlimited use of Walt Disney World Transportation as well as free parking in any of the parks in addition to other benefits. Thank you for the information.

I'm still confused concerning your comments Chip 'n Dale Express. As an AP holder am I not considered a legitimately paying guest? I can assure you that I am not attempting to abuse the transportation system. I just want some advice on how to use the system efficiently so as to reduce long waits or other transportation problems. As an example, a more experienced WDW visitor told me to avoid taking the Hotel Plaza Blvd. buses to the MK because they park at the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) and from there you then have to take the Ferryboat or Monorail to the MK. She suggested that it was much faster just to go to Epcot first and then take the Monorail to the TTC and then the Monorail to MK. I also understand that if you take a Disney bus to the MK that they have their own drop off area right in front of the MK. My friend also suggested that the fastest way to get from the Hotel Plaza Blvd. hotels to the MK is just to walk down to DTD and then take a bus to the Contemporary. Based upon my limited knowledge I am not sure about any of this information. That's why I am asking and I really appreciate your help!

Also, where do the Hotel Plaza Blvd. buses park at Animal Kingdom and Disney-MGM Studios? My friend told me that the Hotel Plaza buses park in the same lot as the Disney buses at Epcot so there is no disadvantage. Also I am told that they park in the TTC lot at MK but I have no idea as to where they park at AK and the Studios. My thought is that Epcot would be a good transportation "hub" from which to work. It seems that you can get most anywhere on property directly from Epcot via a bus or the Monorail. I just want to get from point A to point B in the least amount of time with the least hassles. Anyone know?

P.S. Maybe we will be lucky enough to ride the Chip n' Dale Express!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by SonicLogic
I'm still confused concerning your comments Chip 'n Dale Express. As an AP holder am I not considered a legitimately paying guest? I can assure you that I am not attempting to abuse the transportation system.

Plain and simple... if one wishes to use our transportation to and from Downtown Disney so that they may visit Downtown Disney, that is one thing. Feel free. The point I'm trying to make is that to use the DTD buses just to avoid Hotel Plaza shuttles is what Disney is trying to discourage. By doing so, it clogs up the buses for those guests who are trying to get to DTD to shop and spend money.

Originally posted by SonicLogic
As an example, a more experienced WDW visitor told me to avoid taking the Hotel Plaza Blvd. buses to the MK because they park at the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) and from there you then have to take the Ferryboat or Monorail to the MK. She suggested that it was much faster just to go to Epcot first and then take the Monorail to the TTC and then the Monorail to MK.

I don't understand why they would tell you that. That adds an additional leg to your journey, as well as a minimum of 15-20 minutes. Just take the bus directly to the TTC, and catch the Ferry or Monorail.

 

[SonicLogic]

Well, after all this discussion I was still very unsure on how to proceed. I've got a Disney transportation CM telling me one thing while others contradict his information. I decided today to check with the source. I called WDW guest relations and got some definitive answers. However, they were unable to answer some of my more specific questions concerning best routes and times. So, they told me that a manager from WDW transportation would give me a call tomorrow to answer my specific inquiries! Wow, gotta love the mouse! However, I was told emphatically that AP holders have the privilege of using the WDW transportation system to their hearts content and that use of the DTD buses by Hotel Plaza Blvd. guests was not frowned upon. The person I spoke with told me that on some specific occasions WDW bus drivers actually change their routes to accommodate guests at Hotel Plaza Blvd. resorts. After I speak with the WDW transportation person tomorrow I'll post the results.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by SonicLogic
Well, after all this discussion I was still very unsure on how to proceed. I've got a Disney transportation CM telling me one thing while others contradict his information. I decided today to check with the source. I called WDW guest relations and got some definitive answers. However, they were unable to answer some of my more specific questions concerning best routes and times. So, they told me that a manager from WDW transportation would give me a call tomorrow to answer my specific inquiries! Wow, gotta love the mouse! However, I was told emphatically that AP holders have the privilege of using the WDW transportation system to their hearts content and that use of the DTD buses by Hotel Plaza Blvd. guests was not frowned upon. The person I spoke with told me that on some specific occasions WDW bus drivers actually change their routes to accommodate guests at Hotel Plaza Blvd. resorts. After I speak with the WDW transportation person tomorrow I'll post the results.

Guest Relations will unfortunetly not really know too much about transportation. It's the whole purple pants thing. Ultimatly, the bottom line is that this is Disney, and we will accommodate our guests, period.

 

[SonicLogic]

As I was promised, a manager from Walt Disney World Transportation called me today. I was impressed because she had really done her homework. She knew my name and all the names and ages of my family members. She knew our "history" of resort stays at WDW and she knew that in addition to our upcoming Courtyard by Marriott reservations, that we also had future reservations at the Wilderness Lodge and the Boardwalk. She also knew the expiration date of our AP's and suggested we renew. She was very friendly and was able to answer all of my many questions concerning WDW transportation. We talked for about 45 minutes so I'm just going to outline the highlights of our conversation.

First of all she told me that Disney transportation (bus, boat and monorail) is complimentary for all guests. It doesn't matter whether you stay on site or off site or what type of ticket media you purchase. I asked her specifically about walking down from the Courtyard to catch the buses at DTD. She explained that the Hotel Plaza Blvd. bus system is excellent and that I would probably be better off sticking with them, but that if I desired to use the WDW buses at DTD that I was welcome to do so. The next thing she said really impressed me. She suggested that the quickest way to get from DTD to the MK was to take the bus to the Contemporary and then walk to the MK! This is the same advice given to me by my more experienced WDW friend. Another really helpful tip she gave me was that when leaving Epcot after the fireworks it would be better to exit via the International Gateway and catch a bus at the Boardwalk to DTD. She explained that this is a good way to avoid the crowd crush at the main entrance to Epcot. She also told me how buses are staged throughout WDW (it's rather complex) to assure prompt service. She also explained that Epcot is truly a transportation hub for WDW and she told me about some of the WDW transportation history and some of the future plans (no monorail expansion but WDW is going to get some new fancy buses).

I had a great conversation with her and had a really big smile on my face when I hung up the phone. She even invited me and my family to drop by her office for a visit during our upcoming trip. I really have a new respect for the CM's that are in the transportation division.

 

[doubled07]

An excellant report SonicLogic. Thanks for taking the time to outline all the thoughts presented to you by the transportation manager. It really reinforced what I and others had been thinking all along. Thanks also to Tyler for all the info he provides to this board. He has provided many an insight to transportation issues while providing a very valuable service to this board. While I didn't necessarily agree with the angle Tyler had on this subject I truly respect his knowledge of the system and the service he provides. Thanks Tyler and keep the Chip & Dale express rolling!

doubled07

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Unfortunetly, what managers tell us drivers and what they tell guests are sometimes two opposite things. And they wonder why we get frustrated. *sigh*