Here Now: Finally found a downside to Epcot resorts

[rutgers1]

We spent the first two nights at the Beach Club (first time, loved it!) and continued our trip today at the Boardwalk (our favorite!). After a pain in the butt wait at DTD for a bus (first was full, next didn't show for 40 minjtes), I have to ask: Are the Epcot resorts shortchanged with buses? It seems like having stops at Swan, Dolphin, Beach/Yacht, and Boardwalk is crazy. That's a lot of people, plus a long wait as the bus snakes from resort to resort.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

We always have long waits for the DTD buses both coming and going no matter what resort we are staying at. The only time I don't see long waits for it is when we are waiting for a parks bus and only DTD buses show up. In good part it's why we rarely go there - way too many memories of waiting at the bus stops.

The surprising thing is how almost all the Deluxe hotels share buses. It's a downside for all of those that do.

 

[FiggieFan]

The longest wait we ever had for a bus was the wait at POFQ to DTD. The boats weren't running that day so we had to wait for the bus. We waited for about 45 minutes and almost missed an ADR.

 

[LSchrow]

our experiences match everyone else's:
DTD buses are awful, no matter which resort we've stayed at (and the short, lovely walk to DTD is one of the many reasons we love SSR). some DTD bus waits were longer, some shorter....but no resort (mods, deluxe, or DVC) has stood out for having decent DTD service. the absolute worst was years ago when we waited over 2 hours to get back to PO (in the old days of Port Orleans & Dixie Landings) - freezing, pouring rain, buses broke down, fights broke out at the stop & on the buses (including with the bus drivers- a lot of passengers-to-be were drunk after leaving PI)....it was scary bad.

now we rent a car and drive to/fro DTD, or don't go

hope you are having a wonderful time otherwise!!!

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

We spent the first two nights at the Beach Club (first time, loved it!) and continued our trip today at the Boardwalk (our favorite!). After a pain in the butt wait at DTD for a bus (first was full, next didn't show for 40 minjtes), I have to ask: Are the Epcot resorts shortchanged with buses? It seems like having stops at Swan, Dolphin, Beach/Yacht, and Boardwalk is crazy. That's a lot of people, plus a long wait as the bus snakes from resort to resort.

I agree. I love the BCV but I do not love sharing the buses with so many resorts, so we limit staying there unless we have rented a car.

 

[farah]

The longest wait we ever had for a bus was the wait at POFQ to DTD. The boats weren't running that day so we had to wait for the bus. We waited for about 45 minutes and almost missed an ADR.

We were at POFQ a few weeks ago and had the same experience but we waited a good 45 min before we got a taxi. It was pouring rain that day and didn't want to miss our ADR.

 

[goofy4tink]

I have yet to have a resort stay, at any resort (other than maybe SSR) that had decent service to DTD.
As far as sharing with other resorts? Here's how I figure it....CBR doesn't share with other resorts, neither does CSR..but they have multiple stops within the actual resort. Same with POR, OKW, SSR. They don't share with other resorts, but man, those bus rides can be long if you're the first stop when going to a park. And coming back? If you're the last stop, you feel like you've been on the bus for a day!!!
I have stayed at POR, OKW and SSR...also primarily stay at BWV. I really don't fine the amount of time spent on the bus is all that different! Unless you're the last one on the bus!! When any bus has to make more than that one stop, whether it's within the resort or at another resort entirely, it's going to take longer. It all averages out.

 

[jerseyduke]

The transportation system there is just lacking altogether. I just bite the bullet and rent a car from the car care center.
In December of 2012, we had 2 ppl at the poly and one at FORS, and had ressies for Hoop Dee Do. We took the monorail to MK to get the boat. The person in our party at PORS took the bus to the monorail, but they were filming something at MK, so the monorail stopped at 7. They opened the LAST MONORAIL of the night for her. I forget all the details, but it was a disaster. Otherwise she was going to have to walk to the Poly, take a bus to DTD, then from there get a Bus to fort wilderness or something insane like that. It would have taken 2 hours.

There was no contingency plan for the early shut down of the monorail.

We complained and they gave us like half off our HDDR tickets

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

I don't think this is a downside to Epcot resorts. I think it is the downside to not renting a car. We have been to WDW enough to know that we won't be without access to a car no matter where we stay.

 

[jerseyduke]

I don't think this is a downside to Epcot resorts. I think it is the downside to not renting a car. We have been to WDW enough to know that we won't be without access to a car no matter where we stay.

Couldn't agree more! I won't do it without a car, but I do not have children.

I fly into MCO and do the magical express so I do not have to touch my luggage. Then I get the courtesy shuttle, or take a cab to the car care center.

 

[DebbieB]

I don't think this is a downside to Epcot resorts. I think it is the downside to not renting a car. We have been to WDW enough to know that we won't be without access to a car no matter where we stay.

I agree, I always rent a car. When I stay at BWV, I only take the bus to MK. Walk or boat to Epcot & DHS. Drive to AK and DTD.

 

[Checkers]

It has always baffled me why the DVCs in the Epcot park area have to share with Swan & Dolphin. It is not always practical for us to rent a car but I can see why it is a must for some.

 

[Brian Noble]

I never take the bus to/from DTD. The boats aren't bad from OKW or PO-R/FQ, and the boat or walk from SSR works. Otherwise, I either drive (if I'm shopping) or cab (if I'm having more than one BEvERage.)

 

[lucyem]

It has always baffled me why the DVCs in the Epcot park area have to share with Swan & Dolphin. It is not always practical for us to rent a car but I can see why it is a must for some.

IME it varies from bus to bus and time of day etc. BCV is our home resort so we are there often. We have a car but hate to touch it, 24 hour drives to WDW do that to you

The DTD bus always seems bad anywhere we have stayed. It always feels worse at the BC just because i have never had a DTD bus not stop at every Epcot resort. The other issue with DTD is that most people seem to go in the late afternoon and evenings which means lots more people at night trying to get home. Add in rush hour and waits are guaranteed. I dont understand why more buses are not available then. Honestly we do limit our DTD trips because of this. Which is too bad because we like more restaurants there. Parking there is insane so driving is not always an option on a friday night for example.

As for the other buses i find many times they just stop at YC & BC. They dont seem to stop at every Epcot resort or if they do its usually mid day when less people are on the buses. And honestly look at SSR, it makes just as many stops just at SSR.

No resort is perfect. Though IME the buses at AKL are pretty good. But look at the monorail resorts. Long hailed as super wonderful look what happens when it breaks down. Give me a regular bus line any day.

 

[Sandisw]

One of the reasons why we either rent a car or, if I decide not to, I take a taxi to/from DTD. Well worth it. Took us over an hour to get back to the resort last year.

My DD had a really bad stomach ache, it was a change resort day, and we just needed to get back for her.

This summer, I am renting a car for the week we are there...we figure it will work out great for the AK and DTD days as well as the day we go from BWV to BLT. We are going to send my DD20, DD17 and her friend, 17, on ME with the luggage and my friend and I will get the car and make a pit stop at both the liquor and grocery store on the way in!!!

 

[Princess Leia]

We always rent a car. I have tried both bus to DTD and car. Car isn't much better in the height of summer as you drive round and round trying to find a parking spot. I have only stayed at Epcot resorts so far but this summer will be staying at Wilderness Lodge so will give the bus a try again.

 

[jekjones1558]

I agree, I always rent a car. When I stay at BWV, I only take the bus to MK. Walk or boat to Epcot & DHS. Drive to AK and DTD.

Ditto.

 

[lilpooh108]

When staying at BWV we found it more convenient to do Epcot in the morning, then monorail over to MK and take the bus back.

The buses at BWV are a PITA, and those boats are soooooooooooooo slow. I also can't understand the lack of A/C in the boats. It's stifling hot in there during the summer.

 

[Checkers]

When staying at BWV we found it more convenient to do Epcot in the morning, then monorail over to MK and take the bus back.

The buses at BWV are a PITA, and those boats are soooooooooooooo slow. I also can't understand the lack of A/C in the boats. It's stifling hot in there during the summer.

Back in the day when they were new the a/c was in full blast. Almost too cold like some of the buses. Just think Disney doesn't want to go to the expense of repairing them.

 

[Psypher]

We just got back from a trip at BWV. We also found that the bus server to DTD was lacking. Buses were always very cramped since Boardwalk is the last pickup. On a positive note, we never had to wait more than 10 minutes for the bus, and the (standing) ride was never very long.

The route on the way back is Swan>Dolphin>Yacht>Beach>Boardwalk. We always got off at the Swan and walked back to Boardwalk since it was only a 5 minute walk and the less time packed like sardines the better.

We also ran into an interesting situation over at SSR. We walked to SSR to see the VGF models. Afterwards decided to wait for the bus to DTD. We waited for about 40 minutes before the bus finally showed up. The bus then continued to each stop at SSR and each time over 10 people got on. There must have been around 60 people all crammed into the bus. When we got to the final stop (Congress Park) the bus driver told one of the people waiting that the bus was full and to wait for the next one. The guest freaked out and said that they were waiting for over an hour (which was probably true) and that they had dinner reservations that they were late for. Now if I were staying in Congress Park, I would have just walked over to DTD but I guess that's beside the point. The bus driver spent another 5 minutes calling in another bus on the radio and explaining the situation. Everyone on the bus was getting upset because they had all waited at least 40 minutes for the bus, now they can barely breath and we are just sitting at the last bus stop. Finally they asked us all to cram even closer together to squeeze the last few people on. All together it took a little over an hour to get from The Springs to DTD via bus. That is ridiculous.

Less frequent busses equal longer wait times, overcrowded busses, and very angry guests.