Here now, OMG buses.

[stindall]

How do you know which are which?

You can look at almost any resort thread and find out easily. For example, Art of Animation currently does not share buses with any other resort.

 

[bytheblood]

It's really disheartening to hear the stories of folks who get grief from the ECVs. That's why my mom won't go to Disney with me...she would need one and she's afraid she'll be an inconvenience to us and everyone around her.

I agree, but I dont think it is the ECVs really, but the number of them and how the bus loading process works.

If guest 1 is at a bus stop for Magic Kingdom, waits 15 minutes, then two ECVs roll up with 12 more people in their party and then a bus pulls up 5 minutes later....guest 1 waited 20 minutes for a bus, 6 seats are taken up for 2 ECVs, then the 12 guests with them are loaded now using 20 seats total for that group, plus all of the space for their strollers. That is more than half the seats on a bus. If there are 20 other people waiting on that bus, there is a possibility that guest number 1 may not even get on that bus though they were there first.

It is not even the ECVs, it is just guests who all feel they have to go first that add to this frustration. People are not considerate in general and therefore the tension over the buses is never-ending. It just seems that the ECV users are the first to get the blame. Unfortunately, really.

But, the number of ECV users does seem to grow each time I visit. I see more and more of them at the resort, in the parks, at the bus stop, etc. I don't doubt that the people need them because they are a pain to drive. I am thankful I can still get around without one, even with my arthritic knees.

 

[kohlby]

Not sure what the Disney of 5/10 years ago is. Our last trip was a year ago and we've always had great luck with the busses. We have a car, but use the bus mainly. On our last trip, out of 15 times on the bus, we only had it too crowded twice. I was able to still get a seat, though my husband didn't take one since it was standing room only by the end. My seat involves me and my three kids actually taking up only two full seat spots. (We can fit three across on two seats and then the youngest in my lap). Our stroller folds, but not great since it's an older stroller. But hubby is in charge of that while I'm in charge of the kids. That way, he can get it in a spot not to block anyone and move it at stops if needed.

Even with those 15 bus trips, ECV's were not an issue. They had them on some, but it still wasn't a big deal.

We've used the busses on other trips as well, and never had an issue. I can't say it's going to be perfect for everyone of course, but it's worked very well for us. We do go in the off-season though and often leave before closing, so that likely plays a huge part. (But even when we left at closing, which was the standing-room only busses, it still was managable).

 

[mesaboy2]

How do you know which are which?

Buses can be shared between Poly, Contemporary, and Grand Flo. They can also be shared between Port Orleans French Quarter and Port Orleans Riverside. Might be one other set--maybe Epcot resorts? All others do not share buses as far as I know.

 

[mad madam mim78]

Or five. Or a locker. If you need jackets now, you're probably still going to need jackets long after your children outgrow strollers. Part of the delay boarding buses is people needing to not only remove the child/ren from the stroller, but also all the extra stuff it's being used to haul.

Might I suggest you choose a vacation destination that doesn't revolve around children.

 

[bytheblood]

Might I suggest you choose a vacation destination that doesn't revolve around children.

Some people on this forum are just always miserable and look for things to argue about. You just gotta ignore them mad madam mim.

 

[denneg]

I am also here now, and the bus system has been horrendous. We missed a character breakfast after waiting 2 hours for an AK bus. Two hours. With a four year old. We called the front desk and asked for a taxi, we did all we could other than hitchhike. That had nothing to do with strollers or WCs or ECVs, it had to do with the bus system.

However. I do not feel that my selection of a stroller needs to be made based on anyone's comfort on the bus, it has to do with my child's comfort and protection from the sun. A rental stroller or umbrella stroller does not protect his northern skin like the one that I have for him. My husband or I always keep it out of the way and have never taken up a seat.

I also have to say, knowing full well I'll get flamed, that the ECV use is out of control right now. Yes, people have legitimate reasons, but laziness is not one. There are way too many people here right now bragging about how they skip the lines with their scooter keys, and how great it is to not have tired legs. I had a serious knee injury a few weeks before leaving, which will require surgery when I get home, but I planned my days accordingly to be within my physical limits. If you have a medical reason to need a device, you should absolutely have it. But the people who actually need them are getting the bad rep of the people abusing the system, and thats not right. I'm not saying I'm judging anyone by how they look, I am well aware that some people may look healthy but have debilitating diseases, and there is no reason for someone to miss a family vacation because of all the walking. But don't get trashed at Epcot, almost crash your scooter, fall drunkenly on the bus, and loudly announce you rented the scooters so you didn't have to walk and drink.

I shouldn't have to rent a car at Disney, that's always been part of the magic, but I will next time.

 

[mad madam mim78]

Some people on this forum are just always miserable and look for things to argue about. You just gotta ignore them mad madam mim.

 

[mesaboy2]

I am also here now, and the bus system has been horrendous. We missed a character breakfast after waiting 2 hours for an AK bus. Two hours. With a four year old. We called the front desk and asked for a taxi, we did all we could other than hitchhike. That had nothing to do with strollers or WCs or ECVs, it had to do with the bus system.

However. I do not feel that my selection of a stroller needs to be made based on anyone's comfort on the bus, it has to do with my child's comfort and protection from the sun. A rental stroller or umbrella stroller does not protect his northern skin like the one that I have for him. My husband or I always keep it out of the way and have never taken up a seat.

I also have to say, knowing full well I'll get flamed, that the ECV use is out of control right now. Yes, people have legitimate reasons, but laziness is not one. There are way too many people here right now bragging about how they skip the lines with their scooter keys, and how great it is to not have tired legs. I had a serious knee injury a few weeks before leaving, which will require surgery when I get home, but I planned my days accordingly to be within my physical limits. If you have a medical reason to need a device, you should absolutely have it. But the people who actually need them are getting the bad rep of the people abusing the system, and thats not right. I'm not saying I'm judging anyone by how they look, I am well aware that some people may look healthy but have debilitating diseases, and there is no reason for someone to miss a family vacation because of all the walking. But don't get trashed at Epcot, almost crash your scooter, fall drunkenly on the bus, and loudly announce you rented the scooters so you didn't have to walk and drink.

I shouldn't have to rent a car at Disney, that's always been part of the magic, but I will next time.

After 30 minutes max I would have found a CM and mentioned it. In my experience, they call in a bus in these situations. Where were you trying to get to AK from?

 

[WedgieSock]

I also have to say, knowing full well I'll get flamed, that the ECV use is out of control right now. Yes, people have legitimate reasons, but laziness is not one. There are way too many people here right now bragging about how they skip the lines with their scooter keys, and how great it is to not have tired legs.

I'm not saying that everyone is an angel, I know there is abuse. But in our experience, we were worse off being with an ECV. We did NOT skip lines, yes, we went into a different line but when getting to the front often had to wait whilst everyone else went in as the EVCs had to go in last - for the showtype attractions the seating was often restricted viewing. Navigating in and out of restaurants is not easy. Parade viewing is limited and you cannot view with your whole family, only one other member can accompany you to the disabled viewing area.

I'm sure you heard one or two say that but there are hundreds of EVC users there and it is not something to brag about.

Give me a party of fully-able-bodied people any day - being in an EVC is not easy.

 

[DisneyMom0709]

You can look at almost any resort thread and find out easily. For example, Art of Animation currently does not share buses with any other resort.

Thanks!! I'm glad I'm staying there

 

[kaytieeldr]

Might I suggest you choose a vacation destination that doesn't revolve around children.

Some people on this forum are just always miserable and look for things to argue about. You just gotta ignore them mad madam mim.

In what way does suggesting alternative methods for transporting jackets (in preparation for future years) translate to a need to find alternate vacation destinations or indicate argumentativeness?

 

[mad madam mim78]

In what way does suggesting alternative methods for transporting jackets (in preparation for future years) translate to a need to find alternate vacation destinations or indicate argumentativeness?

Worry about you own future years and I'll worry about mine.

 

[Mickey Gator]

For what it is worth......If you have your own car, I would never depend on WDW buses to transport me around property. You don't have to wait in lines for a bus and you can come and go when you feel like it.

 

[KellyNY]

How this thread about buses managed to turn into strollers/wheelchairs argument.

 

[mad madam mim78]

How this thread about buses managed to turn into strollers/wheelchairs argument.

In the original post the OP contributed bus issues to stroller and wheelchair congestion. There ya go.

 

[Mickeyrella]

I always find these threads odd because we've never really had a problem with the bus system, and we usually go during Christmas or during the summer (we've been going for 20 years), so it doesn't have to do with lower masses of people. Maybe it depends on the resort people stay at? We've been taking our car for the last 7 years (since we moved to SoFlo) but we use the bus anyways except for Downtown Disney and I swear we've never had any problems.

 

[Bullseye]

Never really had a problem with strollers on the buses when we rode them. That being said I haven't rode the buses in seven years because having your own wheels in WDW is the way to go.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Ok i am currently on a bus that left the
Poly 20 minutes ago.

We have made it as far as the GF !

Why??? Strollers and scooters. Half the bus is full with them , looks like 8 seats are not usablebecause of them. Each stop is taking close to 15 minutes. If your at Contemporary, i would plan an hour at least.

Be prepared to add alot of extra time because buses are full

The rule.

That is all.

 

[seashoreCM]

I am also here now, and the bus system has been horrendous. We missed a character breakfast after waiting 2 hours for an AK bus. Two hours. With a four year old. We called the front desk and asked for a taxi, we did all we could other than hitchhike.

I shouldn't have to rent a car at Disney, that's always been part of the magic, but I will next time.

I don't have the time to look through this thread to find the number to call for bus transportation help but after 35 minutes, now is the time to make that call and ask (not in these words), "Where's my bus?"

And while we are on the topic, ...

So very, very true. But like you, on most days if I see someone holding a small child, or someone over the age of, 50 I too suck it up and stand. It's just the "right" thing to do in my opinion. But occasionally there are days where I just can't

... a party missing a restaurant reservation due to Disney bus or parking lot problems should be seated as if its actual arrival time was 10 minutes before its ADR time seeing that technically you should be there 10 minutes early.

BTW it is not the "wrong" thing to do to remain seated if to stand puts you in extra pain, even though you chose to do too much strolling through the park that day and/or you chose to play football back in high school or college and injured you knee.