Hoop Dee Doo transportation sounds like a nightmare!

[triciari]

Thanks for all the input. I guess I'll just see what it's like that night and either take the buses if they are there or take the boat to MK. I'm still excited about going to HDD no matter how we get back to the resort!

The problem is that the bus stop and ferry dock are in opposite directions from pioneer hall, so you really have to commit to one or the other. Good Luck!

 

[zulemara]

We've done it twice. First time, we took the boat back to MK and then the bus back to our resort. And it was fairly pleasant..not a huge crowd, everyone had a seat. There is no standing on those boats...at least I've never seen standing allowed.
But, the second time we did it, we took a bus back to BW. The buses were there all lined up, just waiting for us to finish up HDDR. The bus we were on made one or two stops before BW. I think the bus went to POR, then to BW, and it was then going on to S/D and finally to YC/BC. It took us about 35 mins to get back to our resort. But, it probably took those staying at BC closer to an hour.

The 2 cruisers on the MK-->FW route allow standing and we'll pack in with 120 people if we have to. It's possible you went at a time when we had the "Green launch" out which only holds 39 average sized college kids and we do not allow standing on those boats.

That is a rare situation though, as the green launch is only utilized when a cruiser is out of service for one reason or another. Most of the time it's 2 cruisers so we're able to clear most of the crowd with one boat.

 

[tripletsmama]

We have seen this show twice, and like others have posted, both times when the show was over there were lines of buses and CMs asking where we were trying to get. They then directed us to the right bus and we were on our way! No need to use the internal bus system, go to Magic Kingdom, etc. When we stayed at Pop Century the bus went straight there with no other stops. When we stayed at Old Key West we shared with Port Orleans and Saratoga Springs but it was still an easy process.

 

[goofy4tink]

The 2 cruisers on the MK-->FW route allow standing and we'll pack in with 120 people if we have to. It's possible you went at a time when we had the "Green launch" out which only holds 39 average sized college kids and we do not allow standing on those boats.

That is a rare situation though, as the green launch is only utilized when a cruiser is out of service for one reason or another. Most of the time it's 2 cruisers so we're able to clear most of the crowd with one boat.

Yep, yet again you're correct. I've never taken the larger boat..only the smaller boats. Soooo much nicer.

 

[Alexander]

The problem is that the bus stop and ferry dock are in opposite directions from pioneer hall, so you really have to commit to one or the other. Good Luck!

Oh my goodness, you say that like they are miles apart--they are not! It would be quite easy to walk from one to the other!

OP, I would look to the buses first and if they aren't there, go to the boat dock.

 

[triciari]

Oh my goodness, you say that like they are miles apart--they are not! It would be quite easy to walk from one to the other!

OP, I would look to the buses first and if they aren't there, go to the boat dock.

I guess it just feels like it when you're traveling with 3 kids under 5.

My memory is of a time when we were leaving during a torrential downpour and headed for the bus stop. There were no busses there, and no CMs to guide us. We waited about 30 minutes before a bus showed up. We were staying a wilderness lodge, but didn't want to risk the boat because of the thunderstorm. I don't remember where the bus took us.

Are there 2 different bus stops? Maybe we went to the wrong one! We exited the hall and walked right. There were only about 25 other people there. Hmmm... Now you've got me thinking!

The last two times we went, we took the boats - but we were staying at BLT, so it was a no-brainer. Next time we'll be coming from beach club. It sounds like I've got to find that magical bus stop with busses that go directly to your resort! I assume we'll share with BW, YC & S/D, but we could always get off at the first stop and walk if it looks like it'll be a long ride.

 

[QueenDoOver]

The 2 cruisers on the MK-->FW route allow standing and we'll pack in with 120 people if we have to. It's possible you went at a time when we had the "Green launch" out which only holds 39 average sized college kids and we do not allow standing on those boats.

That is a rare situation though, as the green launch is only utilized when a cruiser is out of service for one reason or another. Most of the time it's 2 cruisers so we're able to clear most of the crowd with one boat.

Was interested in this thread as I will be attending Aug 17th with my group of 10 and we are staying at SSR. We are leaving the two littlest girls and Mom home so I think all the big people attending that night will be able to handle it however it ends up. And then I saw your signature and wanted to say congratulations on you wedding. I think it is so cool that it all started with a band trip, then the college program and so forth. My son is a junior next year and has been in showband. They played in Paris last year but I would much rather they had gone to Disneyworld I have mentioned the college program to him, but he hasn't bit yet. I don't think he knows what it is all about. We are attending a few YES classes while we are there, so hopefully he will get a tast of Disney beyond the attractions....

Still undecided if we should drive to HDDR or take bus...

 

[goofy4tink]

I guess it just feels like it when you're traveling with 3 kids under 5.

My memory is of a time when we were leaving during a torrential downpour and headed for the bus stop. There were no busses there, and no CMs to guide us. We waited about 30 minutes before a bus showed up. We were staying a wilderness lodge, but didn't want to risk the boat because of the thunderstorm. I don't remember where the bus took us.

Are there 2 different bus stops? Maybe we went to the wrong one! We exited the hall and walked right. There were only about 25 other people there. Hmmm... Now you've got me thinking!

The last two times we went, we took the boats - but we were staying at BLT, so it was a no-brainer. Next time we'll be coming from beach club. It sounds like I've got to find that magical bus stop with busses that go directly to your resort! I assume we'll share with BW, YC & S/D, but we could always get off at the first stop and walk if it looks like it'll be a long ride.

The buses are there usually after the last show. Sometimes for that middle show if MK is closed, or about to close.
If the buses are going to be there, they're there by the time you get out of HDDR. At least that was our experience. We went to the late show, and MK was closed for the evening.
Generally speaking, we found that a CM was right there, as you exited Pioneer Hall, asking if you were heading back to a resort via the buses. Then, you were directed to the appropriate bus line. A bus to WL would most likely have been put together with the CR, Polynesian and GF. But, that's not etched in stone.

You were in the right place. Any other bus stops would have been very much out of the way!! And yes, your bus will probably be going to BW, S/D, YC/BC and maybe even Pop. Just sit back and enjoy the ride.