How long do you expect to wait for a bus?

[LIFERBABE]

After reading differing opinions on bus service, I noticed that bus wait times are subjective, so thought I post a poll.

What do you consider an excessive wait for a WDW bus?

Do we expect continous bus service with no gaps or how much of a gap is acceptable?

We have been using the busses more lately so Im curious.

To clarify, doesnt matter what bus you are waiting for, how long do you expect to wait before becoming irritated with the service?

 

[dianeschlicht]

I think the main thing is knowing the bus service at YOUR resort. At OKW, buses run about every 20 minutes in the morning, and every 30 minutes in the afternoon when fewer folks are riding. We have not waited more than a few minutes in the mornings at OKW, but coming back from the parks, we can wait 20 minutes or longer. We KNOW that though, so we try to time our trip to the bus stop on the half hour, and then we rarely wait more than a few minutes.

I really feel that is plenty of bus availability. Why should we pay for more transportation than we need? So many times, there will be one or two people on an afternoon bus, and with the energy crunch and expenses of energy, I really don't expect to have more frequent buses.

 

[Alexander]

I picked "I don't expect to wait at all..." But because that is not a reality, I wanted to also pick "I don't ride the busses". Can't stand waiting for a smelling, noisy bus! We ALWAYS rent a car.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I voted for 20 minutes, I feel lucky when it's shorter, but in most cases, we're not put out with longer waits. There's just the 2 of us, and I think even 20 minutes is long when you're waiting with youngsters. I remember waiting with our sons, and I think it's a miracle they both survived to adulthood. They thought that torturing each other was what you did while you waited for buses.

Bobbi

 

[BillPA]

I agree with Diane, if they post a schedule and STICK to it, I don't really care how often the bus runs. As long as when the bus arrives everyone waiting will fit on that bus, or a 2nd one follows in a few minutes. But waiting for 20 minutes plus and having a full bus show up, well that just stinks.
We pay a lot for transportation plus the passes we buy include $$$ for transportation. I DO expect good service. And most of the time it IS GOOD service. JMHO!

 

[MagikMom]

The only time I have ever had a problem with the busses was when we stayed at the Beach Club in October of 2002. It was during Mickey's Not So Scary Haloween party and we were waiting for a bus to MK to go there. Every bus that pulled up was already full. After 45 minutes of waiting for a bus along with a ton of other people, we finally took a cab. That was the only time we've ever had a problem. It was very frustrating though!

 

[senecabeach]

I think the main thing is knowing the bus service at YOUR resort. At OKW, buses run about every 20 minutes in the morning, and every 30 minutes in the afternoon when fewer folks are riding. We have not waited more than a few minutes in the mornings at OKW, but coming back from the parks, we can wait 20 minutes or longer. We KNOW that though, so we try to time our trip to the bus stop on the half hour, and then we rarely wait more than a few minutes.

I agree!! Also I don't mind riding the busses..that, to me, has always been a part of being in the "Magic"!!
When we go with certain other family members I get sooooo annoyed ...they always rush to the car...hurrying to the park...get to the entrance....then....wait for us to arrive

I DO get furious about it and feel they don't appreciate the superior accomodations and perks I HAVE PROVIDED...FREE.

I've never done that in 34 yrs., even when I wasn't retired. This IS a vacation, not commuter time, and proper time should be alloted for it...including all the potential waits.

They are prime candidates for staying off site...then it would cost them$$.

 

[cobbler]

I would say 15-20 minutes is reasonable. I know that there is potential for waiting for a bus so it doesn't bother me. We relax and chat and prepare for the day or start to unwind in the evening while waiting.

 

[DrTomorrow]

I can't say that I've ever arrived at a bus stop and promply checked my watch - and I can't say that I understand anyone who would (other than Disney QA or Len Testa ). The bus will get to the stop when it does - watch-checking, under-breath muttering and blood-pressure raising won't change that by one second.

It's vacation, so relax. If you absolutely positively have to get somewhere at a certain time, just make sure you leave early enough.

Sometimes I drive; we probably get there earlier than the bus, but driving on-site can be a thrill ride all its own ("Lights! Action! Motorcars driving by idiots who have no idea where they're going!" ). Sometimes we take the bus - maybe a bit slower, but much less stressful.

Be well - and be glad that you have a life situation that allows you to worry about things like this.

IMHO - YMMV

 

[Anewman]

if they post a schedule and STICK to it, I don't really care how often the bus runs.

That would work if they could see into the future. I mean even if they plan to have busses every 20 mins all it takes is a couple wheel chairs(and I am not complaining) and now that bus is an additional 20 mins behind schedule.

Lets think about it.
Lets say that the bus you need makes a few stops b4 yours, it can easily take 10 mins to unload one chair and load another. So if the driver does this at any two stops prior to yours they are now 20 mins behind schedule.

Again I am not complaining, but I do understand that even ROBOTS can not exactly stick to a schedule.

I never waited more than 15mins, but I always allow half an hour for waiting.

 

[TreesyB]

Be well - and be glad that you have a life situation that allows you to worry about things like this.

IMHO - YMMV

I agree. We waited in the bitter cold (40F) with a strong wind for about 15 min at Contemporary to MGM. People who had been there before us were complaining loudly. I told DS that we were on vacation, and sometimes that meant we had to wait. and if you can't wait when you're on vacation, then you're in trouble! he agreed, and we jumped up and down to stay warm, while we waited.

 

[disworldnum1]

I think every 20 mins is fine but at peak times like park closing I think they could send a few more buses.We were stuck at MK going back to the boardwalk villas and counted at least 15 allstar buses before one finally came for us.The problem was that too many people were waiting for that single bus.Thats when I wished Swan and dolphin paid for there own buses and didnt use DVC buses.

 

[Disney Doll]

I would probably consider anything over a 30 minute wait excessive.

 

[Sammie]

I can't say that I've ever arrived at a bus stop and promply checked my watch - and I can't say that I understand anyone who would (other than Disney QA or Len Testa ). The bus will get to the stop when it does - watch-checking, under-breath muttering and blood-pressure raising won't change that by one second.

It's vacation, so relax. If you absolutely positively have to get somewhere at a certain time, just make sure you leave early enough.

Sometimes I drive; we probably get there earlier than the bus, but driving on-site can be a thrill ride all its own ("Lights! Action! Motorcars driving by idiots who have no idea where they're going!" ). Sometimes we take the bus - maybe a bit slower, but much less stressful.

Be well - and be glad that you have a life situation that allows you to worry about things like this.

IMHO - YMMV

I totally agree. Some our best memories were meeting fellow bus riders at the Bus Stop. Also in a thunder storm the bus stop is always closer than the parking lot.

 

[thecajunmouse]

i say every 15 mins (20 max). i guess it depends on who you have riding with you. we just took our 2 year old & we had to wait for the bus less than 5 minutes usually for the Pop C. the longest wait may have been 15-20 mins which wasn't bad at all. another good thing about it was that i could sit on a bench and hold her if i needed to. we also have a 10-month old and another due in june. the good part is that if we don't like the length of time we have to wait, then we can just drive . it would be very frustrating though if bus after bus was full when it made your stop.

 

[NMW]

I voted for 15 mins, but I wouldn't mind 20 mins at non-busy times (middle of the day). At park closing,and openings I'd like them to come every 15 min or less.

 

[shellynn24]

I the mornings, I haven't run into too many problems, 15 minutes or less.But in the afternoon, I expect a wait of 20 minutes or more.

 

[goofeydec]

We used the busses for the first time oct 05 while staying ay OKW. waits were to long for us going with the rental from now on.

 

[yearlightbuzz]

...until the bus gets there.

 

[WOW]

I agree with Diane, if they post a schedule and STICK to it, I don't really care how often the bus runs. As long as when the bus arrives everyone waiting will fit on that bus, or a 2nd one follows in a few minutes. But waiting for 20 minutes plus and having a full bus show up, well that just stinks.
We pay a lot for transportation plus the passes we buy include $$$ for transportation. I DO expect good service. And most of the time it IS GOOD service. JMHO!

I completely agree.....post a schedule and stick to it!!!!!