How long does BUs take from POFQ?

[condomom2]

Iam getting a wee bit worried, we are staying August with two youngish boys and want to be able to go back to the hotel in the afternoon. Do the buses come all day? Is it worth it to go back to hotel for a few hours relax and head back to the park in the cooler evening hours or does it just take way too much bus time? I am I better off renting a car? Cab?

 

[DisneyFan83]

Iam getting a wee bit worried, we are staying August with two youngish boys and want to be able to go back to the hotel in the afternoon. Do the buses come all day? Is it worth it to go back to hotel for a few hours relax and head back to the park in the cooler evening hours or does it just take way too much bus time? I am I better off renting a car? Cab?

We never had many bus issues at POFQ- except that sometimes they share with POR, but they usually come to POFQ first. I definitely think it's worth it to take breaks in the day- especially if you have kids and it's hot. I didn't ever think it was a hassle to use the bus transportation, but that's just my opinion! Have a great trip- you'll love POFQ!

 

[loonytoony]

Definitely take breaks and ride the bus. The service is awesome.

 

[goofy4tink]

No problem at all. During the warmer months we always head back to our resort and spend time relaxing poolside. Then, early evening we head back to the parks. The bus system is very efficient...they run all day, every 20 mins or so, back and forth to the parks.

 

[Doc CW]

The bus service to POFQ is really good they have buses flowing out constantly, all of the buses drop off at POFQ first except for the Hollywood Studios buses otherwise bus service is great.

 

[mommyof2princesses]

I am going to be the voice of opposition. The bus ride is not long and the busses come pretty frequently. But, they always seem to be crowded. Last year in Sept was the worse. We waited 40 min one night at MK for a bus that we could get one. The line stretched on forever. During the day they aren't really crowded. Just as night and in the early morning. We stood many a time with a 3 year old.

 

[goofy4tink]

All buses are crowded. If you head to a park at park opening or leave the park at park closing, you stand a very good chance of having to stand on the bus. There are no resorts that don't have this happen.

 

[YesMickey]

I am going to be the voice of opposition. The bus ride is not long and the busses come pretty frequently. But, they always seem to be crowded. Last year in Sept was the worse. We waited 40 min one night at MK for a bus that we could get one. The line stretched on forever. During the day they aren't really crowded. Just as night and in the early morning. We stood many a time with a 3 year old.

Yes, busses are crowded when the parks close every night. But when leaving the parks after lunch, there are rarely ever any bus lines, even during peak season. You will notice when the parks close, the busses will stop right before they get to the resort depots. What the drivers are doing is getting instructions on what resort to pick up. The driver will then change his sign header on the front of the bus to the resort depot the "eye in the sky" tells him to go to. When staying at POR&FQ, especially at EPCOT you will see this occurr because the depot is near the bus entrance. When the loading line at the parks get over crowded at a particular depot they will start doubling up on pick ups. It happened for us on our last trip. We went from having the longest line, then two busses showed up at once and nearly everyone got on. You just have to prepare for a wait when the parks close or spend about 15-20 dollars for a cab and then go back.

 

[fireworks fan]

We stayed at POFQ in December with our two small children, and we went back to the hotel everyday for a nap in the afternoon. The only problem we ran into was waiting too long to go back for a rest. If the kids fell asleep on the bus, we wouldn't get a nap at the hotel. I think it helps to plan on it taking longer than you think to get anywhere-then you are pleasantly surprised if you get there sooner.

 

[Dorisk3]

Having stayed at POFQ with a 5 and a 3 year old- my advice is to rent the car!

The bus system is fine- but it does take a while to get to the parks, particularly when you have to go all around the Port Orleans Riverside stops first. (sometimes the buses do go direct to the parks however) When you need to make the extra stops- you can count on 20 to 25 minutes to any of the parks. If not- then at least 15 to 20 minutes.

In fact, it felt like we were always on the buses. Either waiting for one to go- just missing one, waiting for ones from the parks- and on the bus itself. This is particularly rough if you do take an afternoon break.
This is how it goes- wait for bus (usually pretty good 5 to 10 minute wait or if lucky bus pulling up). Load kids and stroller in bus. When you are unlucky- you head over to Port Orleans Riverside and need to stop at 4 additional stops to pick up people. Finally head out to parks, struggle to get kids and stroller off bus. Then when taking afternoon break- do all this in reverse. I found our wait midday to go back to the hotel from the parks was about 15 to 20 minutes as the buses don't seem to show up as frequently. Load kids, stroller, backpack, etc. Lucky to get a seat sometimes on the way back. Unload everything at hotel. Go back to the parks at 5:00- do it all over again. If you close the parks, wait for bus, stand in long line, wait for what seems like a million ECVs to load, then stand on bus. After a while, it becomes a drag. If you want to eat at other resorts or go to the waterparks, it's also a bit of a bust. We were forever running to catch a bus to wherever- then get that resort bus to the restaurant.


I'm sorry I sound so negative on the buses- but I found with two little kids and two strollers it was all very overwhelming. This year we are renting a car. Last time I wanted to try the Magical Express and the bus service- just to see what they were about. After having ridden many buses- I can honestly say- I prefer to be at my own command and drive a car.

Good luck in your decision!