I have an odd resort bus question

[LindsayDunn228]

We always stay at CSR. My husband and I were wondering why the drivers always take the long way to Downtown Disney?? They turn off Buena Vista Drive and go up Bonnet Creek Parkway, then on to Community Drive in order to get there. I don't understand why they don't just stay on Buena Vista Drive, it just seems like they are going out out of there way.

Is this just the route they are required to go? Or are they just offering resorts guests the scenic route??

Note: this is not a complaint, just an observation.

 

[goofy4tink]

I'll bet Tyler can give you your answer!! I've wondered the same thing myself!!

 

[betterlatethannever]

We always stay at CSR. My husband and I were wondering why the drivers always take the long way to Downtown Disney?? They turn off Buena Vista Drive and go up Bonnet Creek Parkway, then on to Community Drive in order to get there. I don't understand why they don't just stay on Buena Vista Drive, it just seems like they are going out out of there way.

Is this just the route they are required to go? Or are they just offering resorts guests the scenic route??

Note: this is not a complaint, just an observation.

The busses avoid all the traffic lights by DTD that way. If the busses stay on BV, they can't just turn left into DTD, they have to turn left at the main intersection (535?) and then left into DTD (i.e.coming into DTD from the top).

So coming in from the opposite direction, they avoid lights and left hand turns.

Ed

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Ohhhhhhhhhhh ok. Thanks

 

[pugdog]

Most bus accidents happen during left hand turns. that is a big reason and also fewer lights so it really is quicker. And as a side note UPS is now scheduling their trucks so they make NO left hand turns at all. It is going to save them something like $800 million a year on gas, and wear and tear on the trucks.

 

[Tiffany]

Very interesting thread. I did not know that left hand truns were such a big deal for buses and trucks. You learn something new everyday.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Most bus accidents happen during left hand turns. that is a big reason and also fewer lights so it really is quicker. And as a side note UPS is now scheduling their trucks so they make NO left hand turns at all. It is going to save them something like $800 million a year on gas, and wear and tear on the trucks.

THAT'S the change UPS is making? They're driving me !!!

 

[IlovePiglet]

I don't know about the left turn thing (right turns are actually harder to make in a bus because of the length) but the first bus stop at DD is at the Marketplace. By going down Vacation Club Way and making the right after Saratoga, it puts them right there at the first bus stop without having to back track. And yes, it eliminates the left turn as well.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

A few years ago, before they widened Buena Vista Drive (BVD), that road was a nightmare at night. During the construction, it was even worse. These days, it isn't so bad... However, taking the "long way" is still quicker thanks to fewer lights and less traffic. It also means that the driver doesn't have to pass Pleasure Island/West Side before getting to the Marketplace. This avoids the "We're running late for Cirque! Can you stop here first? Can you let me out here??" etc

 

[ztbz]

There are 8 traffic lights between the point were the buses turn left (on Bonnet Creek Parkway) and the point were the buses make the turn into the Marketplace bus stop. Its faster to go Bonnet Creek Parkway to Vacation Club way (New name for Community Drive) going this way means there are only 3 traffic lights, plus when the buses pass a certain point near Saratoga Springs, the bus drivers are suppose to call for the next Dispatch route.

Also when the new audio spiel comes on line late this year or early next, The buses will be taken certain routes to each resort according to what the Audio Spiel calls for to do, as the spiels will be describing various points along the way.

 

[drogerstn]

... And as a side note UPS is now scheduling their trucks so they make NO left hand turns at all. It is going to save them something like $800 million a year on gas, and wear and tear on the trucks.

UPS is estimating a $600 million savings due to the implementation of a major package flow optimization system and that minimizing (not eliminating) left-hand turns is a piece of this overall program. I doubt the major portion of this savings is due to reducing left hand turns...

 

[cigar95]

Also when the new audio spiel comes on line late this year or early next, The buses will be taken certain routes to each resort according to what the Audio Spiel calls for to do, as the spiels will be describing various points along the way.

Whoa, back up, time out!

Does this mean that the busses will be giving us canned audio soundtracks as we go? No more quiet, contemplative bus rides? (Yes, during off-peak times, bus rides could be quite pleasant.)

This is the first I've heard of such a plan. Why am I afraid that there will be subtle hints on more places to spend money?

 

[seashoreCM]

canned audio soundtracks as we go? No more quiet, contemplative bus rides? ?

"Now approaching Disney's Carousel of Progress"
"Paging Tom Moreau"

I haven't ridden Disney's Magical Express but I am told that there are informercial announcements and videos shown on board.

If they have canned announcements I hope they are better than on Boston's MBTA where every now and then the destination signs and/or the announcements are incorrect.

 

[CarolA]

Well, I go the same way the buses go. I think it is quicker since there are fewer cars and lights.

 

[ztbz]

Whoa, back up, time out!

Does this mean that the busses will be giving us canned audio soundtracks as we go?

Yes, and the buses will also have Disney Park Music playing when the main spiel is not saying anything. The person who does the Monorail Spiel is also going to be doing the Bus Spiels too. When the bus pulls into a load zone the bus will play announcement spiel outside the bus which basically will have the standard, No Smoking, Eating, Drinking spiel and will also include in the spiel to fold all strollers before boarding the bus and entering only the front entrance etc, The main spiel as the bus goes along on the bus route will require the bus drivers to do the route that Disney wants to be done, so no more short-cuts or extra stops will be allowed without permission. This is why the GPS systems are being install with the Audio Spiel, as well as a automatic people counter so management can keep track of the amount of guest riding or not riding the buses.

One note about the counters, I was told that Disney may have buses that have low guest counts go to more resorts then we currently do now, for instance lets say the bus from Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge to Downtown Disney only has a handful of guest on board, Disney could instruct the bus driver to go pick up more guest at Disney All Stars Resorts before going to Downtown Disney, so this is the one disadvantage to the GPS/People counter that some folks may not realize at the moment.


Disney and the company called Clever Devices have slowed down getting the new technologies in place, as so far only 3 buses have the equipment in place to be use the spiel, Its pretty hard to get to ride one of these buses as I myself only got to hear the spiels just a couple of weeks ago. They have also been using one of the buses as a recruiting tool at the Casting Building at Downtown Disney as I seen the bus park there a few times in the last month. The last I heard about when more buses will have the spiel systems install is that to expect it toward the end of 2006 or early 2007, you will be able to tell if the bus has the technologies as a new box is or will be installed near the driver’s steering wheel column in the front window. They do have the Main Control room finish at TTC, which some bus drivers are calling it mouse-a-trazs (as in Alcatraz), because bus drivers are not allowed in this room, which has the same security devices that is use for the Cash Control Centers around WDW.

The above is the most updated information at the moment but here are some of the past posts that I have posted about the Spiel, GPS and People Counters.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=963480

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1120769

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1145341

 

[cigar95]

Yes, and the buses will also have Disney Park Music playing when the main spiel is not saying anything. The person who does the Monorail Spiel is also going to be doing the Bus Spiels too.

This doesn't sound so bad, then. The monorail narration is pretty tastefully and professionally done. And the park music is generally non-intrusive.

I was afraid we'd get the contemporary "X-Games" style, with things being loud and in-your-face.

I suppose I regret the requirement that drivers will normally not be able to deviate from their assigned paths. Sometimes drivers have been able to work a little "Disney magic" for a guest by taking them directly to a spot they needed to go to even if it was a bit off the planned route.