I love the Disney buses

[Pmlocke]

OK, many of you are already probably thinking, what a nut. Who actually likes being stuffed in those buses and having to put up with all of those people? Me and my wife. My wife and I travel down to WDW every year, always in February - we are in our mid 60's so we don't have to wait for school breaks to travel. We are also people people. That wasn't a double word mistake, we love to talk to people when on our trips. I have met people from England, France, Austrailia, Japan, Germany, Canada, etc, and of course my own State of Michigan and we have found so many wonderful people to talk to while traveling in comfort on a nice air conditioned bus. Being we are down there in February, the crowds are smaller, not as small as they were ten years ago but what the heck. More people to talk to. Yes, at times the bus is full and there are many who have to stand, including this 65 year old great grandpa. That is the time you can make jokes out of the stand and have some fun with your fellow riders. I like to engage the children who are either in their princess outfits or have a birthday button to see how their day went. To me, the ride back to the resort is part of the magic of being at Disney. I have also had quite a few Magic Moments while riding the bus. Too many to list but they really made our day. What do you think? Have you had a great experience on the buses? Have you encouraged the group of cheerleaders to sing along with yourself and the piped in music? Are you as crazy as me and really like boarding that bus? I hope I'm not the only one. Oh, by the way, we are back in 263 days.

 

[bumbershoot]

I like talking to strangers, too, but not on a bus.

while traveling in comfort on a nice air conditioned bus.

Ah, the mythical comfy bus. I’ve had ac blasting when it’s 40 degrees and what seems to be the heater on when it’s 80. So by definition I cant have had your experiences, since I haven’t yet gotten a comfy Disney bus.

Have you had a great experience on the buses?

No.

Have you encouraged the group of cheerleaders to sing along with yourself and the piped in music?

Holy heck NO. Oh please don’t do that unless it’s literally just you two and the cheerleaders. Otherwise I promise there are people on that bus hating your actions.

And since you’re always going to have a bus driver on that bus (who isn’t you, your wife, or a cheerleader), please don’t do that. Having a bus driver thinking negative thoughts about you isn’t a good thing.)

 

[georgina]

Glad you like them! I don't and we stay offsite and drive everywhere now.

 

[ram2016]

Glad you like them! I don't and we stay offsite and drive everywhere now.

What's your experience like driving to the parks? My husband is not a fan of the buses and this year, we will have a 2 yr old and stroller in tow. Thinking since we are driving to our resort and have our car, we may just drive to the parks. Is it hard getting in and out of the parks (minus closing time)?

 

[DisLiss]

I enjoy the buses too. They're a part of Disney to me. I admit that I do refuse to stand, LOL. I'm not the world's most graceful person and I don't want to start or end my day by stumbling over in the bus and squashing someone. So we will wait for the next bus if need be. And hey, think of how happy we make the folks behind us who thought they wouldn't make the current bus but now suddenly we're letting them ahead of us. And what's more magical than making someone's day a bit brighter, right?

I don't care about wait times. I'm on Disney time. I have nowhere to be at any certain time (And if I do have an ADR, then I leave waaaay early, so I never have to feel rushed or stressed.). We do rent a car, but we don't drive it on Disney property. Only getting to and from the train station and to and from any other non-Disney destinations.

I'm glad to hear people talk about finding enjoyment in even the more mundane parts of a Disney trip, too.

 

[Disneylover99]

I love the buses and I always stand. I don’t mind a jam packed bus as long as I’m near the door. I’m a bit claustrophobic.

Some of my best Disney memories are from our bus rides....the kids falling asleep on people, people falling asleep on my kids.....good times!

 

[maxiesmom]

What's your experience like driving to the parks? My husband is not a fan of the buses and this year, we will have a 2 yr old and stroller in tow. Thinking since we are driving to our resort and have our car, we may just drive to the parks. Is it hard getting in and out of the parks (minus closing time)?

I have done both--used the buses and had a car. The only issue you may have driving your own car is the trams they use to get you to the park gates. Unless you choose to walk (and it can be a long walk, depending on where they have you park) you have to wait your turn for a tram, and your stroller will have to be folded up when you board. And boarding is kind of a free for all, you have to be quick to get an empty row.

 

[North of Mouse]

OK, many of you are already probably thinking, what a nut. Who actually likes being stuffed in those buses and having to put up with all of those people? Me and my wife. My wife and I travel down to WDW every year, always in February - we are in our mid 60's so we don't have to wait for school breaks to travel. We are also people people. That wasn't a double word mistake, we love to talk to people when on our trips. I have met people from England, France, Austrailia, Japan, Germany, Canada, etc, and of course my own State of Michigan and we have found so many wonderful people to talk to while traveling in comfort on a nice air conditioned bus. Being we are down there in February, the crowds are smaller, not as small as they were ten years ago but what the heck. More people to talk to. Yes, at times the bus is full and there are many who have to stand, including this 65 year old great grandpa. That is the time you can make jokes out of the stand and have some fun with your fellow riders. I like to engage the children who are either in their princess outfits or have a birthday button to see how their day went. To me, the ride back to the resort is part of the magic of being at Disney. I have also had quite a few Magic Moments while riding the bus. Too many to list but they really made our day. What do you think? Have you had a great experience on the buses? Have you encouraged the group of cheerleaders to sing along with yourself and the piped in music? Are you as crazy as me and really like boarding that bus? I hope I'm not the only one. Oh, by the way, we are back in 263 days.

Yep, we consider the buses a part of our experience with Disney also. We park our MH at FW, leave our tow vehicle at home, and use Disney transportation for the duration of our trip - usually 10 days - just go with the flow. Dh loves to 'draw out' the little ones about their views of Mickey. Our once littles are now grown, and grand littles are fast getting that way.

We have a few years on you, so no, we don't like to stand although Dh has done it a few times for someone after the bus is full and still boarding - I don't like him to do it as he has knee issues.

 

[Wubar]

Staying at Pop Century since Sunday, and haven't waited more than 5 minutes for a bus at the resort or at the parks, including multiple park visits per day. Pleasantly surprised, our bus "commutes" have been way smoother and shorter then our trip this past January.

 

[cassie58]

OK, many of you are already probably thinking, what a nut. Who actually likes being stuffed in those buses and having to put up with all of those people? Me and my wife. My wife and I travel down to WDW every year, always in February - we are in our mid 60's so we don't have to wait for school breaks to travel. We are also people people. That wasn't a double word mistake, we love to talk to people when on our trips. I have met people from England, France, Austrailia, Japan, Germany, Canada, etc, and of course my own State of Michigan and we have found so many wonderful people to talk to while traveling in comfort on a nice air conditioned bus. Being we are down there in February, the crowds are smaller, not as small as they were ten years ago but what the heck. More people to talk to. Yes, at times the bus is full and there are many who have to stand, including this 65 year old great grandpa. That is the time you can make jokes out of the stand and have some fun with your fellow riders. I like to engage the children who are either in their princess outfits or have a birthday button to see how their day went. To me, the ride back to the resort is part of the magic of being at Disney. I have also had quite a few Magic Moments while riding the bus. Too many to list but they really made our day. What do you think? Have you had a great experience on the buses? Have you encouraged the group of cheerleaders to sing along with yourself and the piped in music? Are you as crazy as me and really like boarding that bus? I hope I'm not the only one. Oh, by the way, we are back in 263 days.

Love your spirit and positive attitude! I am sure that rubs off on some people who weren't thrilled about taking the bus. I will admit we do not always love the buses, especially when we have to stand at the end of a long day, but we have had some good conversations, given some helpful tips to First Visit button people, and even traded pins. Try to make the best of it!

 

[AngiTN]

DH and I are with you most of the time. We are perfectly fine using the buses. No complaints. They get us from point A to point B safely and yes, despite what others in this thread have said, comfortably. I like knowing that we don't have to give a 2nd thought to the number of drinks we have with our meal. I'd say 99% of the time they work flawlessly, short waits, seats, etc. It's pretty rare for us to stand or wait excessively. And yes, when that does happen it can be annoying. But since it's rare, we deal just fine.

We also enjoy visiting with others on the bus when the situation presents itself. A tip we have shared most often, that seems to be needed often, how to pull the extra off a MB to make it fit small kids/wrists. I have lost count at how many kids i've seen with the grey parts still on them because they didn't read the instructions on the box.

As to singing/cheerleading, uh, no. No way. That's not something the drivers need. Or the other passengers. I think that is a pretty poor idea.

Ah, the mythical comfy bus. I’ve had ac blasting when it’s 40 degrees and what seems to be the heater on when it’s 80. So by definition I cant have had your experiences, since I haven’t yet gotten a comfy Disney bus.

Seriously? Not once? Difficult to imagine unless you have ridden only 1 or 2 buses.

 

[goofy4tink]

OK, many of you are already probably thinking, what a nut. Who actually likes being stuffed in those buses and having to put up with all of those people? Me and my wife. My wife and I travel down to WDW every year, always in February - we are in our mid 60's so we don't have to wait for school breaks to travel. We are also people people. That wasn't a double word mistake, we love to talk to people when on our trips. I have met people from England, France, Austrailia, Japan, Germany, Canada, etc, and of course my own State of Michigan and we have found so many wonderful people to talk to while traveling in comfort on a nice air conditioned bus. Being we are down there in February, the crowds are smaller, not as small as they were ten years ago but what the heck. More people to talk to. Yes, at times the bus is full and there are many who have to stand, including this 65 year old great grandpa. That is the time you can make jokes out of the stand and have some fun with your fellow riders. I like to engage the children who are either in their princess outfits or have a birthday button to see how their day went. To me, the ride back to the resort is part of the magic of being at Disney. I have also had quite a few Magic Moments while riding the bus. Too many to list but they really made our day. What do you think? Have you had a great experience on the buses? Have you encouraged the group of cheerleaders to sing along with yourself and the piped in music? Are you as crazy as me and really like boarding that bus? I hope I'm not the only one. Oh, by the way, we are back in 263 days.

Other than the whole cheerleader thing, I'm right there with you! I love chatting with people! I also love taking a seat when I board, then hopping up to offer it to someone else...all while a seemingly able bodied man sits there, glaring at me!!! I'm almost 69 y/o (not sure how that happened), so others tend to offer me their seats, I seldom take them up on their offer. I prefer to stand.
But, I have few problems with the bus. I've driven to the parks before, but I find it easier to jut take the bus. I'm not in any big rush.

 

[DVC-Don]

I once got to talking with a couple on a Disney bus and found out they live in a town next to us back in New York and also discovered they run a little bakery there. I now make the trip a couple of times a month to purchase the little desserts they have in the bakery.

 

[Belleofthehouse]

I love the buses!! It’s really enjoyable now that we are older and do not have kids that need help. I find myself helping out parents with sleeping kids and bulky strollers or fussy kids who need a different person to talk to.

No complaints here.... a day on a Disney bus is always better than a day at work!!

 

[Pmlocke]

Have you encouraged the group of cheerleaders to sing along with yourself and the piped in music?

I guess I should have been more specific in what I meant when I said I encourage a group of cheerleaders to sing along. If any of you have been on a bus with the cheerleaders you know that they usually wind up doing their cheers - loud and boisterous. I actually got them to sing along with me in a chorus of "When you wish upon a star". It was quieter, many of the girls did not know the words so they hummed along. The bus clapped when we were done and the bus driver thanked me.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I don't mind the buses at all. I seem to find someone to talk to, if not every time, certainly most times.

But please, please don't encourage those cheerleaders to cheer or sing. Please.

 

[AngiTN]

I guess I should have been more specific in what I meant when I said I encourage a group of cheerleaders to sing along. If any of you have been on a bus with the cheerleaders you know that they usually wind up doing their cheers - loud and boisterous. I actually got them to sing along with me in a chorus of "When you wish upon a star". It was quieter, many of the girls did not know the words so they hummed along. The bus clapped when we were done and the bus driver thanked me.

Here's your issue, most no longer play any music

 

[bluezy]

We're also a fan of the Disney buses. We drive over 1,000 miles to get to Disney so it's nice to not have to even think about driving once we're on property. Have we occasionally had long waits? Yes. But I estimate we've ridden a Disney bus 300+ times and without actually going back to my trip notes, I don't think we've waited more than 10 minutes more than about 10-15 times and the vast majority of those times were after a fireworks show at one of the parks so we totally expected it. In general, we find the buses comfortable temperature wise most of the time. I do know that on some of the buses if you sit in the back it is very hot due to the bus engine throwing off heat so we try not to sit there. And sometimes I think the a/c is too cold, but I'm always cold in a/c so it's not a big deal and no different than many places I go. And I'd rather be cold than hot. Sometimes we have to stand but sometimes we're not in a hurry so we wait for the next bus. It's all just part of the experience. I've had many fun times on the bus either by talking with someone nearby, or simply talking to my family about our day or what we're going to do next. And sometimes I like to just sit quietly and enjoy the ride.

 

[AngiTN]

We're also a fan of the Disney buses. We drive over 1,000 miles to get to Disney so it's nice to not have to even think about driving once we're on property. Have we occasionally had long waits? Yes. But I estimate we've ridden a Disney bus 300+ times and without actually going back to my trip notes, I don't think we've waited more than 10 minutes more than about 10-15 times and the vast majority of those times were after a fireworks show at one of the parks so we totally expected it. In general, we find the buses comfortable temperature wise most of the time. I do know that on some of the buses if you sit in the back it is very hot due to the bus engine throwing off heat so we try not to sit there. And sometimes I think the a/c is too cold, but I'm always cold in a/c so it's not a big deal and no different than many places I go. And I'd rather be cold than hot. Sometimes we have to stand but sometimes we're not in a hurry so we wait for the next bus. It's all just part of the experience. I've had many fun times on the bus either by talking with someone nearby, or simply talking to my family about our day or what we're going to do next. And sometimes I like to just sit quietly and enjoy the ride.

Me too! I'm sitting here right now with a heater going, and it's 95 degrees outside. I keep it going everyday at work, because I am the sole female in my place of employment and these guys all keep it like an icebox in here. Anyway, I often pick to sit in the back on the engine hot seats because I think a/c is cold. But that's me, not a norm at all. Most (like my DH) find the bus temp perfect.

 

[alizesmom]

I enjoy the buses as well but after reading the dis over the years I’m kind of afraid to use them. You see , I belong to one of those families who have a child in a wheelchair. I don’t want to listen to someone complaining because they think we’re getting some kind of advantage in being loaded first.