Idling Bus issue

[minniqt7]

We recently stayed at Saratoga Springs in the Carousel section. On the second morning we decided to have our breakfast and morning coffee on our balcony. Now it was already a not so exciting view as we had the parking lot view but it really wasn't so bad. However we opened the curtains and the door and there sits a Disney Transport bus idling and sending lovely toxic fumes towards the balcony. The noise level was quite loud. So we waited thinking that it would be leaving in a few minutes- nope it sat there for 1hr and 15 minutes still idling. Then when the bus left we proceeded to go out and lo and behold here comes another bus and it stayed for about and hour and then a third for another hour. We called and inquired but they said they didn't know why it would be happening. In our room was a letter from the GM of Saratoga and it stated to email if there were any problems questions or compliments and that he or the staff reads every email and responds- so we did. Later that morning we did receive an email response apologizing and saying we would get 1 nights points refunded for the inconvenience. Then they called us. I was actually pleasantly surprised that we even received a response. We explained the situation and that we just don't feel it is appropriate for any guest to have to deal with the area being a bus staging area. As you know on these boards Saratoga /Carousel is the dreaded section at a lesser resort. We personally own and love SSR but this seems unacceptable to us. We stated we didn't want the points back(and we never did get them) but wanted this bus action to stop. We then received a call from the GM as he explained the staging situation and that they were working on a solution and it wouldn't happen in our lot again during our stay- no now someone else will have to deal with it. NO= not a good answer. Well the next day sure enough there outside our area was another bus this time Magic Express!! Guess the arrangement didn't work. Since we were returning to the resort after a switch to Poly he said we would have a nice lake view so we could enjoy our balcony. We did get that but that's not what we want in the end. At the pool we overheard a few members talking about the bus outside their Carousel room and we also heard it's happening at Grandstand also. The point of the bus parking there is really no big deal it is a parking lot but the fact it idles and runs and fumes for an hour plus is totally crazy. Any one else experience this during your stay?? Just wanted to put it out there and if enough people complain maybe they will find another area to stage the buses. We have been owners for over 13yrs and we go 3-4 times a year and have been very satisfied on most every visit. This really put a sour taste in our mouth-seemed like they didn't really care about the guests comfort or enjoyment of the resort. What do you all think???

 

[CraigInPA]

In many states, there are laws which set a limit on how long a diesel bus/truck may sit and idle. Unfortunately, in Florida, there is no limit.

I'd write a strongly worded letter to DVC and Disney themselves complaining about the issue.

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

We recently stayed at Saratoga Springs in the Carousel section. On the second morning we decided to have our breakfast and morning coffee on our balcony. Now it was already a not so exciting view as we had the parking lot view but it really wasn't so bad. However we opened the curtains and the door and there sits a Disney Transport bus idling and sending lovely toxic fumes towards the balcony. The noise level was quite loud. So we waited thinking that it would be leaving in a few minutes- nope it sat there for 1hr and 15 minutes still idling. Then when the bus left we proceeded to go out and lo and behold here comes another bus and it stayed for about and hour and then a third for another hour. We called and inquired but they said they didn't know why it would be happening. In our room was a letter from the GM of Saratoga and it stated to email if there were any problems questions or compliments and that he or the staff reads every email and responds- so we did. Later that morning we did receive an email response apologizing and saying we would get 1 nights points refunded for the inconvenience. Then they called us. I was actually pleasantly surprised that we even received a response. We explained the situation and that we just don't feel it is appropriate for any guest to have to deal with the area being a bus staging area. As you know on these boards Saratoga /Carousel is the dreaded section at a lesser resort. We personally own and love SSR but this seems unacceptable to us. We stated we didn't want the points back(and we never did get them) but wanted this bus action to stop. We then received a call from the GM as he explained the staging situation and that they were working on a solution and it wouldn't happen in our lot again during our stay- no now someone else will have to deal with it. NO= not a good answer. Well the next day sure enough there outside our area was another bus this time Magic Express!! Guess the arrangement didn't work. Since we were returning to the resort after a switch to Poly he said we would have a nice lake view so we could enjoy our balcony. We did get that but that's not what we want in the end. At the pool we overheard a few members talking about the bus outside their Carousel room and we also heard it's happening at Grandstand also. The point of the bus parking there is really no big deal it is a parking lot but the fact it idles and runs and fumes for an hour plus is totally crazy. Any one else experience this during your stay?? Just wanted to put it out there and if enough people complain maybe they will find another area to stage the buses. We have been owners for over 13yrs and we go 3-4 times a year and have been very satisfied on most every visit. This really put a sour taste in our mouth-seemed like they didn't really care about the guests comfort or enjoyment of the resort. What do you all think???

Thank you so much for bringing this to their attention, and standing up for all DVC members.
I agree that is unacceptable. I am very impressed with your calm response.

 

[tjkraz]

We have been owners for over 13yrs and we go 3-4 times a year and have been very satisfied on most every visit. This really put a sour taste in our mouth-seemed like they didn't really care about the guests comfort or enjoyment of the resort. What do you all think???

In any large company there is a chain of command and corporate politics to consider. Even the GM of the resort likely does not have the authority to dictate exactly how transportation is able to operate on his grounds. If you have ever worked for a large company, chances are you've encountered such hurdles yourself. A customer/client comes to you with a complaint and no matter how significant the issue may seem, it's often not within your power to get it fixed on a few hours notice.

When it comes to operational issues of this nature, it's best to assume there will be no immediate solution. If the issue is substantial enough, be prepared to ask for & accept a room change or some other compensation. Make lemonade out of lemons. Hopefully you've set some wheels in motion which will result in positive changes a few days or weeks from now.

After 40-50 satisfactory trips, something like this would not dramatically alter my opinions.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Well, we are balcony people. I enjoy my early morning coffee out there, not to bother anyone, I like to sit quietly at night, to ponder the days events and pictures, so this would have really wound me up! I mean not once but 3 times. Ridiculous! There’s other areas not close to the buildings they can use. I would write and tell them, just to reinforce what’s already been said/done.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I think a bus idling for so long is bad for the environment. I am surprised/disappointed about it happening at Disney. They should be greener than minimum FL standards.

JMO, and I will write and tell them that.

 

[mister morrow]

you didn't accept the points?

i've never experienced this before.
bus idling is detrimental to our environment, and i sure hope disney fixes this issue

 

[minniqt7]

In any large company there is a chain of command and corporate politics to consider. Even the GM of the resort likely does not have the authority to dictate exactly how transportation is able to operate on his grounds. If you have ever worked for a large company, chances are you've encountered such hurdles yourself. A customer/client comes to you with a complaint and no matter how significant the issue may seem, it's often not within your power to get it fixed on a few hours notice.

When it comes to operational issues of this nature, it's best to assume there will be no immediate solution. If the issue is substantial enough, be prepared to ask for & accept a room change or some other compensation. Make lemonade out of lemons. Hopefully you've set some wheels in motion which will result in positive changes a few days or weeks from now.

After 40-50 satisfactory trips, something like this would not dramatically alter my opinions.

You are absolutely correct. I am a corporate employee and I am well aware of steps and red tape in solving and addressing issues. The GM did what he could to help us in the situation. There are many avenues and roadblocks like the transportation dept which we called but they are never available to speak with you. My opinion is that this should not be happening at all and it has to start somewhere. There is no reason for bus staging in any resort that greatly effects the guest. There are other places available to do this but it was said that it was because the busses are needed at SSR due to busses becoming full and it is closer for them to wait there until they are needed. I certainly understand the situation especially at the springs stop as the busses are sometimes full when they arrive there and guests must wait for another bus. However outside the rooms idling for over an hour doesn't seem to be the answer. We wanted to make them aware that this is not the experience most guests would want to experience on a daily basis. I wasn't expecting a total resolution immediately but hopefully in the near future.

 

[minniqt7]

you didn't accept the points?

i've never experienced this before.
bus idling is detrimental to our environment, and i sure hope disney fixes this issue

No we didn't want the points back- we stayed there in a nice clean room-we should pay- what's fair is fair- we just wanted them to be aware and hopefully resolve it for the good of all DVC and other guests.

 

[IrishEye]

Staging in a guest room area is ridiculous and should be the issue addressed. Regulations on diesel ideling may not impact the majority of the Disney fleet, they are LNG. There are no diesel particulates to harm environment.

 

[zavandor]

I guess the bus is on because the driver is in it with air conditioning. Not an excuse, it shouldn't happen.

 

[BillPA]

Why stage them, shouldn't they be making the rounds, driving the paying guests to where the route is going? What a major waste of fuel and causing extra pollution. I always though of Disney as being super organized, this just seams totally wasteful, not to mention like thumbing their noses at the customers. Shame on you Disney.

 

[tjkraz]

Why stage them, shouldn't they be making the rounds, driving the paying guests to where the route is going? What a major waste of fuel and causing extra pollution. I always though of Disney as being super organized, this just seams totally wasteful, not to mention like thumbing their noses at the customers. Shame on you Disney.

The idea with staging buses is to have a vehicle ready to respond to moments of high guest demand for a specific location. If a Magic Kingdom bus reports that it has filled-up half way thru the resort, the staged bus can be immediately dispatched to pick up the rest of the guests. This is particularly important at peak times when even computer models and historical trends cannot predict when a large group of guests headed to the same park will arrive at resort bus stops.

Without the staged bus, dispatchers are just making a best-guess as to which route needs the added capacity. If this extra bus had arrived at the resort and was immediately dispatched on an Animal Kingdom route instead of being staged, it's committed to that route for 30+ minutes. The excessive MK guests must wait for additional resources to be freed-up and routed to SSR.

 

[Best Aunt]

I guess the bus is on because the driver is in it with air conditioning.

I thought that at first, too.

But then I wondered - if they turn the bus off, and it gets really hot, and then it picks up guests - won't the guests complain because the bus is uncomfortable?

But it seems like there should be a staging area which is not next to a hotel.

 

[Dano1182]

I admire you for not taking the points.
Lately it seems that more and more people are looking for things to complain about.
Just to get something.

Buses are staged during off peak times and moved around as needed.

Not every bus does the resort routes as scheduled .

Some are used for special events etc.

If the buses were turned off and then started at a resort pick up spot .

We would be reading comments came mplaing about how hot the bus was etc.

 

[BillPA]

I understand about staging, but why must the the bus sit there running for 1-1 1/2 hours? If they are going to pay the driver and burn up the fuel, just let the bus make a run, why make people stand and wait 20, 30 45 minutes for a bus to show up? To me Disney just cares less and less about customer service.

 

[DenLo]

I know in the past that they were staging buses at Port Orleans as they have lots of parking areas to service Port Orleans, French Quarter, OKW and SSR. The idling bus time seems excessive to me. I expect it would to Disney management too, but I am not sure Disney would want the driver to leave the bus unattended for a long period.

 

[minniqt7]

The problem with staging at resorts like SSR and OKW is the parking is directly in front of your room area unlike all the other resorts where parking is a distance from any room areas. We thought about the solution of -why not just turn the bus off-we don't care if the bus is PARKED but not running. It is a parking lot...but then we thought the poor bus driver can't sit in a hot bus or have the guests experience a hot pickup. So not a solution. Disney Springs could be a solution- they have a huge area and the old bus stop area isn't even being used. They could stage there it's a few minutes away. Just some thoughts. Thanks for all the feedback. I'm sure if people keep experiencing this we will hear more about it.

 

[macman752]

We are SSR owners and we often stay in the Carousel section. Yes, the buses regularly stage in the Carousel, away from the front of the buildings, usually in the area between the 7100 and 7500 buildings. So do the drivers for the DVC tour vans. If our room happens to be one of few whose balcony allow us to see and hear the staged vehicle we try not to let it bother us. Sooner or later the vehicle will leave.

 

[bumbershoot]

But then I wondered - if they turn the bus off, and it gets really hot, and then it picks up guests - won't the guests complain because the bus is uncomfortable?

Yep.

My dad drove for greyhound, and you don’t turn the bus off. Takes too long to get it all up and running and pleasant again.