If you stay off-site, can you use Disney buses?

[bavaria]

This should have been the end of the thread. The "morality" police need to get over themselves.

When Disney detects a problem with overcrowding or abuse, you can rest assured they will do something about it. Until then, sheesh, let everyone ride!

Ironically, some of those who don't like perceived 'offsite' guests riding their bus also don't want onsite guests parking at the CR or other MK resorts. When I go to the CR to dine, I then move my car to the TTC and go to the MK.

Yet according to at least one poster here, that too is not acceptable.

I prefer to believe the 'official' word from WDW and will continue to use the transportation whether I am staying onsite or offsite.

 

[ducklite]

WELL IT SHOULD BE WITH the money that we are spending to stay on property. I will have to call disney and ask because we were told in sept 06 that it was for resort guest only.

Until you've spent as much as a tourist at WDW as I have as a LOCAL at WDW, get over it. Besides, you were told wrong.

Adding up annual passes, hotels (yes, we still stay on property sometimes even though we only live half an hour away) and meals since we moved to Florida 1 1/2 years ago, it's probably around $4000.

Anne

 

[WillCAD]

I don't think it is fair for people staying off site to use the resort transportation system as they please. Thoses of us who are paying premium price is for several perks one being the WDW transportation system. Years ago they required all guests to show their room key to get on the resort buses and I hope this comes back VERY soon!
All people that feel this way as well should put that on their comment card as they leave WDW resorts.

Disney can take away and give back those on-site perks as they please. Even if use of the Disney transportation system has ever been exclusive to on-site Guests, it's not now, and hasn't been for as long as I have been going to WDW (17 years). So don't hold your breath - and don't complain to all us Great Unwashed off-site Guests who use the system; you may not like the inconvenience of sharing busses with us po' folks who stay off-site, but as long as we're not breaking any laws, rules, or regulations, you have no right to complain about it.

The extra money you pay so stay on-site does buy you some EXCLUSIVE perks: EMH, room charging, package delivery, access if the parks close due to capacity, 24/7 Disney immersion, and proximity to the parks (which means you don't have to rent a car if you don't want to).

The WDW transportation system is a benefit of staying on-site, the same way that the beautiful Florida weather is, and the same way that access to the 6 Disney golf courses is, and the same way that access to Downtown Disney is - it's a benefit that they advertize, but it is NOT exclusive to on-site Guests and hasn't been for at least 17 years, if ever.

What you need to realize is that we ALL pay for the WDW transportation system through our ticket prices.

If you don't like sharing your transportation with people from the off-site hotels, rent a car. That's as exclusive as you can get!

 

[marciemi]

From the 2007 Birnbaum's "Official" Guide to WDW:

TRANSPORTATION ID REQUIREMENTS: Guests who wish to use the Disney transportation system may be asked for proof of riding privileges. Accepted IDs afford different degrees of access. WDW resort ID cards, Magic Your Way tickets with Park Hopper options or Water Parks & More options, and Annual Passes let guests use all Disney buses, monorails, and boats. Valid one-day theme park tickets permit guests to use monorails and the ferries running between the TTC and the Magic Kingdom, but do not allow use of buses.

I read this to mean that there is no difference in access between any offsite (gasp!) guest with a park hopper and Contemporary guest! If it makes you feel better to stay at the Poly, GF, or Contemporary, it does add:

Note that guests staying in the aforementioned resorts have a private track on the Magic Kingdom loop, making for a hastier exit at cloing time.

Again I'd take this to mean that while the resort loop on the monorail is "exclusive" to those guests staying at those resorts, everything else is not.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Ironically, some of those who don't like perceived 'offsite' guests riding their bus also don't want onsite guests parking at the CR or other MK resorts. When I go to the CR to dine, I then move my car to the TTC and go to the MK.

Yet according to at least one poster here, that too is not acceptable.

I prefer to believe the 'official' word from WDW and will continue to use the transportation whether I am staying onsite or offsite.

You make an interesting point. I also know of one poster here who believes the CR parking lot is for the exclusive use of CR guests and insists that others (guests staying on and off site) use the TTC parking lot for their parking needs. Yet when the bus subject rears its ugly head, he complains they shouldn't be using the bus to the TTC.

Irony! It's not just for breakfast anymore!

 

[ducklite]

Again I'd take this to mean that while the resort loop on the monorail is "exclusive" to those guests staying at those resorts, everything else is not.

So given my scenario a few posts up, we would not be allowed to access the GF for dinner under your interpretation of the rules. (which is incorrect) Their loss, I'll spend my $150 on dinner at Blue Zoo instead--or not at all.

Anne

 

[bavaria]

You make an interesting point. I also know of one poster here who believes the CR parking lot is for the exclusive use of CR guests and insists that others (guests staying on and off site) use the TTC parking lot for their parking needs. Yet when the bus subject rears its ugly head, he complains they shouldn't be using the bus to the TTC.

Irony! It's not just for breakfast anymore!

Originally Posted by marciemi
Again I'd take this to mean that while the resort loop on the monorail is "exclusive" to those guests staying at those resorts, everything else is not.

Hmmm. So according to various posters, that irony you're having for breakfast better not be at the CR - apparently non-CR guests shouldn't park there, they shouldn't take the monorail, and if they park at the TTC they shouldn't take the bus.

So.... I guess that the great unwashed can just walk along that dark road to the CR which has no pedestrian walkway or sidewalk.

 

[marciemi]

Okay, you got me. I'll amend my interpretation to those with a valid reason to go to those resorts. I know during the mass exodus after closing at MK, we have had CM's refuse to allow us or others to take the resort monorail since we weren't staying at one of those resorts. But I'm sure that if you had an ADR for any restaurant at any of those resorts, you'd be allowed. However, I believe that during the morning or evening rush, generally saying "oh, I'm just going to the CR to look around" wouldn't get you on the resort monorail. I was just trying to make the folks spending big money to stay at those resorts feel like they were getting SOMETHING exclusive!

 

[Mo-Yo]

How far of a walk is it from DTD to SSR ?

 

[goofy4tink]

A few things...
thanks for the Birnbaum's word..it is the 'official' word and is pretty identical to what I've been told by Disney. So, again, thanks for finding it and posting it.

The resort loop isn't 'just' for resort guests....of course not. But, you may be denied boarding if you are not a resort guest at certain 'peak' times, or an EMH at MK. But other than that, I can't imagine them allowing only those on the resort loop to board. I've never been asked for an ID before getting on this run.

Parking at the CR?? Technically, you are supposed to be able to park there for a meal or shopping. You are 'supposed' to get a 3 hr. pass, then get towed if you are there longer. Well, IRL, that just isn't going to happen is it?! Many people park there, free of charge, eat breakfast at CM's then walk over to the MK for the day. Does this make it right? Of course it doesn't, but people will always do it. Happens at most of the deluxe resorts...simply because they are close/walking distance to a park.

The buses/monorail/boats are for anyone who has a park pass...that's the ruling from Disney. Again....I don't care about what happened eons ago, Disney can, and does, change their rules to suit their needs. If you feel that you are being 'abused' by interlopers on your resort bus, then take it up with Disney directly. But, until they change THEIR rule, there is nothing to be gained by arguing about it here.
As ducklite says...it's about people getting into those restaurants and spending their money. Disney does not care if you are staying at the GF or driving in from Lakeland to eat at Citricos...believe me, they really don't. If they truly cared, they would put into place, a system punishes those who park at the Polynesian/GF/CR and then spend the day or evening at MK!!! They can devise something...but they just don't feel the need at present. They want the locals money....they spend a lot of money in those more upscale spots. If someone staying at the Vistana chooses to drive their car to the TTC, then hops on the monorail to Epcot or MK, what have they done wrong? They have paid for their parking, their ticket has given them the right to use any bus/boat/monorail they choose to. That's the bottom line. They are doing what Disney has intended them to do. If they choose to leave the MK and head to YC/BC for dinner, via the YC/BC bus, then so be it. They are allowed to do that. Those are the rules, as Disney has stated them.
Yes, the 'advertising' says that resort guests have unlimited free access to all Disney transportation. It says, nowhere, nowhere at all, that it is for the 'exclusive' use of resort guests.
We are beating a dead horse here....wish I had that particular emoticon at the moment!!!

 

[ducklite]

How far of a walk is it from DTD to SSR ?

It really depends on where in SSR you are staying. From the West side to the farthest building in SSR, probably almost two miles!

From the Marketplace closest to SSR to the building closest to the Marketplace, probably half a mile.

Anne

 

[TDC Nala]

Disney transportation is included in the price of your park ticket. It is not just for resort guests. Offsite guests with park admission are doing nothing wrong or illegal by using Disney transportation. I've been going to the World for 30 years now, and except for the past couple of years, always stayed offsite and never had to show a room key to use the monorail, etc and never was it an issue.

To the OP, have a wonderful trip and hope you don't have to do too much driving!

You'd have to use the monorail to get to MK no matter where you were staying. Unless offsite guests using the parking lot are told they can only use the ferryboat. I doubt they were ever told to just swim for it.

 

[TDC Nala]

Going back to your original post, yes you can get from DD to anywhere in the world. Grab the TTC (Transportation & Ticket Center) bus from DD and from the TTC you can get everywhere else, including a monorail to EPCOT. If you choose to walk on a little further you can grab the Polynesian Monorail to MK.

Have a magical trip

Someone may have brought this up, but there is no bus between Downtown Disney and the TTC.

 

[clkelley]

How far of a walk is it from DTD to SSR ?

About 5-10 minutes. I walk there all the time, or from there. If I'm going to DTD after visiting the parks, I often take an SSR bus, then walk.

 

[clkelley]

Also, sometimes in the mornings, during slower seasons, they are "only" running the resort monorail, so offsite guests to the MK must use that one, or the ferry.

 

[clkelley]

Also, the reason they run busses from the TTC to the the Studios and Animal Kingdom is because the TTC is where Lynx drops off, so when you park hop from the MK, they direct you to the TTC first.

 

[helenk]

It is not only off-site guests that use the buses to the TTC.
I have stayed onsite for the last couple of years. I have taken a bus from the parks to the TTC to go to the MK, the buses from the other parks do not go directly to the MK
So, late a night, if you see a bus load of people getting off at the TTC it may very well be other people going to the MK. Keep in mind that if the MK is the EMH park, it will be open until 11:00 or later, since EMH is for 3 hour after the regular park closing time.
Also, when staying at the Poly we have taken the bus to the TTC if the bus to the Poly etc was full or the bus to the TTC came first, we then just walked over to the Poly, very convenient.

 

[clkelley]

It is not only off-site guests that use the buses to the TTC.
I have stayed onsite for the last couple of years. I have taken a bus from the parks to the TTC to go to the MK, the buses from the other parks do not go directly to the MK
So, late a night, if you see a bus load of people getting off at the TTC it may very well be other people going to the MK. Keep in mind that if the MK is the EMH park, it will be open until 11:00 or later, since EMH is for 3 hour after the regular park closing time.
Also, when staying at the Poly we have taken the bus to the TTC if the bus to the Poly etc was full or the bus to the TTC came first, we then just walked over to the Poly, very convenient.

I know those are not the only guests using those buses, but the Lynx bus is "why" they run those to/from the TTC, otherwise they could run park hopping buses from the MK bus stops.

 

[WillCAD]

Parking at the CR?? Technically, you are supposed to be able to park there for a meal or shopping. You are 'supposed' to get a 3 hr. pass, then get towed if you are there longer. Well, IRL, that just isn't going to happen is it?! Many people park there, free of charge, eat breakfast at CM's then walk over to the MK for the day. Does this make it right? Of course it doesn't, but people will always do it. Happens at most of the deluxe resorts...simply because they are close/walking distance to a park.

Actually, I have heard many reports over the last 2 or 3 years of tow trucks removing vehicles from the monorail resort parking lots after their 3-hour parking passes expired.

It doesn't appear that these cars are towed at 3-hours and 1-minute, however; there appears to be at least some leeway. But park at Poly, CR, or GF for the day at your own peril!

 

[jwood]

FYI

You can read this right on WDW's own site.......


"Don't miss out! To take advantage of complimentary transportation throughout Walt Disney World® Resort — and to make the most of your Disney dream vacation — be sure to stay at a select Walt Disney World® Resort hotel."

and another under the heading "Disney Resort Guest Benefits".....

"Sit back and relax — and avoid the hassle of driving and parking — as we transport you to the many Theme Parks, Resort hotels and recreational facilities throughout Walt Disney World® Resort"

However this is what it says under "Passport Benefits"

Passholder Benefits and Special Offers
Passholders receive special offers and discounts throughout the Walt Disney World® Resort. These include periodic Walt Disney World® Resort room discounts, merchandise discounts at select Downtown Disney locations, food and beverage discounts at select locations and so much more!
Nothing about transportation

Here's a quote from Grosvenor Hotel
While staying with us take advantage of our continuous air conditioned luxury shuttle buses to reach any WALT DISNEY WORLD® park or facility in minutes.
THere is a picture of the Grosvenor bus ,it specifically says their transportation not Disney's and they are on property and considered a "Good Neighbor Resort"





I have been told in the past by Disney CM's that you must stay at one of their resorts to use Disney's transportation system.

I have read these posts tonight and I never did see anyone call "non resort" or Value resort people any names,however I did see some comments like...

"I'm sorry but everyone that is saying the buses are for resort guests only and they don't want to be inconvenienced by non-resort guests just sound like snot-nosed spoiled little children' (see post #20)

Seems like some of the Deluxe people always think everyone wants their "perks". I for one think it's a perk to stay at Pop and spend the extra $200/day to pay for another trip, because I rarely set foot in the rooms during my stays, and when I do, Pop is fine for me! (see post#21)

They are the rich deluxe people that probably payed for concierge and don't want you or your children possible taking a seat from them on the bus. (see post #33)

Anyway the original post was asking if she could park her car at DTD and ride the transportation to the parks. We all know that DTD is or at least was free and many took advantage of this. If Disney wanted you to do that they would have buses running every 20 from DTD to each of the parks. Or for that matter if they wanted to provide you with transportation to park hop they would have buses going from park to park.They do however provide transportation from Resorts to parks and DTD to resorts which seems like the intended use .I found the information on Disney's own website ,I didn't edit or make it up ,it's there for everyone to see. Just because it doesn't have the work "exclusive" in it means nothing . Show me where it says that "non resort" people are welcome to use our transportation whenever they want.

I can feel the heat from the flames...but that's my 2 cents for what its worth...