Is Disney trying to lower attendance at water parks?

[florep1]

They need a strictly waterparks bus that could pickup guests from resorts that are close together, i.e. Epcot resorts, Downtown Disney resorts, etc that does not stop at AK or DS
If not many people use it, offer what they do to guests that want to play golf. Heck, those DVC pickup vans look like the right size to transport people back and forth.

 

[kverlinger]

If you are staying at the resort, can't you drive yourself for free?

 

[21stamps]

I'm planning on Mickey's winter Summerland again on our upcoming trip.

Looks like we'll be using Uber. Probably a blessing in disguise.

 

[HopperFan]

Playing devils advocate.... I never liked having to stop at the water parks when I am on the way to Animal Kingdom or Disney Springs. There were never that many people going to the water parks on any given bus and it just seemed to make the trip unnecessarily long. Maybe they are trying to streamline the busses to the most popular destinations.

Am sure it is a combo of both. Last few trips DS and I laughed as we kept being the only ones getting on our bus to Disney Springs. It seems there are often empty buses rolling.

I think a better option is what was suggested above, buses group resorts together to the water parks.
- AllStars
- AKL and CSR
- POP, AoA and CBR
- POR, POFQ and OKW
and so on.

This way we don't have the wet seats that will now be occurring and wasted time for people having to lose time waiting for and changing buses.

 

[megster1123]

If you are staying at the resort, can't you drive yourself for free?

No...we're flying in, taking ME and will have two small kids so unable to Uber/cab. So for families in this situation the bus is the only option. And I don't think our situation is atypical either.

 

[joelkfla]

FYI:

Some of the few sidewalks on property go from -

CSR to BB to McD to All Star hotels. CSR and All Stars are permitted to walk to BB.

Yes, but ...

Anyone attempting this should be aware in advance that it is a full mile walk from either CS or ASSports to BB, with little shade in the afternoon.

 

[joelkfla]

Then again it still doesn't add up really given that these people are still going to be on the bus. A better strategy is to make one stop at the water park, either on the way to AK/DS, instead of making a stop on both the journey to and from the main destination

That is how it was before the change. The buses stopped at the water park on the way to AK or DS before 11:30am, and on the way out of AK or DS after 11am (the overlap was because of the way buses were dispatched.) Buses going to AK after 11:30 would also stop at BB on the way to AK if a Guest requested it, as a courtesy (that policy came and went over the years at the whims of management.)

 

[Missyrose]

No...we're flying in, taking ME and will have two small kids so unable to Uber/cab. So for families in this situation the bus is the only option. And I don't think our situation is atypical either.

There's Uber Family in Orlando now, it comes with carseats.

 

[joelkfla]

There's Uber Family in Orlando now, it comes with carseats.

Just one car seat, and there is a $10 charge per trip.

 

[joelkfla]

If you are staying at the resort, can't you drive yourself for free?

You don't need to be a resort guest. The water parks do not charge for parking.

 

[HopperFan]

Yes, but ...

Anyone attempting this should be aware in advance that it is a full mile walk from either CS or ASSports to BB, with little shade in the afternoon.

CSR is actually under a mile, more like .7 and does have some off and on shade.
AllStars are a mile+ depending on which resort and more sunny.
Given the amount of walking one is doing at Disney and you are heading to a water park ... sun...
It is a doable option - for some depending on their party, who have no car.
Since most areas you can not walk, it's valid info to share that you can here.

 

[rteetz]

I don't think it has anything to do with Disney wanting less people at the water parks. I've heard that it might have to do with the parking situation as some would park there and then use the buses. I'm not sure how true that is but I think it does have to do with the busing. Disney uses the same amount of buses going to Disney Springs or AK but uses less buses going to the water parks. Say instead of dozens of buses making a stop at the water parks now you only have a few. You are also going to have an influx of people going to AK an Disney Springs with all of the new stuff. I think this has to do with streamlining the buses.

 

[megster1123]

There's Uber Family in Orlando now, it comes with carseats.

I checked into it but was told the chance of finding one with two car seats would be highly unlikely. I could always call a second car - but that's still kind of a crappy option. So it's either take the new bus route, call two separate ubers (for four total round trip) or just skip the water park.

 

[disny_luvr]

Thank you so much for posting this. We are planning a day at TL on our trip in a few weeks and I had every intention of riding the bus. We usually fly so don't have a car with us but this trip we are actually driving. We were planning on parking our car and not using it until we leave but we will definitely drive to TL now.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We took uber from the Swan to BB yesterday. It was $5.50!

 

[JRennie]

This is so irritating. Between the outrageous price increases, the reports of lack of AC to save money and now this... I'm kind of to the point where I'm so irritated and feel like the huge amounts of money I'm spending really aren't worth it when they continue to cut services and increase the cost of everything.

 

[umichigan10]

That is how it was before the change. The buses stopped at the water park on the way to AK or DS before 11:30am, and on the way out of AK or DS after 11am (the overlap was because of the way buses were dispatched.) Buses going to AK after 11:30 would also stop at BB on the way to AK if a Guest requested it, as a courtesy (that policy came and went over the years at the whims of management.)

My mistake I thought it was a two way stop. Then this policy truly makes no sense (not that it did under my original scenario tbh)

 

[Mom of Jack 2009]

If you are staying at the resort, can't you drive yourself for free?

Many people flying in don't rent cars, so no.

 

[Mom of Jack 2009]

the reports of lack of AC to save money and now this...

Lack of AC???

 

[maryj11]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/news-stories/new-bus-routes-for-walt-disney-world-water-parks/

I was considering getting water park tickets for our July trip, this news has now scrapped that plan. We won't have a car this trip.

I have no desire to take a bus to Disney Springs, then transfer to another bus just to go to a water park. Or to take a bus to AK, then take another bus to the other water park. Waiting for buses is always such a luck based experience at Disney as it is. Sometimes your bus pulls up right away, sometimes you wait half an hour. If you end up on the long end trying to get to the water parks...I could see it taking an hour or more just for a one way trip.

I think you'd also have to completely shower and change at the water parks too. In the past it wouldn't be too crazy to wear a swimsuit and cover up onto the bus, no way am I doing that if I have to switch buses at AK or DS.

Really I wouldn't want to go to Disney Springs after swimming at the water park. I can imagine what my hair and appearance would look like