Is the bus THAT bad?

[huntconn]

I absolutely can't stand the Disney bus system. I know a lot of people really like the bus system but we always have the worst luck with it. Nothing is worse than being crammed elbow to elbow with strangers. Trying to keep your balance on a badly leaning bus so that you don't fall on top of someone. Waiting and waiting and waiting only to find that the bus that pulls up is full. Maybe it's the time of year we go (Summer) or the time of day we try to use the buses (early entry, etc.) but we've had some horrible experiences recently. Thank God we drive down in the mini van from PA so we can use that instead of the buses. Not my idea of "vacation".

 

[huntconn]

Oh crap...I forgot to answer your question: shorter stay at the Poly!

 

[ntsammy5]

but we've found that 4 days is enough

GASP! Blasphemy! (just kidding)

 

[Buzz2001]

I absolutely can't stand the Disney bus system. I know a lot of people really like the bus system but we always have the worst luck with it. Nothing is worse than being crammed elbow to elbow with strangers. Trying to keep your balance on a badly leaning bus so that you don't fall on top of someone. Waiting and waiting and waiting only to find that the bus that pulls up is full. Maybe it's the time of year we go (Summer) or the time of day we try to use the buses (early entry, etc.) but we've had some horrible experiences recently. Thank God we drive down in the mini van from PA so we can use that instead of the buses. Not my idea of "vacation".

We never have any issues at CSR. We always use the bus. Let WDW do the driving.

 

[ehaley]

We just stayed at POR 3/7-14. We did not have any problems with the buses at all. Our room was near the North stop and we loved it. We never waited overly long for a bus going to or from a park and only had 2 stand twice. Bus to MK seemed to be the shortest ride we had - average about 10-15 minutes. I would always opt for more days at WDW.

We did actually take the monorail from MK to the Poly our first night there for dinner ADR's and waited about 45 minutes due to a "problem" on the resort line, so you just never know.

 

[ntsammy5]

I've said it before as have others. It all depends on your mood and attitude. If you go looking for things to criticize or if you're tired and tense, you're not going to enjoy a lot of things -- especially the buses. If you are relaxed and calm, nothing will faze you and you'll enjoy almost everything

 

[Reginak]

Like I said, the busses are great, but keep in mind a couple of things: during busy times of the year they will be crowded and during busy times of the day, such as right after the fireworks, they will bel crowded or there will be a wait. This has never been a big deal to us. We either leave a few minutes early or walk real slowly out to the line. The people in cars have to wait too - for the tram to take them to their section of the parking lot or for all of the cars ahead of them to leave.

If everyone is leaving at once then you will have to wait. That is until we can beam ourselves to the resort - oh no, that will not work either, because we will have to wait until they clear the trasport platform.

Regina

 

[ariel & eric]

We stay at PO several times and never had a 25 min. bus ride. We know own at OKW which is farther away from MK and it is only about 15 minutes. If you hop on the bus at the last stop. PO is a wonderful play and I prefer it to the Poly.

 

[MommyBuzz909]

It's free - who can complain about that??

 

[Joshua_me]

Personally, I would choose the Poly hands down. *Nothing*, IMO, beats staying on the monorail line, and it would be worth three less days for us.

But.

We live in FL and go to The World at least once a year, so I suppose my viewpoint is somewhat slanted.

Still, it's not the buses TO the parks that's really the problem, it's the buses back to your resort.

When you're exhausted after a day of loving the parks and hating the crowds, it....well, frankly it sucks having to get into yet another crowd just to wait in yet another line just to get back to your room. Your feet are aching, and nothing sounds better than just being able to lie down.

Seeing that monorail zipping by overhead can seem tortuous if you're not the one on it...

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Disneylvr]

I absolutely can't stand the Disney bus system. I know a lot of people really like the bus system but we always have the worst luck with it. Nothing is worse than being crammed elbow to elbow with strangers. Trying to keep your balance on a badly leaning bus so that you don't fall on top of someone. Waiting and waiting and waiting only to find that the bus that pulls up is full. Maybe it's the time of year we go (Summer) or the time of day we try to use the buses (early entry, etc.) but we've had some horrible experiences recently. Thank God we drive down in the mini van from PA so we can use that instead of the buses. Not my idea of "vacation".

I totally agree! Except we sometimes drive down to Florida and sometimes fly/rent car. The buses are fine IF you get a seat. If you don't and have to stand.....that is when I have a major problem with the buses and why I don't use them anymore. And like I state above, my daughter has autism and that many people packed in like sardines = sensory overload meltdown. For some reason the monorail, even when it is crowded, is not a problem for her plus we don't have to fold up the stroller which she uses as a wheelchair. So it isn't always about "mood and attitude" sometimes it is personal circumstances. OP keep in mind that you might have to stand on ANY resort bus including the Poly at peak times (park opening, park close, after Spectromagic, Fantasmic...) If anyone in your family might have personal issues with that then consider renting a car or staying at another resort that has multiple transportation options. We like having the monorail for 2 parks, a boat for 1 park and then we will just drive to the other 2 and Downtown Disney.

 

[trivial]

How often you visit WDW is probably a big factor. If you don't live nearby and rarely visit WDW, I think it makes more sense to extend your stay and put up with a bit of waiting for the buses. If you visit somewhat often, you may prefer to make the most of your time and go for the most convenient option. Ultimately though, it seems that people are split on the issue, so it's obviously a fairly personal decision.

 

[maxiesmom]

When you're exhausted after a day of loving the parks and hating the crowds, it....well, frankly it sucks having to get into yet another crowd just to wait in yet another line just to get back to your room. Your feet are aching, and nothing sounds better than just being able to lie down.

Just my 2 cents.

Three things : First, the monorail doesn't load constantly either. There is a wait for that too, which I think many people are glossing over. Second, if you are exhausted and don't want to wait for a bus, spend $15 a grab a taxi. Third, if you don't want to wait in a big line going back to your hotel, don't leave with the mob. Stay and shop for a while and let most of the mob leave.

There are ways around waiting in a line for a bus without cutting your vacation short by 3 days.

 

[ClareH37]

Three things : First, the monorail doesn't load constantly either. There is a wait for that too, which I think many people are glossing over. Second, if you are exhausted and don't want to wait for a bus, spend $15 a grab a taxi. Third, if you don't want to wait in a big line going back to your hotel, don't leave with the mob. Stay and shop for a while and let most of the mob leave.

There are ways around waiting in a line for a bus without cutting your vacation short by 3 days.

I must admit I wasn't over impressed with the monorail. I like staying at the Epcot resorts for ease of being able to walk back to my room after visiting my favourite park. I recently stayed at the GF, my first time at a MK resort and I was really surprised at the lines for the monorail at times. One morning at the GF the monorail were so crowded the staff weren't letting anyone on, 2 monorails later and I eventually got on one.

Coming back at the end of MK was even worse, the line went on forever, I gave up in the end and got on the boat back to the GF, had to wait for the second boat, but even then it was quicker than waiting in line for the monorail.

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

I'm kind of torn . . .we've done both, the most recent was last October at POR and that was our first time staying at a moderate resort. Our trip was short, but we had 2 rooms which were adjoined which is why we chose staying at POR. That being said, the resort was pretty, but during our visit, the buses were horrible. Going to the parks, not a problem, leaving the parks was another story. The bus wait times were pretty long, I think that a lot of the discount codes were given out for POR, which made the lines longer, and most of the time it was standing room only headed back.

Keep in mind it was during the week of Columbus Day, and the F&W Festival and MNSSHP were in full swing.

This October it is just me and DH and we chose the Poly for its convenience and theming.

Good luck and have fun!!!

 

[DisneyWorldOct08]

"Second, if you are exhausted and don't want to wait for a bus, spend $15 a grab a taxi. "

Exactly. I use taxis in WDW instead of busses all the time. Cheap, and easy if the busses are running slow or packed.

 

[3mickeys&me]

We have stayed at POR and never had a bus ride that long nor have we every waited 30 minutes on a bus to show up. Maybe we were lucky and showed up at the right time . Its a really nice resort and if I could stay there for 8 days I would in a heart beat. I love the Poly and have stayed there twice, yes the monolrail is nice but I would rather have more days at Disney. Enjoy your trip!!