Is the Transportation System at WDW good enough?

[rwodonnell]

I am curious how many times those that are so down on the system have used it. To argue that it's a lot faster to ride or walk to your car and then drive to your resort than to wait for a bus is just so opposite my experience, I just don't know what to say. I am not doubting it was someone's experience, I just wonder how rare it is and how many times they tried it and actually timed things. I think the natural tendency of most people is to think things take longer than they actually do when you are just waiting. If you are walking to your car, you at least have an idea how long it will take, and that means a lot to some people.

There is a high probability they will see a bus pull away when they are literally seconds away from the stop no matter where they happen to be, which will force a potential twenty minute delay in timing and tends to build anxiety.

You must be a disciple of Murphy! Mathematically speaking, if the buses come every 20 minutes (they come far more often at most times) there is NOT a high probability that you will see a bus pull away seconds before you get there.

There is a high probability the parks will be jammed upon exit and they will be forced to endure yet another long line just to get back to the resort which is added strain on an already tired family.

And there is no strain when a tired Dad (or whoever) is fighting traffic leaving the park, and everyone is on edge because the driver is on edge? I'd rather be on the bus, thanks!

 

[raidermatt]

You must be a disciple of Murphy! Mathematically speaking, if the buses come every 20 minutes (they come far more often at most times) there is NOT a high probability that you will see a bus pull away seconds before you get there.

I think he meant that it will happen at some point or points during your trip, not every time.

 

[d-r]

Being DVC members who don't visit more than once a year, the "play where you stay" strategy isn't going to work for us.

But Matt, anything is an option if you want it to be. One year stay at Wilderness Lodge and do mostly stuff over there, the next year stay at boardwalk or beach club and do mostly stuff over there. Sure you will go to other parks, but you can base the resorts you want to go to and eat based on where you are staying or going. Or see if you can get that $109 a night rate and spend the weekend at AKL and the weekdays at wilderness lodge and save some points, and stay longer next year at beach club...or stay at saratoga springs and do downtown disney, or whatever- the way I look at DVC is that it is based on giving us as many options as we want, that's why it isn't set up to lock us in to a certain resort or week of the year - you can use your points in whatever way you want.

 

[raidermatt]

I should probably clarify a bit...

The reasons I say it probably wouldn't work for us are just mainly due to our personal preferences, not that it wouldn't be a viable option for others.

We've been twice as DVC'ers and stayed at the BWV both times. At some point, we will definitely stay at the WLV, BCV, and probably OKW and SS too. But we just simply like to see different parts of WDW on every trip, and we don't really like changing resorts mid-trip either. So we will most likely continue to want to do some resort-to-resort travelling, and we would prefer to see if there is a better way to do that.

Again, not saying the other options aren't good options, just that we will probably try some others first, like renting a car. Or, possibly the cab route, per Scoop's suggestion. The couple of times we have taken a cab around WDW, it has gone well.

 

[crusader]

Hey I wasn't slamming the system. Believe me, I've ridden every mode offered and understand full well the propensity for the unexpected to occur. You are at the mercy of an establishment. It can be a great experience or a potential meltdown for the entire family.

Matt, you are correct in clarifying my point. Thanks.

ahhh but you didn't think I was letting you get away that easy..........................

Again, not truly practical advice. If you are heading for a dinner reservation, you have an expectation that you will arrive in time for it... even if you allow extra time, you still have an expectation.

Ok. This is real specific given that it entails the most complicated process within the system involving the ability to arrive timely for a set rsvp.

The only expectation you should have is that you will most likely meet your destination given the proper amount of time which is well over an hour in my opinion. But, be prepared to improvise if things don't happen according to plan - it's not worth the agitation.

And there is no strain when a tired Dad (or whoever) is fighting traffic leaving the park, and everyone is on edge because the driver is on edge? I'd rather be on the bus, thanks!

Why is it always the Dad on edge being mentioned??? What about Jr. who couldn't stand to wait another second for anything let alone a bus ??? (which has suddenly transformed itself from being cool to stupid because fatigue has taken full control of all sensibility!! ) Does the phrase "get me out of here!" ring a bell?

 

[PKS44]

Murphy's law in action-
Last trip to WDW-going from BWV to MK on EE day--20 minute wait--bus arrived--people shoved in front of us to get onto bus while driver loaded wheelchair in back...no room on bus...only after complaining did driver call for a S/D bus to come to BWV for huge crowd still waiting to board...waited for bus from 7:40 am arrived at MK at 8:40...so much for Early Entry extra magic....and on MK EE day, numerous AK breakfast bussed came by BWV from 7:40 while a huge crowd built to go to EE

Same trip- wife and mother waited 20 + minutes for bus from BWV to DTD...same for us later to meet them and again for us from DTD to WLV --ALL 3 times the wait was 20 minutes or longer in every case--I timed it to prove to my wife she was being impatient andoverestimating the wait times...but she was right!

Trip before- leaving MK for OKW--we split up--she took the bus while I went to get the car..she beat me by a few minutes BUT would have easily beat me except the MK to OKW bus only went to the HH and she had to get off and wait for another bus to take her back to our villa at the far end of the resort...next night we parked at HH and took the bus to MK---that night the return bus went all over OKW before Finally stopping at HH! In both instances what could have been a 7 or 8 minute ride was a 20- 30 minute bus ride thanks to Mr Murphy and his law...

That this could happen to us so easily suggests to me that it happens a lot and that the system is not good enough for us--I suspect we will drive ourselves most of the time from now on. Unless we see a bus we can get on right away as we are walking to go to our car.

Paul

 

[ohanafamily]

OK, I think we all aggree...

The Bus service to OKW from anywhere, and to DD from anywhere but an All Star resort are, well leave a lot to be desired.

Park Close is another issue where WDW has some room to go.

I once asked an OKW CM about why there weren't more busses. I was told that the subject was brought up at the annual meeting and vetoed. I guess this is a reason to go to such things.....

 

[DisneyKidds]

I am curious how many times those that are so down on the system have used it.

We used the busses almost exclusively on our first trip.........but that was 12 years ago. I have to admit that I have used the busses sparingly since then. I have no doubt that there are times that a bus may be perfectly convenient and efficient. However , there are just some circumstances when a bus isn't a great option for some (again back to the multiple sleeping kids, strollers, bags on a SRO bus at a park close). Furthermore, I have read enough anecdotal evidence that would allow me to confidently bet that a car is a consistently more relaibel and time efficient means of transportation, again depending on what your on property travel tendencies are.

And there is no strain when a tired Dad (or whoever) is fighting traffic leaving the park, and everyone is on edge because the driver is on edge?

I can honestly say that I have never had to fight any traffic of substance when leaving any of the parks after closing, but everyone may have different experiences.

 

[DVC-Landbaron]

I ALWAYS drive everywhere except to MK. And....

I can honestly say that I have never had to fight any traffic of substance when leaving any of the parks after closing, but everyone may have different experiences.

DITTO!!!

 

[Demosthenes]

I am curious how many times those that are so down on the system have used it.

I usually use Disney transportation; however, when I need to be somewhere at a specific time, and Disney's solution is to take a bus, I always drive. Even though the Disney system, when working flawlessly, may be quicker to most destinations, it is less consistent than driving. I can more accurately estimate the time it will take me to get from one resort to another in my vehicle than I can in a bus with transfers. Likewise, if I have a dinner reservation at the Brown Derby and I'm staying at the GF, even though a bus to MGM would probably get me to the park more efficiently than my car, I'll always take my car. It's about the point of control. I know almost exactly how long it will take me to drive from point A to point B, I don’t know how long my wait time and ride will be on Disney transportation. Disney's system is good IMHO, but it is not reliable or consistent enough "when you absolutely, positively have to be there by X:XX."

 

[vernon]

IMHO there are plusses and minuses to either using a car or the WDW system, BUT if you have a car you have th eoption of picking out the bits of the WDW system that works well and using a car for the bits that don't work so well. If you don't have a car you are obliged to take the bad as well as the good.

The other factor is cost, IMHO by the time you factor in taxi to and from the airport and one taxi per day ( as an average) you're a good way towards "break even". I'm also a DVC memebr and for me , a trip to the supermarket and stocking up on provisions more than covers the cost of the car.

If you assume the car comes as a "no cost" item then why not have one for the convenience if you choose to use it. I use WDW transport to MK virtually always, Epcot and MGM most of the time (unless I have something booked that has a time stuck to it). For the waterparks, resort to resort, DTD, golf and AK I drive.

I can see a good argument for not bothering with a car for a short trip where you would be happy to eat either at your hotel or in the parks, but for longer trips where eating at WDW can become an expensive hobby, a couple of off site meals a week provides a nice option of a different environment as well as a saving that goes towards the cost of the car for the trip.

 

[sbrotherton]

Had to respond to this one. My husband and I have been to WDW 11 times in the last 4 years. Not nearly as impressive as many, but we live in St. Louis so this is no small feat.

I must say, however, that I prefer NOT to rent a car since we've learned how to "do Disney" the "right way." On our first four trips my husband refused to not rent a car. We stayed off property or in moderate resorts on these trips and we were exhausted every time we got home. I remember having shin splints walking around the hotel room one night. Plus, DH didn't like being "at the mercy" of someone else -- especially bus transportation. We finally went on another trip and stayed at the Dolphin and I convinced him not to rent a car. With the proximity of two of our favorite parks and the boat transportation, he finally agreed. We also stayed at the Polynesian for part of that trip and had the monorail at our disposal.

I couldn't believe how much staying that much closer added to the relaxation of the trip. I would definitely recommend staying at one of the Deluxe resorts with better transportation than renting a car. We liked the towncar service to get there. Knowing that the buses were not a favorite form of transportation to DH (and by this time, me, too), I knew that Mears was not the way to go. We try to arrange our visits during the slower times and stay at a Deluxe resort. The Epcot resort area has, by far, the best transportation and is in the best location. The resorts are beautiful and if you don't feel like taking a boat, you can take a walk along the lake path. We love it.

If you stay off property, I would definitely rent a car, and I could also understand recommending it to those at the moderate and value resorts.

I will add one additional thing. When we rented cars, we were always hesitant to stay for evening attractions like the parades and fireworks because the traffic was so brutal after the parks closed. When we rely on Disney transportation, it's less of a hassle and we stay for everything. Epcot and MGM, especially, have great finales with Illuminations and Fantasmic. I still get angry when I think about how we skipped all of these on our first trips because we didn't want to get stuck getting out of the park.

The Downtown Disney thing isn't so bad...we have taken the buses there and have sometimes cabbed back. The little amount of money is worth the convenience.

Bottom line, I guess, is that if you are staying at a resort that does not rely solely upon bus service, I would not recommend a car. I would also tell you to look closely at your total trip costs without the car rental and see if you can't add that to your hotel budget. Vacations are more like vacations and less like a race trying to beat the clock and traffic. We do that going to and from work. Why would you want to do that on vacation?

 

[sbrotherton]

Also...some of the town car services include a 30 minute stop at a grocery store so you don't have to stock up in the Disney grocery and pay so much for snack-type items. It generally costs around $100 for a round-trip town car reservation. It's also nice not to have to run for a shuttle bus to get the cars. The town car driver will meet you at baggage claim and pull his car up to the door. It is tremendous and worth every penny!

Last time we had a car, it sat in the lot almost the entire time and we paid $300 for it. I can think of a million better ways to spend that at Disney.

 

[Lewisc]

Disney bus from marketplace to BCV (a few days ago) stopped at PI, TL,BW,S,D then BC. The trip took over an hour. I should have used my rental car, I didn't feel like driving or looking for a parking place. BIG MISTAKE.

 

[wtg2000]

The YC/BC is awesome for EPCOT and MGM but the bus service there does leave a lot to be desired because of the multiple stops. It is a drawback pulling into all the other hotels. I'm surprised the Swan and Carp don't have their own considering they are run by outside companies.

If you think about it, Disney saves some money on these luxury hotels by doubling/tripling/quad...you get the point...up, whereas the WL and AKL each get their own bus routes, and they cost less.

 

[sbrotherton]

The last couple of times we went, we stayed at the BW and it wasn't too bad for us since it was usually the last stop of the route going to either AK or MK. We've stayed at the Swan, too, and knew our way around so if we weren't completely dead by the end of the day, we would get off at the Swan (usually the first stop on the route) and would take short walk across the bridge to the BW. It took less time, albeit a few more steps, to get back. It worked for us.