Just back from 8 days FTP, ASMo, Extra Magic hour not so Magical!

[Teri1]

We were at ASMo from Nov.2 thru the 10th. I made plans to visit MGM on Tues. EE and Epcot Wed. EE and made PS for the places we wanted to dine at these parks. We were at the bus stop both mornings by 7:30 am. Tues. the Bus to MGM didn't come til well after 8 a.m. while there were 4 buses that picked up people to go to Epcot(didn't open til 9!). The NJ people in front of us in line had had enough and went to ask why, were told didn't know why but they would call for a bus. We got into MGM at 8:30 am. So much for extra magic HOUR. So we do this again on Wed. Same thing buses to all the 9 am. parks came and went while we waited for EE at Epcot bus. Again NJ person goes to ask a bus driver why and again told don't know but a bus will be coming. We got into Epcot at 8:15 this time.

I decided when we got back to the hotel that I would ask guest services about this problem. The CM started out by saying we shouldn't expect a bus to come more than 30 min before park opening time. I asked her to explain then why were there buses running 1 and 1/2 hours before opening to parks without EE. I told her I did not think they should advertise extra Magic Hour with buses running 45min. before park opening if they did not plan to. She could not give me an answer and told me that next time be sure and find a person with a radio to call for a bus if this happened again.

I won't be planning to go with the Extra Magic Hour on any future trips. I believe what happened was they were picking up from the first two resorts and filled the buses and went on to the park. This is the first time we have ever had a problem with the bus service at the All Stars resorts.

 

[MarkLem]

WOw!

I'm staying at AKL, and also plan on doing early entry, plus we have an early character breakfast at MK before the park opens.

 

[Henn1313]

We are just back from our trip and also used extra magic hour. We had no problem getting the boat from Wilderness Lodge to MK in plenty of time. But I did notice a lack of buses running at that time. We had a rental car and used it to drive to Epcot and AK for EMH. The parking gate did not open until 15 minutes before park opening. But we were still able to park and walk to the entrance gate before opening . I suggest using a car if at all possible, but plan on leaving your room at least 45 minutes before the EMH opening. You probably need to be at the bus stop 1 hour before opening.

 

[IvyandLace]

We just got back as well (10/30-11/09) from ASMu...and I was VERY disappointed in the bus service this time!! This was our third time at ASMu and consistantly waited 20-30 minutes for a bus while buses came and went to other parks. This was my inlaws first time at WDW and I had, of course, raved about the bus service and "poo-poohed" their idea to get a rental car. Needless to say, I was pretty embarrassed. Definitely was one of the disappointments of our trip...

IVY

 

[Tiggerlover91]

From what I remember about my experience with the Magic Hour when DH and I were there 2001, we were always at the bus stop by 7am. The CM at the ASMu resort told us this at check-in. He said if we were there by 7, then we would be right on time for Magic Hour Entry. The only time I arrived at the bus stop at 7:30 was the day DH and I went to the AK. We had an 8:30 PS at the RFC/AK and I wanted to be sure we were there on time. Bus didn't arrive til about 8am, but we still made our PS on time! That was the ONLY time we had trouble with the bus, all the others were right on time.

 

[scrump]

I'll have to keep this in mind for my next trip, as I'm stayin in sports. I've never had problems before, but it's good to have the info and to be prepared.

 

[DMS_cruisers04]

We had no problems with the bus service and getting to the parks on time for EE on our last trip to WDW (4/03) either. We even had a driver that, since we were the last folks on the bus, made a special delivery and dropped us off at GF for our character dinner, because it had begun to rain.
Sorry to hear that you had such problems.

 

[always quiet]

I wonder if it was because of the resort itself. My sister stayed in ASMu last year....normally they stay in a cabin at FW. She said the bus service to there was horrible! The buses arrived late and were severely overcrowded. We've only stayed at FW and have never had a problem getting to any of the parks EE!! Have you considered contacting Disney World and complain?? Maybe if enough people complain about the bus service to All Stars, they will do something about it!!

 

[jann1033]

we always get to the park at least 1/2 an hr before opening so that means at the bus 1 hr before opening...so if I am correct that would still be fine? it is when you get to the stop later that there could be a problem? we are at FW and have always loved Disney trans. and I'm just wondering if it has really gone down hill that much since our last visit or I just didn't know about the occasional problems before this we will have a car but I really think part of the magic for me is using the trans. (ok, I know I need to get out more .....)

 

[DMS_cruisers04]

We were at ASMo in April.
I would hope it's not a seasonal problem. But like jann1033 said, we were always at the bus stop really early.

Isn't it amazing, that when you're home and that alarm goes off, you just as soon throw it across the room then turn it off, but when you're at WDW and Mickey calls, you jump out of bed, shower, dress and grab your tickets before you've even had coffee and when your stomach catches up to you, you realize it's lunch. Or is that just me?

 

[always quiet]

Who needs an alarm??!!