Less buses running at WDW

[disney4magic]

My friend just came back from WDW, he said he almost missed his flight because he had to wait 45 mins before a bus would come to take him back to OKW. Is it true that there are less buses running at WDW. That would really be sad, we buy into DVC for the great services.

 

[Chuck S]

Disney has been trying to tweak bus dispatch for several weeks. Whenever they make these system wide changes there is always the possibility of problems at any resort. I'm sure they are trying to be energy efficient, but service may be suffering. This is not just a DVC tweak, but at all resorts.

 

[DVC 1998]

Do you mean fewer busses running?

 

[JimMIA]

My friend just came back from WDW, he said he almost missed his flight because he had to wait 45 mins before a bus would come to take him back to OKW. Is it true that there are less buses running at WDW. That would really be sad, we buy into DVC for the great services.

There may be a problem with the buses -- I don't know.

But as someone who travels quite a bit, I would say your friend missed his flight because he tried to cut it too thin. If you're depending on anyone's bus transportation, the prudent traveler would leave themselves plenty of time.

ETA: I believe Disney recommends allowing 90 minutes for travel from Point A to Point B if you have a time-sensitive appointment. That's good advice when time is critical.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I've said it before. JimMIA is a very wise man. I agree that your friend may have planned his departure a little too close. We were just at OKW in June and didn't have any problems with the buses.

 

[LuvTony0508]

The local busses are running just fine. The longest wait I've had this trip (I'm on day 5) was today waiting for typhoon lagoon, 20 minutes because I just missed the bus. (saw it pulling away)! As for any other busses, can't help you there, LOL.

 

[Corinne]

We just returned and I think the bus service was fantastic this trip! We barely waited, on many instances the bus was pulling in when we got to the stop. We waited the longest at Downtown Disney which I have found is a given.

 

[DisFlan]

I don't know if they are, but cutting a few buses wouldn't be surprising. The cost of fuel is probably a real problem right now. Running slightly fewer buses more efficiently would be a big savings.


DisFlan

 

[Disneyhappy]

While your friend should not have had to wait 45 minutes for a bus from a park to the resort, I do think I would have been more cautious about the times if I had a flight to catch. I have been reading a lot more complaints lately on the bus service taking a long time. I hope they get the system figured out soon. Unless we are going to the MK, we always drive. It has always been much faster for us. I have waited a few times for at SSR for 40-45 minutes for a bus. Others report great service. I guess it is the luck of the draw. I personally think longer than 30 minutes is too long.

 

[GrandmaDeb]

My only complaint about bus service was when we stayed at the Beach CLub before we were DVC members. It seems the same buses serve BC, YC, BW, Swan and Dolphin. The buses to the parks were usually full before they got to our stop and LONG lines at the parks to return. Our most recent trip we stayed at AKV as DVC members. Bus service was great, partly because buses only served one resort, IMO

 

[njmeisje]

We were at BCVs in April, and my main complaint was the MK bus. They were not running nearly as frequently as they needed to be. Lots of people waiting in the morning, esp for early magic hours. Long long lines and waits to get back. So many little kids, tons and tons of strollers. It was an obvious problem...if only the right people were paying attention.

 

[AKV707]

Just back from 12 nights at AKV, The buses were excellent. No long waits, pleasant drivers, and good times to the parks. I did hear all of the dispatch talk. We had someone from transportation at the AKL bus stop on two days. It all seemed to be working pretty well.

 

[snowwhitemom]

I love my rent a car for this reason....oh and going to the mall. lol

 

[moredisneyplease]

I agree that 1) its the luck of the draw, 2) that there have indeed been a lot of bus complaints recently, and

3) you're friend should not have cut it so close with such a time sensitive appointment looming in the near future!

Lesson learned for him!

 

[evaready51]

My friend just came back from WDW, he said he almost missed his flight because he had to wait 45 mins before a bus would come to take him back to OKW. Is it true that there are less buses running at WDW. That would really be sad, we buy into DVC for the great services.

We were there 6/28 - 7/6 at the SSR & the buses were just fine.

 

[dianeschlicht]

There may be a problem with the buses -- I don't know.

But as someone who travels quite a bit, I would say your friend missed his flight because he tried to cut it too thin. If you're depending on anyone's bus transportation, the prudent traveler would leave themselves plenty of time.

ETA: I believe Disney recommends allowing 90 minutes for travel from Point A to Point B if you have a time-sensitive appointment. That's good advice when time is critical.

I totally agree! Buses are never a given. Things happen...buses go out of service, someone misses a run, shifts change, etc, etc,. Plus, buses do not run as frequently in the middle of the day when less folks are changing destinations. I have ALWAYS allowed an hour or more to return from a park if I have a plane to catch. We usually leave our car at OKW while we park hop that last day. We plan to leave OKW 2 1/2 hours before our flight, and leave the last park 3 1/2 hours before our flight. We have NEVER been late using that tactic, and that's 11 years of multiple trips a year for us.

 

[disney4magic]

Thanks everyone for your input. I have to say that it was our friend's who was having problem with the buses. We did fine every time we go to Disney, once we almost missed our Hoop deep doo show but a kind Disney bus driver drove us there exclusively. That's why i like disney, people try to be pleasant and nice.

 

[spiceycat]

the MK buses were strange - 2 were together - right after each other - the final one came along about 40 minutes later.

so yes this can happen.

really hoping before I go again - that Disney fixes the computer program that is doing this.

DD buses work the same way - 2 together - the third is about 40 minutes later.

the computer definitely has problems. - okay the programmer has the problems.

 

[hakepb]

the MK buses were strange - 2 were together - right after each other - the final one came along about 40 minutes later.

so yes this can happen.

really hoping before I go again - that Disney fixes the computer program that is doing this.

DD buses work the same way - 2 together - the third is about 40 minutes later.

the computer definitely has problems. - okay the programmer has the problems.

I find it very difficult to believe that the programmers are so bad that they've caused all of these issues throughout the year (since we started hearing about this "new system") It might be possible that their project was incorrectly chartered, funded or managed.
But most of me thinks that management does like, at least, the reduced cost metrics they have been seeing from the bus service and that is good enough.

I do have to say, in my 2 trips this year (SSR and AKV) my bus service has been overall very good.
(I do wish they had higher-speed roads for just busses, too many stops past TTC, and now many combined $$$$ of fuel and time do they waste every year waiting for really slow gates to raise at the entrance of each resort?)

 

[elijahpep]

the MK buses were strange - 2 were together - right after each other - the final one came along about 40 minutes later.

so yes this can happen.

really hoping before I go again - that Disney fixes the computer program that is doing this.

DD buses work the same way - 2 together - the third is about 40 minutes later.

the computer definitely has problems. - okay the programmer has the problems.

This was the case while we were down at WDW the last 2 weeks. 2 buses
one always after the other.

There also were Cast members at the bus stop each time we loaded at the resort, with clip boards but weren't talking to anyone.

It was very odd to us as well. Especially one afternoon on our way to DTD.
The bus came to our stop and the busdriver stated,"This bus is full, but don't worry there is another one right behind me." 2 minutes later, there it was.