Less buses running at WDW

[crisi]

We just got back and had the "magical" bus service - buses pulled up whenever we wanted them with very short waits and ample seats. I've had trips where I've had the "non-magical" service - but not for several years.

We always have the "take a cab" backup plan for time sensitive issues - sometimes "time sensitive" is "get to the MK at opening to ride Dumbo." There is no way I'd stand around for 45 minutes waiting for a bus if I knew I had a flight to catch.

 

[DISNEYFOS]

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.

We just came back and noticed the same problems with the buses. We waited over 30 mins for the MK bus and then there were 2 following each other. While we waited there were probably 3 Animal Kingdom buses. We waited 40 mins at DTD for the Beach club bus. We ended up taking a cab from the Polynesian to DTD because the bus wasn't showing.

We usually try to avoid buses but I never remember long waits like that.

Just our observation

 

[spiceycat]

this is the new system

they have taken out the controllers - and everyone must do what the computers tells them - or they get reported.

when they get reported they must explain their actions to supervisiors - who don't seem to understand that its the computer fault - not the bus drivers.

very irrating at night - when the bus driver must stop at each and every bus stop - even when no one was interested in stopping. all parks were closed - epcot emh night.

got to complain about that - did in the survey - but really think the higher up need to know that the bus system is not working properly.

the other half really loves - never waited (except for the DD bus) more than 15 minutes for any of the buses. best yet!!!

someone say this as the system that Chicago tried to use - gave up - Disney brought it.

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?)