New Buses at WDW

[Deb & Bill]

We were at WDW a two weeks ago and noticed some newer buses in use. They are more streamlined and it appears that the seats run along the wall rather than perpendicular to them. We did't get to ride of these and only looked into them through the windows.

One thing that I noticed was that they appeared to be much noisier than the older buses. We were in Bldg 62 at the end of the building near the four-way stop. That's where we noticed that theyappeared noisier.

 

[AllanJ]

These new buses are sorely needed, the bus system is nearly maxed out.

A few years ago Disney was trying to get secondhand buses of the same type as the older ones in the fleet, but was unable to find any at reasonable cost.

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[Buzz2001]

PHOTOS OF NEW BUSES
http://www.howskaren.com/bus.htm

 

[pnelson]

These new buses look like they are actually smaller and hold less people-There aren't very many seats! Is this true-Are they smaller?

 

[Master Gracey]

There are 18 of the new buses. It's true that there are fewer seats, but there is more open space.... i.e. standing room. So they can actually accommodate more people.

While more buses are needed, these will mostly replace older ones which will be taken out of service. Some have more than a million miles on them.

 

[Chuck S]

Since these busses have fewer seats, will the drivers be able to enforce a 'priority seating' for those that really can not stand due to physical limitations? It could be a real issue for safety.

 

[DC7800]

Whatever happened to those tractor-trailer type buses (looked like a semi-truck but designed to haul people) that I saw running around WDW a few trips ago? I never got to ride one, but during two 2000 trips I don't remember even seeing them. Mostly they seemed to show up running to the All-Stars. Anyone have a picture?

 

[Master Gracey]

Originally posted by DC7800
Whatever happened to those tractor-trailer type buses (looked like a semi-truck but designed to haul people) that I saw running around WDW a few trips ago?

There were two of those buses that they tried out on an experimental basis. They didn't work out because they looked too much like cattle haulers and their air conditioning systems were poor.

They are still there, but not in service. You can see them parked in the lot behind Car Care.

 

[Tinkbell]

Just got back from Disney and I rode on a new bus once. I actually liked the older ones better. These new ones had some seats facing each other and you had to hop up to get on a few of them. The aisles seemed more crowded when the bus was full too. I'm all for more busses but the new ones were not as comfortable for me. JMHO.

 

[lisapooh]

I rode one of the new buses too. I rather like them. They are so much easier to get a wheelchair on. Just drive up the ramp rather than manuever on to the lift. Aisles wider so it is easier to get in place and willl make for faster loading and strapping of handicapped guests.

 

[Regina]

I rode on one the new buses, and it has a very unusual layout. It definitely appeared to be designed for easier handicapped access.

The section from the back door to the rear of the bus is banked, and I recall there being a sloped ramp going up to the seats.

The section from the front of the bus to the back door has the seats facing one another, with very wide aisles.

The overhead bars had straps hanging from them for standees. (No one was standing, so I can't say how effective these were.)

I guess the best test would be to see how well it works under crowded conditions. It was fairly empty when we rode in it, so I wouldn't have any idea.

 

[HorizonsFan]

Since these busses have fewer seats, will the drivers be able to enforce a 'priority seating' for those that really can not stand due to physical limitations? It could be a real issue for safety.

I would hope that the folks on the bus would take care of that. I always give up my seat to someone who looks like they really need it. Of course, the best enforcement of a "priority seating" arrangement still lies with the person who needs it. He/she can always wait for a less crowded bus...

 

[bicker]

I find this choice of interior seating on the busses ill-advised, given the extent to which bus safety has become an issue in recent years. It seems to me that the only responsible way to use these busses is to restrict bus speed to 30 mph max, even on Wolrd Drive, Buena Vista Drive, and Epcot Center Boulevard. I'm cringing just thinking of the first time there is a significant traffic altercation with these busses at high speed.

 

[Tinkbell]

I rode the new bus when it was filled to capacity. We were seated across from two 12 year olds who found it quite acceptable to kick my leg for the entire trip. You really had to work hard to avoid touching the people facing you. One also used my knee as a brace to hold himself up to avoid falling on my lap when the bus was coming to a stop. The people who had to stand were holding onto the straps. Some had both of their hands in the straps and they looked like they were about to be tortured!! An elderly woman chose to stand rather than hop up on the seat that my boyfriend offerd her. Nobody was in a wheelchair during this so I can't comment on that but I remember back in the 80's Disney had private busses to assist the handicapped and their families because their other busses were not equipped to handle wheelchairs yet. My grandmother used them. We just had to call guest services and a bus would be there in minutes. I guess they are too big and busy to use them now.

 

[SueM in MN]

Most buses in the early 80s were not equiped with lifts. We've been riding the WDW buses since 1985 with our DD in her wheelchair. We only got a special handicapped bus sent for us once, when we were trying to leave MK and the first 3 buses to go to our resort had no lift, a broken lift and missing tie down straps.
We haven't been in the new buses yet, but they don't look like they have much seating. The picture look more like the airport trams. With so many people bringing strollers on, WDW might have opted to have more open space.

 

[tigger2222]

Chuck S, what is your take on the bus system at OKW. How long do you wait for a bus on EE morning? What time should we try and board the bus at OKW to make it to MK on time or before the park opens?

Thanks
TIG

 

[Chuck S]

Tigger2222,
Sorry , I can't help you. We never got up and out of the room before 9am. The busses were fine by then at OKW, and were running about every 20 minutes.

Someone on this board made a comment about people that need priority seating (can't stand) could always wait for another bus...what if your stop is near the end of the pick-up stops and the seats are taken for several busses? For instance, at OKW the last stop varies between Miller's Rd and Hospitality House, and the seats on a regular bus are often full...what about these new busses with even less seating?

 

[Master Gracey]

Tig

The first Mk bus will be coming through OKW around 7:00 a.m. You should be waiting for that first bus.

As for those who have a legitimate need for priority seating, there are two specially configured buses that are held in reserve throughout the day at the TTC. These are the special buses that SueM alluded to in her post above. These buses can be dispatched on request to transport persons in wheelchairs or with other special needs to any destination at WDW. Expect a longer wait for these buses, since it takes some time to react to a special request and get the bus to the pickup point. But it may be worth an extra wait for the extra service.