New Lynx bus from MCO to WDW

[barnaby1]

Don't know if this has been posted before but we have just returned from Orlando and discovered that there is a new Lynx bus (No 111) which runs from MCO to the TTC at WDW. It runs along Hotel Plaza Blv as well making it convenient for the hotels there. It took us 70 mins from start to finish and is $2. We were booked on the ME for airport return but they wanted to pick us up 5.5 hours prior to take off. Using the Lynx bus bought us and extra 2 hours in the parks.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

I have never heard of anyone being picked up 5 1/2 hrs. early! Usually it is 3. I am just curious if you called and asked why and if you could be put on a later bus.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Note that DisneyQueen isn't doubting the OP's experience, just asking!

OP - thank you for the information! It should be noted, though, that generally Disney does not allow luggage on its transportation (especially buses) - so once one got to the TTC, it might be necessary to take a taxi to one's actual resort.

 

[dudspizza]

It should be noted, though, that generally Disney does not allow luggage on its transportation (especially buses) - so once one got to the TTC, it might be necessary to take a taxi to one's actual resort.

That's a good point...... I know many ask about the Lynx from MCO, so this news will be good news for some.

I hope OP comes back to update us on the 5.5 hour prior departure for their ME pickup? That is the first I have ever heard of that..... I wonder if ME had the wrong flight info or what was up.... it is odd...... as kaytieeldr pointed out with the first response, I am not doubting it happened, I am just curious how it happened and if there was some sort of mix up in there.....

Duds

 

[ADisneyQueen]

Yes, I was just wondering if it was a mix up on Disney's part or maybe they had a very late evening flight and Disney did not want to send a bus just for them so put them on a earlier bus with other passengers.
That happened to us once before ME. We were taking Mears in the morning and they made up take a shuttle with some other passangers whose flights were about an hour before ours. They claimed there would not be another bus later, so we had to go. Anyway, we had to spend about 3 hours in MCO with 2 small children.

 

[Lewisc]

DME picks up 3 hours before a flight (4 hours international) My guess is the poster had a change in flight times and DME wasn't willing/able to change the pickup time.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

I certainly wish they had this route back when I used to live within walking distance to one of the major stops. Would have been nice!

At any rate... as convenient as this sounds, it should be noted that it could take approx 2 hours either way, as you'd have to take the monorail to the MK, and then catch another bus from there. (The route is scheduled to take 60-70 mins from OIA to TTC, and vice versa)

In regards to the 5.5 hours... something is not right there. DME picks up as close to 2h 45m for domestic, and 3h 45m for Int'l flights as it can. 5.5 hours sounds like they have the wrong flight number. A quick call to DME would solve that situation.

[EDIT: DME will base your pickup time on the original scheduled departure date, regardless if your flight has been delayed. Reason being, there are many times when the flight is delayed, but ends up being less delayed if not back to on-time. It's still a good idea to get to the airport on time]

Also, it doesn't matter if you're the only one... they'll run a bus. Very easy for them to do it, too. As a former DME driver, I've had as few as 1 passenger on my bus. Happens all the time.

 

[Lewisc]

Tyler--What about luggage on either Lynx or Disney buses? I guess this may work for guests staying at SoG or DTD hotels that are looking for low cost airport transfers. I'm not sure why anyone would take Lynx as opposed to DME. I still think people staying on most offsite properties need a rental car.

A direct bus from TTC to the Florida mall might be used by a few people.

 

[goofy4tink]

Tyler--What about luggage on either Lynx or Disney buses? I guess this may work for guests staying at SoG or DTD hotels that are looking for low cost airport transfers. I'm not sure why anyone would take Lynx as opposed to DME. I still think people staying on most offsite properties need a rental car.

A direct bus from TTC to the Florida mall might be used by a few people.

Ahhh, took the questions right outa my mouth. I'm just curious as to why someone would take the Lynx bus vs the DME bus. Disney buses are not supposed to have 'luggage' on them, so I'm pretty sure you would have to get a cab at the TTC to get to your resort. I suppose it might be a good option for those needing to get to the TTC as cheaply as possible, with little to no luggage...perhaps meeting others?

 

[Twende]

Before ME started we used LYNX several times to get to and from MCO. The first time it was DD and I. We were on a very slim budget and getting a limo or cab was just out of the question for us. Another time was after ME but the LYNX was a better and cost effective way to get to TTC.

I think at the time it was $1.25 each way, including the transfer. At MCO we got on the bus right at the same place where ME picks up. There were two different routes but both buses arrived at the TTC about the same time so we took the one that left first. It took us from MCO to downtown Orlando bus station where we changed buses to get the one to TTC. The drivers were wonderful about our luggage and everyone who got on at MCO had some kind of luggage. DD and I each had a medium sized rolling suitcase and a carry on. Everyone one was super friendly and helpful. We never felt unsafe or out of place at all.

When we arrived at TTC we took the Disney bus to HS/MGM at the time and then switched Disney buses there for Pop. The Disney drivers were wonderful too and had no problem at all with our suitcases. After all they took up less room than a stroller. We handled our cases ourselves and did not ask for or expect help with them. We kept them at our feet on the bus and kept the isle clear.

The travel time was actually quite short. We met people that were on our flight and they were waiting to get on the Mears bus for the POP as we got on the LYNX bus. We arrived at Pop about 2 minutes before they did. That made us feel wonderful because we had saved a bundle of money that we could now spend on meals in Disney!

Another time, very last minute, DH was able to join our family for a trip. He ended up having some other business obligations in Orlando and therefore was not booked in our rooms. This made him not eligible for ME. He used LYNX to take him from MCO to the TTC and we picked him up from there. It saved him the cab fare from MCO.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

Twende,
I enjoyed your story about the Lynx. We could not have done that before ME b/c we had 2 small children and a lot of luggage, but wish we could have saved the money.
But you were saying you used the Lynx after ME was started to get to TTC? I am wondering why you would want to go there first and not directly to your resort on ME which is free?

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm not doubting anyone's experiences. My issue is timing. The ride to WDW from MCO is about 30 mins. Let's say you are riding the Lynx bus....you now have to leave MCO, go to the Orlando bus station, change buses. Then go to TTC, wait for the DHS bus, ride it to the park, then wait for the POP bus to come and ride it to the resort. That is going to take over an hour, at least. I figured best case scenario....45 mins to TTC from the two bus stations (MCO and Orlando)..it has to be at least an addtl 15 mins on top of that 30 mins, but could be wrong. Then, a 5 min wait at the TTC for the DHS bus, a 10 min ride to DHS, a 10 min wait for the POP bus to come, then 8 mins on the bus to POP....that's a total of close to 80 mins. I just don't see how anyone using the Lynx bus is going to make it to their resort faster than the DME bus..not with average times of less than 70 mins.
I say this only to see what other info there is out there...it's always good to be up to date on various modes of transport.

 

[Lewisc]

I'm not doubting anyone's experiences. My issue is timing. The ride to WDW from MCO is about 30 mins. Let's say you are riding the Lynx bus....you now have to leave MCO, go to the Orlando bus station, change buses. Then go to TTC, wait for the DHS bus, ride it to the park, then wait for the POP bus to come and ride it to the resort. That is going to take over an hour, at least. I figured best case scenario....45 mins to TTC from the two bus stations (MCO and Orlando)..it has to be at least an addtl 15 mins on top of that 30 mins, but could be wrong. Then, a 5 min wait at the TTC for the DHS bus, a 10 min ride to DHS, a 10 min wait for the POP bus to come, then 8 mins on the bus to POP....that's a total of close to 80 mins. I just don't see how anyone using the Lynx bus is going to make it to their resort faster than the DME bus..not with average times of less than 70 mins.
I say this only to see what other info there is out there...it's always good to be up to date on various modes of transport.

Route 111 doesn't require a change of bus. The route goes from MCO to the FL Mall--Canadian Ct (I Drive)--Hotel Plaza--TTC--Disney University.

It makes little (really no sense) for a DME eligible passenger to use Lynx instead of DME. Although the time from MCO to TTC is just over an hour the bus runs every hour, assume an average wait of 30 minutes.

 

[Twende]

Twende,
I enjoyed your story about the Lynx. We could not have done that before ME b/c we had 2 small children and a lot of luggage, but wish we could have saved the money.
But you were saying you used the Lynx after ME was started to get to TTC? I am wondering why you would want to go there first and not directly to your resort on ME which is free?

Yes, we have used it once since the start of ME. DH used it to surprise our DD's at Disney. They had no idea he was going to be in the Disney area and he had some days free to spend with us. He was not listed on our Reservation so he was not eligible to use DME.

In fact it was so last minute that we could not add him to our HDDR ADR, He ended up sitting in a coffee shop while we had a grand time at HDDR!

I like to think of LYNX as another option to get around. Right now DME is free but I suspect there will be a day when there is an extra charge for it. It is also useful for people who have no cars and want to head to Sea World or that other place. What is is called Uni something?

 

[barnaby1]

Just to answer a few previous posters questions, we did not ring and ask about changing our bus time. The concierge offered to ring and ask but did not seem suprised by the time as we were International and said they may not be able to change.
We had already checked in at DTD (Virgin) so we had no luggage. We were staying at the GF anyway so we were close to the TTC if we had luggage.

What surprises me is that I thought I was posting useful information about a new transport link on the transportation pages. I didn't intend to start a debate on whether it was sensible or not as a mode of transportation (based on people's opinions). There are a lot of people who stay at the DTD hotels who obviously do not have access to ME.

 

[dudspizza]

Just to answer a few previous posters questions, we did not ring and ask about changing our bus time. The concierge offered to ring and ask but did not seem suprised by the time as we were International and said they may not be able to change.
We had already checked in at DTD (Virgin) so we had no luggage. We were staying at the GF anyway so we were close to the TTC if we had luggage.

What surprises me is that I thought I was posting useful information about a new transport link on the transportation pages. I didn't intend to start a debate on whether it was sensible or not as a mode of transportation (based on people's opinions). There are a lot of people who stay at the DTD hotels who obviously do not have access to ME.

Don't worry... you didn't start anything. This is how a discussion board works (at least here on Transportation). People ask question, share opinions and in the end we can all respect each other. That is the way it should be. Some of us here love discussing transportation to/from/around WDW, that we really like to dig into it..... why I personally love it, I have no idea!

Thanks for posting this great info!

Duds

 

[barnaby1]

Don't worry... you didn't start anything. This is how a discussion board works (at least here on Transportation). People ask question, share opinions and in the end we can all respect each other. That is the way it should be. Some of us here love discussing transportation to/from/around WDW, that we really like to dig into it..... why I personally love it, I have no idea!

Thanks for posting this great info!

Duds

Thanks for your reassurance Duds!
Personally I love going on the lynx buses (might sound nuts) but I am one of these tourists who feels that you haven't really been on holiday anywhere unless you have riden the public transport

 

[dudspizza]

Thanks for your reassurance Duds!
Personally I love going on the lynx buses (might sound nuts) but I am one of these tourists who feels that you haven't really been on holiday anywhere unless you have riden the public transport

You mentioned you were International... where do you come to WDW from?

 

[kaytieeldr]

What surprises me is that I thought I was posting useful information about a new transport link on the transportation pages. I didn't intend to start a debate on whether it was sensible or not as a mode of transportation (based on people's opinions).

Debate? What debate? Looks like a typically friendly, give-and-take, no-pixie-dust Transportation board conversation to me!

Whoever was asking about "that Uni place"? Unless there's been a route addition, that is not particularly convenient. It involves a transfer (at least one recommendation on the Lynx site involves taking a bus from Disney to the downtown transportation center), then still a pretty hefty walk - last time I looked, maybe a couple of months ago for someone here? - there was no bus dropping off right at/near the Universal Hub.

disclaimer: If DW44 (you know who you are ) is reading this - I am NOT trying to discourage anyone from walking! I'm just letting them know the bus stop, afaik, is not particularly close to the park entrance.

 

[bavaria]

You mentioned you were International... where do you come to WDW from?

I am guessing the UK since they flew Virgin.

Re luggage on the bus - sorry, I am going to be an annoying foreigner for a moment. That is a very American thing I believe to question taking luggage on the bus; luggage on busses or trains or subways is very common elsewhere and in fact almost entirely commonplace to see people walking down the street with their small rollaboard (which will most likely be checked at the airport as it will not fit our international carry on restrictions) getting ready to board the metro/U-bahn/S-bahn/bus etc. (Leaving the room now so that you can all hurl abuse at me and my foreigner ways of thinking!)

Disney in America may frown on luggage on board busses, but at their overseas parks the busses are designed to take luggage on board.

It made me chuckle reading the discussion. But kudos to the OP for encouraging green public transportation instead of a taxi/towncar etc.

Carry on, and have a nice day everyone!