New Lynx bus from MCO to WDW

[bavaria]

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

I may have to break my rule and hug you.

I ride busses all the time in new-to-me cities/towns/countries. Not only do I get to see more than by taking a subway, I learn about the local people. Often I will get on a bus without knowing the exact end destination and ride around until I see something of interest.

 

[kaytieeldr]

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

Yeah, okay, fine

Seriously though, it would make perfect sense for the/any public bus system to allow luggage - especially on vehicles that stop at airports, train stations...

We (some of us, anyway) are under the impression luggage can't now be taken on the DISNEY buses - so while a Lynx bus from the airport to the TTC sounds great, it seems that the person would then either need to be staying at a monorail resort, or would need to take a taxi.

So, here's a plea to our purple-pant-posters: CAN Guests bring luggage on the bus? I don't mean a backpack for the park for the day, but all their luggage from the plane? I think Guests who've tried to move their own luggage by Disney bus for 'split stays' have not been permitted to do that?

 

[bavaria]

Well enough people bring their giant strollers on the bus! and the newer busses are the international design with fewer seats and more empty space.

In Paris they are that type, but with many 'bendy busses' ie double sized busses with the accordian join in the middle. In HK they are touring style busses like the DTD hotel busses, and the driver pops the luggage storage area for anyone with a stroller or suitcase (and I saw far more suitcases than strollers)

And kaytieeldr since that may lead you to ask 'what about guests travelling in wheelchairs' I took a series of photographs especially for you because I thought that you may be interested. But that is far off topic for this thread!

(and where did you find the umbrella smiley? I couldn't find it and was looking for the protection it could afford me from the abuse soon to rain down on me )

 

[kaytieeldr]

I forget where I found it - but I found it when it was brand new, and, well, it just 'fits' so many situations. Leave out the spaces : umbrella :

Oh, and speaking of so far off topic... I may actually go somewhere else for vacation sometime soon. Not this year, but soon. I gotta get me one of those passport things.

 

[Twende]

Yeah, okay, fine

Seriously though, it would make perfect sense for the/any public bus system to allow luggage - especially on vehicles that stop at airports, train stations...

We (some of us, anyway) are under the impression luggage can't now be taken on the DISNEY buses - so while a Lynx bus from the airport to the TTC sounds great, it seems that the person would then either need to be staying at a monorail resort, or would need to take a taxi.

So, here's a plea to our purple-pant-posters: CAN Guests bring luggage on the bus? I don't mean a backpack for the park for the day, but all their luggage from the plane? I think Guests who've tried to move their own luggage by Disney bus for 'split stays' have not been permitted to do that?

I do not know what the official ruling is but I know when DD and I stepped on the Disney buses from the TTC to MGM and then another bus from MGM to Pop we had no trouble at all with bringing our luggage on with us. Now we were responsible travels and did not ask for or expect help and we kept our luggage at our feet so the isles were clear.
We did the reverse when we left and again had no trouble at all!

 

[goofy4tink]

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?

I don't think Disney will start charging for DME anytime soon. Why? Because it's truly hard to start charging for something that you have been giving away 'free'. Believe me...Disney is getting their pound of flesh from everyone in order to pay for DME. And those taking towncars or renting cars are paying for DME also...it's backed into room rates, park tickets.

I may have to break my rule and hug you.

I ride busses all the time in new-to-me cities/towns/countries. Not only do I get to see more than by taking a subway, I learn about the local people. Often I will get on a bus without knowing the exact end destination and ride around until I see something of interest.

No hugging...no hugging. Not allowed!!! Especially by you. That would mean the end is near.
But, in all seriousness, we have been told by several Disney bus drivers that they don't allow luggage on the buses. Now, we haven't heard from them in awhile now, so the policy may have changed. Let's see what they have to say.

I do not know what the official ruling is but I know when DD and I stepped on the Disney buses from the TTC to MGM and then another bus from MGM to Pop we had no trouble at all with bring our luggage on with us. Now we were responsible travels and did not ask for or expect help and we kept our luggage at our feet so the isles were clear.
We did the reverse when we left and again had no trouble at all!

Again, we only know what we have been told in the past. I'm glad you guys had no trouble doing it though. They may be loosening up on that.

But, for the more important question...have you guys over there, across the big puddle, gotten rid of all that snow yet??? I'm headed to London next week and don't want to pack my snowboots!!!

 

[barnaby1]

We are indeed from across the pond - London to be exact. We visit a couple of times a year. No problems with snow here now, a couple of determined snowmen who don't want to completely disappear but essentially clear. Further up North is another question!! We actually missed all the big dumping as we were in Orlando.
On the universal bus thing - you don't need to go to downtown to change. You can change at wet'n'wild and go straight in. You can also easily walk (I feel this may another one of those international things ???WALKING???) into Universal from the same corner, only takes 15 minutes. The bus stop at universal is as close as you can get in any vehicle, in fact unless you are staying at one of the universal hotels, everyone enters at this central hub (car, taxi, bus, shuttle).

 

[bavaria]

(I feel this may another one of those international things ???WALKING???)

biting tongue, biting tongue, biting tongue....

Has anyone read Bill Bryson's The Lost Continent, in which he returns to America after years of living in the UK, and tours the country in his mother's Chevette? He has a wonderful piece about how one cannot walk across the street or to the next shopping plaza in many parts of the country (not to mention the bus at Williamsburg from the Visitor's Centre to the historic district, which takes all of 2 minutes) I had a long argument last year with a Canadian friend; we were in America and she pointed to the Starbucks and I insisted that we had no way to reach it but by car. After 15 minutes of trying she relented and we drove across the street. And don't even get me started about the area around EWR (to keep this somewhat on topic...)

I PM'd kaytieeldr last night how the CMs at HKDL were horrified that I asked how to walk from one hotel to the next, and then to the parks. They insisted that I could not walk and that if I tried, it would take me a very very very long time.

Little did they know that would be a challenge to a long-legged German, because it took me little over 5 minutes for each segment.

OK, expected more flames to rain down - kaytieeldr, may I borrow that umbrella, please?

 

[kaytieeldr]

(I feel this may another one of those international things ???WALKING???) into Universal from the same corner, only takes 15 minutes.

Yeah, that's what I meant. I mean, the SeaWorld bus stops RIGHT AT SeaWorld; to use Lynx to get to Universal involves a walk (I wasn't sure how long/far; it's been a while since I checked the route thing on their site). It's not necessarily that it's "far", but it's unexpected or surprising if the rider was expecting SeaWorld-like service.

OK, expected more flames to rain down - kaytieeldr, may I borrow that umbrella, please?

Here you go

 

[bavaria]

Thank you!



One for me



One for OP because he/she started it!

 

[princessfionasmom]

This is great information for people staying at Shades of Green. There is no airport transportation for people staying there (don't qualify for ME or at least it didn't last time we stayed there) and this is certainly a great cost effective alternative to paying for a cab or other transportation. I'm going to try link this thread onto the SOG thread.

Someone mentioned this stops at a mall also. Do you know if it stops there on the way back to the airport? Also, what is at that mall for shops? Just curious, we never rent a car and I would like to know in case the need arrises to go to a store offsite.

Thanks for the great info!!!

 

[barnaby1]

It stops at the Florida mall in both directions. It has your standard American mall fare (4 -5 department stores - JC Penny's, Macy's with about 200 others - Gap, Old Navy etc).

WDW to Universal route if anyone wants it - 50 from TTC to Seaworld, cross the (very small) road. Take the 8 up I Drive to wet'n'wild and walk in along Universal Blv.

Thanks for the umbrella - I have never been umbrella'd before.

 

[bavaria]

Trust me - you and I will need it very very soon, unless we step very very quietly away

Then again, all the people posting here on this thread are really pleasant, so we may be safe! In that case, I am quite certain that you can make use of that umbrella in London in the future

 

[Lewisc]

He has a wonderful piece about how one cannot walk across the street or to the next shopping plaza in many parts of the country (not to mention the bus at Williamsburg from the Visitor's Centre to the historic district, which takes all of 2 minutes)

You can walk from the Visitor's Center to the historic district. The walkway begins on the second floor of the visitors center. There is a pedestrian bridge that goes over the roadway.

When some of us tell posters buses aren't equipped for passengers with luggage we're talking about the large bags DIS check. I agree a 21 or 22" roller bag doesn't take any more space then a stroller and shouldn't be an issue.

 

[bavaria]

You can walk from the Visitor's Center to the historic district. The walkway begins on the second floor of the visitors center. There is a pedestrian bridge that goes over the roadway.

Oh, I know, I've walked it before! of course, I also don't park in the Visitor's Centre - I park elsewhere and walk a little further. Shocking, isn't it?

(and keep in mind that his piece was written before the Visitor's Centre was rebuilt, in the days when the busses left from the lower level and the walkway was somewhat hidden from view)

 

[danceintherain]

We're staying at the Doubletree on Hotel Plaza Blvd, so I was pleasantly surprised when I found this bus recently. The last time I checked MCO to Disney required a transfer, which I wasn't sure the rest of my family could handle, so we were planning on most likely scheduling a car to take us to and from the airport. My parents claimed it would be fine, (Bus fare is about a quarter of the cost of hiring a car) but they've experienced public transportation much less than I have.

However, we are planning on keeping our luggage to a minimum anyways considering the additional cost for any checked luggage on Delta.

I've taken busses with considerable luggage before, and it is not pleasant. If any of my family attempts to bring a lot of luggage with them, I'll get high amusement watching them try to manage their luggage on board a bus.

Unless you are VERY experienced with taking luggage on public transportation, I would not recommend bringing more than a few small items each, like your carryon and personal item. It isn't easy to manage a few 50 lb bags on a bus.

 

[Puget Peach]

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?

When we exchange our timeshare to stay at a DVC resort we frequently have what I call a revolving guest situation. We stay two weeks in a one bedroom villa, during which time the sofabed may be occupied by a succession of guests as their schedule permits, sometimes at the last minute. The 111 is a great stress reducer as my DSO and I can use DME (great option when traveling with an electric wheelchair) and my subsequent guests can take the Lynx 111 as needed. Even if they need a cab from DTD or TTC, it is a much shorter (cheaper) ride than all the way from the airport!

It is also great when you want a cheap rental car for a few days in the middle of your stay and the best rates are at the airport!

There is some strategizing when using public transportation with luggage. My trips require a short walk to a bus stop, a walk on ferry ride, and then another bus ride to the airport. I pack the heaviest, compact items in a sturdy backpack that will fit under the seat of the plane, then pack the rest in a rolling bag of a size that works in the overhead bin, making sure I can easily lift it over my head when packed. This insures I always have one hand free for railings, that I won't hurt anyone when loading the overhead bins, and that I can lift the bag easily up the steps of the bus. While on the bus I put the carry-on between my feet and the backpack on my lap.

The second part of this strategy is that I place an order with wegoshop.com for water, sunscreen, snacks, food items, etc. (I make up my shopping list using online flyers from Walmart, SuperTarget, or Publix.) I relax poolside and go back to receive my order at my villa door when I get the call on my cell phone that my grocery delivery is a few minutes away. This way I can order frozen, fresh, and refrigerated items without the shopping/traffic hassles.

 

[tracipierce]

Hi, just a quick question to the OP....
we are also flying in from the UK and this is the first year we won't be renting a car, to be honest we only ever use it 2 or 3 times to go shopping... so the question is, could we get the Lynx bus from WDW to take us to the Florida Mall and back? If you have any details or directions of how to do this I would be really grateful

 

[Puget Peach]

Hi, just a quick question to the OP....
we are also flying in from the UK and this is the first year we won't be renting a car, to be honest we only ever use it 2 or 3 times to go shopping... so the question is, could we get the Lynx bus from WDW to take us to the Florida Mall and back? If you have any details or directions of how to do this I would be really grateful

Here's the 111 Schedule and Map from the golynx.com site.
http://golynx.com/assets/userfiles/routemaps/111.pdf

You can plot the DTD bust stop street intersection on google maps satellite view! Very cool to get your bearings! You can actually see the Disney bus stop at the Marketplace just NW of the Lynx stop!

 

[TheWog]

This sounds like way too much work for a vacation.....