OkW buses-long

[joepoe]

Here is a little story about Disney trasportation at OKW vs driving to parks: (note that I have always been a proponent of Disney buses in the past)
We did a four day getaway, and time is of the essence on such trips. Our first morning, a Thursday, we waited a full 20 minutes for a MK bus, and then with a 15 minute ride to the MK stop, we had a 35 minute trip. On the way back, we caught a bus immediately, so we were back at Turtle pond in about 20 minutes.

After an afternoon swim we again tried to take the bus to MK. This evening we had another wait, this time 25 minutes. The driver was new to DVC but drove school buses for many years. She would not let us on until she loaded two wheelchairs. The chairs were stowed and the folks sat in regular seats.

Then, at HH, the driver also tried to load a scooter, but there was not enough room. Finally we were off to MK! When we got there, the driver got a message from dispatch telling her to park at the PC stop which is the farthest from the entrance! It was 51 minutes portal to portal. Luckily MK was not crowded and we had dinner at Tony's (no PS) and found a great spot to see Wishes near the flagpole. I was frazzled, I admit.

Once again, on the way home, we caught a bus quickly and were home in 22 minutes.

On Friday, given that experience, we decided to drive to MGM. The park was not crowded, so it was a quick drive and walk into the park. (No tram necessary.) Easy drive.

After a swim, we drove to BW, (did not valet) ate dinner at the Yachtsman, then walked to Epcot to do TT and watch Illuminations. (5 min wait! did it twice.) No worries.

Saturday we drove to MK and took the ferry boat. It took us 40 minutes portal to portal, so driving to MK is not as quick as I have read on these boards. We got to the parking kiosks in 10 min, but then it was a full 30 minutes to park, do the tram, and then the ferry. We parked next to a pickup full of empty beer bottles, and people were smoking everywhere as we walked to the tram. Not exactly your DVC crowd (I'm a snob, I know.)

On the way out of MK, we took the monorail, and that trip was 35 minutes back to Turtle Pond. That was as about as quick as you can do it. We had no wait for the monorail or tram.

Next day we drove to AK and Epcot again, and had no worries.

The long and short of our experience is the bus to MK can be a hassle, but driving is no picnic, either, so I would call the two methods a tossup. Driving to AK is a must for us. That stop at BB is too much. The other two parks also tend to be tossups, in our opinion. Taking the bus is a little more risky with handicap waits and bus waits, but can also be extremely quick. It averages out, but the times you need to wait and wait for grandma or for the bus can be excruciating.

 

[NancyDVC]

I always use the OKW buses. I find them convenient. Last spring my friend rented a scooter for the week because of problems with her hip and knees. (She can't walk long distances and the scooter was a God send.)
As policy wheelchairs and scooters must be loaded first for safety. Yes it takes a bit longer but for everyone's comfort and safety it must be done first.
For the most part we encountered very patient people at OKW and the parks who understood the procedure. Except for one man (I really believe that he is not a member, just a renter-snob here too !) who kept banging on the front door and then walked to the back of the bus where the driver was loading my friend and another scooter and demanded that the driver let them on NOW! I explained to him that the wheelchairs and scooters had to be loaded first for safety. He walked off in a huff and kept muttering about his schedule.
Having been on both sides of the scooter/wheelchair wait I know how frustrating it can be. We had to wait several times for the next bus because our intended bus had its full complement of wheelchairs/scooters. Each time the driver radioed that we were waiting at a specific stop with a scooter.
Remember, if you have a PS or must get someplace at a specific time or if you have a "commando Disney" schedule leave yourself plenty of time to get there. Get to the bus stop earlier than you think you need to. Leaving your room with just 20 minutes to get somewhere won't work with the buses or a car! If you have some laggers with you my advice is to set the clock ahead or just tell them that the scheduled event is earlier than it is!
Remember you are on vacation and a DVC member and don't have to "Do Disney in a Day" commando style! You will be back again and again and again!

 

[Coach Rick]

Exactly my thoughts NancyDVC. One thing I learned from my vacation in August, which was the first time for my mom to go to Disney, is that taking your time is a good thing. We used to hit the ground running in all prior trips. With mom having one knee replaced last year, and having to have another done soon, a scooter was required. However, we found that renting a van big enough to put the scooter in was much more desirable than using the busses. Sure it took two of us to load the scooter into the van, but being able to park in front was definatlely worth the effort. Back on subject. Yes you do need to leave plenty of time in your schedule for those less fortunate to be able to enjoy the parks too. Our trip was so much more special due to the fact that mom had the time of her life. We did take the bus once to MK, and I didn't find it objectionable, but I am the type of person that doesn't like to be dependent on anyone else to get anywhere, which usually means I am the designated driver always.

 

[jctwizzer]

What's the big hurry? The great part about DVC is that you'll be going back....whatever you missed this time can be caught the next time....in most cases!! Relax, smell the roses, watch the tourists

 

[Muushka]

I am not a big proponent of busses at WDW. While people may ask "what's your hurry?", I say "there are better things to be doing other than sitting or standing at this yucky bus stop!".

We stay at VWL and always take the boat to MK. While we wait, we may or may not have a place to sit. It may be hot or it may be windy and cold. I do enjoy looking at the lake, but deep down inside I would rather be on the boat going to MK.

We never take the bus to any of the other parks. Just too irritating for us. We may just be going to the parks for a few hours and yes, we have seen it all 100 times, but given my choice of sitting there and waiting for transportation and staying at the Lodge or actually entering a park, I would choose anything but sitting there and waiting.

I believe the real issue is that WDW has chosen to allow the transportation system to go down hill for financial reasons.

I really wish that we were not this way. We would give anything to be able to sit there for 30 minutes and enjoy ourselves, but we are not all cut from the same cloth. And please, don't everyone suggest that WDW is not the place that we should visit if we feel this way. We accept it, but we don't have to like it!

 

[joepoe]

Just a clarifying point, I don't begrudge someone their right to use the handicap access, I am just saying the reality of the situation sometimes is frustrating, especially after a long wait for a bus, or when there are multiple chairs. We are always respectful and keep quiet, although as the dad, I can be crying inside because I am so anxious to get going already!