POR - Bus problems?

[jzmomid]

My husband and I and our two sons (ages 7 and 9) will be staying at the POR next month as part of our cruise package. (We are too excited for words!) In reading others' messages about this resort, it sounds like it is very nice but also very inconvenient transportation-wise. We will not have a car and will have to rely on the bus to get to and from the parks. Is the bus service bad enough that we should consider switching to a monorail-accessible resort?

 

[Luvtomickey]

No, we will be staying at POR in Aug. for the 5th time since 97, we have never had transportation problems to the parks! The only time we had to wait considerably long was in the late afternoon going to DTD and this was because a terrible thunderstorm blew in and they had to close the boats to DTD due to lightning. Now we are early risers so we are at the bus depot 30-45 mins before each park opening I don't know if its more crowded in the late morning.

 

[BadgerBruce]

We have stayed at POR 3 times in April & once in October. The bus service has always been very good. The boat ride to DD is really nice, too. I don't recall ever waiting longer than 20 minutes for a bus, & usually the wait was less than 10. POR is a beautifully themed resort!

 

[jzmomid]

Thank you for your feedback. Sounds like it will be a great place to stay. Can't wait!

 

[Hnymoon@Dixie]

I've stayed there twice (see below) and the busses were fine!
If you get Busdriver BOB, you're in for a real treat!

 

[dcedwards]

We've stayed there and at POFQ many times. Most of the time the transportation has been great. We will be there in November at POFQ (shares a bus with Riverside). After reading many of the posts recently I wrote Disney an email telling them what I had heard and asking them if they could look into it. I was actually being selfish since I want the transportation to be good when I get there in November. If you are concerned about what you have been hearing drop Disney and email and let them know. It couldn't hurt.

I did that last time before our trip and we didn't have any significant waits for buses from PORiverside. Now once when we were at the Transportation Center...that was a different story.

 

[jzmomid]

Thank you for the information. I will certainly consider e-mailing my concerns. What is the "Transportation Center"?

One more question for you or anyone else who knows . . .

How long is the bus ride from POR to the parks?

O.K., one more - how early before the parks open do the buses begin their routes? Luvtomickey mentioned waiting at the depot 30-45 minutes before the parks opened. Does it take 30-45 minutes to get from the resort to the parks or is that just a good way to be near the front of the line and ensure a seat on the first bus?

Thanks again for your valuable information. My husband and I have been to WDW only once, 10 years ago, but we didn't stay on the property, so it's fun to get all of these little tidibits straight, as little things can frequently ruin a trip!

 

[vacationwoman]

The Transportation center is a central location where different buses, the MK ferry and the monorails meet. You shouldn't have to go there since your staying at POR. They have a bus and boat that goes to all parks. (boat only to DTD)

We just came back from 2 weeks at POR and the buses were running great. Never more than a 10 minute wait.

The ride between POR and the parks is between 15 to 30 min.
Depends on if it stops at other locations around the resort. Sometimes when it's crowded they only make one stop and go right to the park.

Make sure you get on the POR bus at the south depot, it is the first stop at POR (in front of the hotel ) That's the best way of getting a seat (and sometimes not) It makes 3 other stops around the resort and often stops at FQ first.

Usually in the summer the first buses to the parks start operating an hour before the park opens. You will want to be at the gate when they open.
Have a great trip.