POR Bus Service...Is It That Bad?

[Davey-D-99]

We have finally decided that for our very first family WDW trip coming in April 08 we can budget for a Mod Hotel. My wife and I and 2 Kids love the look and reviews of the POR the best so far, but... I have been reading a awful lot of reviews about how bad the bus service is at POR? Why? Is it really that bad compared to the other Mods? CSR is our second choice...would that be a better pick?

 

[cathy0124]

My DH and I stayed there in Jan for our Honeymoon and we never had a problem with the busses. We were closest to the main entrance stop.. it was usually just grab the first bus and go.. depending on the time and how full the bus was, many times we never even had to make a second stop- either around the resort or at French Quarter..

But I'm sure the time of year will have a greater impact as well.
Maybe someone who has been in March or April would have a better idea.

HTH,

 

[HopperFan]

IMO CSR has better bus service because it doesn't share with another resort. That said, I would not choose based on that. I never had a problem with a POR bus, but we always got on at the bus stop in front of the main building. Especially convenient if you eat breakfast in food court. If you like the looks of POR, then go for it, don't let a bus stop you

 

[PrincessPaczki]

This will be our second trip to the POR and I am not worried about the buses. The resort is so beautiful and relaxing. We get the bus early, so we never have to wait or stand. Coming home, all the buses to the other resorts seem to be just as busy and full as the ones to the POR. We never had to stand coming home either.

 

[BandBob]

We stayed at POR last July for our family trip! We only had a problem on two occasions and they were minor. Our first was a long wait, I would say it was about 25 minutes for a bus to DTD for our ADR at Planet Hollywood. My wife ran into Guest Services and told them of our wait and we had a bus for DTD in 5 minutes. The other was a late night at EPCOT and we seemed to wait quite a long time, again maybe 15-20 minutes, saw buses come for other resorts 2 or 3 times before one finally came for us! Other than that, never more than a 10 minute wait for a bus anywhere!!! Hope you have a great time!!!

 

[Buzz2001]

Check out my CSR website below for pics and info.

 

[eeyoreiscool]

We haven't had any problems with the bus service at POR. It is one of our favorite Moderate resorts.

 

[SeaSpray]

I was there exactly a month ago and the bus service was GREAT!!!! Didn't have to wait for a bus to come along to the park we were going to for more than 5-10 minutes. Many times it was even less than that. Busses were constantly coming through for the various parks

 

[Goofyish]

One thing we noticed at POR is the buses stop at POFQ first so it's best to wait at the main (south?) bus deepo at POR, otherwise by the time the bus gets round to the other 3 stops at POR it may be full.

 

[Tiffany]

We have finally decided that for our very first family WDW trip coming in April 08 we can budget for a Mod Hotel. My wife and I and 2 Kids love the look and reviews of the POR the best so far, but... I have been reading a awful lot of reviews about how bad the bus service is at POR? Why? Is it really that bad compared to the other Mods? CSR is our second choice...would that be a better pick?

We have stayed at POR twice and the bus service was fine, in the sense that we never waited more than 15mins after arriving at a bus stop for a bus, what we did fine annoying was dealing with the number of stops inside the resort itself before heading to your final destination and how each bus was packed full. When any of the moderates are full their buses are going to be packed due to their share size. We thought that it would not bother us but I think we have been spoiled by the bus service at the AKL and not having to take a bus to get everywhee when we stay at the S/D.

So, is the bus service "bad"? No. It runs on time and that is saying something for mass transit, which is what the Disney transportation system. Is it crowded? Yes.

 

[hallie615]

I am not the OP but you guys are making me feel better. We booked POR for Sept. and I was alittle worried about the busses. We normally stay at WL and alot of people complain about their transportation also and we never had a problem.

 

[dixiedizfan]

They do tend to pack the POR buses til they're standing room only ... however, the buses at POR run continuously, so you never have to wait long for one to come along. On the other hand, the buses at CSR never seemed to get very crowded, but we seemed to wait forever for our bus to finally show up. I'd rather ride on a crowded bus and get to where I'm going than sit around just waiting.

 

[drogerstn]

We had some long waits and crowded buses at POR last June. Some buses were full and passed up the stop. Several times, we had to wait for loading and unloading of personal mobility devices which seemed to take forever.

We use our car more often than the bus service because of the waiting time. We found that during our last trip, even driving to the TTC to get to the Magic Kingdom was often better than waiting on a bus. We had long waits leaving the MK before and after closing time.

 

[lunalibre]

We just got back Sunday from 10 days at POR. We didn't have any problems with busses. I would highly recommend planning to catch busses at the main (South) depot. Yes, most of the time the busses were very full and we all ended up standing. However, most destinations were only 10 minutes away, so it just wasn't a big deal to us. We hate driving on vacation and can put up with most anything if it means letting someone else drive.

I don't think we ever waited more than 10 minutes for a bus. Now, we spent our last day in DTD, and while I allowed nearly 50 minutes to get back to our hotel to catch the ME bus, we still decided to catch a cab. We got to the bus stop at DTD, and two busses for OKW show up. The first says he's going to OKW and the second bus should go to POR. The second bus said the first was supposed to go to POR. Whoops! We decided not to worry about making ME and got the cab instead for $10 (with tip).

Enjoy your stay at POR! We sure did!

 

[Davey-D-99]

???????

Our first was a long wait, I would say it was about 25 minutes for a bus to DTD for our ADR at Planet Hollywood

Now, we spent our last day in DTD, and while I allowed nearly 50 minutes to get back to our hotel to catch the ME bus, we still decided to catch a cab.

I've read that there is boat from POR to DTD? I take it that it is not convenient as well? Is this why you take the bus to DTD?

 

[Harvest02]

Has anyone every been to POR in late October? How is the bus service then? We are staying at POR for the first time this October 22-28th. Just wanted to know if anyone has been that time of year and can let me know the bus situation. I am a little nervous about the busses also...

 

[maxiesmom]

???????




I've read that there is boat from POR to DTD? I take it that it is not convenient as well? Is this why you take the bus to DTD?

The bus service from/to DTD is known for being sloooooow. Typically, you are much better off taking the boat. Plus, it is a very nice, relaxing ride.

 

[Olallamom]

In regards to bus service in last October, it is fine.
I was there last October and we never had any issue with the bus service.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I stayed at POR in May 2004 and November of last year. The bus system is not the best here (but it definitely doesn't make me not want to stay at POR, it's a great resort). I got really aggravated at the length of time we were wasting with bus transportation on our last trip (on average 45 min. to an hour to get one way anywhere, one day it took us 1 hour and 45 minutes from the time we got to the bus stop until we got off at Epcot on our last trip, but I'm sure this isn't typical). I think my fiance was more irritated than I was and the only way I could convince him to go back to POR again is if we drive to the parks. I think what's so irritating is not only the length of time but also everytime we were on a bus it was cram packed with people (and we weren't there during a busy time) and several times we had to wait for more buses to come because by the time it hit all of the other stops it was full when it came to ours. I think it will keep us more sane to drive next time (I can deal with parking lot traffic as long as I have a nice AC filled quiet car) and we'll be two less people on the buses so more people can fit on the bus we're not on.

But we LOVED LOVED LOVED the boat to DTD. We used that several times. The ride is so peaceful and pretty that it almost feels like an attraction and not a mode of transportation!

 

[a1tinkfans]

We visit POR each year, sometimes more than once. We have honestly never had a real problem with the buses. We use the main stop outside the gift shop.
One time years ago the bus broke down the highway and they had to transfer us all to another bus. Everyone was singing to pass the time. Even that was manageable, I mean, HEY,it's Disney~!


LOVE LOVE LOVE POR, Our Home Away From Home!
PS: the boat ride to DTD is a peaceful, about 30 minute ride on the Sassagoula River. You'll pass the old tree houses that are used for the "students/interns" a fun thing to see and beautiful breezy ride. ENJOY!!