POR Bus Transportation problems

[Belle217]

I have been reading guest reviews on the bus transportation to the parks from POR. The reviews were horrible - some waits were as much as 1 to 2 hrs in the mornings. We are staying at POR in 10/08. Any advice on the buses?

 

[SGMCO]

We stayed there mid Sept. last year and had no problems
at all with the busses at POR.
I'm sure at some very busy times of the year there
may be some bus delays. While we were at POR we
had ADRs at the CR and AK resort and found the busses
to these resort few and far between from DTD hub.
I'm so glad that we gave ourselves plenty of extra time to get to our ADRs.
Once we were in DTD waiting for the AK Bus to come in
pouring rain (wind blowing-messerable) and we saw 3
POR busses come and go before a AK bus even arrived--seriously
thought about going back to the resort (POR).
So I know that any resort can have delays in busses.
I love the Disney bus transportation because I'm on vacation
and don't want to drive. Patience also helps.

 

[maxiesmom]

I have stayed at POR three times, and never had to wait an hour or more for a bus. I guess anything is possible, busses do sometimes break down, and stuff happens. But long waits are not the norm at POR. Don't worry too much. I'm sure for every bad bus post you read, there were a few hundred who had a good bus experience and just didn't post about it. Disney's goal is a bus every 20 minutes or less. Most times I have found it is less than 20 minutes.

If you are worried about making a dining ADR, keep an extra $20 in your pocket for a taxi. That way if your bus doesn't show up, you can just hop in a taxi and be on your way.

 

[dandydad12]

We have gone the past 9 years and have stayed at PO mostly . We go the last week of June and the first week of July , I am thinking that there is no busier time then this and we have had very little problem with transportation . Just this past year the longest wait we had was comming back from DDT and we waited about 25 minutes . One night after the fireworks at Epcot the line was very long to rerturn to the resort , we thought we would be there at least an hour or more . At one point many of the people in the line were complaning and just about ten minutes after we got in line two more busses pulled up to service PO and after we boarded the bus and left to return to the resort I noticed more busses replaceing the ones that just left . Remember they are moving several thousand people at any given moment on a daily basis an IMHO I think the do a pretty good job of it . Disney nows how to move people . You will have better luck getting to the parks catching the bbus at the HH . Don't stress yourself over this and have a great vacation , we are going back in late June 09 .

 

[webstah]

I know that they change the frequency of the buses to and from the waterparks to every 40 minutes, but we haven't had any issues other than crowds after fireworks, or Fantasmic.

 

[Lilolvr]

I think a lot of the recent complaints are due to Fay last week.

I've experience long waits at POR and POFQ but never two hours. A lot of their issues come because they share buses and it can get crowded at night in the queues leaving the parks.

 

[luvmikids]

I agree with the others, If you have a little patience you will be a happy camper. waiting for the shuttle is no different then waiting in a long line of mass exodus in your own car trying to get back to I drive. so be patience, if you get to the line by 8:15 you will be fine, and when you leave after fantasmic or fireworks, take your time enjoy the atmosphere and you will be fine. you're on vacation relax and enjoy you're at DISNEY, the happiest most wonderful place on earth

 

[Kiki Lime]

Does the bus stop at the south depot first? Which stop does it hit next? Thanks!

 

[JeanneLB]

We went ahead and rented a car due to the fact that we had multiple dining res at different resorts, and that's when you can run into long waits with transfers and all. The 150.00 for a weeks rental was worth it to us not t o be stressed out over which bus to take and how you get somewhere. But people do it all the time, it,s Disney. Be there this Sunday!!! NO GUSTAV!!!!!! JeanneLB

 

[YourMajesty]

I have been reading guest reviews on the bus transportation to the parks from POR. The reviews were horrible - some waits were as much as 1 to 2 hrs in the mornings. We are staying at POR in 10/08. Any advice on the buses?

Ok Belle217 looks like you just need a little patience.

Good to see that post count up to four...someday you will be able to send a PM!

Good luck, there is some good advice and keep that $20 ready for the taxi just in case. Sometimes getting to the other resorts to eat is the biggest problem; however, as I recall most of you meals are at the parks!

 

[LimeGreenEd]

Never had a wait of more than 20 minutes for a bus. If I had to wait an hour for a bus I certainly would have gone to Guest Relations to complain. When you have a bunch of excited kids who can't wait to get to the parks, 20 minutes feels like 2 hours.

 

[dixiegirl]

Let me first state that I know everyone's experience is not the same. That being said, my experience with POR in Oct (see my signature) has been just fine with the busses. DH and I have never had a problem with the busses in all of our trips. And as posted above, patience is the key - you will be much more relaxed and will avoid alot of tired, grumpy, and impatient people who really need a heavy dose of pixie dust! lol!

The end of the night at parks are always busy and yes, POR is one of the worst because it is one of the most popular mod hotels. DH and I have used the same strategy for years now and it works very well. After the parade, Illum, Fantasmic, etc (whatever) just take your time and let the crowds fight their way out. Find a nice bench to sit on for a bit - take some late night empty park photos or do shopping. Then, slowly make your way out to the busses. We pretty much walk right on and are very relaxed when we arrive back at the hotel.

We're returning to POR in Oct again and cannot wait!! Hope to see some DISers there!

 

[disneygirl29]

I have a few thoughts on the 1-2hr comment; I think it was either exaggerated or a VERY RARE occurance! I have never heard of such a thing... and who would stand and wait that long without seeking out some answers; customer relations, ask another bus driver, etc... I would never just stand there that long and get upset without doing some checking or getting someone working on the issue.

I KNOW I have never waited that long! I know ther are times you leave the park say after Wishes and you get to your resorts stop and the line is HUGE and you THINK you'll be there an hour just waiting to get up to the front of the line, but then the buses start rolling in and as one fills up and leaves the next is right there to repeat! and it really moves fast... I have never timed t, but I would say to wait even for 30 minutes would be a stretch... I might seem like a long wait, since everyone is tired and ready to be back at the resort after a big fun filled day... You have to have patience or it will ruin a trip and the trips of those around you!

We travel with 6 kids (2 are mine 4 are my sisters) and 3 adults (my mom, my sister and myself) usually... I do not "tolerate" meltdowns... I do what I can to make the wait "enjoyable" thus why we take strollers and such to keep everyone happy and comfortable... I ahve stood in line holding a 3yr old and bags etc... and waited with no grumbles so I expect others to be just as patient! lol! You can always sit on the ground but it reall moves quickly!

It is pretty amazing actually how Disney is able to pull off moving such large numbers of people every day... and while the system may not be "perfect" it is pretty close...

There is nothing worse than an impatient person ruining it for anyone around them, or barking at their kids or each other or grumbling about it... we are all wanting to get somewhere, just be patient!

 

[3smithboys]

We stayed at POR last Christmas week. It was crowded (to say the least) and we never had to wait a long time for a bus. Sure, we had to wait at the end of an evening after fireworks, but it seemed as if they put on more busses then, and the lines moved fairly quickly. We were pleasantly surprised and are heading back to POR this Christmas week.

 

[Henlady]

I have found that when going from one resort to another, it is sometimes faster just to take the first bus to any park that comes along and then take a bus/boat/monorail from the park to the desired resort.

We have stayed at PO-R - 14 times and only once did we have a problem with an extended wait many years ago during one of our early visits. We waited for a bus to DTD for 50 minutes and then another 20 minutes for a bus to the Polynesian from DTD. After that, we started just going to a park to transfer to another bus/boat/monorail.

On our most recent visit a year ago, we never waited at the resort for more than 10 to 15 minutes to catch a "park" bus. Much of the time it was only 5 to 10 minutes, which I consider to be a negligable amount of time.

 

[diswedwish]

We've stayed at POR and FQ many times - usually the buses are good, sometimes you wait a little.

Now last week I did literally wait an hour in the pouring rain at 11pm at DD. But it wasn't for a POR bus, never fear. It was for WL and I think it was a glitch. Not fun. I have found, and it could just be our luck, that deluxe buses tend to be worse as a whole - not much, but a bit.

Have a great trip!!!

 

[Jane-in-PA]

I have a few thoughts on the 1-2hr comment; I think it was either exaggerated or a VERY RARE occurance! I have never heard of such a thing... and who would stand and wait that long without seeking out some answers; customer relations, ask another bus driver, etc... I would never just stand there that long and get upset without doing some checking or getting someone working on the issue.

I KNOW I have never waited that long! I know ther are times you leave the park say after Wishes and you get to your resorts stop and the line is HUGE and you THINK you'll be there an hour just waiting to get up to the front of the line, but then the buses start rolling in and as one fills up and leaves the next is right there to repeat! and it really moves fast... I have never timed t, but I would say to wait even for 30 minutes would be a stretch... I might seem like a long wait, since everyone is tired and ready to be back at the resort after a big fun filled day... You have to have patience or it will ruin a trip and the trips of those around you!

We travel with 6 kids (2 are mine 4 are my sisters) and 3 adults (my mom, my sister and myself) usually... I do not "tolerate" meltdowns... I do what I can to make the wait "enjoyable" thus why we take strollers and such to keep everyone happy and comfortable... I ahve stood in line holding a 3yr old and bags etc... and waited with no grumbles so I expect others to be just as patient! lol! You can always sit on the ground but it reall moves quickly!

It is pretty amazing actually how Disney is able to pull off moving such large numbers of people every day... and while the system may not be "perfect" it is pretty close...

There is nothing worse than an impatient person ruining it for anyone around them, or barking at their kids or each other or grumbling about it... we are all wanting to get somewhere, just be patient!

Agree 100% with everything you said!!

 

[nikki'smom]

I have been reading guest reviews on the bus transportation to the parks from POR. The reviews were horrible - some waits were as much as 1 to 2 hrs in the mornings. We are staying at POR in 10/08. Any advice on the buses?

Yes, rent a car.

POR Buses
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1411881

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1810635

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1438767

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1526053

 

[Jane-in-PA]

In 18 replies to this thread, only 2 people (or 1) said the buses are so bad that you should rent a car. That speaks volumes, and should put your mind at ease! As most others say, plan well, relax, and you will be fine. Have a great trip!

 

[maggymouse]

What have your experiences been at POR with riders that use scooters?

My mother who has MS will be staying with us and will be using a scooter. We are doing a split stay and will be spending 2 nights of our Disney vacation at POR.

Last year my husband & I stayed at POFQ and the guests that were using scooters were the first on the buses and didn’t seem to have any problems. This year we will be at POR and I am quite nervous that we may experience difficulties since POR is known to be the 2nd pickup.

Thanks for all of your help!