POR bus transportation

[ash901]

I recently booked our May trip at POR. It was the resort that appealed to our family the most. This will be our our first time flying and relying on solely Disney transportation. I'm nervous about the busses. I've read some pretty recent reports where the busses were less than ideal. Thoughts?

 

[gluestickgirl]

We have stayed there twice, and not really had any trouble. It IS crazy when you're leaving a park when it closes, but that's true of any resort with buses.

 

[minnie mum]

Agree with the PP. Any resort can run into problems, but these are not the norm. You need to understand that Disney buses are not on dedicated service to specific resorts. They are sent out by a central dispatch. Any given bus may pick up at POR for a run to MK, then be sent to AKL for an Epcot run. POR might have a problem one day but be fine the rest of the week.

We've been staying onsite since the 70s, and I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of occasions we've had what I consider a problem with the buses. But we're pretty laid back and are rarely in a hurry on vacation. There ARE guests who just aren't bus people. The ones who get antsy if a bus isnt waiting for them when they arrive, or who pout if they don't get a seat at park open or close, when they are busiest. Those folks I point towards the nearest car rental agency.

 

[Sue M]

You always will get "that" morning when it seems like there are 5 busses gone by to every park but yours. But 99% of the time busses run well. This can happen at any resort.

 

[ash901]

Thank you. It had me worried. I dont mind some waiting but from what I was reading it was excessive and out of character.

 

[DCLogs]

We have stayed at POR for the last 2 years in May. There was no bus issues. If the buses are crazy busy at the close of the day at MK, than just get on a POFQ bus. There never is a line on that bus and its only a 10 minute walk from there to POR.

 

[RustManFan]

I have never had an issue with buses at POR either. I am a patient and laid back person and do not rush around on my vacations so a little wait doesn't bother me at all.

How other guests acted at bus stops was annoying at several locations throughout WDW but I can generally let that roll off my back. Some people are just idiots and insensitive!

If you are in a rush to get somewhere for an ADR, for example, just leave plenty of time or get a taxi if necessary. I don't do ADRs but have read that others go with the taxi....

 

[loves to dive]

Another one who has stayed there and had no problems. As others have said, it's really the luck of the draw as to whether you are going to have to wait. One thing, POR has a number of stops, the main one being the last to pick up and first to drop off so keep that in mind.

 

[Jon84]

If the bus fills at the first stop, it will often just leave right away, and they'll send another bus to pickup at the other stops.

I'm not sure the Lobby was always last though, often an empty bus would turn up at the lobby.

 

[OhThePain]

3 stays at POR and never had an issue with the buses. If you don't have to wait at the South Depot (which is by the main building), don't. It's almost always the last stop that is picked up. We would eat breakfast at the Mill, head back to our room to grab what was needed for the day and then head out to whatever bus stop was closest to our room. The West, North and East stops are much more quiet and relaxed and there is a much greater chance of getting on the first bus you want.

 

[Jon84]

Another one who has stayed there and had no problems. As others have said, it's really the luck of the draw as to whether you are going to have to wait. One thing, POR has a number of stops, the main one being the last to pick up and first to drop off so keep that in mind.

If it's first to drop at lobby, then it's also first to pickup no?

All the stops are on the the same side of the road.

 

[shaneray]

We have stayed at POR for the last 2 years in May. There was no bus issues. If the buses are crazy busy at the close of the day at MK, than just get on a POFQ bus. There never is a line on that bus and its only a 10 minute walk from there to POR.

Same here and booked next May with same expectations and advice.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

I don't choose a resort based on buses. I plan accordingly. Plan a 30 minute wait for a bus and you'll never be stressed.

 

[loves to dive]

If it's first to drop at lobby, then it's also first to pickup no?

All the stops are on the the same side of the road.

I wouldn't swear to it because I really didn't pay too much attention but I think there is an access road that it circles around. I always walked over in the morning for the first pick up then got off in the evening at the bus stop behind my building. I think it is first pickup last drop off but I could be wrong.

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

Just back from 4 days At POR & no issues with the buses at all & we used them at varying times of the day. If using them for an ADR be sure to allow at least 90 minutes to get there - that's the rule of thumb they tell u when u make your ADRs. The first stop pick up rotates depending on which park. If you check out www.portorleans.org there's info there on the bus routes.

 

[ash901]

Just back from 4 days At POR & no issues with the buses at all & we used them at varying times of the day. If using them for an ADR be sure to allow at least 90 minutes to get there - that's the rule of thumb they tell u when u make your ADRs. The first stop pick up rotates depending on which park. If you check out www.portorleans.org there's info there on the bus routes.

Thanks. I actually Found this website last night. Very helpful info! @Jadyreen1282 you are correct. No reason to change because of a possible issue with a bus!! Thanks

 

[olecow]

POR is our favorite resort. We've stayed there numerous times and never had an issue with the buses. That doesn't mean there aren't sometimes issues. I just don't think they're any more common at POR than any other resort. Buses for POR at park closings can be a bit crazy. They always have the longest lines, but in our experience they do send quite a few buses at closing. When one fills up there's often another waiting to take its place, and we never wait too long.

 

[buzznina]

Agree with the PP. Any resort can run into problems, but these are not the norm. You need to understand that Disney buses are not on dedicated service to specific resorts. They are sent out by a central dispatch. Any given bus may pick up at POR for a run to MK, then be sent to AKL for an Epcot run. POR might have a problem one day but be fine the rest of the week.

We've been staying onsite since the 70s, and I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of occasions we've had what I consider a problem with the buses. But we're pretty laid back and are rarely in a hurry on vacation. There ARE guests who just aren't bus people. The ones who get antsy if a bus isnt waiting for them when they arrive, or who pout if they don't get a seat at park open or close, when they are busiest. Those folks I point towards the nearest car rental agency.

This is us and you really nailed it with your description of the "non-bus people" We have stayed at a bunch of the resorts and if I had to take them off the list because of transportation issues here and there, then my list would get VERY small and this includes the monorail

 

[Dug720]

There ARE guests who just aren't bus people. The ones who get antsy if a bus isnt waiting for them when they arrive, or who pout if they don't get a seat at park open or close, when they are busiest. Those folks I point towards the nearest car rental agency.

And I strongly encourage this type of person to either never visit NYC or else to plan on a lot of time and money going to taxis. Because the odds of always being able to sit on the subway - ESPECIALLY if you're dealing with high tourist areas - is slim to none. (And if there IS an empty car at a very busy time - especially if people are crowding into cars on the other sides - avoid it. There is a reason it's empty...)

 

[HopperFan]

Is the bus situation there ideal? No. Is it terrible? No. It's a large resort full of families and folks who go to the parks aka often full buses. It has a number of bus stops and I've never left there on a bus that wasn't basically full (and we rarely head out early). Best tip I can give is we always walk to the South Depot (at the front) because the bus always comes there first (unless the rare time it has gone to POFQ and going to share) and we always get a seat. It then loops around the resort to the other stops and heads out. I can't remember the last time we got on any other stop.

Agree coming home you can get on POR or POFQ but whether that works for you may be based on where you are staying at POR - and if the walk is worth it. We usually just get on the POR bus.