POR long bus rides?

[melgrek]

How long of a bus ride from POR to each of the parks? Staying for 6 days, will alot of time be wasted traveling? DD is 16 and DS 10. Do the parks close early in the beginning of dec? Can we go to boardwalk and still catch a bus back late @ night? Thank you.

 

[JDY]

We stayed at POFQ (Then just PO) in 1999. It usually only took 10-15 minutes depending on the park. And of course the boat to DTD was great!

 

[Luv2Roam]

We stayed the last week of May and the bus service was the pits.
100% unorganized and not enough buses to put it nicely and simply.
The buses to DAK were at least fairly plentiful. After that, forget it.
And unlike ASMo, where guests stood in an orderly line, POR was a complete free for all.
Guests just walking up were able to get on buses while others who had been waiting longer than us (and we were there 20+ minutes each time) still didn't get on because all the newcomwers boxed them in the back of the depot. When you have 200+ guests waiting for one bus, and the bus that does arrive sometimes only has standing room only --- Needless to say it was not a pretty sight.
And it wasn't a matter of guests just arriving at the depot being rude. I don't think they realized most had been waiting (and had been for some time) for the bus that just happened to pull up in front of them.
And we saw this happen time and time again. This was the norm, not the exception that we saw/experienced.
Just as we saw guets complain to the CM's standing there with clipboards in the hands not doing anything that anyone could tell.
Even at the parks, the POR bus line was always the longest.
Can you tell it still is a sore spot?
My motto -- First time, shame on you. Second time, shame on me. That's the main reason why POR is crossed off our resort list.
And yes, I made my feelings and thoughts known to POR management. I'm a believer of griping to the right people.

 

[Limmer]

When we were there in Oct we never waited more than 5 mins for a bus and the longest that I remember was the ride to MK. Approx 15 mins. The only time we had standing room only was at close at Epcot. We always caught the bus at the last stop (we were in Acadian House). There was never more than 20 people waiting at the stop. Must depend on the time of year you go. Adjust your expectations accordingly.

 

[BostonTigger]

I enjoyed the boat ride the most. It took a while, but it was a smooth and enjoyable ride. As for the busses, if you really want to get to the parks, the kids, then any bus ride will be long.


steven

 

[Dixie Luvr 98]

There is no direct route back to POR from the BoardWalk. You would have to take the bus from the BoardWalk Inn to Downtown Disney and then make your way to POR. Riverside (hate that name! So generic) is fairly centrally located, so no ride is too long.

We have had about average esperiences with buses there. The longest wait we had ever had was 50 mins which was, of course, when we needed to be at Epcot for a priority seating

One other little thing, the bus stop at the MK is the absolute farthest away! It seems like every time they add a resort, it gets to be a little longer walk

 

[Dopey Sharon]

I totally agree with Luv2Roam. That's exactly why I will not stay at either POR again. Previous to that trip, we stayed at All Stars, which had, IMHO, the best bus service. We are staying at ASMU this November.

 

[dcedwards]

We stay at FQ and/or Riverside at least once a year (since it opened in 1991 - I think) and have never had a problem with buses. The longest wait we had was 10 minutes. Once we had a horrible experience at the Transportation Center but typically the service at the resort was always very good.

Luv2Roam - I hope you let the general WDW guest communciations know of your disappointment. One time when I sent an email there regarding transportation the Director of Transportation called me directly. POR management, while I'm sure they listened, might not pass the info on to where it needs to go. I would sure share your experiences again with WDW. They have always been very generous with us when we had bad experiences.

The bus rides never did seem that long to us, either. About 15 minutes, I think.

 

[aalan]

we stayed in october last year, and never had a long wait. i could see how things could get ugly if many people were waiting because of the way the shelter is layed out: there are benches around the interior, and if you arrive early, its tempting to sit and wait. but people arrriving later will stand in front of you, and think nothing of boarding before you. disney can bring out the best in folks, eh? but you shouldnt have this problem in early december: although the parks wont be open late, there shouldnt be hoards of people there so you will have plenty of time to see what you want in the parks. the ride to epcot/mgm is short, a bit longer for ak, and mk is the longest, but still only 15-20 min.