POR Riverside Bus info

[FBandA]

Has anyone ever stayed at POR and hated it becasuse of the bus transportion to and from the parks?
DH and I are going for 4 days the week after July 4th Tuesday to Friday? We are morning people, don't mind the walking and we will have the Park Hopper. Just wondering what to expect. We have stayed at CBR and CSR and never had an issue with the buses, we have always ended up being near the first pick-up spots just by luck and we don't mind standing up, so I don't think I would like to see buses go by full especilly 2 buses, I saw a post mention that it could happen, has it happened to anyone. Wanted to try POR this stay, and just had this concern after reading some of the posts. Thanks

 

[Luv2Roam]

Us. But that was probably back in 2002. Never have returned to stay though.

 

[supersuperwendy]

We loved POR as a resort, but hated the bus situation. I don't think we had a chance to sit but maybe one time throughout our 6 night trip. When leaving for the parks the bus was already full since they pick up POFQ first. When returning to the resort..the POR bus stop is always so far from the gate entrance at the parks. We hated it...I would stay at POR again if I had a vehicle of my own. I didn't like how it was bus only. My previous two trips were at BW and we liked being able to walk to Epcot and boat to MGM.

 

[brentalex]

We stayed there in 2001 and I hated the bus service. I would never go back there again just because of that. Buses would get full at POFQ and just go by us. I would not have minded standing on the bus while going to the parks, but having them not stop at all was ridiculous. We were told that there were monitors watching the stops and would order buses when needed and that they would come right to our hotel without first stopping at POFQ, but I don't ever remember getting on an empty bus, which means it always must have stopped there first, since we always got on the bus at the first of the POR bus stops. Now this was 7 years ago and hopefully, maybe things have changed, but at the time the service was awful.

 

[Luv2Roam]

The values are much better with their bus service.
I don't recall the exact year, but the end of our stay was the day FQ re-opened after their major paint job.
So for most of our stay FQ was not an issue because it was not open for guests.
The monitors were worthless. One day they even just sat in a parked car. We could not tell any improvement whether monitors were there or not. The POR bus service was a disorganized, aggressive free for all during our stay. (And mousekeeping, the luggage and check in areas were not much better. Hence I have not given POR another try.)

 

[jamaunt]

We stayed at POR two years ago and loved the bus service. We didn't have a single issue with it. In fact, it was probably the best service we've encountered at WDW. We used the stops in the AB section.

 

[gatorfreud]

We stayed just after Thanksgiving and we always walked to the front bus stop, since often it will fill up there and not make the loop around the reosrt. One time we had to wait for a 3rd MK bus, but other than that I thought it was fine. I would not wait at a stop inside the resort though, I think they would often get passed by.

We stayed at CSR on the same trip and though the bus service was better there. But I did not think the bus service at POR was "bad" and it wouldn't keep me from staying there again.

Kim

 

[DisneyCatMom]

Just back from POR. It was a crowd level of 7/8. So pretty crowded.
We were in building 27 so used the south depot; closest to lobby.
We only had an issue once. We waited 50 minutes for a Magic Kingdom bus. We were trying to get to MK by 8:00 for parade and wishes. Didn't make it.
I just didn't see any rhyme or reason to the way buses picked up and dropped off. We were sometimes first on and other times it would have already gone to FQ. Other times it was backwards. All of Riverside then picked up FQ.
Some parks have separate bus depots for FQ and Riverside, others share the same depot to take you back to resort.
We also stayed at POR 2 years ago. Same thing, yet we chose to go there again.
I don't know that POR is any better or worse than any other resorts.
Yes, there are long lines at parks trying to get back, but overall the buses came right after one another.
When all the parks pretty much close at the same time on a given night, you just have to assume that you will be waiting in a long line to get back.
Overall, it's still better than driving for us.
If you end up waiting longer than you like, grab a cab occastionally. They really aren't that expensive and in long run are cheaper than renting a car for the length of the trip.

 

[Tiffany]

Has anyone ever stayed at POR and hated it becasuse of the bus transportion to and from the parks?
DH and I are going for 4 days the week after July 4th Tuesday to Friday? We are morning people, don't mind the walking and we will have the Park Hopper. Just wondering what to expect. We have stayed at CBR and CSR and never had an issue with the buses, we have always ended up being near the first pick-up spots just by luck and we don't mind standing up, so I don't think I would like to see buses go by full especilly 2 buses, I saw a post mention that it could happen, has it happened to anyone. Wanted to try POR this stay, and just had this concern after reading some of the posts. Thanks

We have stayed at POR twice and after staying there for the second and last time in Sept of 2006 we would not return as the buses were packed no matter what time we seemed to be heading out to the parks. We have stayed at CBR and CSR in the past and while they also have multiple stops the buses did not seem to be as crowded as the buses at POR where on both trips. With the prices of the moderates going up the way they are we would not go back to a moderate unless they started offering really good deals again and I do not see that happening anytime soon. Friends of ours how have three children stay at POR and like it but they do not deal with the buses they rent a minivan.

 

[Tink888]

We stayed at POR in Nov. and had no problems with the buses. There were times when we had to stand and buses leaving the parks seemed to come pretty quickly. We caught the buses at the South Depot which is the stop at the front of the resort and the buses did fill up there.

Honestly, I think that no matter where you stay, there are times when you're going to feel like your waiting a long time for buses and times you may have to stand. If you know what to expect going into it, it doesn't seem to be a big problem.

 

[maxiesmom]

We were there in October, and I only had to stand going to the parks I think once. Which suprised me as at check-in we were told the resort was booked to capacity. We got on at the North depot, and it was the second stop. We went on to the East depot, and then the South depot.

I actually like that POR is picked up after POFQ--less time riding the bus around the resorts.

When we left the parks at closing there was always a huge line. But then more than one bus came at the same time, so the wait was minimal. Are only problem was when we left Epcot one night right before Illuminations. It had started to lightening, and call me crazy, but leaning agains a metal fence around a big pool of water, wasn't my idea of a good time. Anyway that time we did have to wait for a bus, around 20 minutes. But we just use the time to chat with our fellow travelers, and the time flys by.

I would think that the week you are going the parks are bound to be very busy, so I would guess the busses will be too. Disney does what I think is an excellent job of moving a huge number of people around. And if the wait seems too long, you can always grab a cab, both at the resorts and at the parks. I keep an extra $20 in my fanny-pack just for that.

Go and enjoy POR. It is a beautiful resort!

 

[mickeymousemom]

I always hear about bus problems at POR and, though we've had a few teeny trying times, we've never had major complaints about the bus system.
We love POR. It literally feels like home to us. I love the whole resort and can't get myself to stay anywhere else.
Yes, we've had situations where we have seen 3 busses in a row come by for other parks or DtD/waterparks,etc. We don't worry much about it. We love POR too much to let it bother us. We know that if we need to get somewhere FROM the resort we allow PLENTY of time(even at that, ONE time we were late to Ohana one night because it took about 45 minutes for a MK bus to come by ). But. Its okay with us. That doesn't happen often in our case and we relax and enjoy ourselves at the bus stop(and people watch...which can be EXTREMELY entertaining ).

I also agree that there seems to be no rhyme or reason to the bus situation there, but it always works out in the end. I wouldn't give up the wonderful feeling of home we get for the best bus situation in the world...ever.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I am hesitant to ever stay at POR again because of the buses. Last time I stayed there, it took me an hour and 15 minutes every morning to get to MK.

My room was in the very back of mansion Parterre Place, so no bus stop was particularly close, so I would walk to the main stop by the food court. And every morning it was the same thing - when a bus for MK pulled in, it was over half full already from POFQ. There are no queues at POR, so it's every man for himself basically - you must be assertive to get on, and can't be afraid to push a little or cut off a child from their parents (I am almost not kidding, either! ). And those who get on, it's standing room only. Every morning, it took me the 3rd bus before I finally wiggled my way on. Then we still had to loop around POR before leaving for MK. Just took soooo long. I actually found it uncomfortable and somewhat stressful just to "play the game" of forcing my way onto the bus.

I gave up and drove everywhere after 3 days of this. The buses to the other 3 parks seemed OK, though.

Nowadays I prefer the queues at a resort like POP, since you can more or less judge how long it will take until you get on a bus (whether the next bus, or the one after, or after), and you don't have to be worried about being trampled. Even at the other moderates, I never had to be so assertive or I would never ride, this only really happened at POR.

This was 2 years ago, hopefully things have changed for the better.

 

[maxiesmom]

I am hesitant to ever stay at POR again because of the buses. Last time I stayed there, it took me an hour and 15 minutes every morning to get to MK.

My room was in the very back of mansion Parterre Place, so no bus stop was particularly close, so I would walk to the main stop by the food court. And every morning it was the same thing - when a bus for MK pulled in, it was over half full already from POFQ. There are no queues at POR, so it's every man for himself basically - you must be assertive to get on, and can't be afraid to push a little or cut off a child from their parents (I am almost not kidding, either! ). And those who get on, it's standing room only. Every morning, it took me the 3rd bus before I finally wiggled my way on. Then we still had to loop around POR before leaving for MK. Just took soooo long. I actually found it uncomfortable and somewhat stressful just to "play the game" of forcing my way onto the bus.

I gave up and drove everywhere after 3 days of this. The buses to the other 3 parks seemed OK, though.

Nowadays I prefer the queues at a resort like POP, since you can more or less judge how long it will take until you get on a bus (whether the next bus, or the one after, or after), and you don't have to be worried about being trampled. Even at the other moderates, I never had to be so assertive or I would never ride, this only really happened at POR.

This was 2 years ago, hopefully things have changed for the better.

Holy cow! I have stayed at POR 3 times, and never had that problem going to the parks! What month were you there? I usually go in October, and have never had to fight to get on a bus. That would be horrible!

 

[maciemouse]

We just returned from POR. We were at the main bus stop because we were in buliding 14. Both mornings we got on the bus at about 8:30 it was empty. So obviously it did not go to POFQ first. We never had any issue with the bus and this was during Spring Break. Maybe they were running extra buses because of the crowd levels.

 

[allicat1214]

I'm heading there this week and will report back and let you guys know about a fri/sat/sun in late april.

 

[Shmily1]

We stayed there in January, it turned out to be marathon weekend, and had no problems with the buses. We did have to wait on the boat to DTD for about 30 minutes, but that was it. The bus service was great!! We used the stop by the main building and never waited more than 10 minutes for a bus. We were never crowded at all and only shared the bus with another stop one time.

 

[biscuitgirl]

We stayed there in January, it turned out to be marathon weekend, and had no problems with the buses. We did have to wait on the boat to DTD for about 30 minutes, but that was it. The bus service was great!! We used the stop by the main building and never waited more than 10 minutes for a bus. We were never crowded at all and only shared the bus with another stop one time.

That's great to know. It seems like the more recent POR goers have had better bus service. The most complaints are from 2-8 years ago, so I'm not overly worried about the service. I'm pretty sure it has improved over the years and I wouldn't think you will have anything to worry about. It sounds like if anything, the MK might require some waiting, but the other park buses should be just fine.

 

[cepmom]

we're going to POR this August...any other experiences at POR during August? We'll be there for part of our trip during free dining, so I'm sure it will be crowded. I am nervous about bad bus service now! In the past we have rented a car but I can't find a good rate on rental cars yet and am toying with the idea of forgoing the rental and just relying on Disney tranportation. Now I'm, not so sure...

 

[cheerforchelsea]

I have never had a problem with the bus transportation at POR - going again in May so I hope I can still say "I have never had a problem" when I return.