repeated BUS ABUSE ON OUR TRIP THIS PAST WEEK

[3DisneyNUTS]

You can not get to DTD from the TTC. Disney does that because, parking at DTD is free, if they allowed you to go to the TTC from DTD then they would not get the $8.00 parking fee from guests parking at the the TTC. People would park at DTD ride to the TTC and then to any park from there.

So that is why SSR is going to be the new free TTC then for DTD and all the parks. UGH!

 

[sjdisneywedding]

Are you completely missing my point? I am not concerned about people using it for valid reasons. My concern is that people who want to avoid parking fees or transfer to their offsite hotel. I am worried about CMs telling people to use SSR's congress parks bus stop like the TTC. The stop is small like the average resort bus stop. It cannot handle the influx of extra guests when the resort is at full capacity. Why should I have to stand when someone is too cheap to pay the $8 and be encouraged by CMs no less?

I absolsutely 100% understand and agree if you can believe that. My point is you cant compare off site guests using SSRs' pool to people cheating the system of parking fees and riding the busses.

I dont want them doing this any more that you do, but theres is no way possible to differentiate between parking cheaters and those who are on the busses for legit reasons. The way its set up leads to alot of people possibly using SSR busses, alot of them doing it legally

under no circumstance should any off site guest be lounging around the SSR pool

2 separate issues

 

[pkgman]

We just recently bought at SSR. I do not want this to be a problem that I think it could be.
Could a SSR member post the transportation cost per point for the past year? If I recall right there is approximately 12 million points avaible eventually at SSR. That would amount to $120k for eaach penny of dues.
Also, there is only four building currently open. If there is going be 18 building then slightly less than 1/4 of the buliding are open. That would work out to approximately 200 room with estimate of 4 people per room (maybe less for studio and more for 2 BR).
My question would be how many people are riding SSR busses vs. number of guests staying at SSR. If those numbers are drastically different then I would say we have a problem.
I will say to anyone that if those numbers were off by a better than 2 to 1 margin, I would have a problem with it. If Disney or DTD shops are gaining by getting foot traffic than they should be paying for it.
Sadly, the only reason for separating out transportation cost is to make each division look better or worse on paper.

 

[Doctor P]

I understand the complaints, but the more I think about it the more I don't think I have a problem with it (I know that that might seem odd given my thoughts about other rules). Though it is not the intended way to do things, I'm not sure that any rule is being broken (if you at least have a multi-day ticket), nor do I necessarily think that the spirit of the rule is probably being abused too severely. Here is my thought: 1) If the person is staying at a Disney resort or has a multi-day ticket that gives access to the Disney transportation, then they are entitled to use the buses as they wish; 2) Using the bus to SSR to get to DTD is not a particularly convenient way to get to DTD or to get to one's car or back to a DTD hotel--at minimum it requires a decent walk, at maximum it could be a very long walk (through DTD) to one's car; 3) people that visit SSR via the bus are likely more likely to buy after having seen the resort (as opposed to having not seen the resort) so I think that would be an argument to not discourage the possibility); 4) there are lots of other cases where this happens with the WDW transportation system and they have not proven to be a huge issue (riding to BCV to go to the World Showcase at Epcot, riding to Contemporary or a monorail resort to go to MK, riding to BW to go to MGM); 5) I don't think most people will really try to save $8 by going through the hassle of parking at DTD, and if they do I will bet that many of them end up spending money at DTD anyway. If it were a major problem for DTD during the day, I think there would be more policing of it but generally DTD is pretty empty as far as parking during the day and it can be quite a walk to the bus stops. It's a hassle to park at DTD to go to the parks, so I think that is really enough disincentive that most people won't do it.

 

[Doctor P]

Should people not be able to ride to BWI/BWV, BC/YC to go to the Boardwalk entertainment area? It's the same issue.

 

[sarhenty]

I absolsutely 100% understand and agree if you can believe that. My point is you cant compare off site guests using SSRs' pool to people cheating the system of parking fees and riding the busses.

I dont want them doing this any more that you do, but theres is no way possible to differentiate between parking cheaters and those who are on the busses for legit reasons. The way its set up leads to alot of people possibly using SSR busses, alot of them doing it legally

under no circumstance should any off site guest be lounging around the SSR pool

2 separate issues

but actually there is a way you can differentiate: by checking room keys...
but I also understand that its also a big pain in the rear for Disney....

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

Should people not be able to ride to BWI/BWV, BC/YC to go to the Boardwalk entertainment area? It's the same issue.

Yes but BW BC benefit from that. There is nothing to sell at the Congress Park bus stop. The preview center is not even close to that stop the stores and Artist Palette are in the complete opposite direction of DTD. All I can see it as being is extra foot traffic. The only positive that could be is that people not sure of where to go will wander to the waterview area and see that awesome view and want to stay there. BUT at 12am when they are tired and dragging kids back to their cars I don't think it would be of any interest for them to stop and smell the roses.

Hopefully my concerns are for nothing and hopefully what I saw this past week will be a rarity. But honestly if we see over congestion for that stop it will cause problems for everyone at every bus stop on the SSR line in the future. It could prevent people for getting seats on the first bus back. Make the wait for a bus longer when parks are closing. It could be a negative if it is continually encouraged. I hope that Disney has worked out the worst case scenario with this before they allowed the CMs to encourage that option.

 

[sjdisneywedding]

but actually there is a way you can differentiate: by checking room keys...
but I also understand that its also a big pain in the rear for Disney....

no not currently, because any ticket holder is also entitled to full use of the transportations systems.

so Disney would have to make a new set of rules, I dont think having certain busses for resort guests and others for park guests is too great of an idea, too much confusion

 

[tjkraz]

We just recently bought at SSR. I do not want this to be a problem that I think it could be.
Could a SSR member post the transportation cost per point for the past year?

The 2005 budget indicates $1.4mil for transportation. With a basis of 309 units, the cost is nearly $.30 per point, or 8% of our total dues.

I still think the best solution is for Disney to run direct service fom the theme parks to DTD after 6pm. Lack of service in the am is a deterrent to the parking violators. Direct service in the pm greatly reduces the SSR problem and keeps other folks from overusing the system by having to transfer at a resort.

 

[sarhenty]

no not currently, because any ticket holder is also entitled to full use of the transportations systems.

so Disney would have to make a new set of rules, I dont think having certain busses for resort guests and others for park guests is to great of an idea, too much confusion

I realize that having a bus just for SSR guests is not a good idea bc it would probably take a while to fill (especially in slow seasons) but if it included all resort guests, I would bet it would fill up fairly quickly (especially in peak seasons). I don't think it would be that confusing, all the bus drivers needs to do is check for your room key upon boarding (its done in inner city transportation all the time, i'm from nyc). It would simplify things even more, if they had a separate queue area at the bus stop.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

The 2005 budget indicates $1.4mil for transportation. With a basis of 309 units, the cost is nearly $.30 per point, or 8% of our total dues.

I still think the best solution is for Disney to run direct service fom the theme parks to DTD after 6pm. Lack of service in the am is a deterrent to the parking violators. Direct service in the pm greatly reduces the SSR problem and keeps other folks from overusing the system by having to transfer at a resort.

Thanks for the info
There is one other option. Stop charging for parking. I mean how severly would that impact WDW if they did not charge for parking?

For us I hate driving to any of the parks. The Magic Kingdom being the worst IMO. Too many steps to get to the car. I like walking to to bus getting on getting off at our stop.

But if there was free parking then it would alleviate the problem of people trying to save the $8

 

[sjdisneywedding]

I realize that having a bus just for SSR guests is not a good idea bc it would probably take a while to fill (especially in slow seasons) but if it included all resort guests, I would bet it would fill up fairly quickly (especially in peak seasons). I don't think it would be that confusing, all the bus drivers needs to do is check for your room key upon boarding (its done in inner city transportation all the time, i'm from nyc). It would simplify things even more, if they had a separate queue area at the bus stop.

i see your point, but its also goes back to Disney probably not wanting to omit these people from these busses. They want off site guests moving around, spending money at resorts.

Just get SSR out of this loop somehow

get busses straight to DTD from parks
or close the walkway to non resort guests

you still have to allow all guests some way to get to SSR. you cant deny them access to the resort altogether so the idea of no non resort guests on this busses cant work

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

Thanks for the info
There is one other option. Stop charging for parking. I mean how severly would that impact WDW if they did not charge for parking?

For us I hate driving to any of the parks. The Magic Kingdom being the worst IMO. Too many steps to get to the car. I like walking to to bus getting on getting off at our stop.

But if there was free parking then it would alleviate the problem of people trying to save the $8

or sell an unlimited multi day parking pass to people when the arrive at the park for a discounted rate. Like $5 a day or something being it will be prepaid.

 

[btrim]

I believe if you have a park hopper ticket, you should be able to ride the buses anywhere on Disney property. However, the parking lots at DTD were not put there for people to get out of paying the parking fee at the parks. Also the SSR (or any DVC Resort) buses were not meant to carry anyone who wants to get to DTD. We do pay extra for those perks and people who are continually trying to find a way to cheat the system shouldn't be allowed to take advantage of the perks we have paid good money for. I am not a hateful person, but it is the type of people that the first poster mentioned (family and loud woman) that make me want to say that you must show a DVC resort card to even get on the bus headed for your resort. Why do people think they should be allowed to do whatever they want whenever they want, no matter what the rules are?

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

I believe if you have a park hopper ticket, you should be able to ride the buses anywhere on Disney property. However, the parking lots at DTD were not put there for people to get out of paying the parking fee at the parks. Also the SSR (or any DVC Resort) buses were not meant to carry anyone who wants to get to DTD. We do pay extra for those perks and people who are continually trying to find a way to cheat the system shouldn't be allowed to take advantage of the perks we have paid good money for. I am not a hateful person, but it is the type of people that the first poster mentioned (family and loud woman) that make me want to say that you must show a DVC resort card to even get on the bus headed for your resort. Why do people think they should be allowed to do whatever they want whenever they want, no matter what the rules are?

The problem is the rules. Technically they can do this but should they morally? Should they be encouraged to take a seat away from another guest just so they can save $8. That is where my problems lie. If it becomes too big of a problem I hope DVC / Disney will address it.

 

[cruise-o-matic]

OK, here's my $.02.....

I think it is pretty well established that if you have a park ticket, you get full use of the transportation, so no use checking resort ID's. I can see Disney encouraging guests to take the SSR bus to DTD during the hours when the DVC sales center is open. It may encourage some to stop and take the tour. And during these hours, the SSR busses are probably not going to be too crowded.

Once the DVC offices close, then Disney needs to start running busses from the parks to DTD, and from DTD to the TTC (but not directly to he parks), so that those leaving DTD can get back to their cars. This way those who want to stay out and party can go directly to DTD, which means they'll be spending more $ with Disney.

While those SSRers, who are tired and carrying sleepy kids can go back home w/o the crush of outsiders. It is not fair for Disney to recommend the SSR bus as the "official" transportation to DTD since the SSR owners are picking up the tab.

I'm not sure if parking at DTD to avoid parking fees is illegal though. Cheap and inconvenient, yes, but since it is not a resort, is it "illegal"....? But as long as Disney doesn't charge for parking and doesn't run DTD busses to parks, then they probably need to gate SSR and post a CM the same way they do for cars. This won't stop everyone from using SSR as a transportation hub, but it should cut down on the abuse.

 

[iwaseeyore]

IWhen I have my sleepy son in my arms with no where to sit because someone was too cheap to pay for parking or chose to stay offsite why should they get my seat?.

Because by paying for multiday park admission or being an onsite guest allows then unlimited use of the system.

Roll you eyes all you want but I would at least expect people not to condone those who are scamming the "system" Find any loophole you would like it doesn't mean since it is there people are entitled to it.

Scamming is your opinion but the facts are they are not scamming anyone.

I pay dues to have a seat on the bus. If fellow SSRs beat me to it, be my guest, but don't tell me someone staying offsite should be able to walk from DTD and take up seats on the bus without me getting upset. I pay to use the bus and it looks like I paid twice since I have a PAP too.

I think this is where you misinformed. I haven't checked any of my paperwork yet but i'm sure that it doesn't say "by paying your dues you are guaranteed a seat on a bus." There are a number of ways to qualify to use WDW Tranportation and most if not all guests qualify. Your dues are a portion of what your resort pays to provide transportation to WDW for the use of the system. I'm sure the resort pays a per cent based on the cash guests as well. Explain how you think you are the only person or DVC members are the only grouip that pay twice for the ability to use a bus. A person with a room reservation and a multiday ticket pays twice as well.

From the tone of your post, your upset that you had to hold your son. I can understand that. It happens all the time on the busses back to BWV after being at the MK.

 

[elfbo]

Now while I dont have a problem with ticket holders using the bus, I do have a problem when they crowd onto a DVC bus, which *I* pay for out of dues, which will cause dues to go up because of higher transportation cost ... I hope if this trend continues, with Disney promoting SSR as the Gateway to DTD, they will pick up the tab as well (good luck on that).

As for the suggestion that funneling people though SSR many will stop by the DVC office probably wont work because the suggested bus dropoff point is by the DVC office and the people would have to backtrack, away from DTD, i dont see this happening.

Hopefully if enough of us show our concern with this, DVC will find a resolution that will not impact *our* bottom line.

 

[TroyWDW]

We just recently bought at SSR. I do not want this to be a problem that I think it could be.
Could a SSR member post the transportation cost per point for the past year?

Here is a link to a thread that gives details of the 2005 DVC Budgets for all of the DVC resorts. 2005 DVC Budgets

The 2005 SSR transportation costs are still below OKW, which has the most similar transportation system. It'll be interesting to see how the 2006 Budget looks.

Troy

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

Because by paying for multiday park admission or being an onsite guest allows then unlimited use of the system.



Scamming is your opinion but the facts are they are not scamming anyone.




I think this is where you misinformed. I haven't checked any of my paperwork yet but i'm sure that it doesn't say "by paying your dues you are guaranteed a seat on a bus." There are a number of ways to qualify to use WDW Tranportation and most if not all guests qualify. Your dues are a portion of what your resort pays to provide transportation to WDW for the use of the system. I'm sure the resort pays a per cent based on the cash guests as well. Explain how you think you are the only person or DVC members are the only grouip that pay twice for the ability to use a bus. A person with a room reservation and a multiday ticket pays twice as well.

From the tone of your post, your upset that you had to hold your son. I can understand that. It happens all the time on the busses back to BWV after being at the MK.

Do you just scan my popsts when you read them because your answers misconstrue what I have said. I did not have to hold my son on the bus but I am concerened that Disney offering the CP bus stop at SSR as the way to DTD will make me have to on future trips due to over crowding....You know what I cannot retype everything and re-explain please reread my posts before you comment.

I also feel it is scamming to use a bus intended for resort transportation as a way to get over on paying to park. BTW where do you own? If you don't see it as a problem maybe lets suggest they use the busses at your resort?