Shared Bus Service at OKW?

[Pa@okw95]

How many think there will be some kind of shared bus service with OKW when Saratoga Springs opens up. I only use the bus from OKW to MK, the rest of the parks I use my car, but if this happens that would be it for me and the bus service to MK. I understand at other DVC resorts they have busses that stop at more than one resort now! The last time I used the bus from OKW to AK it stopped at a water park on the way back, never again. How many think we will be using the same busses at OKW and Saratoga Springs? I do, at least at the start of the situation when Saragtoga Springs first opens up.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I hope not! I like our little exclusive OKW buses! And, YES, I use them to all the parks, but never to the resorts.

 

[spiceycat]

sometime in the early 90's OKW did share a bus with the then DI - but this did not last long - too many members complaints - can't give first hand information - none of my trips were taken place during this period - so it was definitely less than a year - maybe only during the summer?

 

[Peter Johnson]

Originally posted by spiceycat
sometime in the early 90's OKW did share a bus with the then DI - but this did not last long - too many members complaints - can't give first hand information - none of my trips were taken place during this period - so it was definitely less than a year - maybe only during the summer?

Ah, the good old days . Sharing the bus with DI was a pain, but I have to admit it was fun when the bus drove through the treehouses. The poor driver sure earned his/her pay on that route!

 

[PamOKW]

I was on an experimental DI/OKW bus trip once. Hadn't been on one prior, wasn't on one again. I think it's fairly disastorous. Part of the problem is all the "in and out" at both resorts.

 

[Granny]

It's an interesting question. WDW definitely plays with the bus routes a lot, so I wouldn't be surprised to see a shared route for OKW/SSR for the parks.

I know that WL used to share with the Poly and GF. Then a couple of years ago, it switched to sharing with Fort Wilderness. Then last week, we were still sharing with FW, except for one trip that ran by the GF (but not the Poly)???

Look at it from the other perspective. Do you think that SSR will get its own dedicated bus routes? If not, who else but OKW would you see it sharing its bus routes with?

 

[RobDoc]

I don't expect there will be any shared routes between OKW and SSR. The distance to and likely crowds at SSR would add too much to the trip to enhance the ride for guests at either resort and there is no need to share routes- there are plenty of buses at this time!

Stay Tuned!

 

[beccasmom]

I hope not! I noticed when at MGM that there was one bus for the folks at the Contemporary, Poly and GF and it was quite crowded.

I remember the days of sharing with DI too. We were trying to get over to the Marketplace quickly and the trip took forever! During our pre-DVC days, we stayed at the "Clubhouse Villas" circa 1985. I remember the bus service as being pretty slow and very crowded. Too many stops and too few buses.

 

[Doctor P]

When we were at WDW in December 2001, we shared several trips with other resorts when we were at OKW--we went to Port Orleans on a couple trips and went to Disney Institute on a couple of trips. We never shared, from what I remember, coming back from any park or attraction, but we shared on the way to several attractions/parks.

 

[paults]

I think OKW is just to big to share a bus with another DVC resort.
JMHO

 

[JimC]

The other DVC resorts share bus service because they are part of other resorts and use the same service that the resort does. As long as attendance is down I expect Disney to reduce costs and combine service where they have opportunities. Florida's tourism industry needs a rebound desperately.

If attendance went back to prior levels, service is likely to improve. For example, if the Epcot resorts (BW, YC/BC, Swan, Dolphin) pick up I suspect that service will be split to handle the ridership. Particularly if the two DVC resorts there are also fully open and utilized.

Right now the Poly, GF and Contemporary share service. Shades of Green would as well if it was not closed for refurbishment. When we were there this June the combined service was not a problem.

 

[DeeP]

Since they have changed the bus service to bus on demand or whatever they are calling it, I would not be surprised to see SS and OKW sharing buses. With the new system buses are dispatched according to the demand. OKW has probably the lowest bus usage out of any WDW resort due to the fact that the vast majority of guests at OKW have their own car, I suspect SS will follow the same pattern with the majority of guests having a car. Given this, it would be easy for one bus to cover both resorts that are so close together rather than having 2 seperate bus routes with half empty buses leaving resorts right next to each other.
The only drawback to this is the fact that OKW has a lot of bus stops and most likely so will SS but in all reality the bus route to cover stops at both resorts would not be any longer or take any longer than the bus route that covers GF, Contemporary, Poly or BW, YC, BC, Swan and Dolphin.

 

[Dean]

I'm sure they will always match demand with the fullness of a resort or even an individual bus. I can't imagine a routine bus route that hits all stops at OKW and DI, PO etc when the resorts are fairly full. What I could see is an internal bus for OKW that shuttles people to a main bus stop and then sharing express routes with DI or PO. I personally think this would work far better for OKW than what they have now. All you need is one or two of those mini buses that just keeps running the circuit about every 10-12 minutes. They pick up and when they get full or after they complete the rounds, they drop off at a main central bus stop. Then the big busses just spin through and pick up whoever for their destination. When it's busy they have a dedicated bus for OKW and when it's less so, they share with one of the other neighboring resorts.

They then run a mini bus to DD/PI every 20-30 minutes or so and that they do share with SS. Under this system it's easy to get to and from the main pool, store and Olivia's as well as to SS or DD. They need some less buses for the parks themselves and they can run them with quicker turnaround times. The only issue becomes when the parks close and everyone is trying to get back at once. But with staggered park closings, this really should be easily manageable with the appropriate training and planning. You send all he extra buses to AK which will close first. You have the first buses full make two runs and the rest one. Then it's on to MGM, then MK and finally Epcot. Keeping a lessor group of buses dedicaed to each park until the cutoff time.

 

[DeeP]

What I could see is an internal bus for OKW that shuttles people to a main bus stop and then sharing express routes with DI or PO. I personally think

I thought there was just an internal bus like FW has. I have only used soley Disney transportation during one of my stays at OKW and I was very close to the HH bus stop so I never paid attention to the buses running throughout the resort.
But you are absolutely correct this would be a very easy way for Disney to combine the bus service of the 2 resorts. The downside is it would require guests to take 2 buses to get to their final destination and this has always been a complaint of FW guests with cabins in the far out loops.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by DeeP
I thought there was just an internal bus like FW has. I have only used soley Disney transportation during one of my stays at OKW and I was very close to the HH bus stop so I never paid attention to the buses running throughout the resort.
But you are absolutely correct this would be a very easy way for Disney to combine the bus service of the 2 resorts. The downside is it would require guests to take 2 buses to get to their final destination and this has always been a complaint of FW guests with cabins in the far out loops.

The difference between OKW and FW is it will only take some 10-12 minutes tops to make the entire round. While there is an internal bus, it hasn't seemed to run very often when I was there and it circles between DD/PI and the entire loop at OKW.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by Pa@okw95
The last time I used the bus from OKW to AK it stopped at a water park on the way back, never again.

It's a grand total of 3.5 minutes from the entrance of Blizzard Beach to the exit. 5 if you have slow boarders. 5 minutes really isn't a huge deal.

Originally posted by Pa@okw95
How many think we will be using the same busses at OKW and Saratoga Springs? I do, at least at the start of the situation when Saragtoga Springs first opens up.

The transportation plan for Saratoga Springs has not been announced yet, so I cannot give a definitive answer on the topic. HOWEVER, based on what I know... my guess is that when the first few sections of Saratoga Springs opens, they will have a dedicated bus during peak times of the day. During mid-day hours, when ridership is minimal, they might combine them.

Once the resort fully opens with all 5-7 stops, they will have thier own bus. Ridership for OKW is low, however, during peak times, they do have the potential for crowds.

Originally posted by Peter Johnson
I have to admit it was fun when the bus drove through the treehouses. The poor driver sure earned his/her pay on that route!

Piece of cake! Fun, too

Originally posted by Granny
I know that WL used to share with the Poly and GF. Then a couple of years ago, it switched to sharing with Fort Wilderness. Then last week, we were still sharing with FW, except for one trip that ran by the GF (but not the Poly)???

Indeed, as you stated, we do tinker with the routes. Always trying to maximize effeciency. As it stands right now... morning routes for Studios and DAK combine CR/Poly, WL/GF, while FW stands alone. After 11:00, Studios goes back to CR/Poly/GF, and WL/FW.

Originally posted by JimC
As long as attendance is down I expect Disney to reduce costs and combine service where they have opportunities. Florida's tourism industry needs a rebound desperately.

If attendance went back to prior levels, service is likely to improve. For example, if the Epcot resorts (BW, YC/BC, Swan, Dolphin) pick up I suspect that service will be split to handle the ridership. Particularly if the two DVC resorts there are also fully open and utilized.

Right now the Poly, GF and Contemporary share service. Shades of Green would as well if it was not closed for refurbishment. When we were there this June the combined service was not a problem.

Indeed, during the slow times, the Epcot Resorts do get combined. However, during peak times, they are split up.

As for Shades of Green... they provide thier own transportation.

Originally posted by DeeP
Since they have changed the bus service to bus on demand or whatever they are calling it, I would not be surprised to see SS and OKW sharing buses. With the new system buses are dispatched according to the demand.

Actually, Old Key West does not participate in Magic On Demand. (Neither does AK Lodge.) AKL and OKW buses are "Flex" dispatched all day long. Buses are dispatched in fixed intervals all day long.

Magic On Demand is a bus-sharing system that has the flexibility of dispatching extra buses to meet additional demand. Buses still run at the standard interval... they just have additional units to handle additional crowds.

As for OKW's demand... Very rarely will I have anyone stand on my OKW bus. Only during peak times...

Originally posted by DeeP
Given this, it would be easy for one bus to cover both resorts that are so close together rather than having 2 seperate bus routes with half empty buses leaving resorts right next to each other.
The only drawback to this is the fact that OKW has a lot of bus stops and most likely so will SS but in all reality the bus route to cover stops at both resorts would not be any longer or take any longer than the bus route that covers GF, Contemporary, Poly or BW, YC, BC, Swan and Dolphin.

Indeed, you do have a valid point, and one that I'm sure has been discussed within Disney Transport. While they are close, my only concern would be the number of stops. As it stands, it takes a good 10 minutes to go through OKW's 5 stops. Saratoga Springs will probably have 5-7 stops when complete. That's another 10 minutes.

Originally posted by Dean
What I could see is an internal bus for OKW that shuttles people to a main bus stop and then sharing express routes with DI or PO. I personally think this would work far better for OKW than what they have now.

Although this is a good idea, I don't think it would work for Disney. The main reason - too confusing. That, and it would take too much time. People want a direct route to the MK. By taking an internal bus, they still go through the stops, plus they have to transfer.

Originally posted by DeeP
I thought there was just an internal bus like FW has.

Sort of. It's not a real internal. There is a bus that runs to the Hospitality House with the destination "INTERNAL RESORT SHUTTLE" That bus can take you to any stop within OKW. It runs every 20 minutes. You can also take any bus from any of the inside stops TO the Hospitality House.

Originally posted by DeeP
The downside is it would require guests to take 2 buses to get to their final destination and this has always been a complaint of FW guests with cabins in the far out loops.

Fort Wilderness is a bit different. Right now, the way the Internals run, has provided the most guest satisfaction of any other setup. There are 3 different internal buses that run in 10 minute intervals. By having 3 routes, one is only on the internal bus for 5 minutes or less. The Internal buses take guests to the Settlement and Outpost Depots, which is where they can catch their theme park transportation. The reason why this works for FW and not OKW is that FW has 15 different stops within the resort. Those who remember the Boone & Crockett remember how long they could take. If you think OKW takes awhile, think again.

 

[vernon]

I can't see any sharing of park bus systems, when SSR is first up and running with minimal number of guests DVC sales will not want what looks like a drawback being obvious to potential buyers, as SSR gets filled up the two resorts combined will be too large to be a single unit.

I like the idea ( I think it's Dean's idea ) of a bus that would be internal on OKW (first and last stop Hospitality House), then onto SSR (again stopping twice at their front desk) , then on to DTD, West side and on to OKW. Might add a little to trips to DTD (but there is always the watertaxi service as well) but it would assist OKW and SSR guests who wanted to pool hop, check out the resorts or visit the Spa.

 

[Pa@okw95]

Chip n' Dale--the last time I rode the bus from Animal Kingdom and it will be the last time-I waited a full 20 minutes for the bus to show up at AK-actual time with my watch-not a guess. Then when I got on the bus we sat there another 10 minutes-after 30 minutes at the bus stop at AK I finally left AK to only have to stop at the water park. We went through that route there. Now by the time we pulled into OKW it was about 50 minutes after I started to wait for the bus at OKW. It took so long to get to OKW I got off the first bus stop at OKW rather than ride around aonther 5 to 10 minutes to get to my stop. Now for those of you that out there think this kind of service is no big deal then fine but had I taken my car, I would have gotten in my car immediately, not had to wait 20 minutes for a bus even to show up. Oh, the tram ride would have taken about the same time it takes to walk over to the bus stop in case you bring that up. Now how long do you think it would take me to drive my car to my front door at OKW from AK-I would guess 10 minutes. Now I have horror stories to tell about the bus service from MGM in the middle of the day to OKW but that is another story. This story is a normal situation, taking about 50 minutes from the time you start waiting for the bus to arrival at OKW. Like I have said so many times things at WDW have gone down hill over the years.

 

[RobDoc]

This story is a normal situation, taking about 50 minutes from the time you start waiting for the bus to arrival at OKW.

I have never had a trip from AK to OKW take 50 minutes by bus (and we never drive at WDW) and have had some take as few as 15 minutes- including the stop at BB... that's probably not a "normal situation" either, but I'd think a 30 minute total would be more "normal".

All resort buses make the stop at BB- it's on the way in the mornings and on the return trip in the afternoons- it's not unique to OKW.

There are even times you'd have to wait for a tram to take you to your car, but there's no question that your car doesn't have to stop at BB.

To characterize every bus from OKW in this fashion is irresponsible, IMHO. There are certainly reasons why there are delays with an individual trip (number of guests loading/unloading, wheelchair guests, traffic, driver changes) but these issues are found with all buses- regardless of the resort. Since AK and BB are so close to each other, it's natural to combine that route (for all resorts), just as it's practical to combine the TL and DD bus in the same fashion.

As for things going downhill, I can remember a time when there were no buses to AK (and no AK park either). To me, the addition of the park (and transportation to/from) is a huge improvement from the past. Obviously some choose to view things differently.

Many thanks to Tyler for the informative report with the inside information. It's greatly appreciated.

 

[vernon]

I waited a full 20 minutes for the bus to show up at AK-actual time with my watch-not a guess.

So I'd guess you'd just missed a bus, unfortunate but it happens. I must admit that AK ( and the waterparks) I always take a car.

Seeing as AK wasn't open when I bought in to DVC I can't say that the bus service has got worse on that particular journey. AK to OKW is probably as long a journey as it's possible to make on Disney property (all bar a 1/4 mile) therefore you can't be suprised it physically takes 20 minutes from the park to the resort (it's a good 10 minutes even in a car). It seems that many guests also use their cars for the journey from OKW to AK for those reasons. With reduced demand Disney is going (sensibly IMHO) run a service that reflects that demand. I'm sure many people would be up in arms if transportation forced our dues to be raised so Disney could supply a bus service that ensured no one had to wait for a bus to arrive even if they just missed one departing. We'd all like to have our own personal bus waiting to take up direct to our room, but practicality dictates that we are at the mercy of the schedule. If that schedule is a bus every 30 miniutes and it's a journey of 20 minutes then odds dictate that occassionally (if we're unlucky) it could take 50 minutes for the journey. To expect anything different is unrealistic IMHO.