Should have done Disney before Universal

[ariane37]

So first day at a park with bands. MK had EMH today. We were at the bus stop at 7:05. No MK bus showed up until 7:39. Bus was completely filled. An entire bus load of people had to wait for next bus. We get to the park after opening and there are long lines at bag check and turnstiles. I went through 1st and had no problems. Then my 7 year olds were up and their bands didn't work. Same for wife, MIL and older son. Thankfully we brought our actual tickets. The CM we dealt with was so damn rude, especially to my kids. Ready to lose it at this point. Anyways, went to guest relations where a kind CM gave my MIL the DAS. FP+ worked fine for us. Only issue is the lines outside for FP. DAS is better than nothing, but nothing great. After 5 hours in the park we had done 7 rides. We waited 35 minutes for return bus which once again was full and left an entire group waiting for next bus. We're renting a car tonight for rest of trip. Bus service, in one word is unacceptable.

I'm trying SO hard to stay positive about our trip next month, but stories like these combined with remembering the day this past Feb. that our magic bands didn't work for park entry are making it difficult. My biggest fear is getting the dreaded blue Mickey when trying to get in to a park! And as often as we find friendly, helpful CM's, on that last trip we seemed to find a high number of rude, unfriendly ones-especially if the issue involved magic bands or FP's

Also I understand the frustration with missing 30 minutes of park time, but I can see where for many people it wouldn't matter. As a pp said, 1:00 in the afternoon, not such a big deal (probably). But if you've gotten your family up early to make rope drop, managed to be one of the first few families there, only to be denied entrance b/c of magic bands and have to go to GR for 30 minutes-or 60 minutes as we did-or more as many other people have reported having to do- that lost 30 minutes can definitely put a damper on your day. And if you had to do it again the next day.........

As far as bus transportation, we've had our share of good and "eh" over the last few years but never bad enough to miss rope drop, an ADR, or make us long for a rental car-until now When we decided to go in August, the first thing my husband said was "I don't care where we stay or where we eat, but we're getting a rental car!"

Just because someone seems to have a negative attitude going into a trip doesn't mean they're setting themselves up for a bad time. As much as some people love Disney, if you've been multiple times before all the recent changes, hearing/experiencing the issues with the changes can really be a downer, especially for someone like me who is a worrier anyway! I'm not sure if I should just think "all is going to be fine, we won't have any of these issues others are reporting" and then be aggravated when we do , or wake up each day of the trip thinking there MAY be a glitch, and then yell "woo-hoo" every night when there HASN'T been one that day lol

 

[KBoopaloo]

So first day at a park with bands. MK had EMH today. We were at the bus stop at 7:05. No MK bus showed up until 7:39. Bus was completely filled. An entire bus load of people had to wait for next bus. We get to the park after opening and there are long lines at bag check and turnstiles. I went through 1st and had no problems. Then my 7 year olds were up and their bands didn't work. Same for wife, MIL and older son. Thankfully we brought our actual tickets. The CM we dealt with was so damn rude, especially to my kids. Ready to lose it at this point. Anyways, went to guest relations where a kind CM gave my MIL the DAS. FP+ worked fine for us. Only issue is the lines outside for FP. DAS is better than nothing, but nothing great. After 5 hours in the park we had done 7 rides. We waited 35 minutes for return bus which once again was full and left an entire group waiting for next bus. We're renting a car tonight for rest of trip. Bus service, in one word is unacceptable.

OP, I am sorry that your trip is plagued by one issue after another. It seems like MB either work like a dream or implode like a nightmare with no middle ground.

I bolded the part about the bus service in your post because to me it proves the point that gets made here so often about how varied each guest's experience can be from one day to the next. I was at the Boardwalk from 6/27 to 7/3 and had no transportation issues at all. Our longest wait was for the dreaded DTD bus but the dispatcher at the stop called around to give us an estimate of when it would arrive. In the end, we waited about 20 minutes. Other than that, the bus and boat service was exemplary at all times of day for us and we never waited more than 10 minutes coming or going to a park. We only stood on a bus twice, I think. The rest of the time we always got a seat and we were a party of 13. It often feels like some trips you get lucky and some trips bad luck follows you around. I am sorry you seem to be having one of those bad luck trips.

 

[sonofanarchy]

Thanks for all the kind words but really, it's not that bad. The parks have been great. Most CM's have been nice. It's always easier to point out the bad things, but now that we seem to have MB's fixed I'm sure it will be fine. Had a wonderful day today once we got into Epcot. Just had a fantastic dinner at Via Napoli, and now just kicking back in France waiting for Illuminations. Good night and Hakuna Matata.

 

[KBoopaloo]

Thanks for all the kind words but really, it's not that bad. The parks have been great. Most CM's have been nice. It's always easier to point out the bad things, but now that we seem to have MB's fixed I'm sure it will be fine. Had a wonderful day today once we got into Epcot. Just had a fantastic dinner at Via Napoli, and now just kicking back in France waiting for Illuminations. Good night and Hakuna Matata.

Via Napoli and Illuminations makes everything better!

 

[ariane37]

Thanks for all the kind words but really, it's not that bad. The parks have been great. Most CM's have been nice. It's always easier to point out the bad things, but now that we seem to have MB's fixed I'm sure it will be fine. Had a wonderful day today once we got into Epcot. Just had a fantastic dinner at Via Napoli, and now just kicking back in France waiting for Illuminations. Good night and Hakuna Matata.

and !!

 

[momtosam]

What do you mean by not being able to get other fast passes due to conflicting times? When rides go down, that fast pass becomes an anytime fast pass for either the original ride or for another one on the list which at MK is almost anything. You do not need to select anything. Just show up at the ride you choose and scan the band.

For us we were stuck in a broken down Mission To Mars causing us to miss ou FP time at Spaceship Earth. No new pass is given then.

 

[sonofanarchy]

Just wanted to add....Universal is doing amazing things and Disney has been doing things I don't care for. However, I do believe in the Disney magic and Illuminations just reminded of it and why I love WDW so much. I love Universal and everything there was perfect, but leaving there wasn't hard. Leaving here next week will be. And it's why Disney can do what they want. There are just too many people like me out there (scary thought).

 

[abbydancer]

Have to agree! I'm in my 60's, and I have traded pins in the past. But, if there were people behind me, waiting to pay for something, I would move aside and let them do their business! Just common courtesy.

Sometimes I think it's not rudeness but obliviousness. I have been known, in roughly similar situations, politely ask if I can go ahead. At a store, I promise to pay cash and then pay it forward.

Often the response is an embarrassed "of course". Pay, then thank them.

 

[Planogirl]

Just wanted to add....Universal is doing amazing things and Disney has been doing things I don't care for. However, I do believe in the Disney magic and Illuminations just reminded of it and why I love WDW so much. I love Universal and everything there was perfect, but leaving there wasn't hard. Leaving here next week will be. And it's why Disney can do what they want. There are just too many people like me out there (scary thought).

I'm doubly pathetic because I have trouble leaving both of them. I can relate to your feelings about WDW.

 

[wendybeth75]

Just got back from the pool. That was a blast
And I should add, once we got started, we had a great time at the MK today. Sadly, DAS and FP+ has just reduced the number of rides we can do.

As for the busses, all we can do is rent a car. Bus transportation from Epcot resorts always sucks. Just that much worse with obvious cutbacks.

I don't think the point of the DAS is so you can go from one ride to the next with zero waits. You probably rode about the same amount of rides that any other guest rode in that same period of time. The accommodation is that your MIL could instead wait in a more comfortable area rather than the queue line.

 

[TaylorsDad]

Well of course, there's no bus transportation at Universal. It's small enough that it's not needed.

30 minutes out of park time doesn't seem like all that much, but to some I do realize it is too much.

Actually there is bus transportation at the Universal though perhaps not at the Deluxe hotels. We stayed at Cabana Bay last week and not only did they have bus transportation but it was amazingly impressive. Busy week but the longest we waited on a bus was about 4 minutes. Most times one was pulling up as the other was leaving. The Deluxe hotels do have water taxis though.

 

[amg35]

Just wanted to add....Universal is doing amazing things and Disney has been doing things I don't care for. However, I do believe in the Disney magic and Illuminations just reminded of it and why I love WDW so much. I love Universal and everything there was perfect, but leaving there wasn't hard. Leaving here next week will be. And it's why Disney can do what they want. There are just too many people like me out there (scary thought).

Fantastic!

I'm nervous for next year. We're going to Universal and then on a cruise (no WDW) and I want to be as excited for that trip as I am for this upcoming trip to WDW.

I know I'll love it. I haven't been there since 2000, but I love Seussland and can't wait to see the Harry Potter stuff, but Disney is so nostalgic for me (such strong memories of my mom and dad and the whole family when we were young), that's the drawback.

 

[trainingupmy4princes]

So first day at a park with bands. MK had EMH today. We were at the bus stop at 7:05. No MK bus showed up until 7:39. Bus was completely filled. An entire bus load of people had to wait for next bus. We get to the park after opening and there are long lines at bag check and turnstiles. I went through 1st and had no problems. Then my 7 year olds were up and their bands didn't work. Same for wife, MIL and older son. Thankfully we brought our actual tickets. The CM we dealt with was so damn rude, especially to my kids. Ready to lose it at this point. Anyways, went to guest relations where a kind CM gave my MIL the DAS. FP+ worked fine for us. Only issue is the lines outside for FP. DAS is better than nothing, but nothing great. After 5 hours in the park we had done 7 rides. We waited 35 minutes for return bus which once again was full and left an entire group waiting for next bus. We're renting a car tonight for rest of trip. Bus service, in one word is unacceptable.

We normally stay moderate when we go but one year we splurged and stayed split at BC/WL in Dec. It was our tenth anniversary. That was the worst bus system we ever experienced. I agree that they need something different. When you pay those deluxe prices, why are 5 hotels sharing a bus? Especially at opening/closing when more people are going to be riding. They should have Swan and Dolphin provide their own transportation as they're not Disney hotels. I think you should definitely state your concerns to the hotel management about the bus situation. I hope things improve.

 

[trainingupmy4princes]

Just wanted to add....Universal is doing amazing things and Disney has been doing things I don't care for. However, I do believe in the Disney magic and Illuminations just reminded of it and why I love WDW so much. I love Universal and everything there was perfect, but leaving there wasn't hard. Leaving here next week will be. And it's why Disney can do what they want. There are just too many people like me out there (scary thought).

I do feel the same way as I grew up on Disney movies/vacations and have that nostalgic feel. We will do Universal soon as the boys (HP fans) will revolt other wise. But, since I waited so long for our little I want to do princess things which Universal doesn't have. So, we are looking at DL this year and hoping WDW gets their MB act in gear by next year to add on after a small Universal trip next year. I am looking forward to DL, the original Walt park, and paper FP (now there's nostalgia ).

And while some people may be OK with wasting RD time at GS repeatedly, it could very well ruin our trip. We have 2 spectrum kids and we get up early to be ahead of the crowds. They would not understand why we are spending half the morning (they view time differently and an hour feels way longer to them ) at GS. And you lose your step ahead of the crowds.

OP: I hope your trip continues to get better and that all the MB issues are resolved.

 

[goofy4tink]

Actually there is bus transportation at the Universal though perhaps not at the Deluxe hotels. We stayed at Cabana Bay last week and not only did they have bus transportation but it was amazingly impressive. Busy week but the longest we waited on a bus was about 4 minutes. Most times one was pulling up as the other was leaving. The Deluxe hotels do have water taxis though.

But....that's one resort! And it's not going very far. I would expect it to be good. And yes, there are water taxis from the other three resorts. But...you can also walk to both parks from all three of those resorts.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Thanks for all the kind words but really, it's not that bad. The parks have been great. Most CM's have been nice. It's always easier to point out the bad things, but now that we seem to have MB's fixed I'm sure it will be fine. Had a wonderful day today once we got into Epcot. Just had a fantastic dinner at Via Napoli, and now just kicking back in France waiting for Illuminations. Good night and Hakuna Matata.

Aw.
I agree, I think the Disney Parks are still great. Everything else...well

Just wanted to add....Universal is doing amazing things and Disney has been doing things I don't care for. However, I do believe in the Disney magic and Illuminations just reminded of it and why I love WDW so much. I love Universal and everything there was perfect, but leaving there wasn't hard. Leaving here next week will be. And it's why Disney can do what they want. There are just too many people like me out there (scary thought).

Sounds like someone caught a little pixie dust in their eye!

 

[goofy4tink]

We normally stay moderate when we go but one year we splurged and stayed split at BC/WL in Dec. It was our tenth anniversary. That was the worst bus system we ever experienced. I agree that they need something different. When you pay those deluxe prices, why are 5 hotels sharing a bus? Especially at opening/closing when more people are going to be riding. They should have Swan and Dolphin provide their own transportation as they're not Disney hotels. I think you should definitely state your concerns to the hotel management about the bus situation. I hope things improve.

I own DVC at BWVs.....do obviously stay there a lot. Was just there, June 1-7.... We never stopped at YC/BC. Not once. Our bus went to the S/D. Yes, the bus may very well stop at YC/BC mid-day.....there's just not a huge call for buses at this time. It's funny, but when we were at MK, waiting for a bus back to BWVs, there was a long line. YC/BC stop was next to us. Their line was much shorter. About 10 people from our line headed over there! Our bus came along, about a minute later. We all fit in the bus. Yes, my dd and I stood, but we were on the bus. We got to BWVs first, then the bus went to the Swan, then Dolohin.
My dd and I moved over to POR for our last 3 nights. If you get the bus at the main depot, you're on that bus for a long time before you leave POR property. Longer ride than the BW bus.
Deluxe resorts do not get better bus transportation. They do get the ability to boat, or walk, to at least one park. Or, in the case of the MK resorts, the monorail.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Just wanted to add....Universal is doing amazing things and Disney has been doing things I don't care for. However, I do believe in the Disney magic and Illuminations just reminded of it and why I love WDW so much. I love Universal and everything there was perfect, but leaving there wasn't hard. Leaving here next week will be. And it's why Disney can do what they want. There are just too many people like me out there (scary thought).

I knew your Disney side was still in there somewhere.

 

[TaylorsDad]

But....that's one resort! And it's not going very far. I would expect it to be good. And yes, there are water taxis from the other three resorts. But...you can also walk to both parks from all three of those resorts.

Agreed the Universal hotels are much more conveniently located. But the thing I was most impressed with at Cabana Bay Resort was the fact that even though the distance is very short they could have just said lets only run 1 bus because the people would still only have about a 10 wait roundtrip for another. However, there were multiple busses running and most often another arriving even before the other one departed.

 

[Sparkly]

I'm not a WDW newbie. I've got 40 plus trips under my belt. The bus service is just awful this year.

I have to agree. Feb was our first onsite trip and we thought the bus service was just okay to awful. Next time we're mostly driving to parks except for MK.