Size of park buses? Reserve for private parties?

[SnowyWhite]

How many people do the buses that run within Disney World hold? If you have a large private party, can you rent or reserve a bus for your group? Is there a fee? How does that work?

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

Total capacity, I don't know, but the buses are the same size as those used in mass transit for metro type areas. I suppose if you have a large enough group one could be rented.

 

[NotUrsula]

I'm sure that one of the drivers who post here will chime in eventually, but I'd kind of be surprised if guests can rent the regular transit buses. I say that because I've been there with large groups several times for special events, and we always had to charter buses from outside companies to transport us from resort to parks if we wanted to have the bus only for our group. It would seem to be more profitable for WDW to let groups staying onsite charter something from the transit fleet, but I've never seen it done. (Not to say that it isn't possible, just that I have not seen a Disney-owned transit bus used in this way.)

I think I heard somewhere that the newer buses in the Disney fleet are configured with 34 seats, which sounds reasonable, as they tend to have more standing room than they used to.

 

[MICKEEP]

Disney buses hold 72 people.

Disney will, on occasion, provide dedicated service of three bus loads or more,to very large groups, like BTGs, that typically travel together.

Doing this, is both a service to those guests and it also avoids bogging down the system and creating a major inconvenience to other guests who would be unlucky enough to be traveling at the same time, to the same destination.

So to answer the OPs question; if you will have a couple of bus loads in your group, I would contact Disney and explain the situation. Keep in mind that they will never keep these buses out of service for very long so everything is done on a very strict schedule.

 

[Magicbus]

Disney buses hold 72 people.

Disney will, on occasion, provide dedicated service of three bus loads or more,to very large groups, like BTGs, that typically travel together.

Doing this, is both a service to those guests and it also avoids bogging down the system and creating a major inconvenience to other guests who would be unlucky enough to be traveling at the same time, to the same destination.

So to answer the OPs question; if you will have a couple of bus loads in your group, I would contact Disney and explain the situation. Keep in mind that they will never keep these buses out of service for very long so everything is done on a very strict schedule.

Just want to add to MICKEEP's excellent response. You must be, or have been a driver.
OP, I'm pretty sure that MICKEEP will confirm that the 72 figure is not the sitting capacity. No room left for the open bar and dancing in the isles if you put 72 people on board.
Also, how many people are in your party?

 

[SnowyWhite]

After doing some research online of private events and weddings I discoverd that if you are planning a large reception/meeting, Disney has chartered buses that seat 47 people and cost $440 ... OUCH !!!

 

[MICKEEP]

After doing some research online of private events and weddings I discoverd that if you are planning a large reception/meeting, Disney has chartered buses that seat 47 people and cost $440 ... OUCH !!!

Those buses are the fancy charter buses that are used for ME and DCL and are run by Mears. You might get a better price if you contact Mears directly.

 

[truck1]

How many people do the buses that run within Disney World hold? If you have a large private party, can you rent or reserve a bus for your group? Is there a fee? How does that work?

First question is how many are in your group?
You can call the ops office, and they may help out, or theyll refer you to Mears.

The RTS style busses, will hold max 72 advertised, but usually is less in the 65 person range.Depends on how up close and personal a guest will get with their neighbor.Seating is anywhere from 30-45 depending on how the bus is configured.(I used to be a trainer for Disney busses)

The Novas/Giiligs seat in the area of 15-20.I dont remember off hand how many.Its a fairly low number. Total capacity depends on guests but 80 is not uncommon.(if the guest double up in the aisle1 set on each side holding the overhead rails.)Average is about 50-60.

The busses that Disney charters are Mears busses and are identical to the DME and DCL busses.They just have a different paint scheme.Those are Vanhools.They have several MCIs including the 3 MCIs that were former Disney Busses, but they are slowly being phased out and being replaced with the Vanhools.