spending time waiting for buses is maddening

[ppjluvsdvc]

We used to always take the bus because I would refuse to rent a car. The last couple of summers we have taken trips where we flew in and out of Tampa and visited other family so we have had a car. We have decided, that depending on where we are staying we drive everywhere except to the MK. Figure it is better to take the bus to the MK as you get dropped near the main gate and do not have to get on another mode of transportation like driving to the transportation center. The other parks you park pretty close to the main entrance.

 

[Andrew015]

Personally, I find the bus transportation to be more than adequate. The majority of my experience is as a WL guest, of which we only use the bus for EPCOT / HS days (we take the boat for MK days). The stop at FW only adds another 5-10 minutes to what is only a 5-10 minute trip, and I can't recall waiting more than 10 minutes for a bus. To me, 20-30 minutes is a very reasonable time period for complimentary service, and is well worth not having the hassle or added expense of a rental car. I suspect that the experience can differ dramatically by resort. Having said that, my last stay at SSR - which is the largest resort by area and has numerous bus stops - was also a positive experience. Maybe my expectations are lower than average or my patience is better than most, but I have never found myself cursing the "dreaded" WDW bus service. I should preface this by also saying that most of my travels are in off-peak seasons like May or September/October.

As for FP+, I should not comment, as I have not yet experienced it. However, I'm not looking forward to this level of planning and control that this now places on our vacations. We're the type that likes to take our WDW vacations as they come. Maybe we've changed our mind on what was supposed to be an EPCOT day and would rather visit MK, or maybe it's warmer than expected and we're not going to do a park at all and will instead hang at the pool. Yes, I know that FP+ can be managed and changes can be made, but this adds another level of complexity and planning to my day. I take vacations to WDW to get AWAY from planning and complexity, as I get enough of that at work. IMHO, there was nothing wrong with the "old" system. I know there's no chance of going back, so my only hope now is that they work the kinks out of this new FP+ and make it slightly more appealing than it currently sounds to me right now.

 

[profdsny]

As much as we've all waited 20 mins or so for a bus, recall that there are always people who walk up to the stop for that bus about a minute before it arrives. Ask them and they'll say that bus service is fabulous.

 

[quirty30]

As much as we've all waited 20 mins or so for a bus, recall that there are always people who walk up to the stop for that bus about a minute before it arrives. Ask them and they'll say that bus service is fabulous.

So true. I find the buses hit or miss. But usually when you're running late, so are the buses. Murphy's Law.

Last August we stayed in a Treehouse, and for the first time in 4 years, I rented a car. And oddly enough, I really liked having it. This, coming from a single mom who previously would have said her favorite thing about WDW vacations was not having to drive. Boy, did I like the fact that we could get back to the Treehouse from just about anywhere in WDW in less than 20 minutes. We also used it for grocery shopping. Other than that, we ventured outside the "world" just once, not counting the drive back to the airport. And I did not like the latter one bit. In fact, I didn't like driving off site AT ALL. Florida driving was not my thing, especially when my GPS got wonky. But I loved having the car at WDW itself, and I would absolutely rent one again. But I'd rent it at Downtown Disney (which was what I did in August) and I would return it there. I'll let DME get me to and from the airport.

 

[Andrew015]

As much as we've all waited 20 mins or so for a bus, recall that there are always people who walk up to the stop for that bus about a minute before it arrives. Ask them and they'll say that bus service is fabulous.

One thing to keep in mind - Nowhere does Disney advertise or promote "little or no waiting" for their various means of transportation. In any literature, signage or websites that I have ever seen, I recall Disney always telling guests to allow one hour of travel time from point "A" to point "B" using their complimentary transportation means. While I think this is definitely a "generous" window, I think it is meant to account for "peak seasons", and I certainly am not suggesting that one hour should be the "norm".

As mentioned, my experience with Disney Transportation has always been positive, and I never recall a bus or monorail loop that came anywhere close to a one-hour transit time. For me, most have been in the 20-30 minute range (this includes wait time at the bus depot, stops and travel time to my destination). On a few occassions, I have been on 40 minute loops. Maybe I have been lucky, or maybe it has to do with traveling in non-peak seasons, but my experience spans approximately 20 trips since the 1990's with no horror stories to speak of.

In my opinion, we are spoiled by the times that we get from "A" to "B" in 15-20 minutes, which for me, has been "standard" more times than not. We then get accustomed to these short jaunts and expect them to be the "norm". So when we get that 30-40 minute bus loop, it becomes frustrating to some.

I'm not insinuating that the bus system does not have flaws or could not be improved, but I think some have unrealistic expecations of the overall system. Our OP is complaining about 20 minute wait times, which I find to be well within the realm of "acceptable".

 

[twinsouvenirs]

We use the busses about once a trip. Otherwise, it's boats/monorails for us We plan only two parks a trip so that makes it easy (stay at BWK for Epcot and DHS), stay at VGF, WL or BLT for MK. We have a May trip booked at AK, I'm a bit nervous about that... but with two toddlers, driving would NOT be easier. Car seats. Wiggly babies. Etc. We've planned our entrances and exits this trip around the monorail closures, and when we have to get back to the resort when it is down... we're taking a boat. The busses are the LEAST magical transportation system.

That said, I'll take 'em over having to drive any day. I love the surrender of their transport system.

 

[SuperRob]

If you happen to just miss a bus to Animal Kingdom or the water parks, that wait can be excruciatingly long, so I understand the frustration. However, that's really just bad luck.

As for FastPasses, if you decide you're done waiting for a bus, just get on a different one and use the commute time to change your FastPass selections. No worries there.

 

[rkold]

We're going to try a rental car for the first time for our next trip. I admit, it will be nice to be guaranteed a seat after a day at the parks. I'm also doing the Princess 1/2 and I think my own car is going to make the trip to ESPN much much much easier. Yes, I know Disney runs buses, but they have even less of a schedule than the park buses.

I admit, I was super impressed in Jan that Kidani actually had monitors sharing when the next bus to a park was arriving. I don't know how accurate they were (we were at Jambo, which didn't have those, I only noticed them when we stopped at Kidani)

 

[cheezNE1]

There I had to say it! It really s@cks. Such a huge waste of time. It is a highly inefficient system. Waits are 20 to 40 minutes or more. Three or four buses will go by for one park while others take nearly an hour.

NEVER AGAIN. If I can't *afford* the rental car, I can't afford to go. My health, happiness and sanity are more valuable.

The FOURTH MK bus just arrived. Zero AK. There. Goes the first p
Fast pass.

Incidentally, FP plus really damaged our vacation time. More on this later. Don't fall for the hype. It is particularly cruel for parties with children.

Couldn't agree with you more. when i used to own SSR, stayed there a few times, bus was horrible, wait over 40 min. for a bus to MK. Pretty much spend 2 hrs a day just on Buses. Got rid of my SSR and bought BLT, now we just walk to MK and take the tram. the only time we really need to take the bus is to Hollywood and animal kingdom. and if i have to go to Downtown Disney, i'll just drive.

 

[cubsblue]

I admit, I was super impressed in Jan that Kidani actually had monitors sharing when the next bus to a park was arriving. I don't know how accurate they were (we were at Jambo, which didn't have those, I only noticed them when we stopped at Kidani)

Any word on those monitors coming to other resorts?

 

[disneynutz]

Any word on those monitors coming to other resorts?

It's called a magic band.

Bill

 

[awilliams4]

There I had to say it! It really s@cks. Such a huge waste of time. It is a highly inefficient system. Waits are 20 to 40 minutes or more. Three or four buses will go by for one park while others take nearly an hour.

NEVER AGAIN. If I can't *afford* the rental car, I can't afford to go. My health, happiness and sanity are more valuable.

The FOURTH MK bus just arrived. Zero AK. There. Goes the first p
Fast pass.

Incidentally, FP plus really damaged our vacation time. More on this later. Don't fall for the hype. It is particularly cruel for parties with children.

We stayed at OKW in June for the first time and the busses were great. Never waited more than 5 minutes. We stayed near the HH. We were the 1st bus stop so if we saw a bus coming the other way, we would walk over to the HH bus stop that is the last bus stop on the route. Worked perfect.

We drive to WDW and when we get there, I put a car cover on it and it stays in the parking lot. We never drive after we get there and have been mostly always content with WDW's transportation.

 

[ScottOKW2K]

I've had my share of waiting at the bus stop and also walking on the bus within minutes of arriving at the stop. I do think people tend to over-estimare the amount of time they wait. Once I was the first person in line for my resort bus at the studios bus stop. I decided to look at the time I arrived. Others arrived after I did, and we waited for the bus to arrive. When it pulled up the couple behind me had already been complaining for some time about the "long" wait. I looked at my watch - 21 minutes total wait for me, and I was there before they were.
I'm sure I have had longer waits than that over the years but I am also quite sure that my average wait time is less than 20 minutes.

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

I drove from BC to DHS at 8:40 am and it took 35 minutes.....line at the parking booth, then line at the tram and it was raining too....

I drove from BLT to crossroads plaza took 45 minutes on sat night at 5:45. And I went the back way too. Less traffic.

MK...you have to park then ride monorail or ferry...same on the way out.

I wish they would have people movers.....how cool would that be!

Busses are frustrating, that's why we own at BLT and BW and do split stays. Haven't ridden a bus in awhile except to Ak or BB.

I was once at Ak waiting for a bus and all the other resorts had one, even a second one except us.....argghhh

 

[chukdotcom]

How easy is it to get a taxi to/from the parks? Assuming 2 taxi trips a day is around $40, it may be easier for me to just pay for taxis instead of renting a car. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

 

[SandyinMonterey]

My husband always insists on a rental car. I tried to talk him into not getting one with our next WDW trip but he wants nothing to do with WDW transportation system. I have to say (now) I'm glad we're getting the rental car. I'm reading too often about the wait times and how long it takes to get from point A to point B and don't get me started about the ME. I got married at WDW, was late for my own wedding rehearsal because what should of been a 10 to 15 minute ride took sooooo much longer.

 

[Andrew015]

I've had my share of waiting at the bus stop and also walking on the bus within minutes of arriving at the stop. I do think people tend to over-estimare the amount of time they wait. Once I was the first person in line for my resort bus at the studios bus stop. I decided to look at the time I arrived. Others arrived after I did, and we waited for the bus to arrive. When it pulled up the couple behind me had already been complaining for some time about the "long" wait. I looked at my watch - 21 minutes total wait for me, and I was there before they were.
I'm sure I have had longer waits than that over the years but I am also quite sure that my average wait time is less than 20 minutes.

I believe this to be spot on...

 

[Andrew015]

My husband always insists on a rental car. I tried to talk him into not getting one with our next WDW trip but he wants nothing to do with WDW transportation system. I have to say (now) I'm glad we're getting the rental car. I'm reading too often about the wait times and how long it takes to get from point A to point B and don't get me started about the ME. I got married at WDW, was late for my own wedding rehearsal because what should of been a 10 to 15 minute ride took sooooo much longer.

Once again, where are you finding it published that any transportation loop at WDW is going to take you only 10 minutes?

 

[michelleiada]

We've had vacations where buses were consistently bad and other vacations where buses ran very efficiently. Our home, and favorite place to stay is BCV and there have been times when the entire Epcot resort area was serviced together, meaning BW, Swan & Dolphin, YC and BC. This was not efficient at all. By the time a bus finally pulled up for a Beach Club pick up it was jam packed. Yacht and Beach now have their own buses and it obviously works much better. We actually enjoy the buses very much when they are running well. We love not having to drive anywhere. The buses for us, are part of the whole Disney experience.

 

[twinklebug]

I believe Disney's intent is to keep folk moving. They don't want any of us waiting at the bus stops for very long, as idle feet = idle wallets. Disney also doesn't want us to build up animosity toward their systems, it won't help to keep you as a returning guest. The changes they've made to improve the technology seem to have helped, even if we did have that one 50 minute wait to get over to AK from Kidani last summer (could have walked it far faster had there been a path).

I too have had my share of over-extended waits. My approach to keeping calm about it: I strike up a conversation with a stranger as we have at least 3 things in common at that place and time (Disney, bus wait, being human... well most everyone is human ). I won't get myself worked up over a delayed set of wheels which will eventually come and take me to where I want to be.

My son has been park hopping on his own with friends for the last few years. He claims that more often than not he has a short wait. The few times I've traveled with him we've not experienced this and he has since proclaimed that I jinx his system and am no longer allowed to travel by bus with him.