spending time waiting for buses is maddening

[MiramarQE]

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 think we have the winner here! Looking at it seriously from the best interests of Disney - they don't want you at that bus stop. Are there problems from time to time, sure - but I commute to work 5 days a week - I want to PARK the car at WDW and let someone else drive.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Life is too short to get bent out of shape about waiting for buses. Over the years we have found bus service to be pretty good at Disney. Maybe it's just that after 30 years of visiting Disney World 1-3 times a year, I don't care how fast I get anywhere.

Usually I'd much rather take the bus than drive and get in from the parking lot, but there are times where that is not true. For example: We currently have a handicapped tag because of DH's hip and knee replacements. That makes parking at most parks easy, so we have gotten used to doing that. Unfortunately, that runs out in October, so we won't be able to use that convenience.

That being said, we do always rent a car or have our own, and if I MUST be somewhere at a very specific time, I do have that option.

 

[anna08]

We're in the group that always used the busses, until one trip when we rented a car because we wanted to drive to Port Canaveral after our WDW stay. We always rent a car now!

We always do a water park day and it's so nice to pull up and park and walk in, and you don't have to get in an over air-conditioned freezing bus in a wet bathing suit on the way home.

I am alway so happy that we don't have to wait for DME - we have had some really bad luck with waiting at the airport for 30 minutes and then having 3 stops before ours. Used to take an average 90 minutes from deplaning to arriving at resort. I know that doesn't seem like a lot to most, but add that to all the other
bus wait times, it does add up.

We don't have to leave 90 minutes before an ADR at a resort anymore and we can stop and get our groceries on the way from the airport. I'm just so cheap and can't stand paying what WDW charges for drinks.

And most times, I feel like the rental car price is fair and reasonable and completely worth the freedom it gives us. (i.e. to run to Earl of Sandwich on the way in or out of WDW)

 

[SpaceMountain77]

After reviewing this thread, I cannot help but wonder how many of these posts were written by individuals who regularly use public transportation.

I have regularly used bus and rail service in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York City. As an experienced public transportation traveler, I can honestly say that Disney's transportation system is comparable and, in some areas, better.

In the city, when a bus breaks down, station closes, and/or service is delayed, a 20 minute commute can easily turn into a 2 hour commute. It has never taken me 2 hours to get from a resort to a park.

Although it may be frustrating for someone unfamiliar with public transportation, Disney's system, overall, is efficient.

 

[kristytru]

My son is a bus greeter with the Disney College Program. They are now using an app which tracks the bus' location in real time. They don't have control over them, but can tell you approximately how long the bus will be. They do notify the managers if the buses to one particular bus are taking a lot longer than they should.

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

My son is a bus greeter with the Disney College Program. They are now using an app which tracks the bus' location in real time. They don't have control over them, but can tell you approximately how long the bus will be. They do notify the managers if the buses to one particular bus are taking a lot longer than they should.

These CM are VERY nice.. I think the buses run much smoother with them there
They need to be at all resorts!
We had one every day at POR and POFQ on our two trips..
However when we got over at pop for our third trip they did not have a CM set up there.

At our trip to POR the CM had a MK changed to dHS bc we had seen three MK Buses and not one DHS
The amount of people waiting for a DHS was getting bigger and bigger. So he had the MK bus driver call dispatch to change to DHS.
Has we were getting on the DHS yet another MK bus pulls up!

I think had the CM not been there, this never would have happend.. And who know how long we would have been waiting!

Also I think it helps people stay clam if you can ask a CM "how long until the next bus." Instead of waiting and waiting not knowing if one is coming.

 

[dvc_john]

I almost always use Disney transportation to/from the parks. In literally hundreds of bus rides, I'd say there have only been 5 times that the wait was unreasonably long. (One was at SSR the first week it was open, and only one building was open.) I would say the vast majority of the time I've had waits of less than 10 minutes. I recently spent 21 nights at DVC resorts, and only once was the wait nearly 20 minutes.

I not sure of the plan, but they've installed video screens in some bus stops that indicate the wait time for buses going to each location. They give the arrival time of the bus, eg MK 2:11, DHS 2:15 EPCOT 2:08, etc. I've seen them at AKV (Kidani, but not Jambo), and GF. It would be nice if they were installed everywhere, so that you know when you get to the bus stop whether the wait will be 5 min or 15 min. or whatever.

 

[DougEMG]

Boy, I wish Boardwalk was that good.

Our last three trips were at BWV and overall the buses worked pretty good for us. There is a ipad app that shows when the next bus is.

One thing we always did coming back from a park was pick either the BWV or BCV bus, whichever came first.

 

[nkosiek]

Our last three trips were at BWV and overall the buses worked pretty good for us. There is a ipad app that shows when the next bus is.

One thing we always did coming back from a park was pick either the BWV or BCV bus, whichever came first.

That's what we would do too. We would do this for everywhere though. At AK and want to go to MK? Which came first, the MK bus or the Monorail resort bus? If you know where places are around where you're going, you can get around pretty easily, especially if you're willing to walk just a bit.

 

[nugov2]

I don't understand how any person thinks public transportation of any kind is a perk. I guess I can see how the monorail is fun for one or two rides, but after that no thanks. Driving and valeting at the resort closest to the park and then walk on in. That is how we did it. I mean does anyone think public transportation is a perk in your day to day life? Would you want to take a bus/train to work everyday...I know a lot of people do it, but it is usually because there is no where to park or because you cannot afford/want to pay the high cost, but given the option most(not all I know some don't like sitting in rush hour) would pick driving if they could. Waiting forever and then getting on to a space with potentially loud, obnoxious or smelly people...no thanks, I'll pass on taking that chance. The waits for the buses were so long while we were there at the end of the night...that is the last thing I want to do after a long day in the park. We walked right to our car hopped in enjoyed the cool air conditioning and silence while we drove back to our house all done before we would have even gotten on a bus.

 

[twinklebug]

I don't understand how any person thinks public transportation of any kind is a perk. I guess I can see how the monorail is fun for one or two rides, but after that no thanks. Driving and valeting at the resort closest to the park and then walk on in. That is how we did it. I mean does anyone think public transportation is a perk in your day to day life? Would you want to take a bus/train to work everyday...I know a lot of people do it, but it is usually because there is no where to park or because you cannot afford/want to pay the high cost, but given the option most(not all I know some don't like sitting in rush hour) would pick driving if they could. Waiting forever and then getting on to a space with potentially loud, obnoxious or smelly people...no thanks, I'll pass on taking that chance. The waits for the buses were so long while we were there at the end of the night...that is the last thing I want to do after a long day in the park. We walked right to our car hopped in enjoyed the cool air conditioning and silence while we drove back to our house all done before we would have even gotten on a bus.

You should know that the method you bring up is a highly controversial and predominately frowned upon one. Just a warning that you might want to don your flame retardant suit, unless the whole point of your post is to feel the heat.

 

[tfc3rid]

My experience is usually missing the bus to where I want to go by about 2 minutes...

However, with the GPS tracking in all buses now and the effort by TDO to put signs showing when the next bus arriving is, this might help give folks a better idea of when the buses are coming around...

Also, a dedicated channel on the TV at the resorts for tracking next bus to a resort would be helpful... As well as connecting the bus GPS to the MDE App.

 

[nugov2]

You should know that the method you bring up is a highly controversial and predominately frowned upon one. Just a warning that you might want to don your flame retardant suit, unless the whole point of your post is to feel the heat.

Why would paying for a service that WDW offers be frowned upon? I'm not parking in the lot for free...I am paying. We did it the whole time and never pretended to do otherwise. Even left the park for midday breaks...the valet reminded us it was good at all resorts if we decided to go to another park. If people want to flame me for that, go right ahead. That would be like flaming me for buying a dole whip. They offer it, I paid for it. Why would the point of my post be to get flamed LOL...I was just offering a tip that worked for us.

ETA:

Parking is complimentary with a valid Key to the World Card or Resort Parking Permit. Valet parking is available at select Disney Deluxe Resorts for $15 per day.

Notice how only free parking has a stipulation listed ie valid KTTW card. If valet was exclusive to resort guests it would say that on their website.

 

[cubsblue]

My experience is usually missing the bus to where I want to go by about 2 minutes...

However, with the GPS tracking in all buses now and the effort by TDO to put signs showing when the next bus arriving is, this might help give folks a better idea of when the buses are coming around...

Also, a dedicated channel on the TV at the resorts for tracking next bus to a resort would be helpful... As well as connecting the bus GPS to the MDE App.

Great ideas. Disney take note!

 

[Epcot Mom]

What is the app to see bus arrival times? An earlier post made it sound like that is something guests can plug into. I'm interested!

 

[kP72]

Boy, I wish Boardwalk was that good.

I know! Last visit (2008) we missed a couple ADR's due to the bus system (or lack thereof). The BW area seems to be the worst. I've been keeping tabs on the bus system (reviews) for that area and it seems that the bus issue hasn't improved.

Oh well, just have to plan accordingly since we still love the Epcot resorts.

 

[tfc3rid]

What is the app to see bus arrival times? An earlier post made it sound like that is something guests can plug into. I'm interested!

There is no app... I had speculated it would be a nice addition to My Disney Experience

 

[Epcot Mom]

That would be nice! Maybe some day....

Thanks!

 

[Epcot Mom]

That would be nice! Maybe some day....

Thanks!

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

I live and work in The Washington, DC , area. I drive 22 miles one way to work and it takes me between 50 minutes and 1 hour 30 minutes to get either to work or from work to home. I am ecstatically happy to let someone else take care of the driving.

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