spending time waiting for buses is maddening

[PinkTink63]

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.

I'm with you! With more people driving to the parks, there will be more room on the buses for us! We do get a car after about a week so we can go off property to eat! I find way more frustrations with the whole dining reservations! I really don't know what everyone wants to eat that far in advance! We will see how this all plays out!

 

[Hunclemarco]

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.

Which app is this you're talking of?

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

OP here
Spent 40+ minutes with a lively couple from TN waitign for a bus in 42 degree mist at Downtown Disney.

Drivers were surly.

One man nearly got into a fight with one driver. His wife was apocalyptic because they were forced to take their handicapped child from her stroller. (this happened in MK, too)

Buses stopped the practice of stopping at the HH on the way in AND out. Saw a few complaints registered over it. Many times, the park buses din't stop at the HH.

Buses are now turning around in the parked car areas next to the villas. There were a few close calls with cars, strollers and people. Just seems lazy not to go the few extra yards to the actual turnarounds.

We set land speed records a few times - and a white car driving near the Contemporary almost became part of the bus package. Opinion of the guests travelling with me that had a view - driver could have definitely slowed down to let the car go; instead he speed up and leaned on the horn.

"Jim" was nice. He spent time with some children on the bus explaining that the bus was one of the last of 12 original models left.

 

[JeanfromBNA]

^^Children can't ride the bus anywhere in their strollers; it's not safe. For that matter, the apocalyptic couple would have had to take her out if they had a car.

You do have to plan extra time to use the bus system, but we do think that it's a perk to get free transportation while in the world, and not have the hassle of a rental car. We find picking up and returning a rental, and hoping that it didn't get dinged while you had it to be a pain. We've experienced two incidents with rentals. One we knew about and reported, and one that we think happened in their own car lot that we fought. Trying to prove a negative from a distance can really put a damper on vacation memories. To insulate yourself from that hassle is quite expensive. Complete coverage is $30+ per day on top of the rental costs, fees, and taxes. We'd rather let Disney do the driving and assume the risk since we're paying for it already.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...
Buses stopped the practice of stopping at the HH on the way in AND out. Saw a few complaints registered over it. Many times, the park buses din't stop at the HH.

Buses are now turning around in the parked car areas next to the villas. There were a few close calls with cars, strollers and people. Just seems lazy not to go the few extra yards to the actual turnarounds.....

If you are at OKW, the buses don't stop at the HH area both at the beginning and the end. The internal bus, yes, but the other buses, no. Unless you were on the internal bus.

And at OKW, the buses have always turned around in the circles by the villas where the cars park. Especially for Miller Road after picking up at the bus stop and at South Point before stopping at the bus stop. For Turtle Pond they go around the circle after the pick up at the stop. Are you talking about a different area?

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

If you are at OKW, the buses don't stop at the HH area both at the beginning and the end. The internal bus, yes, but the other buses, no. Unless you were on the internal bus.

And at OKW, the buses have always turned around in the circles by the villas where the cars park. Especially for Miller Road after picking up at the bus stop and at South Point before stopping at the bus stop. For Turtle Pond they go around the circle after the pick up at the stop. Are you talking about a different area?

I am really confused. What is the internal bus? The DME doesn't stop but I am also certain (and I saw at the beginning and end of the trip) that the park buses stopped to pick up or let off guests at the HH. I was on a few that did stop at HH on the way out to pick up guests. In fact, the MK bus waited for a few minutes while the member of a party was still finishing checking-in.

Having never stayed at Miller road or South Point, I had no idea that the buses turned around by the cars. Bizarre and dangerous.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I am really confused. What is the internal bus? The DME doesn't stop but I am also certain (and I saw at the beginning and end of the trip) that the park buses stopped to pick up or let off guests at the HH. I was on a few that did stop at HH on the way out to pick up guests. In fact, the MK bus waited for a few minutes while the member of a party was still finishing checking-in.

Having never stayed at Miller road or South Point, I had no idea that the buses turned around by the cars. Bizarre and dangerous.

The Internal Bus takes guests around the resort and usually stops at HH area first and last. It usually also is the DTD/TL bus. The theme park buses only stop at HH area last - Peninsular Road first, South Point second, Turtle Pond third, Millers Road fourth and HH last.

I've been staying at OKW since 1998 and the buses have always turned around going through the parking area at Miller Road and South Point. That's all they have to turn around. There is no other turn around space. And with all the buses we have ridden there, we've never had a problem. Never.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

We've had 3 or 4 stays at OKW in the last 6 years and also just had the HH stop as the last one before heading out to the parks. There was the one time coming back late from Epcot that we rode around the whole resort to Millers road until everyone else had gotten off. The bus driver looked back at us and quizzed - not exactly on a pleasant tone - just where we were going. HH we said and listened to a great sigh - she wasn't exactly happy to have to make the final stop before getting off shift. Apparently we were supposed to get off at Peninsular Road and save her a minute or two.

And also the turning around thru the parking areas. I thought it was a strange set up but that's what they always did.

 

[castle1]

Last October, it took us 1hr 10min to get from the bus stop at Downtown Disney to the Boardwalk. The bus was packed, standing room only This would have been a 10 to 15 minute drive in a car. Never doing that again

 

[dunnhorn]

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.

AMEN!!!! PREACH!!!

We stayed at SSR for a quick 2 night stay and we took a bus (for the first time) from SSR to MK. Going there was just fine - going home, what a miserable experience. Misery. Had to wait 40 minutes for a bus, ride 25 minutes while standing in a packed bus with no air. I just about fainted. Hadn't ridden a bus in YEARS. The kids don't get out of chairs for the adults anymore - um, no thanks. I told hubby we will NEVER ride a bus again from SSR.

 

[dunnhorn]

Now that they can track our movements with magic bands, why can't they track their buses and make corrections on the fly? Isnt' anyone monitoring that they have sent 4 MK buses to the resort?

Totally agree with this. Along in that vein, they need to use the Magic Bands to adjust seasonal food carts as well as manage the transportation a little better. MUCH better.

 

[dunnhorn]

Oooohh - don't know that I agree with that!

Driving gives you a little more control - but driving to/from the parks is NOT a zero time event. Think about driving to MK: you have to drive to get to the toll plaza, get through it (even if you're on-site you may still have to wait if there is a line), get to the parking lot - park where ever - maybe wait for a tram to take you to the TTC or walk, then ferry or monorail to the MK entrance. You need to plan for this time. The MK bus drops you a short distance from that same MK entrance.

The buses are our least favorite part of the vacation - NOT having to drive for the entire vacation (we'll sometimes drive if we're going to a signature at another resort - Cali Grill, etc.) is worth it.

Getting TO the park, I completely agree with you, but leaving the park more than makes up for it. It is a complete "buzz kill" to leave a long day at the park having to stand and wait 40 minutes for a bus, only to have to STAND for another 20 minutes on the way back to the resort. Awful. If it takes 10-15 minutes more time to drive than take the bus TO the park, I'd rather do that than spend over an hour trying to get back. We learned our lesson with that one - no thanks.

 

[castle1]

Getting TO the park, I completely agree with you, but leaving the park more than makes up for it. It is a complete "buzz kill" to leave a long day at the park having to stand and wait 40 minutes for a bus, only to have to STAND for another 20 minutes on the way back to the resort. Awful. If it takes 10-15 minutes more time to drive than take the bus TO the park, I'd rather do that than spend over an hour trying to get back. We learned our lesson with that one - no thanks.

Totally agree

 

[dallastxcpa]

Wouldn't it be great if they could make it were you scanned your magic band when you got to your bus stop and they could dispatch busses because they know there are x amount of people waiting for the Magic Kingdom bus.

No more watching 4 buses for DTD go by before you even see a bus for Magic Kingdom.

 

[Cee]

We've gotten into the habit of getting on the first bus that comes. That means no planning and flying by the seat of our pants, but works for the most part. Letting the buses dictate where you go will certainly not work for the majority.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[KBoopaloo]

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.

I often think the same thing when I read complaints about Disney transport. One of my favorite things about a WDW visit is Disney transport, all kinds. I love it all! Have I had to wait a long time for a bus from time to time? Yes. But I've also had plenty of super easy low wait times with the bus. I commute using public transit for work and would thrilled if it was as generally reliable as the Disney system. LOL

Having said that, I definitely understand how long waits for a bus can be especially annoying if you are used to just getting in your car and going back at home all the time. It is definitely an adjustment to rely on someone else to get you places when you are used to being in control of your own destiny!

 

[CMOORE185]

I have no desire to drive when I am at WDW. I have very little to complain about their bus service. If we absolutely have to be somewhere we leave early enough to get there even if there is a long wait for a bus.

 

[twinsouvenirs]

This doesn't help all, but we are at VGF and if we notice we 'just' missed a bus, we look for the Poly or Contemporary busses. VGF is an easy walk from the Poly or a monorail ride from either (when the resort loop is up)

 

[LSchrow]

Getting TO the park, I completely agree with you, but leaving the park more than makes up for it. It is a complete "buzz kill" to leave a long day at the park having to stand and wait 40 minutes .................for a bus, only to have to STAND for another 20 minutes on the way back to the resort. Awful. If it takes 10-15 minutes more time to drive than take the bus TO the park, I'd rather do that than spend over an hour trying to get back. We learned our lesson with that one - no thanks.

see the "......"s - i thought you were going to comment on the loooooong time it takes to get back to the resort when driving (walk to, wait for, and then use transportation to lot, walk to car, drive out of lot). and we always have a rental car for DTD (lousy bus service everywhere)& offsite dining/shopping.
during crowded times, more buses are added....but more parking spaces aren't

 

[twinklebug]

during crowded times, more buses are added....but more parking spaces aren't

So true.

I recall meandering around the DTD parking a few times looking for a space During Christmas week. Should have left the car at the resort.

Hoping the parking garage fixes part of the issue, but I doubt it. Not for the holiday at least.