SSR made me feel like Cinderella - before the Prince arrived!

[veenstra56]

My compliments to the OP for a well written thread. As an owner it pains me to hear less than flattering things written about SSR, but I think genuine problems like these need to be brought to light in order to make our resorts better.

 

[simzac]

Maybe the time has come for buses to and from SSR all riders must show either a SSR KTTW card or a DVC membership card. Yes it will slow down boarding a little, but at least it will eliminate people riding these buses that shouldn't be on them. JMO

 

[Deb & Bill]

Maybe the time has come for buses to and from SSR all riders must show either a SSR KTTW card or a DVC membership card. Yes it will slow down boarding a little, but at least it will eliminate people riding these buses that shouldn't be on them. JMO

Maybe gate the path from DTD and require a SSR room key to open it. Then non-SSR visitors would have to take the bus from DTD to get a bus to a resort.

 

[simzac]

Maybe gate the path from DTD and require a SSR room key to open it. Then non-SSR visitors would have to take the bus from DTD to get a bus to a resort.

Then they would start riding the boats to SSR to board a bus, but you're idea sounds good also.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Then they would start riding the boats to SSR to board a bus, but you're idea sounds good also.

But the boats don't start right away in the AM.

 

[aprince&princess]

We stayed in the Springs section at SSR over Columbus Day weekend. There was only one day that the Epcot bus was full and we waited for a second bus to arrive. There was someone monitoring the buses at the bus stop, and it seemed to take about 10 minutes for the second bus. We never had any other issues with going to or coming back from any of the parks.

 

[cobbler]

Honestly, bus service can be hit or miss at any resort - really. I have had looong waits at the Contemporary, short waits at Pop, average waits at Sports, and so on.

On my 3 stays at SSR, I would rank them as average. This last one however was just pure luck in timing on our part. We walked to the bus stop just as the bus we needed was pulling up. Again luck.

But remember, bus service is honestly hit and miss at ANY resort.

 

[MrsNick]

Maybe gate the path from DTD and require a SSR room key to open it. Then non-SSR visitors would have to take the bus from DTD to get a bus to a resort.

I think the path should be gated with key access anyway for security reasons.

To specifically address non-guests poaching on our bus system, Disney could start charging parking fees at DTD for anyone who parks before 12noon.

 

[manning]

Maybe gate the DTD parking lot. Allow a reasonable time to shop. Any time over that you apply a parking charge equal to what is charged at the theme park lots. Any money collected there can be used to pay attendants.

 

[Jillpie]

Maybe gate the path from DTD and require a SSR room key to open it. Then non-SSR visitors would have to take the bus from DTD to get a bus to a resort.

I don't see this ever happening. Disney wants the DD folks to visit SSR, for many reasons...buying into memberships, seeing the AKL model to tour, eating at the restaurant, using the spa etc. They would never make it "exclusive" to get into the property. If the average Joe shopping at DD that wanted to stroll over to SSR was forced to take a bus there, the bottom line would suffer. They just wouldn't take the time. Disney wants them to walk over.

 

[Doctor P]

Maybe the time has come for buses to and from SSR all riders must show either a SSR KTTW card or a DVC membership card. Yes it will slow down boarding a little, but at least it will eliminate people riding these buses that shouldn't be on them. JMO

With due respect, I neither think that this is a solution or appropriate. Assumptions are being made that those riding from SSR who are walking over from DD are not Disney resort guests. While it does provide a significant inconvenience for resort guests, this problem is no different from guests at MK riding the resort monorail, non-BW area guests riding the boats, etc.

The simple fact is that bus service is not offered from DD to the parks (for good reason). So, if a Disney resort guest wishes to go to DD and then to a park the only way that they can do it directly is to walk to SSR. Disney needs to account for this in their transportation system, but I would not assume that people who are doing this are NECESSARILY trying to "beat the system" though I think some probably are.

 

[jarestel]

But remember, bus service is honestly hit and miss at ANY resort.

I agree with you when we are talking about the difference between just missing your bus vs walking up to the bus stop just as your bus is arriving. This "hit or miss" makes the difference between little to no wait and a 20-30 minute wait for the next bus.

But if we are talking 60 to 90 minute waits, I think there's something more than "hit or miss" happening. As someone pointed out, hopefully it's just the confusion surrounding the implementation of the new bus dispatching system which should work itself out in relatively short order. The buses that are full and couldn't complete all of the stops hopefully don't trick the new system into thinking a bus has already serviced the entire resort and therefore resets the clock for the dispatching of the next bus.

 

[Uncleromulus]

All this makes me glad we always have a car!!!
The pool thing exists at every WDW pool. The bus problem seems a bit more serious and the close proximity to DD will always be a problem unless Disney adds more busses (possible) or controls access to SSR (not likely).

 

[alldiz]

Sorry you had horrible bus service.....that is not acceptable...

I don't think it is an SSR or DVC problem though...

Disney is trying out a new bus system.....obviously has some problems

I'm lucky that my stay in May at SSR was really perfect....barely a wait
for any buses.
I hope disney works the kinks out.

If I was waiting every day for a very long time....I would ask for some
cab money compensation
Kerri

 

[fishermouse]

I have to jump on the "never had a bus problem" bandwagon. We've been staying at SSR several times a year since it opened so far have no complaints about the bus service. This year 2007 we were there in Jan, Aug, and Oct. only once did we wait more than 15-20 minutes for a bus. There is a phone at the bus stops if your wait is more than 30 minutes make a call, they will respond quickly. Timming does come in to play one time at BW we walked up and people were complaining but just then the bus showed up, no one laughed when I explained the driver was just waiting for me. Of course the on couple that was complaining left the brewery not more than 15-20 minutes before us, but somehow had been waiting an hour for the bus. Must be a time warp or something around there.

 

[fishermouse]

With due respect, I neither think that this is a solution or appropriate. Assumptions are being made that those riding from SSR who are walking over from DD are not Disney resort guests. While it does provide a significant inconvenience for resort guests, this problem is no different from guests at MK riding the resort monorail, non-BW area guests riding the boats, etc.

The simple fact is that bus service is not offered from DD to the parks (for good reason). So, if a Disney resort guest wishes to go to DD and then to a park the only way that they can do it directly is to walk to SSR. Disney needs to account for this in their transportation system, but I would not assume that people who are doing this are NECESSARILY trying to "beat the system" though I think some probably are.

I agree,,, Since we often leave Epcot or MGM via boat so we can either park hop or after closing hit the Brewery for a night cap, then travel to DTD and walk to SSR, we would in some opinions be violating something. I also agree that when leaving the parks and wanting to go to DTD a trip to SSR is the easiest way. I don't see WDW doing anything that will cut 30-40 minutes, or more off anyones shopping time by sending them back to thier home resort to get another bus, many at that point will just call it a day.
Would also hate to be the one to tell a Mother holding one sleeping child, with another half asleep child in tow, while Dad is trying to close up the stroller and hold the third that she must dig out her room key. And if they are going to ask for a room key or other ID they had better ask EVERYONE, or the law suits will be hot and heavy.

 

[tomandrobin]

In the past two years, we have only had bad bus service on a regular bases, during a stay. The first is when we stayed at the Swan Hotel, the second is when we stayed at Port Orleans.

We have stayed at SSR 12 times in the past two years. We have always had great bus service. That's not to say we didn't wait 30 minutes for a bus, we have. But those times have been far and few between during our SSR visits.

The only problem I have seen is the Springs section bus stop, in the morning, going to MK. Once the bus hits Congress Park stop, there is no more room left for the Springs section.

We will be back in 41 days and will definately keep track of the buses and wait times.

 

[Fitswimmer]

Did you send this to Guest Communications or otherwise bring the concern to the SSR CM's? I'm not saying this to be snarky, but as an SSR owner, if I waited 60 minutes for a bus you can bet that I would be letting people know about it who could address it. That's unacceptable in my opinion and Disney needs to be made aware of it and the owners need to monitor the problem.

I'll be going next month , and you can bet I'll be monitoring the bus times!

 

[Topo Bella]

I totally loved SSR other than this bus issue. It just seems like such an easy fix to make a good experience a great one. During our last stay at the Villas at Wilderness Lodge, I only remember positive experiences with the bus service.

 

[Topo Bella]

Did you send this to Guest Communications or otherwise bring the concern to the SSR CM's? I'm not saying this to be snarky, but as an SSR owner, if I waited 60 minutes for a bus you can bet that I would be letting people know about it who could address it. That's unacceptable in my opinion and Disney needs to be made aware of it and the owners need to monitor the problem.

I'll be going next month , and you can bet I'll be monitoring the bus times!

Each time this happened, not just my family but other families complained. The fact is that it didn't seem to improve the situation. I would like to think that the reader that mentioned the new bus system is correct and that WDW is just working out the kinks. I plan on staying at SSR again... I bought there because I loved the resort.