SSR WDW bus issues

[silverbillmickey]

Just back from a week stay at SSR. The Disney bus transportation was terrible, long wait times 30-60 minutes- busses reassigned in transist, we had to also pick up people at all OKW stops. Is Disney cutting back on transportation to save on fuel usage? No issues with the SSR rooms but the bus stuff certainly affected the magic.... Anyone have contact info for WDW transportation?

 

[dtauer]

Just back from a week stay at SSR. The Disney bus transportation was terrible, long wait times 30-60 minutes- busses reassigned in transist, we had to also pick up people at all OKW stops. Is Disney cutting back on transportation to save on fuel usage? No issues with the SSR rooms but the bus stuff certainly affected the magic.... Anyone have contact info for WDW transportation?

Hmmm...we just returned last night and in a different post I commented how well the buses worked for us.

It really must boil down to timing as we didn't encounter any issues at all except one 25 minute wait returning from Magic Kingdom.

None of the buses we were on stopped at OKW.

We did notice that the later we got going in the day, the longer apart they seemed to be. Were most of your problems using the transportation late morning or early afternoon? We generally were at the bus stop by 8:30am.

 

[tgj]

In all my Disney bus riding from SSR, we have NEVER once stopped at OKW.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I'm at SSR right now and we haven't stopped at OKW.
We're in Grandstand, and we stop at the other 4 sections of SSR, then we go to the parks. I have a thread going of actual wait times because we were worried about the buses. Our worst has been 43 minutes, but the others have been 20 minutes or less.

 

[CarolMN]

FWIW, there are always posts here complaining about the bus transportation. I've seen them for all of the resorts, not just SSR.

Disney bus service varies - it has always been less frequent during the middle of the day than it is at park opening or closing. Lately, Disney seems to have had a lot of problems implementing a new bus dispatch system as well as trouble finding enough qualified drivers willing to work at the wage offered. IMHO, the cost of fuel has had only a minimal impact compared to the other issues.

All that said, I think it will get better. Sorry for those who have had problems.

 

[JSTX]

We returned on Tuesday from 11 nights (4 at BWV and 7 at AKV). We rented a car for most of the time, so we didn't use the bus very much, but when we did we felt like it was worse that in the past.

On Tuesday we were trying to go to DTD for lunch before leaving. We waited at AKV for almost an hour. After 20 minutes I started calling WDW transportation, since there were others that had waited longer. There happened to be someone there from the bus system monitoring things that morning. One of the people waiting was headed back to SSR, and therefore knew they could get there multiple ways, such as going to a park and then taking another bus. He told them not to do that. He said everything was messed up with the bus system that morning and people were waiting over an hour at the parks for buses. The only reason we got a bus, after nearly an hour wait was that the guy working there re-routed a bus to take us to DTD.

Evidently they rolled out that new dispatch system they had been talking about when we were there in January, and now everything is messed up. For us we have pretty much decided we have had our fill of the buses, and plan to just rent a car when we are there in January.

 

[Starr W.]

We returned on Tuesday from 11 nights (4 at BWV and 7 at AKV). We rented a car for most of the time, so we didn't use the bus very much, but when we did we felt like it was worse that in the past.

On Tuesday we were trying to go to DTD for lunch before leaving. We waited at AKV for almost an hour. After 20 minutes I started calling WDW transportation, since there were others that had waited longer. There happened to be someone there from the bus system monitoring things that morning. One of the people waiting was headed back to SSR, and therefore knew they could get there multiple ways, such as going to a park and then taking another bus. He told them not to do that. He said everything was messed up with the bus system that morning and people were waiting over an hour at the parks for buses. The only reason we got a bus, after nearly an hour wait was that the guy working there re-routed a bus to take us to DTD.

Evidently they rolled out that new dispatch system they had been talking about when we were there in January, and now everything is messed up. For us we have pretty much decided we have had our fill of the buses, and plan to just rent a car when we are there in January.

Personally I think when they started the GPS stuff post spring break season 2007 was the beginning of the bus problems.

We were at SSR for Thanksgiving 2006, longest wait 20 min at the resort. Went down to VWL in early May 2007, first saw the multiple Epcot buses in a row, buses that were mislabled(DHS on sign, but really going to DTD and drivers a bit peeved that people were asking where they were going).

Thanksgiving 2007, bit longer average wait at SSR for buses, but the conga line of Epcot buses continued.

MLK weekend-Sunday morning wait for AK bus was around 30-35 min at BCV.

We've never had a car at WDW, but this year for Thanksgiving we are renting a car(won't use it to go to the parks, but planning on a few off-site excursions during the week, eating off site, Daytona International Speedway etc).

 

[Doug7856]

We have had the bus to SSR stop at OKW when traveling from Epcot Center in the late evening, but no other times.

 

[mouseclick1]

We returned on Tuesday from 11 nights (4 at BWV and 7 at AKV). We rented a car for most of the time, so we didn't use the bus very much, but when we did we felt like it was worse that in the past.

On Tuesday we were trying to go to DTD for lunch before leaving. We waited at AKV for almost an hour. After 20 minutes I started calling WDW transportation, since there were others that had waited longer. There happened to be someone there from the bus system monitoring things that morning. One of the people waiting was headed back to SSR, and therefore knew they could get there multiple ways, such as going to a park and then taking another bus. He told them not to do that. He said everything was messed up with the bus system that morning and people were waiting over an hour at the parks for buses. The only reason we got a bus, after nearly an hour wait was that the guy working there re-routed a bus to take us to DTD.

Evidently they rolled out that new dispatch system they had been talking about when we were there in January, and now everything is messed up. For us we have pretty much decided we have had our fill of the buses, and plan to just rent a car when we are there in January.

That explains our wait on Tuesday! We met up with some friends that live in Orlando in the SSR lobby. The plan was to have the dad take the 5 kids to Typhoon Lagoon Lagoon, while the mom, DH and I hopped on a bus to DTD, where the adults would meet up.

We must have stood at the Springs bus stop for 20 minutes without one bus for anywhere pulling up. In the meantime, the dad had dropped the kids off at Typhoon Lagoon, parked at DTD Disney, and was looking for us while we were still at the bus stop at SSR. We called him and were going to have him just swing by and get us, when a DTD bus finally pulled up. Thinking the Springs was the last bus stop, we thought we would be there soon. Wrong, the bus driver still made stops at every other bus stop in SSR. Both the mom and dad that we were hanging out with work for Disney (the dad even drove a bus for Disney for a few months while waiting for his current position to open up), and they thought the wait was over the top. We finally made it to DTD, but it was crazy!

The day before (Monday), we had dinner plans at Boma. It took 1 1/2 hours to get there. I think that will be the last time I make ADRs at a different resort just for a meal; it takes too darn long by bus and is not worth it to me. On the way back from Boma to DTD, we made a stop at Coronado Springs because some people got on the wrong bus at AKL and the bus driver was dropping them off. Once we were there at CSR, we waited and let people load up from CSR to take them to DTD. The whole thing just made for another very long bus ride.

 

[hakepb]

That explains our wait on Tuesday! We met up with some friends that live in Orlando in the SSR lobby. The plan was to have the dad take the 5 kids to Typhoon Lagoon Lagoon, while the mom, DH and I hopped on a bus to DTD, where the adults would meet up.

We must have stood at the Springs bus stop for 20 minutes without one bus for anywhere pulling up. In the meantime, the dad had dropped the kids off at Typhoon Lagoon, parked at DTD Disney, and was looking for us while we were still at the bus stop at SSR. We called him and were going to have him just swing by and get us, when a DTD bus finally pulled up. Thinking the Springs was the last bus stop, we thought we would be there soon. Wrong, the bus driver still made stops at every other bus stop in SSR. Both the mom and dad that we were hanging out with work for Disney (the dad even drove a bus for Disney for a few months while waiting for his current position to open up), and they thought the wait was over the top. We finally made it to DTD, but it was crazy!

The day before (Monday), we had dinner plans at Boma. It took 1 1/2 hours to get there. I think that will be the last time I make ADRs at a different resort just for a meal; it takes too darn long by bus and is not worth it to me. On the way back from Boma to DTD, we made a stop at Coronado Springs because some people got on the wrong bus at AKL and the bus driver was dropping them off. Once we were there at CSR, we waited and let people load up from CSR to take them to DTD. The whole thing just made for another very long bus ride.

Yes, I've heard that the SSR-DTD bus runs "backwards" That is supposed to allow SSR guests use any park bus to get to AP and Turf Club (Springs), and then take the DTD bus back to their resort stop.
You can also walk or take a boat to DTD

I do think that if Disney is purposely planning to make any pickups more than 20 minutes between busses, then they need to go on a set schedule.

 

[mouseclick1]

Yes, I've heard that the SSR-DTD bus runs "backwards" That is supposed to allow SSR guests use any park bus to get to AP and Turf Club (Springs), and then take the DTD bus back to their resort stop.
You can also walk or take a boat to DTD

I do think that if Disney is purposely planning to make any pickups more than 20 minutes between busses, then they need to go on a set schedule.

Just when you think you have researched every little detail, you learn something new! I had no idea that the DTD buses ran backwards! We did end up using the walkway a couple of times because we didn't feel like dealing with the buses. We even tried to use the boat once, but it was leaving just as we were walking up. I think our timing was just "off" on this trip!

 

[spiceycat]

I do think that if Disney is purposely planning to make any pickups more than 20 minutes between busses, then they need to go on a set schedule.

disney had a set schedule for years. it was wonderful.

then they started to add more resorts - it was either buy a heck alot more buses and get even more bus drivers

so they decided a few years ago to go with controllers - pay the new bus drivers less - and guess what nothing has worked right since.

get rid of the controllers - they will and do reroute DTD buses FIRST. then they go after the hotel buses. Waited over 45 minutes for the AKL bus to take us to AK - because of that wait missed most of EMH morning.

always put on my stop watch when I arrive. this waiting is irrating. especially when they say they didn't see you. hey all the bus stops have cameras or should. Disney has been working putting cameras at all the stops for years.

oh this is bad going to SSR for 2 weeks - doesn't sound much fun waiting for the buses in this heat.

 

[Disney_Villain]

We've had excellent bus service at SSR/OKW (15 minutes or less to catch a bus to a park 95% of the time, and 15 minutes or less returning to SSR/OKW 80% of the time). There have been a few 30-45 minute waits for us, but they've been rare.

This may be due to the fact that we do not travel during peak seasons - when the crowds overwhelm the whole bus system. I've been reading about a lot of bus issues this year that have been posted during Spring Break and during the summer months.

 

[spiceycat]

then going in Sept - should be fine?

 

[Nikki_Mouse]

I have been to SSR the last 2 Septembers and only had one bus problem- going to DTD. It is much better and quicker to walk to or from DTD. Never waited for a bus or thought that it took long. You should be fine.

 

[hakepb]

I am overall pleased with bus service at SSR (including my short trip 3 weeks ago)
I stayed at values prior to buying SSR in 06, and have had a more pleasant overall bus experience staying at SSR vs values. (When staying value, we liked AS Sports best because POP lines at the parks were always huge and Sports was the first AS stop, it just worked better than AS Movies where we occasionally got the full bus attempting to pick us up)
I notice some priority / convienence advantages regarding SSR pickup at the parks. SSR seems to be stop #4 at most/all parks. It is not the farthest bus stop, and you generally never see lines approaching the length of the values, and even other resorts.
The biggest issue with SSR winds up being the distance to MK.

 

[hakepb]

Sometimes those slow busses are a bleasing in disguise!
In my last SSR stay, my only long bus wait was day 1 for MK. We sat around (I would guess ~40 minutes) in sunny SSR, and saw all the other park busses, including 2 EPCOT busses go by, so it was a long wait.
By the time we finally got to MK, everything was soaked! Aparantly the MK just got pounded with rain. Had our MK bus been prompt, we would of been soaked, too!

 

[roxmic]

I have stayed at SSR several times and have the same trouble most of the time. I would really like to know why they won't add a bus or two to the routes leading to SSR. In my experience, Congress Park has the best service; the Springs has the worst.

 

[llp479]

We just returned last night. We were at Congress Park and waited 40 minutes for a bus to MK. Then, by the time we got to the Springs, the bus was packed, with people who also had waited over 40 minutes. It was one of the new style buses with the seats along the windows, which leaves no where to hang on when they cram it full of the alloted 78 people. Especially for children and height challenged adults it is a real problem. I am now sporting a lovely bruise on the side of my foot where a 5 year old stepped on me while trying not to fall down.

 

[janni518]

I don't think it's all that resort specific. We had a few days of looooong waits at our recent Beach Club stay, and our relatives were booked at WL and had the same issue. Some days were better than others.