Switch or don't switch?

[KiraKiraMinnie]

Hello! I apologize if this isn't done correctly or in the wrong section! I'm excited to start posting here!

So I'm staying at port orleans riverside's royal guest rooms! However I heard the buses at port orleans are bad (once again, I heard so can't confirm) and I'm a little worried since I plan on eating at a lot of restaurants in different parks and want breaks at my room.
So I'm tempted to switch. The one I really want is contemporary but I don't know if the prices will drop or drop low enough for summer.
So the others are pop or Art of animation. I'v never been to either (or port orleans riverside). I'm not to worried about noise ( I prefer sleeping to a television on) or room theming ( but I'm really intrested in those little mermaid rooms) but I heard they have their own bus lines and are much cheaper (I'm going solo and paying for it myself). So should I stay put or think of switching for potential better busing? This will be my first trip in 10 years and probably being a worrier but just trying to find what's best for me!

 

[LSUmiss]

Hello! I apologize if this isn't done correctly or in the wrong section! I'm excited to start posting here!

So I'm staying at port orleans riverside's royal guest rooms! However I heard the buses at port orleans are bad (once again, I heard so can't confirm) and I'm a little worried since I plan on eating at a lot of restaurants in different parks and want breaks at my room.
So I'm tempted to switch. The one I really want is contemporary but I don't know if the prices will drop or drop low enough for summer.
So the others are pop or Art of animation. I'v never been to either (or port orleans riverside). I'm not to worried about noise ( I prefer sleeping to a television on) or room theming ( but I'm really intrested in those little mermaid rooms) but I heard they have their own bus lines and are much cheaper (I'm going solo and paying for it myself). So should I stay put or think of switching for potential better busing? This will be my first trip in 10 years and probably being a worrier but just trying to find what's best for me!

Agree about POR busses, but pop is just as bad if not worse. Never stayed at AoA. It also depends on your tolerance. I can’t stand bad bus service so those resorts are absolutely out for us. My vote would be for Contemporary if you can swing it. The garden wing can be affordable with travel agent discounts or even WDW discounts.

 

[bumbershoot]

Leave for buses with plenty of time.

Or do what I do and rent a car!

 

[megs1313]

i didn't have any issues wth POR buses. If it's between POR and the contemporary, then the contemporary can't be beat for convenience, but i wouldn't leave POR for POP or AoA for any reason. POR is one of my favorites.

 

[hllb]

AoA buses were excellent when I used them. No experience with POR though. Contemporary would be great.

However, the times we wanted mid day breaks for naps for young kids, we got a rental car. Free parking and very easy. It’s around $200 for a week through Costco. Likely cheaper than switching to Contemporary.

 

[missbrooke06]

I've never heard of any resort where the buses are good but I've also always stayed on-site and never had any real transportation issues.

I wouldn't change resorts due to bus rumors. I think you have to make a decision of Disney transportation v. your own transport

ETA: Disneylover99 makes a good point. The one bus decision you should make is multiple stops v. one stop.

 

[Disneylover99]

I've always had the shortest waits for buses at Pop and AofA. POR waits were okay too, I just find the multiple stops annoying.

 

[momofkids]

I would stay at the less expensive resorts. Add Uber/Lyft into the budget.

 

[buzznina]

All I can say is that we have over 30 trips and have stayed at all 3 levels of resorts, and even though we have our own van, we use WDW transportation 99% of the time (mainly buses) and no matter what resort the transportation is hit or miss. We no longer even take that into consideration when we pick a resort. Our worst experience has been with the monorail but we would not cross off the monorail resorts because of that. I do not know how many times I read that a family was there and had to wait for transportation and then read another family staying at the same place during the same time and they said they rarely waited for transportation. A couple of minutes difference at arriving at the transportation stop is all it takes. If you are a clock watcher then I would suggest renting or using Uber, we are there to relax and no longer sweat the small stuff like a late bus etc. If I was going by myself, I would not spend the extra $$ if the resort did not matter to me.

 

[oceanmarina]

Agree about POR busses, but pop is just as bad if not worse. Never stayed at AoA. It also depends on your tolerance. I can’t stand bad bus service so those resorts are absolutely out for us. My vote would be for Contemporary if you can swing it. The garden wing can be affordable with travel agent discounts or even WDW discounts.

Yep to that. I agree and would try for the Contenporary.

 

[Eastern]

If you are looking for discounted CR rooms, I would look into some TAs that specialize in Disneyworld. Google for agency exclusive offers.

I see you are going in summer: a lot of discounts only go until April-May so you may have to wait a bit longer.

 

[SharonZ]

Bad or good buses aren't exclusive to any resort, at any price level. I wouldn't base my hotel choice on what other's have experienced with the busing. Book what you can afford now, the pricing at the Contemporary won't probably drop enough to make it comparable to a moderate in pricing.

 

[OKW Lover]

Its really not possible to decide about a resort based on reports about bus service (good or bad). There are too many variables involved and you'll find reports that directly conflict with others about the same resort. Its really just luck as to when you get to the bus stop and the bus arrives. Its the same thing at all the resorts.

 

[loves to dive]

All I can say is that we have over 30 trips and have stayed at all 3 levels of resorts, and even though we have our own van, we use WDW transportation 99% of the time (mainly buses) and no matter what resort the transportation is hit or miss. We no longer even take that into consideration when we pick a resort. Our worst experience has been with the monorail but we would not cross off the monorail resorts because of that. I do not know how many times I read that a family was there and had to wait for transportation and then read another family staying at the same place during the same time and they said they rarely waited for transportation. A couple of minutes difference at arriving at the transportation stop is all it takes. If you are a clock watcher then I would suggest renting or using Uber, we are there to relax and no longer sweat the small stuff like a late bus etc. If I was going by myself, I would not spend the extra $$ if the resort did not matter to me.

This. I've stayed at just about all the Disney resorts including Swan/Dolphin except for AoA, ASmusic, ASmovies, SS, WL and POFQ and have had bad and good bus service at each and every one. The buses are the buses and like all public transportation a lot of things factor in. I also agree with the monorail resorts, we no longer stay at the monorail resorts because you do not have no choice but use the monorail to get to Epcot and I hate the thing. I use the boats to MK instead of the monorail. If the noise and business of the values wouldn't bother you, I'd say go with a value but not AoA since it's priced pretty close to a moderate and if you are going to pay that, stay at a moderate.

 

[hllb]

The bus stops are different to me. I personally wouldn’t stay at a resort with multiple bus stops again. It takes longer in my experience. Other than that though, the Buses would be similar

 

[Babsy]

Disney buses, monorails and boats are all public transportation usually run on a schedule of about every 20 minutes. Some larger, spread out resorts like POR have multiple bus stops so that no rooms are very far from a bus stop. The down side of this (for some) is that you have to go to the other stops on your way to/from the theme parks. People who want to go straight to the theme parks without first going to up to 3 stops first find POR busing difficult. Add to that, some people will be unlucky at timing when they arrive at a stop and will have a 'bad' bus experience. They are more likely to post and complain than those that have a more usual experience.

Every resort has both pros and cons to their transportation. Arguably, the MK or the Epcot resorts have the best transportation to at least one (or two) theme park(s). All other theme parks are usually no better (transportation-wise) than moderates or values. These resorts are deluxe and generally much more expensive than the moderate or value category resorts. If the access to the MK is a priority (such as for people with small children in strollers) than it may be worth the additional $$$$$ to stay on the monorail. Alternatively, many people like going into Epcot every evening to dine in World Showcase, so the Epcot area resorts are worth the extra expense to them. Of course, as deluxe resorts, these resorts offer additional amenities that may or may not be worth the extra expense, but that is a completely different consideration when choosing a resort.

We have stayed at all the resorts in all categories over the years. Unless there is a reason to be near a particular theme park, I never bother with worrying about the transportation. We have had good and bad experiences at ALL of them, including the GF, Poly, CR, YC/BC and BWI. How long you will spend getting to your destination is out of your hands if you are using the Disney transportation system. Issues arise. Monorails break down, buses are tied up with multiple handicap boardings, etc. My attitude is to allow plenty of time to get to my destination and not to think about it. If alone I read or plan, if with others we talk about our plans or our experiences.

Personally, I would not switch resorts due to worries about transportation. However, if the CR is your dream resort, I would keep an eye on discounts when they are offered and switch if the price is right. For right now, book the resort with the theme that you like best at a price that you are happy to pay. FYI, it doesn't help to be booked at the resort with the discount prior to the discounts being released. If anything there is a very small negative effect because you have a room booked. Disney discounts unbooked rooms.

Have fun choosing! We have enjoyed staying at all the different resorts in WDW. Each has its own charms and advantages. Do research online to decide which one looks good for what YOU want. Everyone has different likes/dislikes and even those change over time. With realistic expectations and planning you will have a wonderful trip wherever you choose to stay.

I hope that you have a magical vacation!!!!

 

[happymommy]

In all my stays, our best bus service was at Pop. The worst was at AKL Kidani.

If it were me on a solo trip, I'd go with Pop and budget in for some Uber/Lyft as well. The rooms are being remodeled with queen beds and a nice clean look (and coffee makers now).

I would not be interested in the Little Mermaid rooms at AOA for two reasons. One is that those rooms are furthest from the main building to catch the bus, second is that the pool, although fun for kids, to me as an adult isn't appealing. Oh, and no coffee maker in the room!

 

[KiraKiraMinnie]

Thank you all for your input! I was really nurvous since this is my first time planning one (I was a kid the last time I went) do thanks for all the advice!!

 

[bluejasmine]

I agree I don't think buses are any better at any resort, as you can see Ive stayed at all levels, but I remember the buses at POR not being so bad and there are multiple bus stops, so its not like the values where you have to go to the front of the resort.
I think youll be fine, POR Is a beautiful resort you wont regret staying there, Its my favorite moderate. Just be sure to give yourself atleast an hour to get to your reservations if your leaving from POR

 

[buzznina]

Disney buses, monorails and boats are all public transportation usually run on a schedule of about every 20 minutes. Some larger, spread out resorts like POR have multiple bus stops so that no rooms are very far from a bus stop. The down side of this (for some) is that you have to go to the other stops on your way to/from the theme parks. People who want to go straight to the theme parks without first going to up to 3 stops first find POR busing difficult. Add to that, some people will be unlucky at timing when they arrive at a stop and will have a 'bad' bus experience. They are more likely to post and complain than those that have a more usual experience.

Every resort has both pros and cons to their transportation. Arguably, the MK or the Epcot resorts have the best transportation to at least one (or two) theme park(s). All other theme parks are usually no better (transportation-wise) than moderates or values. These resorts are deluxe and generally much more expensive than the moderate or value category resorts. If the access to the MK is a priority (such as for people with small children in strollers) than it may be worth the additional $$$$$ to stay on the monorail. Alternatively, many people like going into Epcot every evening to dine in World Showcase, so the Epcot area resorts are worth the extra expense to them. Of course, as deluxe resorts, these resorts offer additional amenities that may or may not be worth the extra expense, but that is a completely different consideration when choosing a resort.

We have stayed at all the resorts in all categories over the years. Unless there is a reason to be near a particular theme park, I never bother with worrying about the transportation. We have had good and bad experiences at ALL of them, including the GF, Poly, CR, YC/BC and BWI. How long you will spend getting to your destination is out of your hands if you are using the Disney transportation system. Issues arise. Monorails break down, buses are tied up with multiple handicap boardings, etc. My attitude is to allow plenty of time to get to my destination and not to think about it. If alone I read or plan, if with others we talk about our plans or our experiences.

Personally, I would not switch resorts due to worries about transportation. However, if the CR is your dream resort, I would keep an eye on discounts when they are offered and switch if the price is right. For right now, book the resort with the theme that you like best at a price that you are happy to pay. FYI, it doesn't help to be booked at the resort with the discount prior to the discounts being released. If anything there is a very small negative effect because you have a room booked. Disney discounts unbooked rooms.

Have fun choosing! We have enjoyed staying at all the different resorts in WDW. Each has its own charms and advantages. Do research online to decide which one looks good for what YOU want. Everyone has different likes/dislikes and even those change over time. With realistic expectations and planning you will have a wonderful trip wherever you choose to stay.

I hope that you have a magical vacation!!!!

This is our family