Tell me about the bus service at OKW

[rchristiansen]

We will have a rental car (got is VERY cheaply). I am OK with the busses to and from the parks, but how good is the service at OKW? Should I just take my own car to the parks?

 

[DVC-Don]

We just got back from OKW and only used the MK bus. Had no problems and never waited more than 20 minutes for it. All our other trips to parks and DD we used our car.

 

[CharlesTD]

The only park we ever drive to is a waterpark wether it be TL or BB the buses work great at OKW for everything else I wouldn't bother driving the car to any of the other parks it isn't worth the time and energy.

 

[MiaSRN62]

We last stayed at OKW in early Nov '04 for 5 nights. It was the busy Jersey Week and Food & Wine and we never waited longer than 10-15 min for any OKW bus to any of the main parks. We're with Charles in that we rarely use our car except for the waterparks and resort dining/shopping.

 

[rchristiansen]

Thanks for all your input

 

[cherylp3]

I went to OKW from MK on July 3rd. The bus was already at MK. Went to OKW stopped to get a bite to eat and shop at the store. By the time I was done there was a MK bus at the Hospitality Stop.

-Cheryl

 

[dianeschlicht]

I have always thought OKW bus service was exceptional. We rarely wait more than 10 minutes, and more often than not, we wait much less than that. Longer waits will be in the mid afternoon, because there are less transportation needs at that time, so less buses too. Driving your car to the parks often takes longer than taking the bus. we have had folks with us who took a car when we took the bus. Exiting the park at exactly the same time, the bus riders arrived at the villa before the car riders. This was after a very crowded evening at Epcot too.

 

[JudithM]

In April during spring break for the Northeast we took the busses from OKW to the four major parks twice daily. We didn't wait long for any bus.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Last year, in a week, I only waited for a bus longer than about 5 minutes once. I can still remember, because the steam was coming out of my ears by the time it arrived-40 minutes for an MGM bus. But in that period of time at least 2 buses came for every other destination. And every other time, like I said, no more than a 5 minute wait. I asked the bus driver about it when he finally arrived, but he had no answer.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Simba's Mom, we had one occation last year where that happened too, only it was the MK bus. It usually means that one route got stuck in a driver shift change or something. The time we had it happen, all of us waiting at the stop asked several drivers to check on it. They were told a bus had been dispatched, but it never got to us. We suspected the driver missed our stop entirely.

 

[JimMIA]

We have DD3goingon23, and we bring a stroller, so we prefer to drive everywhere. Not that the buses aren't great, but the stroller creates a hassle.

We also like to take mid-day breaks, and it's easier (for us) to drive back and forth than to bus back and forth.

 

[beccasmom]

I think it is fine. We were there 6/21-24 and though the crowds were awesome, the service was basically fine. I know there has been talk of sharing service with SSR, but that has not happened when we have visited this year.

We moved to the Boardwalk on the weekend and were not impressed with the bus service there. We were aware that the BWV shares service with the Swan, Dolphin, YC, BC and BCV, but were surprised that was the case during busy season. There are a lot of rooms at those resorts! Personally, that would drive me crazy. I think it would be okay during slower times, but during the summer and holiday season, there are way too many folks going the same place at the same time.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I can still remember, because the steam was coming out of my ears by the time it arrived-40 minutes for an MGM bus. But in that period of time at least 2 buses came for every other destination. And every other time, like I said, no more than a 5 minute wait. I asked the bus driver about it when he finally arrived, but he had no answer.

Was it within 2 hours of park closing by any chance ? Because we had a 30-40 min wait for a MK bus at the BWV once. We were heading back to the MK for an E-Night (this was in Aug '03). What we found out (from a CM) is that wdw transportation concentrates much more heavily on getting people OUT of the parks 1-2 hours prior to closing vs getting people back in for E-Night or whatever.

 

[lllovell]

We usually take the bus to ALL parks (certainly MK) and it works out well. The OKW bus never seemed to take more than 15 minutes on our last trip. The only downside I have to the bus system at OKW is that if you are near the front, you either have to wind through the whole complex after boarding or you wind through the whole complex on your way back if you are near the back. Its not a bad ride, but I had morning sickness and all those tight turns sometimes almost did me in!

 

[dianeschlicht]

We usually take the bus to ALL parks (certainly MK) and it works out well. The OKW bus never seemed to take more than 15 minutes on our last trip. The only downside I have to the bus system at OKW is that if you are near the front, you either have to wind through the whole complex after boarding or you wind through the whole complex on your way back if you are near the back. Its not a bad ride, but I had morning sickness and all those tight turns sometimes almost did me in!

I hear you on those turns! Often, if we are near Peninsular Road, we will head over the HH bus stop instead, just to be on the bus as it exits the park. We like South Point the best because it is the second stop, so not so much of a problem in or out.

 

[lllovell]

I hear you on those turns! Often, if we are near Peninsular Road, we will head over the HH bus stop instead, just to be on the bus as it exits the park. We like South Point the best because it is the second stop, so not so much of a problem in or out.

I am not sure of the "names" (shame on me) but we stayed right by the first stop and started walking over to the HH in the morning to catch the bus last. It is a short walk and really pretty. We all enjoyed it! Of course, on the way back in, it was heaven

 

[dianeschlicht]

I am not sure of the "names" (shame on me) but we stayed right by the first stop and started walking over to the HH in the morning to catch the bus last. It is a short walk and really pretty. We all enjoyed it! Of course, on the way back in, it was heaven

That would be Peninsular Road. The order of buses as they come into the resort is:
Peninsular Road
South Point
Turtle Pond
Miller's Road
Hospitaltiy House.

 

[joepoe]

The only park we ever drive to is a waterpark wether it be TL or BB the buses work great at OKW for everything else I wouldn't bother driving the car to any of the other parks it isn't worth the time and energy.

I concur. The only park it is worth it to drive to is Animal Kingdom. It is a far ride and the bus stops at Blizzard Beach first.