The buses were a nightmare

[mdinme]

No way with my level of patience (none) that I could rely on disney transportation. Have to rent a vehicle but last time we used the bus from Kidani to Epcot and it was quick and easy, but that was on a 44 degree day in early January. Kidani is stop one so you'll at least get a seat heading off to Jambo.

 

[DisneyDad3]

My wife and I stayed at Wilderness Lodge and had no problem using Disney transportation especially the buses. It was a 5 minute bus ride to the MK. It was 20-25 minutes to EP,AK, and HS. It was a pleasure not to have to drive around Disney. When you add in the time to get to your rental car at the hotel, drive to your destination, park the car and get to the entrance I bet the buses do it quicker and with a lot less hassle. Even when we traveled between resorts, (we ate at Cape May and Boma), it was a breeze; bus to MK and then switch to the desired resort bus, 30 minutes tops. On Tuesday we had to travel between AK and DTD and it took only 45 minutes, took AKL bus from AK and then picked up DTD bus at Kidani at AKL. The buses give you a great opportunity to meet interesting people and the bus drivers were friendly and very helpful.

 

[rie'smom]

Taxis or rental cars are the only way for us. No buses no how

 

[danielle.st]

We were at Pop from 4/21- 4/27 and buses were pretty wonderful. We were at Pop from getting on the DME in an hour, and that did include one quick stop at another resort (I forget which one... CBR maybe?)
Buses to parks went fantastically. Our longest wait to get to a park was almost 15 minutes because we just missed a bus. We saw it leave, so it was not a shock.
Our longest overall wait was coming back from DTD. It was definitely over 30 minutes, which felt like forever in the noonday sun, when we were hungry for lunch and wanted to go back to our resort and eat quickly before going to AK. Apparently people at a previous stop held up the driver asking questions, so that took some of the time (another passenger told me), I assume it was also just running behind. Then we had to stop at the other side of DTD where someone else was asking questions before getting on and there was a driver change. Then we stopped at Typhoon Lagoon on the way... all in all I just ended up wishing we'd skipped DTD. The travel back wasn't worth it when we didn't really see much that we hadn't seen in the parks and resorts.
Anyway, overall we definitely gives 2 thumbs up for the buses. Way better than dealing with traffic and the stresses of avoiding accidents and figuring out where to park and remembering where we park, etc.

 

[Michael623]

My take is with the Disney buses you get what you pay for. I do not consider the buses a perk for staying on site. That being said I always rent a car.

 

[cranbiz]

Somehow, I fail to see the "nightmare" with the bus service the OP had.

Sounded fairly normal. It does seem that if it took 40 minutes to get to DTD that this was out of the norm but hardly a nightmare. I can think of a lot of things that would classify as a nightmare and if you were on one of the buses involved in incidents lately, then I would agree with you, but a little delay is not a nightmare.

Perhaps a bit more research would have set expectations better.

This is not personal taxi service, it's mass transit. For mass transit, I believe we do a pretty darn good job. Can we do better, sure and drivers like Magicbus and myself try hard to provide a good guest experience even when our service may not be to your expectations.

The other night there were issues with the traffic light at Backstage Ln and Overpass Rd which caused unbelievable backups onto Epcot Center Dr. and caused huge delays for Epcot buses. I gave my guests a choice, go the official way to OKW and wait in line or I'll reroute by way of World Dr to Vista Way. This would add time to the trip but we would be moving the whole way. They chose to go with my recommendation and we beat the other OKW bus to the resort. Some guests would complain that it took 10 minutes more to get to the resort but most of my guests were thankful and I made it a fun ride.

 

[goofy4tink]

Generally this is true. However, on all three trips we've had a late dinner at Boma. Every time when we've left at around 9 or 10pm our bus stopped at other resorts on the way to POP. One time the bus driver did state that it was his last route of the day and thats why he took on passengers going to other resorts. He said that he always does this nightly if there are people waiting and the bus is near empty. Since it happened 3 times over 3 years I can only assume its somewhat of an unofficial occurance.

Two out of three trips on DME we've stopped at another resort before POP. I assume it has to do with the number of people needing to go to various resorts at a given time.Nonetheless I love POP and found the buses to be better than going to other resorts. We've only had to wait long once and that was following MNSSHP. That wait was LONG, about 45 minutes until they started doubling and tripling buses to POP. All other waits were no more than 15 minutes and usually less.

DME buses are not the same as the Disney park/resort buses. Completely different animal. When taking DME to POP, you will be on the same route at AKL (which is now Kidani and Jambo House) and CSR (usually). Now, it is basically up to the driver which resort to head to first...it has been either POP or AKL on the buses I've been on. Usually (about 85% of the time) the bus goes to POP first, and ends at AKL...can't say for sure which one is first now, Jambo or Kidani.

But the regular park/resort buses do a very good job at what they are meant to do...moving a vast number of people from point A to point B efficiently. If someone is not likely to appreciate the possible wait times and/or other stops, then they are going to be much better off renting a car. It's up to each person to make that choice.
But to say the bus system is a nightmare? Hardly. I have no issues with the buses. No, they are far from perfect and there are times I just want to scream because the bus is overcrowded or took too long (usually just my perception) to get to the resort. But, that is a very small percentage of the time..maybe about 5%. The buses do just fine for me.

Thank-you cranbiz and magicbus...you are indeed good transportation providers.

 

[Magicbus]

Hey CranBiz, next time Diane comes to WDW, we should send a fruit basket to her room. Or better yet, make sure her waits aren't too long.
It's nice to have a voice of reason moderating the Transportation board.

 

[cranbiz]

Hey CranBiz, next time Diane comes to WDW, we should send a fruit basket to her room. Or better yet, make sure her waits aren't too long.
It's nice to have a voice of reason moderating the Transportation board.

If I could arrange it, I would be her personal driver with an empty bus, just for her and her family. All it would cost her would be some time and maybe some chowder base

 

[goofy4tink]

Hey CranBiz, next time Diane comes to WDW, we should send a fruit basket to her room. Or better yet, make sure her waits aren't too long.
It's nice to have a voice of reason moderating the Transportation board.

If I could arrange it, I would be her personal driver with an empty bus, just for her and her family. All it would cost her would be some time and maybe some chowder base

July 31, my friends...heading to BWV, BLT and VWL...heading home Aug 12.

It's easy to moderate a board with such happy, helpful posters. Yes, sometimes posters are cranky because they had a bad experience. And hopefully, others are thoughtful when they reply to this type post. I think that's what makes the Trans Board such a good one. Lots of really great info, giving out in a kind, considerate yet truthful manner.

Hey cranbiz...can you just smell my baggage now??? Yeah, sure..I'm going to stop at a fish market for your chowdah.

 

[nemofans]

After our 1st experience taking a bus to DTD yrs ago, we now take a taxi there & back.