Transportation to Theme Parks - No Physical Distancing on Buses

[cjsmom5]

We just returned from a trip on Monday to WDW - staying at YC. We used Disney transportation the entire time. Everyone needs to be aware that all plexiglass and "numbered sections" are now removed on the buses. The handles for people to hold while "the bus is in motion" have returned to all buses we were on. Several times, every seat was taken and they were asking people to move as far back as they could. Reminded me of the "ole days."

Masks are required on all Disney transportation and the bus drivers are reminding those who board the bus to put their mask on. But other than that - many people were not really "wearing them" while the bus was in motion - many slipped below the nose.

Also, we chatted with one of the cast members. They said right now they do not have enough bus drivers. They have contracted with an outside entity to support their bus transportation efforts. I can tell you that this did affect the frequency of the buses. We watched one night while two buses from 8 other resorts arrived at Disney Springs and our line for YC/BC just kept growing. I looked for a supervisor to ask if they had called a bus - no one around. Evidently there is suppose to be one at all the theme parks and DS. We experienced the same thing at the Animal Kingdom. So plan on longer transportation times to be safe.

If physical distancing and mask enforcement are important to you, I would highly recommend that you look towards ride share, etc. I am simply providing a "this is how it was when we were there" post. Not trying to enter a debate about masks, how you should wear them, or physical distancing. Glad to answer questions related to my experience with transportation while we were there.

 

[Cheburashka]

If physical distancing and mask enforcement are important to you, I would highly recommend that you look towards ride share, etc.

Yeah, from what I've heard this is what all of Disney World has been like for the past few months? Not really keeping capacity down, distancing or enforcing much anymore.

 

[NotUrsula]

They took the partitions out in early June, I think; before the Delta variant brought the pandemic roaring back to life. I get why; at that point it looked like the light was shining at the end of the tunnel (little did they know it was actually a train.) They knew they had a lot of guests expected for summer, so it made sense at the time, and they probably discarded the partitions. In light of the current situation, they probably should at least limit to no standing passengers, but somehow I don't think it will happen.

So, while I get it, I don't like it, and for the present would rather drive to the parks, EXCEPT that the OPEN-AIR parking trams are still not running.

What I would appreciate at this point is a push to get the trams back up and running so that choosing to drive rather than take the bus is no longer a heat exhaustion challenge. Doing that trek on black asphalt in Florida heat at the start of my day just about ruins the whole park experience for me. (And on our last visit, "Murphy" was having a field day with the parking situation. You know how in normal times you hope for a parking space near the tram aisle and always get one WAY down at the end by the trees? Yep. With no trams running, when we would have preferred being by the trees, we got one right by the tram aisle, EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.)

 

[DisneyOma]

When we were there last week we had a couple of buses to ourselves! I think we had two packed buses the entire 10 day trip, but luckily people around us kept their masks on appropriately. The Academy bus drivers were super nice; one went off his route to take us to AK because there was no one waiting at his stop. So, while the partitions are down, WDW doesn't seem to be that busy right now and if you time it right you can avoid a full bus.

Note - we also got most gondolas to ourselves (2 of us) but a few times we were placed with another small group.