UPDATE PAGE 8 - A very serious issue with WDW...

[rantnnravin]

keep ... expectations low

aahhh, the new DISNEY mantra

 

[gallam5]

I was also at AKL (9/7-15), and the bus service was fairly horrendous, at least trying to get to MK. There was a CM at the bus stop, but I don't know what he was doing--he definitely wasn't coordinating anything, and he wasn't remotely helpful when I asked him about it

sorry to hear that - Don't know what to say I wasn't there - and I don't have any desire to stay there - b/c I think it is too 'out of the way'

I think the OP 's long but informative theory/advice is the best on here -

it is def hit and miss! And def unavoidable.

AGAIN - I for sure might get it for this one - but they should have separate buses for those stupid motorized vehicles... I am not prejudiced , but I have seen way too many people take advantage of them, it seems to me that they are over populating others who do not need em. THEY REALLY SLOW THINGS UP! No?

 

[jamstew]

First off, for me at least the bus issues aren't a problem. I'm in super-zen-relaxed mode when I'm up at Disney, and in absolutely no rush to get anywhere or do anything. I drive up to Disney and have my car available anytime, but rarely ever use it. So I'm not commenting from a position of frustration...just interested to follow the issue as others are posting about it.

Secondly, as someone who goes to Disney 30-40 day a year or more, and going consistently since 1971, I've had a pretty good ringside seat to all the various fluctuations and changes to Disney's transportation system...even from month-to-month or in different seasons. In general, I would agree that I've seen a slight decline in bus timeliness over the long term, but in the past 5-7 years, I've had mixed results on wait times that have not shown the recent months to be any more drastic than the worst wait times in the past decade or so. Taken back 20+ years, I think the schedules have become less reliable...and in the past 5 years I'd say the frequency of longer waits over shorter waits seems have increased.

Third - in general, bus service is equally good and/or unreliable at all of the Disney Resorts. Having stayed at all of the Disney resorts from values to premiums, I've had days at each resort that were lucky with fast bus arrivals, and days with bad luck and 40 min + waits. While the resorts with lots of stops sometimes seem worse, to me they seem to have more busses running their routes - so heavy crowds and lots of stops are balanced by more busses...while resorts with dedicated busses tend to just have less busses operating that route, and therefore often have longer waits but less crowded busses. Tit for tat. The only resorts that I would consider to have an advantage in transportation would be those that have proximity to a park or alternate transportation options such as boats. Their busses aren't any better, but at least with one particular park there is an alternative method to get there.

Fourth - Remember that no matter how 'on-schedule' the busses may start the day, it is nearly impossible to keep them that way. Having the busses spaced 20 minutes apart is a lovely theory - but the first time a bus has to load a handicapped person, it will fall 5 minutes off schedule...and lose another 5 minutes every time they have to load and unload passengers requiring assistance. And the next bus will seem to arrive at the stop just minutes apart from the first. But now if two busses are circulating on that route, it's going to be much longer for the next arrival. This cycle continues throughout the day, throwing all the bus schedules out of whack, and requiring constant adjustments throughout the day to try to reroute busses to other routes that are experiencing severe backups. And pulling busses from one route to another busier one might leave a handful of people on an uncrowded route without their next bus rerouted and a 40-minute wait for the next one. And so on...

Fifth - With some gambling and some luck, you can find creative ways around the bus problems. There are no guarantees it will always be faster, but it can work. At Saratoga, you can walk to Downtown Disney and catch a resort bus from there that is close to the park you are visiting - then use boat transportation or walking paths to get to the park. For Epcot, jump a Boardwalk bus, and walk in. For Magic Kingdom, catch a Wilderness Lodge/Contemporary/Polynesian/etc bus, then use boat, Monorail, or footpath to get in. Same goes for coming home...leaving Epcot after watching illuminations, it can be faster to walk out to Boardwalk and jump the Downtown Disney bus, then walk to Saratoga. Sometimes, it may not be faster, but it might be less stressful - I personally enjoy the Magic Kingdom area boats to and from resorts as a relaxing and scenic ride that helps keep the magic immersion alive - so on my way to Magic Kingdom from OKW or Saratoga, I'll often start my day by boating over to Marketplace (another lovely ride), then bussing to Wilderness Lodge where I walk through to the back to catch the boat to Magic Kindgom. I am likely losing some time in this wayward route, but I've already had two lovely boat rides and an uncrowded bus ride, so I'm relaxed and in a good mood when I hit the Kingdom. If a HS bus arrives just as I'm walking up to the Saratoga Springs bus stop and I'm going to Epcot, I might just jump on that HS bus, then walk over to the boat launch at HS to take the slow and relaxing ride to Epcot, where I can walk into the World Showcase area...especially useful if I'm headed to a lunch there as I won't have to walk through the whole of Epcot to get there. You get the idea!

Anyway...that's my input. I agree things seem to be a little worse overall, and probably not getting any better. And if I had a reservation for a meal at another resort, I would in that case jump in my car to head over rather than rely on the busses. but the majority of the time, I do use Disney busses, but just keep my schedule loose, my expectations low, and gamble and experiment a bit with different routes and methods to get to where I'm going!

Hi, Justin Excellent analysis! I'm also in the laid back mode at Disney, but I can still get frustrated on occasion although I'm rarely in a hurry to get anywhere and will take a cab if necessary. I totally understand about the buses getting off schedule through the day, but I just didn't see any reason why it would take 45 minutes to get a bus to MK from AKL at 9AM I've apparently had extremely good luck with the buses up to now. My previous longest wait was about 30 minutes at POFQ at 7:45AM.

 

[Caren]

Is this strictly an SSR issue? I was at the Beach Club two weeks ago and NEVER waited more than 15 minutes for a bus.

 

[culli]

Is this strictly an SSR issue? I was at the Beach Club two weeks ago and NEVER waited more than 15 minutes for a bus.

No we were at BWV early June and waited about 35mins and people at the same spot already waiting for up to 30mins to go to MK. Same thing we saw 5 AK and 3 DTD busses come and go....plus at one time 3 AK busses we litterly back to back to back in a convoy. People were getting pretty upset. Plus on the way back we waited about 30 mins and finally got on the BCV bus and walked to BWV.

 

[TOM&LORIE]

I have pondered this issue around in my noggin since it started. I continue to come back to a few thoughts:

1st ... there are a tremendous amount of people go thru Disney on a yearly basis. This alone lends to a problem with transportation. How we gonna haul that many hungry, sleepy, vacationed-out people around and keep them happy. The next thought is that there should be a tremendous amount of statistical data on transporting people around and the data should lead to less wait time, not longer wait times.

2nd ... This is a company that leads the world in innovations in the amusement park and entertainment business. My thought is, as I wait there for the bus, "IS THIS THE BEST THEY CAN DO?????????? They make Johnny Depp go from a pirate to a skeleton for petes sake, can they not get me from my resort to the Magic Kingdom in less than an hour????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

I get ornery when I am vacationed -out.

 

[thepeach80]

It's illegal to not use a carseat for a child 4 and under I think it is in a cab in FL. Not that after 4, it makes it safe to not use one, but before then you legally have to have one.

We stayed at SSR last year and used the bus system for pretty much everything, to go to our ADRs etc, it was never a problem. We never went to more than 1 park a day though, so maybe that's the difference? Our longest waits were leaving DTD and Epcot, and those couldn't have been more than 30 mins.

 

[keishashadow]

sorry to hear that - Don't know what to say I wasn't there - and I don't have any desire to stay there - b/c I think it is too 'out of the way'

I think the OP 's long but informative theory/advice is the best on here -

it is def hit and miss! And def unavoidable.

AGAIN - I for sure might get it for this one - but they should have separate buses for those stupid motorized vehicles... I am not prejudiced , but I have seen way too many people take advantage of them, it seems to me that they are over populating others who do not need em. THEY REALLY SLOW THINGS UP! No?

have u ever heard of the ADA?

until u walk a mile in their shoes (or ECV in this case), u could never comprehend what they have to deal with in a given day... asfor 2nd guessing whether those utilizing them really need them

btw, find it interesting that many who criticize the ECVs have huge humvee-like strollers in tow

 

[kab407]

Wow. I had an entirely different experience. I also came home last night from being at SSR for 5 nights. I stayed in the Springs and hence the last bus stop. Getting a bus to a park was never more than a 10 minute wait in the morning. I think the longest we waited for a bus was 30 minutes at AK back to SSR last Friday. The boats to DTD were more crowded then the buses. Thursday night, they sent another boat over specifically for SSR since the boat coming from OKW was full.

A lot of folks bash SSR's bus system. I typically am down there 4 - 5 times a year and can honestly say I've never had much of an issue with it. I do avoid going during peak times so maybe that helps. Maybe the fact that I am not home or in the office changes the perspective too.

 

[disneyfan2kids]

Wow. I had an entirely different experience. I also came home last night from being at SSR for 5 nights. I stayed in the Springs and hence the last bus stop. Getting a bus to a park was never more than a 10 minute wait in the morning. I think the longest we waited for a bus was 30 minutes at AK back to SSR last Friday. The boats to DTD were more crowded then the buses. Thursday night, they sent another boat over specifically for SSR since the boat coming from OKW was full.

A lot of folks bash SSR's bus system. I typically am down there 4 - 5 times a year and can honestly say I've never had much of an issue with it. I do avoid going during peak times so maybe that helps. Maybe the fact that I am not home or in the office changes the perspective too.

I feel for you if you were in the Springs. THere were several times that the busses were so full that only a handful of people from the Springs could even fit on the bus. The leftovers had to wait for a 2nd bus.

For the record - I also have traveled often (7 times to WDW in past 3 years.) I've had minor bus issues in the past...but nothing of the magnitude that we had this past trip. At each bus stop there were angry people who were waiting...and waiting...and waiting.

Also - I'll admit that I did travel to parks during "peak" times. However - I would never assume that Disney's transportation should only be expected to be on-time and reliable when using the busses at "off-peak" times. That's just silly.

Were you at the Springs stop at about 5-ish last Saturday - 27th? Did you see within one hour there were 7 DTD buses...yes... SEVEN! Often they were within seconds of each other. No - I'm not exxagerating. I wish I was. And DTD buses from SSR??? My goodness...the ONLY place within walking distance gets SEVEN buses in one hour??...but MK got NONE for 65 minutes? Something about the system is broken... plain and simple.

 

[5 for WDW]

Is this strictly an SSR issue? I was at the Beach Club two weeks ago and NEVER waited more than 15 minutes for a bus.

Not in our experiences. Out of our last three DVC stays (SSR, BWV, OKW), SSR was easily the best in regards to bus service.

 

[Sammie]

If someone has already mentioned this, excuse the repeat, if waiting for a bus and after 20-25 minutes please use the phones located at the bus stop and dial 0 and complain.

And ask them to send a bus immediately, tell them which bus is needed and what bus stop.

 

[disneyfan2kids]

If someone has already mentioned this, excuse the repeat, if waiting for a bus and after 20-25 minutes please use the phones located at the bus stop and dial 0 and complain.

And ask them to send a bus immediately, tell them which bus is needed and what bus stop.

I did... dozens of times throughout this vacation. Including - for the 1 hour wait referenced I called THREE times. I was simply told a bus would come shortly.

 

[khomer504]

sorry to hear that - Don't know what to say I wasn't there - and I don't have any desire to stay there - b/c I think it is too 'out of the way'

I think the OP 's long but informative theory/advice is the best on here -

it is def hit and miss! And def unavoidable.

AGAIN - I for sure might get it for this one - but they should have separate buses for those stupid motorized vehicles... I am not prejudiced , but I have seen way too many people take advantage of them, it seems to me that they are over populating others who do not need em. THEY REALLY SLOW THINGS UP! No?

Just to give a different perspective. My dad needs an ECV in Disney or he wouldn't be able to come with us. Let me tell you, traveling by bus with someone on an ECV is a DRAG! We do it because we really want to have him with us, but basically a bus is our only options with him since I can't figure out how to get the ECV around any other way.

Last trip we had several experiences where we had to wait for 2-3 buses because of broken lifts or seats already filled and no room for the ECV. One time we got to DTD and then the lift broke while we were on the bus. We sat on that bus for almost an hour before they got the lift fixed so my father could get out. Even in the best of circumstances it is time consuming, you may get to load the bus first... but you get off the bus last, so it's not like you get into the park before anyone else on your bus.

The 1 time we gave up and took a cab, we had to take the cab to our ADR then take a cab back to the resort to retrieve the ECV and THEN get on the bus to go the park of our choice. So the cab didn't save anytime, just made sure we got to our 7:30am ADR in time.

Anyone who contemplates getting an ECV to take advantage of the bus system... is in for a rude awakening!

 

[photobob]

Just wondering, do you recall what time of day you had the most problems with bus service. Our longest wait was at 6 pm. We didn't have issues with morning buses. I know lucky timing is a big factor in getting a bus, but it really doesn't take too much to throw buses off schedule.

I don't know if this has been brought up but a couple of years ago a bus driver told me that they were over 100 drivers short and he was working his 25th day in a row, I don't know if that is still a problem or not.

 

[lugnut33]

For those complaining about the bus system, why don't you just belly up to the bar and rent a car? Hakuna Matata.

I did the bus thing for a couple of WDW vacations and then I rented a car and I was like

Last trip we rode the boat to DTD from POFQ and had to take the bus back to FQ due to a thunderstorm and I was like

So, for those that are frustrated with the bus system, it's really as easy as and you'll feel like

 

[boettj]

For those complaining about the bus system, why don't you just belly up to the bar and rent a car? Hakuna Matata.

I did the bus thing for a couple of WDW vacations and then I rented a car and I was like

Last trip we rode the boat to DTD from POFQ and had to take the bus back to FQ due to a thunderstorm and I was like

So, for those that are frustrated with the bus system, it's really as easy as and you'll feel like

Yeah, well I think I said ADRs = rental car or taxi. Same thing don't you think? Who does not stay in the park without ADRs?

In other wonders, I concur.

 

[El&Asmom]

For those complaining about the bus system, why don't you just belly up to the bar and rent a car? Hakuna Matata.

I did the bus thing for a couple of WDW vacations and then I rented a car and I was like

Last trip we rode the boat to DTD from POFQ and had to take the bus back to FQ due to a thunderstorm and I was like

So, for those that are frustrated with the bus system, it's really as easy as and you'll feel like

I mostly agree. When we just had one kid in one carseat, renting a car was the way to go. Easy to hop in a car and get to wherever we needed.

Now with soon to be three kids that need three carseats, and a minivan, ME and the free bus service is by far easier than lugging those seats around airports, waiting for a rental car, and buckling kids in carseats when it is 90+ degrees outside.

Our strategy is to stay near the parks that we are going to go to most.
For our May trip we will split between VWL for half of the trip so we can go to MK via boat, and EPCOT via the monorail after taking the boat to the CR. We will then switch over to BCV so we can walk to or boat to EPCOT and DHS.
For AK, regardless of where we stay we have to take a bus, so we don't worry about the chance that it will be a long wait. We will be happy to be at WDW, and realize it's not worth sweating the small stuff.

 

[kimberh]

I find the Bus system to be a Huge Drawing card to stay on site. Anyone remember driving all over to find a parking place, especially at DTD? Waiting in the long lines to get into Magic Kingdom to park? We have our car, We don't want to fight all that traffic, we enjoy chillin, am I the only one? If I have to go back to driving my car, well I might as well stay off sight too. Then I had a much larger room and cheaper food. It all goes hand in hand to me. It's the buses that even made me look at the Disney Hotels. I have a Timeshare that I can trade into Orlando, I used it to stay one mile from Disney's Main Gate everytime we came. If, all of a sudden I have going to have to Drive my car again, Well...

 

[Tinkerbellcrafter]

I agree that I think it is luck of the draw. We stayed at BWV May of 2007 and bus service was awful for AK and MK. Very slow and buses running 45-50 minutes apart. We then went in July and December of 2007 and the buses ran fine. April of this year, there were many long waits at SSR for buses to anywhere. We were in the Springs. Many DTD buses in a row. I have been at OKW and had awful bus service with 2 EPCOT buses in a row, etc. There were times that the computerized system wasn't working this past August and they had signs at the bus stops to ask your driver where the bus was going and the drivers didn't know that their bus could say MK and they were really going to EPCOT. I have seen cast members at the bus stops verbally instructing the drivers where to go at resorts and the parks. I think that Disney needs to go back to the personable drivers where at any given time you could get on your bus and share b-days, anniversaries, sing songs, etc. I feel that that was part of the magic! One of the things my daughter remembers from her first trip when she was 4, was getting on the bus and singing zippity dooda(sp?)

We also rent a car just about every trip, unless we drive down because we like being in control of when we leave for the airport on our last day...not ME!

Please let us know what DVC replies back with...unless I missed it in the post.