wdw buses

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I was taking a bus from DTD to my resort. A family, with very rude kids, were wearing bathing suits. The mother said something like the pool we're going to is much nicer then the pool in our hotel.

Disney has does very little to keep people from "crashing" the resorts. That includes pool hoppers and people crowding the beach at the POLY.

I still don't think asking for resort IDs is an answer.

Maybe in a case like that is when a bus driver should ask for KTTW cards as ID to get on the bus. I mean why would anyone be wearing bathing suits at the Downtown Disney bus station? I have a feeling your going to disagree with me about this, but at least it would stop pool hopping.

 

[CleveRocks]

Maybe in a case like that is when a bus driver should ask for KTTW cards as ID to get on the bus. I mean why would anyone be wearing bathing suits at the Downtown Disney bus station? I have a feeling your going to disagree with me about this, but at least it would stop pool hopping.

I'll disagree, but probably not for the reason you might think.

Disney can't start cross-training the bus drivers to do pool-hopping enforcement. Seriously, it'd be adding to their job descriptions. I don't mean that in a sarcastic way. Anyone who's ever been involved in Human Resources-type stuff knows that if you add to employees' job descriptions (in a way that adds a substantial "new" skill/expectation) then you're opening yourself up for labor unrest, lawsuits, etc.

People who drive buses for a living don't necessarily also possess the proper skill set to interact with guests in that manner (i.e., asking provocative questions and dealing with the unpredictable consequences).

[And just in case anyone thinks I'm putting down bus drivers, I'm absolutely not doing so. It's also quite likely that a marketing vice president or the assistant director of food and beverage or a "friend of Tigger" might not possess the proper skill set for such a task, either.]

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I'll disagree, but probably not for the reason you might think.

Disney can't start cross-training the bus drivers to do pool-hopping enforcement. Seriously, it'd be adding to their job descriptions. I don't mean that in a sarcastic way. Anyone who's ever been involved in Human Resources-type stuff knows that if you add to employees' job descriptions (in a way that adds a substantial "new" skill/expectation) then you're opening yourself up for labor unrest, lawsuits, etc.

People who drive buses for a living don't necessarily also possess the proper skill set to interact with guests in that manner (i.e., asking provocative questions and dealing with the unpredictable consequences).

[And just in case anyone thinks I'm putting down bus drivers, I'm absolutely not doing so. It's also quite likely that a marketing vice president or the assistant director of food and beverage or a "friend of Tigger" might not possess the proper skill set for such a task, either.]

I don't think they should change the job descriptions of the bus drivers. What I meant was they could be told by managment if people are coming on the buses from a destination like Downtown Disney with bathing suits on, they should be asked for a KTTW card for that Resort where the bus is going to. The way I see it that is an obvious situation where a family is trying pool hopping and whatever way WDW can stop it they should.

 

[Lewisc]

They were wearing T-shirts and cover ups. It wouldn't have been obvious to a bus driver that they were wearing bathing suits. It's theoretically possible they went from TL to DTD then to their resort. Based on what they were saying that wasn't the case.

Having the driver check ID's isn't practical. Disney needs CM checking IDs when guests enter the pool area.

Maybe in a case like that is when a bus driver should ask for KTTW cards as ID to get on the bus. I mean why would anyone be wearing bathing suits at the Downtown Disney bus station? I have a feeling your going to disagree with me about this, but at least it would stop pool hopping.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Disney needs CM checking IDs when guests enter the pool area.

Don't they have that when entering SAB? I do agree it should be at all the pools on property. A few times while at the Contemporary pool and Wilderness Lodge pool, the life guards came around asking to see our KTTW cards.

 

[goofy4tink]

Unfortunetly, there are going to be pool hoppers, hopping on Disney transportation until Disney decides to do something about it. However, don't forget that there are legitimate pool hoppers....DVC owners can hop to other pools. Yes, you may find some from SSR hopping over to the Polynesian, and they would pretty much be able to easily take the bus from DTD to get to the Polynesian. So....rather than slow down the already slow boarding process by making bus drivers check ID's before boarding, perhaps Disney should actively check resort ID's at the pools. I also think they should make parking a fee based thing at all resorts. If you can't show a resort ID, then you have to pay to self-park. Everyone already has to stop at the shack. So, if you eat at the CR, you get your parking slip validated. If you leave within that three hour block, you pay nothing. But, if you overstay that three hours, you will be expected to pay for your parking. If I go to the hospital to visit someone, or have a proceedure done, I can either self-park for about $5 or I can valet park, for about $10. The big difference is I don't have to walk a distance to my car for the $10. Disney could enforce the same thing.

But, as has already been said, Disney does not feel to be severly impacted by 'illegal' parking, pool hopping, or reusing of mugs. There is no way they are going to be bothered by off-site people using the buses. See, they've already told them it's okay to do it. It would be very elitist to expect that only on-site resort guests be able to use the transportation. It's enough that if a park gets close to capacity, only resort guests will be allowed entrance.
I've been to WDW on Thanksgiving Day, and I have to tell you, that day, as well as the day following, were not all that bad on the buses. The parks were hugely crowded, but the modes of transportation were not bad at all.

 

[BCVBRUCE]

I found this at Mouse Planet:

Who can use Disney Transportation

"Whether or not you can "legally" use WDW's transportation system depends on two things. First, all "park hopper" admission media permits the bearer to use WDW's transportation. Annual Pass holders, for example, are permitted full use of the system. Second, guests of Disney-owned and operated resorts are permitted full use of the system during the duration of their stay".

As with most bits of info on the internet, the above may be false to a degree. I really do not know. However, I have not found one tiny bit of info that implies that just anyone can use WDW transportation system.

If you have some type of "park hopper" pass -OR- you are resort guess, then I feel you should have full use of the WDW system.

I may have believed incorrectly, as others have, that WDW transportation was reserved for resort guests. Obviously, that is not true.

I did underline "stay" in the above quote, because some people will use a VERY loose interpretation of the term"resort guests" to mean anyone coming to a resort for ANY reason(ie. breakfast, lunch, dinner, SHOPPING). Is it REALLY right for someone to eat breakfast at a resort and then hop the bus, boat or monorail to go to a park for the day? Not only is this person taking up resort guest parking but they are bypassing parking fees.

An example of how frustrating this could be:
On one of the last days of our visit to SSR, we got on a bus to AK. Had to stand with a stroller, a five year old and a 22 month old. A teenager, one of a group of seven, stood up and asked the bus driver, "How close will this bus get me to ???? hotel across from the DTD disney area"? The bus driver told him and the teenager sat down. At the bus stop closest to DTD and the off-site hotels, the group got off and ran across the busy street back to their hotel. Yeah, I could sit down!!! Obviously, they were not "park hopping".

So, ask yourself,"How many times have I had to stand on a bus and someone sitting down just really should not be on the bus"???

What I would really like to know, what is the actual, no kidding, written down DISNEY policy about who is allowed to use WDW transportation?

goofy4tink,
I think your parking fee plan is the right idea.

 

[cranbiz]

I voted no, this is why.

WDW Transportation (buses, watercraft and monorails) is available to anyone who has valid admission media.
It is Also available to ALL WDW Resort Guests.

So the only guests that are not allowed WDW Transportation is the guest that does not have admission media or a resort ID. An example is a DTD shopper (non park or resort guest) who now wants to go to, let's say to the Boardwalk. The number of guests that would do something like this will not impact the availability of seats so we are not giong to worry about them.

It IS a perk for resort guests as you have buses come right to your resort to take you to the parks.

With the OP's reasoning, then non resort guests can't use the boats either. Non resort guests can't take the resort monorail to the CR for Chef Mickey's, to the POly for Ohana's ot the the GF for 1900 Park Faire. So how does the day guest get to something like the HDDR? If they can't take the bus or boat, then all they can do is park at FW and walk a mile and a half to Pioneer Hall. Remember, the internal FW shuttles are WDW buses too!

Before I became a driver, As an AP holder, I used WDW transportation from the parks to the resorts for ADR's and such. WDW encourages guests to eat in the resorts, how does one get there? By WDW transportation, of course.

If you limit WDW transportation to "just resort guests" then you are making it difficult to go to your favorite resort for dinner, etc.

Now, why do you pick up guests in bathing suits at DTD? Because the DTD buses go to Typhoon Lagoon which is ...... What...... A WATER PARK.

Checking ID's on a bus won't stop pool hopping. Unless I check VERY closely, I can't tell if you are staying at the YC/BC or the AllStars. All KTTK cards look the same. To check that closely takes way too much time and will be the source of MANY guests complaints about how much time is wasted.

As a driver, I'm not checking ID's, It's not my job. My job is to get you from point A to point B effecently and safely. I don't do it on the cast shuttles either, That's the job for security.

 

[CarolA]

Your multi-day ticket entitle you to use of the Disney transportation system. So it's not a "perk" only of the resort guest.

 

[Lewisc]

At one time some people were convinced the free transportation included with park passes referred to transportation from the parking lot to a park and transportation from park to park.

Even if this is technically correct Disney likes having guests visit their resorts to shop, dine and even just "scope out" the resort for a future visit.

Disney doesn't have the staffing to stop pool crashing, mug refills and parking abuse. High staff to guest ratios is one of the characteristics of higher rated hotels. There are reasons the Disney deluxe hotels, including the GF, are only rated 3*.

 

[ilovepooh]

I thought op meant if WDW guests should show ID so that outside WDW hotel guests can't hop on the buses to get around.

I think only WDW hotel guests should be able to ride the WDW buses.

I DO think I should be able to hop a bus to say Boardwalk to eat dinner there and hop a bus back to where ever to do more parks or return to WL.

 

[CleveRocks]

I voted no, this is why.

WDW Transportation (buses, watercraft and monorails) is available to anyone who has valid admission media.
It is Also available to ALL WDW Resort Guests.

So the only guests that are not allowed WDW Transportation is the guest that does not have admission media or a resort ID. An example is a DTD shopper (non park or resort guest) who now wants to go to, let's say to the Boardwalk. The number of guests that would do something like this will not impact the availability of seats so we are not giong to worry about them.

It IS a perk for resort guests as you have buses come right to your resort to take you to the parks.

With the OP's reasoning, then non resort guests can't use the boats either. Non resort guests can't take the resort monorail to the CR for Chef Mickey's, to the POly for Ohana's ot the the GF for 1900 Park Faire. So how does the day guest get to something like the HDDR? If they can't take the bus or boat, then all they can do is park at FW and walk a mile and a half to Pioneer Hall. Remember, the internal FW shuttles are WDW buses too!

Before I became a driver, As an AP holder, I used WDW transportation from the parks to the resorts for ADR's and such. WDW encourages guests to eat in the resorts, how does one get there? By WDW transportation, of course.

If you limit WDW transportation to "just resort guests" then you are making it difficult to go to your favorite resort for dinner, etc.

Now, why do you pick up guests in bathing suits at DTD? Because the DTD buses go to Typhoon Lagoon which is ...... What...... A WATER PARK.

Checking ID's on a bus won't stop pool hopping. Unless I check VERY closely, I can't tell if you are staying at the YC/BC or the AllStars. All KTTK cards look the same. To check that closely takes way too much time and will be the source of MANY guests complaints about how much time is wasted.

As a driver, I'm not checking ID's, It's not my job. My job is to get you from point A to point B effecently and safely. I don't do it on the cast shuttles either, That's the job for security.

Well said. BRAVO!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

There is just one thing I still don't get. In the Walt Disney World travel books I have read where they say you need your KTTW card or MYW tickets to use all forms of transportation in WDW, well how come the bus drivers never bother to check that the guests have either one? So what is the point of making this rule if they are never going to enforce it, because it has been stated in writting by WDW?

 

[Lewisc]

Guide books are unofficial. Official information would be a sign on the bus, a sign by the bus stops or even something that guests are given when they buy a ticket or check into their resort. I don't remember seeing anything like that, must be small print if it exists.

The fact that drivers aren't told to check cards and the fact that there isn't any signage would indicate current policy doesn't require a KTTW card or MYW ticket. Disney likes guests who take a bus from AK to Contemporary in order to dine, shop or "scope out" the resort for a future stay.

Disney doesn't bother enforcing written rules such as the mug refill policy. Why should they start enforcing rules that only exit in unofficial guide books?

Interesting that you persist in wanting Disney to enforce rules that don't exist but don't think Disney should bother enforcing rules that do exist.

There is just one thing I still don't get. In the Walt Disney World travel books I have read where they say you need your KTTW card or MYW tickets to use all forms of transportation in WDW, well how come the bus drivers never bother to check that the guests have either one? So what is the point of making this rule if they are never going to enforce it, because it has been stated in writting by WDW?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Guide books are unofficial. Official information would be a sign on the bus, a sign by the bus stops or even something that guests are given when they buy a ticket or check into their resort. I don't remember seeing anything like that, must be small print if it exists.

The fact that drivers aren't told to check cards and the fact that there isn't any signage would indicate current policy doesn't require a KTTW card or MYW ticket. Disney likes guests who take a bus from AK to Contemporary in order to dine, shop or "scope out" the resort for a future stay.

Disney doesn't bother enforcing written rules such as the mug refill policy. Why should they start enforcing rules that only exit in unofficial guide books?

Interesting that you persist in wanting Disney to enforce rules that don't exist but don't think Disney should bother enforcing rules that do exist.

Actually one of the books I read that in was the Birnbaums Guide to Walt Disney World, which is published by WDW and is the only official guide that has anything to do with them.

 

[Lewisc]

Guests aren't required to purchase a guide book in order to learn rules. Disney can't enforce a "secret" rule. The bus drivers aren't told to check IDs. There isn't any signage. There isn't a rule posted anywhere.

Guests should bring their KTTK card or MYW ticket when they board the bus. Otherwise they won't be able to enter a park when they get off the bus.

Disney publishes the Birnbaums guide and makes money. That's the reason it's the "official guide". This isn't the first example of the "official guide" having wrong, or old, information.

Disney doesn't try to enforce rules that really exist; mug refill, pool hopping and room occupany. It doesn't make much sense to enforce rules that don't exist.

Actually one of the books I read that in was the Birnbaums Guide to Walt Disney World, which is published by WDW and is the only official guide that has anything to do with them.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Guests aren't required to purchase a guide book in order to learn rules. Disney can't enforce a "secret" rule. The bus drivers aren't told to check IDs. There isn't any signage. There isn't a rule posted anywhere.

Guests should bring their KTTK card or MYW ticket when they board the bus. Otherwise they won't be able to enter a park when they get off the bus.

Disney publishes the Birnbaums guide and makes money. That's the reason it's the "official guide". This isn't the first example of the "official guide" having wrong, or old, information.

Disney doesn't try to enforce rules that really exist; mug refill, pool hopping and room occupany. It doesn't make much sense to enforce rules that don't exist.

1st Off all it's not a secret rule if it's published in an official Walt Disney World guide book. The only difference between this one and the mug rule or pool hopping, is those are signs posted around WDW at the Resorts.

I know your going to disagree with me but the way I see it is WDW made this a rule for a reason, because why would they even publish it in their book? I also think that if it's written down and not being followed, it's the bus drivers who are not enforcing it and not the problem of the guests. I know they have a rule of no eating or drinking on the buses, however I have seen other guests bring drinks on and the bus drivers never make them throw them out. So shouldn't they be enforcing that?

I agree that the bus drivers are never going to enforce the showing your KTTW card or MYW ticket rule but there has got to be a reason why WDW states this as a rule, even if there are no signs posted about it on the buses, monorails and boats themselves.

 

[Lewisc]

You're missing the point. I didn't bother getting the guide book when I planned my trip. Disney never gave me a copy when I made my reservation. Disney never gave me a copy when I checked in. Does Disney give a copy to customers when they purchase tickets? Sorry but "rules" that are only listed in that book at best can't be enforced and probably don't even exist.

Disney gets some money, gives them a little advance information on attractions/restaurants and publishes the book. It was never represented as a "rule book" that must be studied by all guests prior to arriving at WDW. In order for this to be an official rule it must be communicated to all guests. I'll speculate that at one time Disney was considering making this policy and the book never got corrected

Look at it this way. An offsite guest wants to take a bus from AK to the Contemporary. They plan on having a drink at the Outer Rim, looking at the gifts shops and then walking over to the MK. They understand the MK doesn't sell adult beverages. Assume they don't read guide books. Where are they told it's against the rules to ride that bus? When they buy their ticket? At the bus stop? A sign on the bus? Disney can't enforce a "rule" that's not communicated.

You're reading too much into the "official" guide. The book is written by a freelance writer(s). Official means Disney gets paid, not that they wrote or even reviewed the book.

Look at "real rules":mugs, pools, parking, age for kids meals etc. That information is communicated to guests. Rules that are only found in guidebooks or in emails to specific guests can't apply to guests who don't get the email or who don't read the guidebook.

1st Off all it's not a secret rule if it's published in an official Walt Disney World guide book. The only difference between this one and the mug rule or pool hopping, is those are signs posted around WDW at the Resorts.
I know your going to disagree with me but the way I see it is WDW made this a rule for a reason, because why would they even publish it in their book? I also think that if it's written down and not being followed, it's the bus drivers who are not enforcing it and not the problem of the guests. I know they have a rule of no eating or drinking on the buses, however I have seen other guests bring drinks on and the bus drivers never make them throw them out. So shouldn't they be enforcing that?

I agree that the bus drivers are never going to enforce the showing your KTTW card or MYW ticket rule but there has got to be a reason why WDW states this as a rule, even if there are no signs posted about it on the buses, monorails and boats themselves.

 

[BCVBRUCE]

Interesting that you persist in wanting Disney to enforce rules that don't exist but don't think Disney should bother enforcing rules that do exist.

I am curious to know, how you know any rule regarding WDW transportation exists or does not exist?

I am willing to bet there is a rule, policy, etc. either saying:

1)Anyone can use WDW transportation at any time.
-OR-
2)The only people allowed to use WDW transportation are those w/some type of park hopper pass and/or resort guests.

A rule exists for no other reason than for Disney to protect themselves legally in the event that something happens.

If Disney does have a habit of looking the other way on some rules, then what other rules are they ignoring??? It is going to bite them one day.

 

[Lewisc]

I won't edit my previous posts but let's just call it "an enforceable rule". A rule that's not communicated to the public isn't really enforceable even if it exists. Guests don't have to have ESP, purchase a guide book or otherwise guest. Disney doesn't really have any protection if there are no signs regarding who can ride the bus and if any guest is allowed to ride the bus. The hotel "rules" are contained in a sign that's on the back of your door. The pool rules are contained on a sign by the pool area. Parking rules are contained in a sign as you enter the parking lot.

Based on long threads on DIS it's clear Disney devotes very few resources to enforcing rules on mug refills, room occupancy and generally pool crashing.

I am curious to know, how you know any rule regarding WDW transportation exists or does not exist?

I am willing to bet there is a rule, policy, etc. either saying:

1)Anyone can use WDW transportation at any time.
-OR-
2)The only people allowed to use WDW transportation are those w/some type of park hopper pass and/or resort guests.

A rule exists for no other reason than for Disney to protect themselves legally in the event that something happens.

If Disney does have a habit of looking the other way on some rules, then what other rules are they ignoring??? It is going to bite them one day.