What do you think of the WDW transportation system overall?

[DisneyKidds]

Poll time. Let's see (and hear) how you guys feel about the WDW transportation system. I hear good things, I hear bad things, but what is the consensus?

Let's consider the WDW transportation system as a whole. That would include the existing combination of busses (the primary mode of transport), boats, and monorails.

 

[Trekker]

 

[DisneyKidds]

Keep the votes coming!

How about a few questions.

How many of you have a car at your disposal when at WDW, but prefer using the WDW transportaion system anyway?

How many of you rent a car specifically so you don't have to use the WDW transportation system?

What do you think about resort to resort transportation and it this a big issue for you?

What do you thing the syatem does well? Poorly? What should be changed (if anything)?

Time for a little talk .

 

[DebbieB]

I always rent a car and use it to most places but the reason isn't because the transportation is necessarily ineffective or inefficient. I just prefer not to get on a crowded bus, sometimes having to stand, sometimes making multiple stops. We prefer the comfort of the car and being on our own schedule. I just don't like busses, it's not the transportation system's fault, it's just my preference. Maybe it's because when I first started working I took crowded city busses back and forth to work and hated it. Now I'm used to driving. I think driving in WDW is very easy.

 

[cbrfan]

When I'm on vacation I aim for the least hassle possible. We fly in, take a towncar to and from the airport and let Disney do the driving while we're there. No rental car pick-up and return, filling up with gas, filling out insurance forms and waivers, etc. I find the waits and crowds on WDW transportation to be a part of the total experience. It is what you make of it.

 

[OKW91]

We drive down and park the car, except for groceries, we never use our car while at WDW, I have to say that 90% of the time the Disney transportation is OK!! I believe in relaxing when in Disney, if I have to wait a few minutes for the bus or a boat what's the big deal? I rush around enough when home, I don't need it on vacation!!

 

[deb305]

We drove last time, and glad to have car. Stayed on monorail resort and used monorail for Epcot and MK. We drove to MGM,AK and DTD. We went in January so parking lots were not full. At both AK and MGM I walked from car to entrance because we had an oversized stroller. I'm not kidding, most of the time I was only a few yards away from the Buses. If they would just move the buses a little closer, it would be worth it.
Also for those with toddlers that need reclining strollers, using Disney transportation was a nightmare. I was allowed to roll the stroller on the monorail, but had to fold it for trams, buses etc. Try doing that with a 1 year old and their stuff. I don't blame Disney, just will be glad when he's older and can use the park strollers.

 

[drogerstn]

When I'm on vacation I aim for the least hassle possible and the most flexibility. We fly in, do a quick rental car pick-up using one of the services such as Hertz #1 Gold Club, Alamo's Quicksilver, & National's Emerald Club, and use the car frequently during our stay. I find the waits and crowds on WDW transportation to be a a hassle at times. We also do some off site shopping in which it is helpful to have a car. We normally use the car when visiting Disney Studios, the water parks, AK, DD, other resorts and EPCOT.

 

[KathyR]

We either have our car or a rental, but we always take the WDW buses to the parks and DTD. We use our car to get everywhere else though I am always amazed how well they do moving the amount of people they do. We have had to wait more than 10 minutes on VERY few occassions. Most of the time it is under 10 minutes

 

[ron777]

I think the Monorail is better than the bus because the bus is too hot and slow to get to where you are waiting to catch it. The monorail is fast and comfortable.

 

[Barb]

We always rent a car. We usually use WDW transportation to go to one of the 4 major parks. But we NEVER use it to go to another resort, Downtown Disney or one of the water parks. The bus system to go to those places is awful. It literally takes one hour to get to Typhoon Lagoon. This is a waste of my time. Also, by renting a car we do have the option of leaving property and eating elsewhere.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by ron777
I think the Monorail is better than the bus because the bus is too hot and slow to get to where you are waiting to catch it. The monorail is fast and comfortable.

I tend to disagree. Our busses have special high capacity air conditioner units. The vast majority of them turn the bus into a meat locker. I can't tell you how many times I have guests asking me to turn the A/C down because it's cold.

As for speed... the bus can travel far faster than the monorail.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by Barb
It literally takes one hour to get to Typhoon Lagoon.

No... it doesn't. Not even close.

 

[helenk]

I have always relied on Disney transportation and I have not had any problems that would have had an adverse affect on my vacation. Once we had to wait nearly a half of an hour for the ferry leaving MK to the WL after the last spectromagic parade, but this delay was due to the water pageant going by.
The bus drivers have always been courteous and sometimes quite funny. I find that if you say hello, thank you, have a nice day etc they will respond in kind.
It amazes me that Disney can transport so many people to so many different areas as well as they do. It has never taken me an hour to get to Typhoon Lagoon.

 

[goofy4tink]

We usually rely on WDW's bus system. Have found it to be more than fine. This time down, my dh asked to stay at a deluxe for the ease of transportation. Since we'll be there in Aug he is concerned about the time going back and forth for mid-day breaks. So where do we end up staying?? WL. But we can't wait to try out the boats to MK.
As for the rest of our visit, the bus system tends to prohibit us from visiting other area resorts. The monorail resorts are okay but to get to Boardwalk or Yacht/Beach Clubs is way too convoluted for me. So we most likely won't get to visit their terrific restaurants. But, all in all, the transportation system does a terrific job moving all those people. Thanks to all of you that move us!!!

 

[WDW JKL]

we have always rented a car except for our first trip 10years ago. WDW does a good job of transporting people from/to resort/park but it's difficult to go from a resort to a resort. We like to try different resort dining and it's always more efficient to drive then ride WDW transportaton.

Eventhough we rent a car, we do ride the bus to MK since this appears to be more efficient then driving.

 

[pilotmono]

I like the monorail over buses. Shorter dispatch interval, quieter/smoother ride, better view--especially from the front cab--and a much shorter trip time to the hotels on the beam. One can ride a bus almost anywhere, but the WDW Monorail System is world renowned.

 

[jaysue]

Fun, Fairly Fast, and always have a chance to chat it up with other people on the bus

Lots of fun!!!

The Monorail is one of DS top 5 rides

Resort to Resort can be difficult though depending on where you are trying to get to (cab is best option for the odd time you would want to do this).

Having said that to go from example WL to GF via Boat or Boat and Monorail is a magical trip unto itself with the views of MK!!!

Thanks
Jason

 

[Uncleromulus]

Well-I voted #3, mostly because we always rent and use a car. DebbieB stated things about as well as I ever could.
I think WDW transportation does an excellent job, especially considering the sheer # of people they "move".

 

[drusba]

We always have a car. Our usual rule of thumb is: if your trip requires taking only one Disney transport (like to a park) use Disney; if it requires going somewhere to switch transports to get where you are going (like you often need to do to get to another resort from the one you are in) then drive. Using Disney's busses and boats is most often very pleasant particularly since most of the operators do their best to be friendly and entertaining. As far as efficiency goes, it is one of the most sophisticated and better run systems I have ever seen (a lot of cities could learn something) even though it can be slow getting somewhere when you have to do those switches. The problem Disney faces is that significant improvement can only really be acheived by spending a huge amount of money to put in a lot more monorail systems around the resort.