What's it like to ride a WDW bus?

[Nik's Mom]

We've never taken a WDW bus before, since we usually rent a car. We're kind of thinking that we should just use WDW buses this time. Are they very crowded? We're switching our Ressies to the Dolphin today, so I know we can just walk to Epcot or ride boat to Epcot or MGM. But we will ride the bus to MK and AK.
Thanks!

 

[msr709]

It all depends on the time of year you're there. If its slow season you shouldn't encounter too much crowds on the buses but in peak season they are mostly full. Also take into account what time you are going, if you're going to an EE park, early in the AM it will be crowded. I've never stayed at the Dolphin so I can't account for their buses, maybe someone who has stayed there can give you more info.

 

[5wdwnutz]

we use them every trip. i love the idea of not driving for a whole week or so while on vacation. sure sometimes you have to wait when it's a high travel time on the buses...mainly when the parks are closing. to me that's no big deal.

hope you like your WDW bus experience as much we have!

missy

 

[don8life]

We stayed at the AS and it was a great big fat pain in the butt! Of course you get what you pay for. Leaving the parks half hour before closing we had to wait about 30 minutes and 6 buses to finally get on. I wonder what the wait was when it did close.

We waited for about 25 minutes in 105 degrees for the bus to blizzard beach to have the bus driver pull up and say Blizzard beach is closed.(We were told the bus came every 10 mins. It did not) Nice of them to put up a sign or something.
People were pushing and shoving past my little ones to get on the bus before them.

I hope bus service is better at the more expensive resorts.

 

[princess pooh]

I just got back from the Dolphin and the bus service was great! We never waited more than 5 minutes and they were never too crowded. When the resorts are busy the dolphin only shares a bus with the swan and the boardwalk. If it's not too busy, the bus also stops at the YC and BC, and that makes the ride A LOT longer and the buses a lot more crowded.

 

[Nik's Mom]

Thanks for the quick replies! We'll give the buses a try! We never stay until park closing (our little ones get too sleepy).

 

[gigi1313]

It's FUN! my kids think of it as another "ride!" LOL! and we've never had a problem, minimal waiting, pleasant time w/other passengers and bus drivers, people offering up their seats for others, etc... quick, convenient and reliable!

 

[auntpolly]

We never rent a car, but I do use taxis if we're doing anything complicated. Just be careful. We were going back to the Dolphin from the Hoop de doo review last August and it was a <b>huge</b> nightmare. They took us on buses to the main bus stop and we waited forever -- and there were so many of us that we didn't even get on the first bus. If you are doing water parks or anything other than the 4 major parks, just ask on these boards -- I've heard some creative ways to get around avoiding the buses for every leg of the journey.

 

[simzac]

We used the buses last year and we simply loved them. Like an earlier post stated, it's like another ride. Yes there is an occaisional wait, but what the heck, your'e on vacation, what's the hurry.

 

[Jillpie]

In all five of our trips, we've used the buses and love them. It is so relaxing to not have to worry about directions, can just sit back and enjoy the ride.
One piece of advice...when you are standing in line to board a bus from the parks and you are about to board, but see that you have to stand because it is over crowded, step back and WAIT. Just wait for the next bus to come, it will just be a couple of minutes. You'll be the first ones to board the next bus and will definitely get a seat. After a long day of walking, the last thing you want to do is stand for the next 20 minutes to get back to the resort. We learned this after the first couple of trips, we thought we just had to board and stand because we were the next people to get on. You don't have to, just wait for the next one. You'll love the buses!

 

[Michael623]

I started a debate about this a while ago and it got quite heated. I am glad to see a few people on my team. I only stay on site and drive my rental car everywhere. I stayed at WL last year and took the Mears shutle to the world and I hated the Dis busses. Monorail and boats are fine but those busses... nothing is worse than spending 10 hours on your feet than spending 20 minutes waiting for a bus and then having to stand on the bus all the way back. I always have a seat waiting for me in the rental car! Plus if you wanted to leave a park and go to DTD you have to take two busses.

 

[Pooh93]

Have always used the bus service and had good luck. Only time was last time one night at MK and none of the busses for any of the resorts were around when it closed. We couldn't figure out if they were all delivering to the resorts after Epcot closed or what? Anyways, soon they all came at once.

I always figure I've been on my feet all day, what's another 20 minutes back to the resort? At least I know there's an air conditioned place to ride and a comfortable room waiting for me.

Have fun!!