When they get it right... (bussing)

[Magpie]

So, we've had excellent luck with busses this trip, but we chalked it up to just that - luck.

Then our luck ran out at Animal Kingdom's park close, when the busses to Hollywood Sudios were running only one every twenty minutes, despite there being considerably more than one bus load waiting in line. We waited 35 minutes, watching as all the folks going to Magic Kingdom were loaded onto busses - and then two more MK busses went by empty!

So our expectations were not high when we left Hollywood Studios after the (seriously, awesome!) Star Wars fireworks to find the Pop Century extended queue filled to overflowing and spilling out toward the parking lot. Band kids!

But almost immediately, two busses rolled up and began loading simultaneously. There were castmembers in orange vests running around with radios directing everything. Right after those two busses left, two more rolled up and began loading. We ended up on the fifth bus, having spent maybe 20 or 25 minutes in line.

It was a thing of beauty to watch!

When the bus system works, it really works well. (Plus we had a nice time chatting on the bus with some vocalists from Texas.)

 

[DizDaD7]

Glad to hear that...Usually it's the other way around that people are sooooo upset about waiting...
The only horrible time we had was coming back from HS, ( F! to be exact ), and we were staying at POR..... Now that was crazy....The queue line for those buses just kept overflowing......5 or 6 buses came and it appeared we hadn't even moved...LoL

 

[mom2rtk]

We've never had any trouble at all with Disney bus service.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

We've never had any issues either. Don't expect perfection all day every day and you will get exactly what comes your way is my motto for vacation.

 

[redsbe]

Personally not a big fan of the buses (especially when a full ride after park closes!), but must say I am also impressed on the ability of WDW to move that many people quickly and efficiently. Yes I have had occasions waiting 15-20 minutes for a bus at resort or park, but also many occasions with walk on buses. We tend to take the buses (like crowds, weather, unexpected ride closures) in stride when on vacation as we can control none of those , nor can WDW.

 

[loves to dive]

I've always said all things considered Disney does a good job with the buses. I waited as long as a hour at DS but that is the exception. They say they send the buses every 20 min. so I'm always prepared to wait 20 min, anything less than that is gravy. I live in a college town (UGA, go dawgs) and trust me those UGA buses are just as crowded at the Disney buses and not always on time and these people sometimes only have about 40 min. between classes.

 

[Eastern]

We always use the buses/monorail and usually, things run pretty well. But there is always that one day where they send us on a wild goose chase trying to get a bus or monorail, or we have a 45 minute wait and no rope drop buses. I expect it.

 

[Duckiedee]

We've not had problems. We usually are super early birds in the morning though and we play the run really fast at end of fireworks game, or stroll and wander and wait for the masses to leave first.

 

[disneykelly]

When it comes to staying for fireworks/closing, I have to really drive it into my brain that I will trade off the fun and wonderment of the event to the eventual cattle car loading of the busses. In the end, the fun and wonderment win every time!
I remember back in '97 we stayed for Illuminations and it was a sea of humanity. I was thrilled when I saw 3 extended size busses pull in one after another on our way back to asmu.
As everyone has said, the busses are not perfect, but even at their worst, they are still miles better than trudging back to the car and then waiting for the million cars ahead of you to get out!!