Why can't the resort MK buses go to the TTC after the MK closes?

[sotoalf]

I've often wondered why those resorts with MK buses couldn't offer TTC service after the park closes. Many guests from Epcot resorts and the AKL who dine at the MK resorts depend on Disney transpotation, so I wondered why Disney couldn't simply reroute buses to stop at the TTC when the MK closes early. That way those guests could use the monorail and Ft Wilderness/WL bus to get to their stops.

Is it a budget issue or logistics? I'm sure guest demand is high enough.

 

[robinb]

I think that's one of the things you need to think about when you choose to dine at a resort after parks close. I think that you might be able to arrange for a "Special" bus to pick you up, or you can spend less than $10 on a cab ride home.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

I've often wondered why those resorts with MK buses couldn't offer TTC service after the park closes. Many guests from Epcot resorts and the AKL who dine at the MK resorts depend on Disney transpotation, so I wondered why Disney couldn't simply reroute buses to stop at the TTC when the MK closes early. That way those guests could use the monorail and Ft Wilderness/WL bus to get to their stops.

Is it a budget issue or logistics? I'm sure guest demand is high enough.

It wouldn't work on so many levels. It would be extremely expensive, and the demand really isn't there. Not to mention that it would have empty buses sitting, when they could be used for other uses (Downtown Disney & Epcot)

Disney has provided a simple solution... transfer at a park that is still open (Epcot) or Downtown Disney. Some people don't like that, but, it does work. Disney has also added resort buses at the end of most Hoop Dee Doo shows.

 

[BCV23]

But you know "in the old days," the TTC was used as the hub. I agree it would be nice if it was again. I imagine it was to WDW's benefit to try to funnel people through DTD to increase business over there. But doesn't it sound as if it's always packed at DTD in the evenings now?

I "heard" that WDW was working on a new transportation plan. Who knows what it will be like when finished.

 

[sotoalf]

But you know "in the old days," the TTC was used as the hub. I agree it would be nice if it was again.
I "heard" that WDW was working on a new transportation plan. Who knows what it will be like when finished.

I do remember those days, BCV23. And I agree with Chip that it's simply not feasible, now that he's explained it. But using DTD as a nighttime hub just makes no sense to me; it's on the other side of the property. Why not a place which in the first part of its name is the "Transportation/Ticket Center"?

 

[BCV23]

I know.

Another advantage of the TTC to me is that if the busses were to go through the TTC they would avoid all those stoplights around DTD.

 

[sotoalf]

I didn't think of that. You're right.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

I do remember those days, BCV23. And I agree with Chip that it's simply not feasible, now that he's explained it. But using DTD as a nighttime hub just makes no sense to me; it's on the other side of the property. Why not a place which in the first part of its name is the "Transportation/Ticket Center"?

"Transportation & Ticket Center" is really a misnomer... to my guests, I always call it the Ticket Center/Magic Kingdom Car & Bus Parking Lot.

And um, the TTC is on the far side of property too, relative to the majority of the resorts.

 

[RoLaren]

I too wish that they would do that. Getting around in cabs if you have a disabled person in your party isn't as easy as taking the buses, and we really, really dislike taking the ride to DTD after a big meal. Ever tried it with a child? You're lucky if they keep their food down on the ride back.

We don't make dinner reservations far from our "home" resort anymore because of the whole DTD bus thing. Not to mention, being on those buses at night late gets, er, interesting when people are leaving PI...

Making the TTC the hub it once was would be so wonderful...

 

[d-r]

People would try to beat the system and park at dtd for free and take the bus to the ttc for the magic kingdom/monorail to epcot. It would be a drag on the system.


I agree that it is a pain to go to DTD after eating at a resort to get back to your resort. I agree with you about eating close to where we are staying. That's been a good idea for us. We like to eat at places near our resort or where the transportation makes sense (e.g., boardwalk area or epcot when staying in that area; around the monorail/boat loop when staying in that area). That helps out.

If you are at a moderate then the TTC is probably farther away than dtd for a transfer, unless you are eating around the monorail resorts.

 

[pampam]

I travel with my disabled daughter and we never have a problem. We just catch the bus from the resort to an open park, or DTD. Once, we had a driver take us from Boardwalk to All Star, with a stop at PI to pick up more people.

My understanding is the off site bus companies pay a hefty price for the priviledge of parking at the TTC. They are assigned a numbered spot for them alone. Of course if Disney can rent out the spots they will. It's not vital that Disney buses go there.

 

[BCV23]

Tyler, with all due respect to your purple pants, I still think TTC is not a misnomer. It of course does offer ticket sales as well as transportation to the 4 major parks and to all 5 MK resorts.

From the TTC, it is also so easy to get to the EPCOT resorts. I believe you encounter only one stoplight although it is two on the return trip if you follow the route the buses do. Even to AKL and CSR there are not many lights. Is it one or two? To PO and OKW, it is a stoplight and a right turn at a light and what one more light? Compared to that string of lights along BVDrive and especially that really long one at the far Northern end of DTD...the one that was reconfigured a year or two ago, it's a breeze to drive around the TTC area. At least it is driving a car! Think of all the fuel wasted idling at those stops and the purplepants hours wasted as well.

And RoLaren mentions another drawback to DTD as a nighttime hub for the resorts. Dinner at Chef Mickeys with your toddlers followed by a bus transfer where you wait with folks who have been partying at DTD is not a pretty picture to me.

Oh well, it sure was nice while it lasted.

 

[robinb]

Dinner at Chef Mickeys with your toddlers followed by a bus transfer where you wait with folks who have been partying at DTD is not a pretty picture to me.

That's when you spring for a taxi. WDW transportation cannot be everything to everyone.

 

[BCV23]

That's when you spring for a taxi. WDW transportation cannot be everything to everyone.

Well, we actually always have a car and usually use it.

But I believe WDW transportation does hope to accommodate all their guests as best it can. I doubt in WDW planning they actually say..."well, let them cab it!"

 

[sotoalf]

I agree, BCV23!

I vividly recall waiting late at night at the TTC to take a bus back to the old Hotel Plaza after dinner at the Contemporary (sometime in the late '80s). I've also waited for buses at DTD. Let me say this: I feel safer waiting at the TTC!