Originally Posted By MPierce The boats pretty much run every 20 minutes and always have since I've been going. Nothing has changed with that, with the exception of a straight shot from Wilderness Lodge to the Magic Kingdom. You no longer share a boat with Fort Wilderness. I didn't ride the monorail because frankly, being stuck on an ECV deterred me from wanting to take joy rides from MK to Epcot or around 7 Seas Lagoon. Now we get to the real backbone of transportation at WDW, the hated bus. Some of you may not believe this mainly because I don't believe it, and I was there to experience it. The bus transportation was fantastic. I have never, I repeat never experienced service like this before. It was absolutely wonderful. I was really worried about getting around WDW with all the cuts taking place there. Boy was I in for a surprise. I talked to many of the wonderful bus drivers about this, and the only conclusion I could come up with is that they had switched back to manuel dispatching vs. computerized dispatching. They all said that the automated dispatching system had been a disaster. I don't know if that was the real reason there were so many buses, but I was definetly happy with the service. We normally left the lodge around 9:30am. Never did we wait more than five minutes for a bus There were times when there were 3 buses for the same place waiting in line to take people. This was great because you didn't feel like you were being hearded like cattle, and crammed into a bus with standing room only. The average wait time for a bus was about 7 minutes Once around 3:00pm we left the lodge for Epcot, when we were walking down the ramp to the bus stop, the bus just pulled out. We waited for about 20 mins. for the next bus. One time about the same time of day we were leaving TPFKADS/MGMS headed back to the Lodge. We waited for the bus for approximately 20 mins. These were the 2 longest waits while we were there. That includes a bus ride to DD, and back. Both waits were around 5 mins. We were at Epcot every night. On more than 1 occasion I would forge ahead of my wife to catch a bus. Only to see the bus for the Lodge pulling out. Usually by the time my wife reached the bus stop, another bus would be pulling up. Most of the buses as well as the boats only have room for 2 ECV's, so I wanted to be there when the bus came. It's really hard to load onto a bus with people already on it because they won't move their feet out of the way. Anyway the Gilleys, and Novas are pretty easy to load onto, with the RTS a little harder. We rode around 4 buses per day while we were there. If I had never been to WDW before I would have thought they were the most efficient transportation system in the world. I hope this last, but I really have my doubts. At least I experienced it one time.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo WOW - that is terrific news. As many of you know, it is totally the antithesis of our experience last time, and the buses were the frosting on top of our decision to give WDW a wide birth. I hope these changes stick, as they are more on par with the wonderful WDW experiences I remember in 2000.
Originally Posted By MPierce Dave after your experience I know you may find this hard to believe, but I'm not exagerating. One morning going to Epcot there was a bus loading. It already had 2 wheelchairs on it so I couldn't fit in. Another bus for Epcot pulled up next to him, and started loading. I couldn't load on to that one because he wasn't next to the curb. The man at the WL in charge of loading apologized because he didn't see me there when he directed the second bus in. No sooner had those 2 buses pulled out than here came the third bus for Epcot. Only My wife, myself, and another couple got on that one.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Oh, I believe you MPierce, although we have had our odd debates over the years, I trust and believe you, and know you are a man of great integrity. I am also very pleased you had this level of service, especially given your new medically facilitated perspective on WDW ;-) Some people must think I am an aweful killjoy stalking the boards. Those who have met me know that cannot be further from the truth. The reality is I still read and comment in the hopes that WDW shall rise again. Comments like yours give me a real glimmer of hope.
Originally Posted By dshyates I just use my own car. Its much quicker, less hassles, and gives a lot more freedom in food and hotel options.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I love the WDW transportation. I can't even remember the last time we rented a car in Orlando. I can honestly say there have been very few times when I thought the transit was poor. We've rarely waited more than 5-10 minutes for a bus. The one complaint I would have concerns bus transportation from the Epcot resorts. The buses stop at EVERY Epcot resort. Going to the parks from the Boardwalk is fine because it is the last stop before the parks. Coming back is a different story. You stop at the Swan and the Dolphin and the Yacht Club and the Beach Club before FINALLY getting to the Boardwalk. I think Disney should combine the stops for the Swan/Dolphin and Yacht/Beach Club like they do with the Friendship docks. But overall I am very happy with the transit service. It is great not having to hassle with driving when you are at WDW. Especially now with the Magical Express, it makes no sense (to me) to spend a couple of hundred dollars on a rental car.
Originally Posted By A Happy Haunt On our last trip to WL we had the same experience. No waits! I remember a few times the morning bus was so early I had to toss out my coffee before it was finished! Don't want to be a bad guest drinking on the bus you know!
Originally Posted By MPierce ^^^The bus driver never said a word to me when I drove on every morning drinking my very expensive beer!
Originally Posted By MPierce >> beer in the morning? you are a redneck << I'm proud of my heritage, and I display it!
Originally Posted By A Happy Haunt I like Corona! More of a fruity drink person, Sangria or some sort of rum based punch.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<One time about the same time of day we were leaving TPFKADS/MGMS headed back to the Lodge. >> I'm going to assume you meant TPFKaTD-MGMS, right? Gotta get that abbreviation right or no one will ever understand you! As to you overall experience with WDW transport, I do believe it. I have experienced it myself. I have also experienced the opposite. Usually, just in between. No consistency really. Although maybe things are getting better ... and maybe the lack of crowds helps too. Dunno. Still, very rarely will I be at WDW sans car ... only when I am lazy and take the 22-minute flight instead of three hours in a car. Justdon't start telling me all of the secrets and kewl new stuff coming to WDW that you got from your busdrivers.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> I'm going to assume you meant TPFKaTD-MGMS, right? Gotta get that abbreviation right or no one will ever understand you! ,, It's an awful lot of letters for a Red Neck to remember. I don't even understand myself! Why should I expect other people to? >> As to you overall experience with WDW transport, I do believe it. I have experienced it myself. I have also experienced the opposite. Usually, just in between. << Same here. >> Justdon't start telling me all of the secrets and kewl new stuff coming to WDW that you got from your busdrivers. << OK, but it's your loss. Are you sure you don't want to here about the plans for the 5th gate starting this fall? How about the plans to route the monorail through the Swan, and Dolphin, over to TPFKADS/MGMS?
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 Oh wow, a 5th gate, what's it gonna be, Beastly Kingdom? What else did you hear, 5 new E-Ticket rides for the MK? Tell us....... Actually I really enjoyed talking to the bus/boat/MainStreetBuses drivers, some very interesting stuff, and they really seemed to love the place.
Originally Posted By MPierce ^^^ Me too, and I agree the vast majority of the CM's seem to love the Parks even though they get paid wages that barely keep a roof over their head, and food on the table.
