Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan Put me in the column that likes all that open space around WDW. It looks beautiful, inviting, makes the place feel, truly, like a resort. If they would have crammed all the parks together, it would have created congestion and sightline issues.
Originally Posted By tonyanton As for those comments about the Epcot location and the monorail...wasn't it designed so that Epcot would essentially act as a second "TTC" with a spur of the monorail line heading off to what is now called "Downtown Disney?" If they ever had the desire to spend the money, I could still see that happen...with stops at Old Key West, Saratoga, DD, and maybe Typhoon Lagoon. A loop on the other side could have stops at Y&B Club, Swan/Dolphin, BW, The Studios (and maybe Blizzard Beach, Animal Kingdom, and Coronado).
Originally Posted By dshyates Yes, that was the original plan. But it appears to have been abandoned. What if they took the steam train out of DAK and then ran it from Flamingo Crossing, AKL, DAK, Corronado, BB, DHS, then on to EPCOT, Dixie, DtD.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>Put me in the column that likes all that open space around WDW. It looks beautiful, inviting, makes the place feel, truly, like a resort. If they would have crammed all the parks together, it would have created congestion and sightline issues.<< Perhaps that effect could still have been accomplished while placing the parks and hotels a little closer to each other. I'm definitlely in the camp of "I don't enjoy the super long bus rides".
Originally Posted By dshyates It feels like they chose the park locations by throwing darts at a property map.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I still laugh when people ask me if they can do it in half a day or a day! Lol. and they do not mean just the MK, but the whole property. No one realises the scale until they experience it themselves.
Originally Posted By danyoung >I'm definitlely in the camp of "I don't enjoy the super long bus rides".< Maybe that's why I don't see it the same way. I always have a car, whether I've driven from Dallas or rent one at the airport. And I really enjoy tooling around Disney property. It never takes longer than 10 to 15 minutes to get anywhere on property, which is not at all a hardship.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Dan, I think that makes a huge difference. We had a car in 2000, and we had a great time (and made use of transport if drinking). In 2006, we relied on Disney transport, and you know my opinion after that visit. At DL there is no need for buses, and at DLP we do not bother either as we either stay in walking distance or have the car. I think it can make an enormous difference.
Originally Posted By smeeeko I love WDW.. don't mind at all that it's spread out as I feel like it's a real vacation destination. Sometimes the buses really stink, but if we aren't meeting someone we'll often play "bus roulette" which means whatever bus that shows up that isn't our primary choice we'll hop on it. Luckily a few times it's been MGM so we just park hopped to Epcot (which is where we were trying to go). Disneyland is nice and intimate I guess but I can't stand feeling like a sardine and most of the time that's how I feel, it stresses me out. Hate being around the crowds. Also the guest experience is totally different at Disneyland than WDW. I like staying on property and let Disney get me there. Yes the gas is ridiculous these days but maybe Disney will consider making some eco friendly options for itself considering how many folks come to stay at their resorts.
Originally Posted By sharon2 <<<Hey daughter of mine, sell your Disney stock and go DVC, I'll sponge off of you!!>>> #1 I don't have enough $ in stock #2 I'm not a Poly Girl #3 I don't like FLA on the 4th of July (too hot/crowded) #4 we don't keep the same hours @ the Parks #5 blah blah blah...
Originally Posted By dshyates "Yes the gas is ridiculous these days but maybe Disney will consider making some eco friendly options for itself" "Magical Bike Paths" discount rates on weekly bike rentals "Magical Taxi" Ride in ACed style (nominal fee) "Magical Alamo" Official Rental Car of the Walt Disney World Resort
Originally Posted By trekkeruss I know you joke about bicycles, but I have to say, WDW is one of the least friendliest places in America for what is one of the most eco-friendly forms of transportation. Forget about monorails and peoplemovers... in the real world, bicycles could do wonders for American cities. They have zero emissions, make almost no noise, don't need gas or insurance, and they would help make Americans fitter too. For trips of a few miles, they are hard to beat.
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy << in the real world, bicycles could do wonders for American cities. They have zero emissions, make almost no noise, don't need gas or insurance, and they would help make Americans fitter too. >> Well, there's the emissions from people due to respiration. And there is a little fuel required in terms of food to keep those calories burning.
Originally Posted By dshyates I was joking, but I ride everyday, and would love an extensive bike path network on property. It is one of the most beautifully maintained evironments I know of, and I would love riding all over the property. Also it is so flat that it would be a cakewalk to get anywhere. And good family fun. But I don't know about a 6 mile ride at 11pm after a day in the parks.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<I don't know about a 6 mile ride at 11pm after a day in the parks>> Add some bike racks to the buses, and allow guests with bikes on the monorail, just like in the real world. Problem solved.
Originally Posted By sun-n-fun Add me to the list of those who love how spread out WDW is. It feels like I actually traveled to another city. We always have a car either by driving down or renting one. Maybe I'd feel different if I had to rely on busses.
Originally Posted By dshyates Well I lived in Orlando for 3 years and the spread outness of WDW didn't really bother me when I would pop over for dinner or a day in a park.
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey I know a lot of people complain about the buses, but when I go to WDW the one thing I love is that I don't have to stress about being anywhere at a certain time. I guess that gives me a very "chill" (oh how I hate that word) attitude about the buses. I've had wait issues in regards to the buses, but I've never experienced anything that's been absolutely ridiculous...and when I leave the parks at midnight, even though I'd rather not wait in line for a bus, I'd despise having to get to the parking lot and drive back to the resort when I just want to sit down and rest. If we have a reservation for a meal, we head out to wait for the bus at least an hour before our reservation. We've never had a problem arriving on time.
Originally Posted By danyoung >...and when I leave the parks at midnight, even though I'd rather not wait in line for a bus, I'd despise having to get to the parking lot and drive back to the resort when I just want to sit down and rest.< I guess this is the main point that I don't understand in the whole bus/car discussion. I really enjoy hitting my car at park closing, and enjoying a few minutes of quiet while driving back to my hotel. I can't imagine having to wait in that long bus line and then get crammed in like sardines with a crowd of hot sweaty cranky tired people. Gimme my rental car every time!
Originally Posted By trekkeruss I haven't had to use the buses at WDW for a long time, so I can't say if the service is worse. When I did use them, they were fine. The last few times I have been there I have had a car. I don't mind the driving, and like Dan says, gimme the rental car at closing. I don't have to be crammed ina bus full of tired, smelly, cranky etc. folks... I can CRANK UP the AC and relax in my own space.
