Improving buses… can anything be done?

[TDF]

I have a few specific questions about WDW and buses and what you think can be done. Please answer seriously as we all know monorails in todays economy probably won’t happen.

1) Is there anyway WDW can improve the wheelchair situation?
- I have been on multiple trips where people just wheel up seconds before a bus pulls up get loaded on first with there family of 20 and pretend like nothing happened while we waited 2 buses to get on. I don’t find there fair and was wondering what other people think.
2) Would duel buses be better for WDW?
- Of course. More room and more seats.
3) Wait times… should they be posted?
- Yes and no. Yes because it shows that they are coming and can give guest an estimated guess. No because it can cause a rush of people.
4) Should all resorts have chained off areas like Pop Century?
- In my opinion yes. I have witnessed people cut off and get in fights in areas like DTD where there is no chains up.

Thanks!
- Justin

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

2) Would duel buses be better for WDW?
- Of course. More room and more seats.

I believe that is the other reason why there is a new bus station being made at MK...

 

[ShookieJones]

Nope, but for a $150.00 bucks you can rent a car and not waste another minute pondering these questions.

 

[DDuckFan130]

Funny you mention the wheelchair issue. On NYE we were heading back to Pop and there were a couple of families with a wheelchair/ECV. They were told to make the line and once they got to the front then they were loaded first on the next available bus. Doesn't always happen this way but I certainly appreciated it. The families weren't at all upset either. I can definitely understand where you're coming from.

I was actually more peeved at the family behind us that added like 5 people right at the last minute because the rest of their party was still in the park. Not that it affected me, but it was an eye roller lol

 

[bsiev1977]

Nope, but for a $150.00 bucks you can rent a car and not waste another minute pondering these questions.

The bus thing is while I'll be renting a car in December when I go. I will be staying at AoA, and want nothing to do with waiting for and riding busses. I get a compact size car for the week, parking is free for me as a resort guest, and I can come and go on my schedule.

 

[Dad 2 M & M]

The bus thing is while I'll be renting a car in December when I go. I will be staying at AoA, and want nothing to do with waiting for and riding busses. I get a compact size car for the week, parking is free for me as a resort guest, and I can come and go on my schedule.

I hear ya! We have no issue with waiting for the buses, and applaud those who have an issue and solve it by renting a car. The buses do not bother us whatsoever.

 

[bsiev1977]

I hear ya! We have no issue with waiting for the buses, and applaud those who have an issue and solve it by renting a car. The buses do not bother us whatsoever.

To be clear, it's not the Disney busses specifically as much as it is busses in general. Never liked riding on busses. Only if absolutely necessary.

Plus a car will be handy for me on this trip overall. My Disney week starts on December 7, but I'm coming in early on the 6th to go to Uni for a day. Also might try to fit in Sea World on the 14th, depending on when my return flight is.

 

[Dad 2 M & M]

To be clear, it's not the Disney busses specifically as much as it is busses in general. Never liked riding on busses. Only if absolutely necessary.

Plus a car will be handy for me on this trip overall. My Disney week starts on December 7, but I'm coming in early on the 6th to go to Uni for a day. Also might try to fit in Sea World on the 14th, depending on when my return flight is.

Heard that! A car can come in handy in many ways...you could save a fortune by dining off-site. We used to drive back in the '90s, but fly now. It is nice to let Disney do the driving for us!

Church Street Station used to be a nice place to check out....might be showing my age here!

 

[luv]

If the bus and those pesky paralyzed people are bothering you that much, spend a few bucks and rent a car.

 

[blueboxdoctor]

I have a few specific questions about WDW and buses and what you think can be done. Please answer seriously as we all know monorails in todays economy probably won’t happen.

1) Is there anyway WDW can improve the wheelchair situation?
- I have been on multiple trips where people just wheel up seconds before a bus pulls up get loaded on first with there family of 20 and pretend like nothing happened while we waited 2 buses to get on. I don’t find there fair and was wondering what other people think.
2) Would duel buses be better for WDW?
- Of course. More room and more seats.
3) Wait times… should they be posted?
- Yes and no. Yes because it shows that they are coming and can give guest an estimated guess. No because it can cause a rush of people.
4) Should all resorts have chained off areas like Pop Century?
- In my opinion yes. I have witnessed people cut off and get in fights in areas like DTD where there is no chains up.

Thanks!
- Justin

1. I have had the same issue/complaint. Mainly because I've seen families with a child with a disability and having no problem waiting in line but then you'll get someone who just has a broken leg or something and they decide they have the right to go in front of everyone (this is in reference to a specific incident, and to say the least the people in line were pretty vocal towards those who decided to skip but they didn't care [also note, while this was happening we all offered to let the family in line go to the front but they still waited in line]). Sadly, there are a lot of rude people out there.

2. I think it would be better to have more normal buses, as they can hold more than the kneeling buses for wheelchairs (and they are a better ride, as the kneeling buses sway more).

3. I think it would help, or at least a notice of how many buses are running at that time for each location.

4. I never had this be much of a problem either way, and it looks better at a resort without one IMO.

 

[imperate]

I think that the resorts should be chained off like the stops at the parks. There is nothing worse then people walking up at the last minute and trying to cut in front of a bus full of people that have been waiting to load. I noticed this a lot at AKL, & it may be due to the path from the resort to the bus stops feeds in from the front of the bus to the rear of the stops. Having a down and back roped off line would help 'guide' some guests.

With that, I think that scooters and wheel chairs should have to wait in the line with everyone else. When it gets to their turn, if there is room for their party then the driver can load them. But if there is a bus load in the line ahead of them they should wait for the next one. While I have sympathy for anyone that has to use scooters or wheelchairs to get around, and I am grateful I am not one them, I do not believe they should just jump to the front of the queue.

 

[FireChiefGoofy]

I drive the bus and we always load wheelchairs and scooters first. If grandma drove over your feet after everyone else got on, then you would be mad about that. It is a safety issue. What is annoying are the GIANT strollers that everyone seems to feel the need to bring on vacation. I picked one up today that had more wheels than the bus. Also, it is not a Disney rule that your child be taken out if the stroller, but a federal DOT regulation that is clearly marked on the outside of the bus. If everyone brought a normal stroller that folded easily and could be stored under the seat and not in the aisle, then we could fit more people in the bus, reducing wait times.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I have a few specific questions about WDW and buses and what you think can be done. Please answer seriously as we all know monorails in todays economy probably won’t happen.

1) Is there anyway WDW can improve the wheelchair situation?
- I have been on multiple trips where people just wheel up seconds before a bus pulls up get loaded on first with there family of 20 and pretend like nothing happened while we waited 2 buses to get on. I don’t find there fair and was wondering what other people think.
2) Would duel buses be better for WDW?
- Of course. More room and more seats.
3) Wait times… should they be posted?
- Yes and no. Yes because it shows that they are coming and can give guest an estimated guess. No because it can cause a rush of people.
4) Should all resorts have chained off areas like Pop Century?
- In my opinion yes. I have witnessed people cut off and get in fights in areas like DTD where there is no chains up.

Thanks!
- Justin

1 - Handicapped loads/unloads slow bus number 1 down and hense they bunch up together. There's nothing that can be done, its the ADA act and thats federal law.

2 - No, as the current load/unload zones cannot fit a double sized bus. They cannot navigate Old Key West either. Not realistic or feasible at the moment.

3 - I believe posted wait times are coming. At some point.

4 - Yes, I think more guests should be chained up.

 

[BigRedDad]

There is such a simple solution to the busing system. WDW can put several kiosks at the exits to the parks and at the bus stops at resorts. You swipe your pass and it registers people waiting for a bus. The computer can re-route buses as congestion and need arises. It is not rocket science. One of the main issues I have is multiple stops at multiple resorts and within the same resorts.

In my experience, the buses for the AS are the worst. They stop at all 3. If there is a handicap or scooter person at the second resort, everyone needs to move or possibly get off by law so the scooter person can get on if people are seated in the handicap seats. People quickly learn on their trip to migrate towards the first bus stop at the resort in the morning because buses fill before they get to the others. Personally, I try to avoid the mad bus rushes. We leave for the parks before the crowds start to get to the bus stop and we leave the parks before it is rush hour.

 

[Master Yoda]

I have a few specific questions about WDW and buses and what you think can be done. Please answer seriously as we all know monorails in todays economy probably won’t happen.

1) Is there anyway WDW can improve the wheelchair situation?
- I have been on multiple trips where people just wheel up seconds before a bus pulls up get loaded on first with there family of 20 and pretend like nothing happened while we waited 2 buses to get on. I don’t find there fair and was wondering what other people think.
2) Would duel buses be better for WDW?
- Of course. More room and more seats.
3) Wait times… should they be posted?
- Yes and no. Yes because it shows that they are coming and can give guest an estimated guess. No because it can cause a rush of people.
4) Should all resorts have chained off areas like Pop Century?
- In my opinion yes. I have witnessed people cut off and get in fights in areas like DTD where there is no chains up.

Thanks!
- Justin

1. The only way to solve the problem it to make it to where a person in a wheel chair or scooter can load with every other person and you are not going to be able to do that without completely redesigning the bus. Simple modifications are not going to cut it. You are looking at a fleet of 300 +/- custom designed buses and modified loading platforms to match.
2. They tried the double bending buses and if I am not mistaken there were several area where they would not fit.
3. Posted wait times would be great, providing that they are accurate.
4. Queues and defined lines avoid a lot of problems.

 

[Figgy1]

I have a few specific questions about WDW and buses and what you think can be done. Please answer seriously as we all know monorails in todays economy probably won’t happen.

1) Is there anyway WDW can improve the wheelchair situation?
- I have been on multiple trips where people just wheel up seconds before a bus pulls up get loaded on first with there family of 20 and pretend like nothing happened while we waited 2 buses to get on. I don’t find there fair and was wondering what other people think.
2) Would duel buses be better for WDW?
- Of course. More room and more seats.
3) Wait times… should they be posted?
- Yes and no. Yes because it shows that they are coming and can give guest an estimated guess. No because it can cause a rush of people.
4) Should all resorts have chained off areas like Pop Century?
- In my opinion yes. I have witnessed people cut off and get in fights in areas like DTD where there is no chains up.

Thanks!
- Justin

Part of the reason we drive we like the freedom of coming and going as we please. Don't kill the messenger but I hate the busses.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Some of what is being said is true. It is an ADA rule that wheelchair/scooter passengers must be given a ride as quickly as possible. If it can be arranged that another bus, or vehicle, will be there to pick them up within a half hour, if I remember correctly, then they can be asked to wait. However, if the buses handicap areas are not in use, other than by able bodied people and they are still refused...well, it won't be pretty. ADA has a lot of muscle in Washington.

They are loaded first because, if space is available they have to be boarded anyway and it is much safer and a whole lot easier to put them on first. That way the driver has the room to secure the chair or scooter without having a 60 or so people standing around squashed in the pathway. When that is done the rest can enter and find a place much more quickly. Otherwise, if everyone else is allowed on first, they may be asked to not just get up off the seat, but it might be required that they leave the bus completely to allow room. So, you are much better off to just stand there and be happy that you do not need such assistance and pass a little magic off to someone else.

 

[Master Yoda]

Some of what is being said is true. It is an ADA rule that wheelchair/scooter passengers must be given a ride as quickly as possible. If it can be arranged that another bus, or vehicle, will be there to pick them up within a half hour, if I remember correctly, then they can be asked to wait. However, if the buses handicap areas are not in use, other than by able bodied people and they are still refused...well, it won't be pretty. ADA has a lot of muscle in Washington.

They are loaded first because, if space is available they have to be boarded anyway and it is much safer and a whole lot easier to put them on first. That way the driver has the room to secure the chair or scooter without having a 60 or so people standing around squashed in the pathway. When that is done the rest can enter and find a place much more quickly. Otherwise, if everyone else is allowed on first, they may be asked to not just get up off the seat, but it might be required that they leave the bus completely to allow room. So, you are much better of to just stand there and be happy that you do not need such assistance and pass a little magic off to someone else.

I was on a bus with an apparently new driver that did not do this and it was absolute chaos. I never again questioned why scooters and wheelchairs must load first.

 

[Timekeeper]

I wish the buses had dedicated roads (or at least dedicated lanes on the roads). Since the buses must compete with regular traffic, I'm better off moving my own car between parks (so I don't have to wait for the second bus on the return trip). And on any day that I have to wait in the queue for more than one bus, I've already wasted too much time waiting.

 

[juniorthomas]

Nope, but for a $150.00 bucks you can rent a car and not waste another minute pondering these questions.

I get that. But, for me anyway, not having to drive around and worry about parking or traffic, is an alluring part of a vacation. Of course, those exact feelings are replaced by waiting and stopping in long lines at bus stops.

Short of plussing the monorail system or simply moving into Cinderella's castle, I doubt the problem would be resolved very easily.