Why is it so difficult to get from a park to Downtown Disney?

[musketeer]

Is there a reason that there aren't buses that go directly from each park to Downtown Disney? What a pain! The only thing I can think of is that since parking is free (at least I think it used to be) at Downtown Disney, it discourages people from parking for free, then taking a bus to whichever resort. That is the only thing I can think of, which could be remedied simply by showing a resort ID. Unless maybe there just isn't enough demand to warrant such a route.

You would think they would make it easy for you to get to the place with all stores and restaurants where they can get your money.

 

[DisneyRoxMySox]

Is there a reason that there aren't buses that go directly from each park to Downtown Disney? What a pain! The only thing I can think of is that since parking is free (at least I think it used to be) at Downtown Disney, it discourages people from parking for free, then taking a bus to whichever resort. That is the only thing I can think of, which could be remedied simply by showing a resort ID. Unless maybe there just isn't enough demand to warrant such a route.

You would think they would make it easy for you to get to the place with all stores and restaurants where they can get your money.

I am almost positive that is it.

Is it really that hard to get a bus to any resort then get one to DTD? :veryconfu

 

[Eeyore]

I am almost positive that is it.

Is it really that hard to get a bus to any resort then get one to DTD? :veryconfu

Its not difficult but it can be VERY time consuming.

 

[Hakunamatata]

Its not that hard. From any park, take a bus to the nearest resort, then take a bus to DTD.

 

[Hakunamatata]

Its not difficult but it can be VERY time consuming.

Yep, upwards of 45 mintues to an hour for non MK parks. MK is a little easier because you can hop the monorail to either Contemporary, Poly, or GF, then catch the bus.

 

[Chape19714]

They stopped because people whould indeed park at DTD and go into a park, without paying the parking fee. This was ok, but when DTD got busy, there were no spaces left for guests actually visiting DTD, so it was stopped out of curtesy to them.

I always take a bus to Saratoga Springs and Walk to DTD if coming from a park. :wave:

 

[Stitch69]

i usally always drive- don't like waiting for buses.

 

[JimboJones123]

DANG, beat me to SSR.

 

[DisneyRoxMySox]

Yep, upwards of 45 mintues to an hour for non MK parks. MK is a little easier because you can hop the monorail to either Contemporary, Poly, or GF, then catch the bus.

I guess I have just had some good luck. From any park, I took any bus that was about to leave, no matter what resort. Waited about 15 minutes (tops) for a bus to DTD and got there within 25-30 minutes. Personally, I don't think that is terrible.

 

[Hakunamatata]

I guess I have just had some good luck. From any park, I took any bus that was about to leave, no matter what resort. Waited about 15 minutes (tops) for a bus to DTD and got there within 25-30 minutes. Personally, I don't think that is terrible.

I dont either and really dont have a problem with 45 mintes to an hour. When we are on vacation, we generally are enjoying whatever we are doing, even if its waiting on a bus.

 

[Eeyore]

I dont either and really dont have a problem with 45 mintes to an hour. When we are on vacation, we generally are enjoying whatever we are doing, even if its waiting on a bus.

:animwink: I guess I'm both unlucky and impatient. Its gotten to the point where we will only make one journey to DTD each vacation now. It always seems to me that the transportation from the resorts (especially the Epcot Resorts :brick: ) to DTD is just so darn slow. I love my Disney vacations and have very little to complain about but the transportation to DTD just drives me nuts! I'd much rather spend the time relaxing in the pool or in the parks.

 

[musketeer]

Is it really that hard to get a bus to any resort then get one to DTD? :veryconfu

Yes, because you can get a bus to any resort from any park, but you can't get a bus from any park to downtown, they don't exist.

We planned to go to a park in the morning, then downtown disney during the afternoon, then back to the park...

it took forever. We must've sat on a bus upwards of 2 hours for the round trip. Ridiculous.


If it is to discourage people from parking for free, wouldn't the problem be solved by requiring those using downtown disney buses to show resort ID? I'm sure you could argue that by saying that they can't easily verify that it is currently active, but even still, it would cut down the number of people using the system.

 

[raven]

OK. Here's another question. I was planning my first day visit this time around by going to DTD first then MK. What's the best way? Or is it easier to just go to MK and forget about DTD?

 

[niteobsrvr]

While the free parking may be a major concern, there is a nother subject to ponder.

None of the Major Restaurants and and several stores are not Disney owned and operated in the Downtown Disney complex. Disney most likely collects a lease fee and gross receipt percentage from each location. Therefore, it might be more profitable for DIsney to have their guests consume food, beverage and merchandise from their own restaurants and stores located in the parks and each resort.

 

[Eeyore]

I think its really more about space than money. If everybody looking to save a buck parked at DTD and then hopped a bus to a park where would everyone who wanted to dine and shop at DTD park?

 

[DisneyRoxMySox]

Yes, because you can get a bus to any resort from any park, but you can't get a bus from any park to downtown, they don't exist.

I know that. What I was saying was, you get a bus to any resort, then continue to get a bus to DTD. :animwink:

 

[Chape19714]

OK. Here's another question. I was planning my first day visit this time around by going to DTD first then MK. What's the best way? Or is it easier to just go to MK and forget about DTD?

I'd go to Downtown, then walk to Saratoga and head to the MK. Or hop a bus to the Contemporary and walk from there to MK (that would be quicker). You could also get a bus the poly and walk to the TTC. I'd probally do the contemporary option.

 

[luckyeye13]

Parking at Downtown Disney is apparently a problem and is a big part of the reason for buses not running between Downtown Disney and the parks. Now, even most Cast Members can no longer park at Downtown Disney when working and must instead park at one of several new Cast Member lots. For example, when I work overtime at Pleasure Island, I need to park at the lot behind the Hess station across the street.

Requiring resort IDs in order to ride the buses to and from Downtown Disney woud not work because, officially, anyone with a resort ID or a park hopper ticket is entitled to unlimited use of Disney transportation.

 

[DigitalDisney]

Disney gets more of your money when you stay in the parks. It's that simple

Why not visit DTD on your first or last day? That's traditionally what my family has done for years now, and it works out well. You could also visit it on a day when you transfer hotels (if you're taking that route)

 

[Wilt Dasney]

Couldn't they come up with bus routes that would take people from the parks to DTD, and then continue on to a resort before returning to the park?

That would prevent people from abusing the parking at DTD and still let people leaving the parks get to DTD quickly. (Of course, it wouldn't help people wanting to go from DTD to a park, but nothin's perfect.)