Is this a real bus rule?

[Goofyernmost]

I have never in my life gone to a restaurant where they have felt it necessary to explain to guests how to get home. I am sure that if you have concerns and inquire, they would be happy to help.

But to suggest that every day they change their menu to include that day's closing schedule seems a bit much.

Again, guests could just take a bus to DS and not be stranded.

I DID NOT SUGGEST THAT. We are not talking about you driving your car to your local restaurant. We are talking about how many people might have been pulled into that Disney Bubble crap and didn't know how transportation works at WDW. They were lead to believe that since they were dependent completely on Disney transportation to get them from place to place and might not have known or even thought that they might have to take an extra step to get back later at night. Why is that so difficult for people to grasp. Fine, if you think that just because someone did not have the luxury to have been before they are going to have committed to memorizing the bus schedule when all they were doing is having dinner, on property. They did not know the situation like those of us that once frequented or still do go there all the time. Stranded has more than one definition. Whether or not they were actually stranded or just felt that they were, the feeling is the same. But, you're right, why should we care about others as long as we are well versed.

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

Just want to make sure I'm understanding this thread. The premise being "a bus driver told me"?

I love this place.

 

[lewisc]

Just want to make sure I'm understanding this thread. The premise being "a bus driver told me"?

I love this place.

A bus driver told me about a bus policy is a little different then a bus driver telling us about monorail expansion.

Transporting a guest to a closed park, other then to retrieve a parked car was always discouraged. I'm not sure if it's a firm rule or open to driver discretion.

 

[Tigger&Pooh]

might not have known or even thought that they might have to take an extra step to get back later at night.

Except that isn't the situation being discussed. The OP simply thought they could take the first bus to come through AKL, go to that destination, and then transfer to a bus back to their own resort. No extra steps by telling them to go through DS at night for such a transfer. The OP was well aware they needed a transfer, no extra step involved; they just were directed to take a bus to a different destination that isn't a closed park.

We are not talking about you driving your car to your local restaurant.

It's really the same concept as a tourist in any given city. The restaurant doesn't know if people are local or visiting or how people arrived or where they need to go after dining. I'm sure if the guest asks, someone will gladly help them. Some may be taking a city bus and frequency of buses often adjusts later in the evening, maybe some were on a hop-on-hop-off type tour which generally has an earlier end time so they need another transportation option. It's unreasonable to expect a restaurant anywhere to list transportation times, especially if the transportation schedule may change.

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

I DID NOT SUGGEST THAT. We are not talking about you driving your car to your local restaurant. We are talking about how many people might have been pulled into that Disney Bubble crap and didn't know how transportation works at WDW. They were lead to believe that since they were dependent completely on Disney transportation to get them from place to place and might not have known or even thought that they might have to take an extra step to get back later at night. Why is that so difficult for people to grasp. Fine, if you think that just because someone did not have the luxury to have been before they are going to have committed to memorizing the bus schedule when all they were doing is having dinner, on property. They did not know the situation like those of us that once frequented or still do go there all the time. Stranded has more than one definition. Whether or not they were actually stranded or just felt that they were, the feeling is the same. But, you're right, why should we care about others as long as we are well versed.

I mean seriously, you think a restaurant, who is in the food business, not the transportation or baby sitting business should for some reason take a paternalistic approach and make sure all of its customers know how to get themselves home? They need to print the bus schedule, keep it up to date with all the possible changes so that what...people don't have to take care of themselves? Whether its WDW, going out in NYC, or any vacation spot, you honestly think its some type unusual situation that an adult who manages to book a reservation at a restaurant for themselves....somehow should have thought of...well after i am done eating....how am I getting back to my hotel?

 

[nickys]

I DID NOT SUGGEST THAT.

You did suggest that though……..

They don't have to deal with it, just post it on the menu letting people know when the last regular bus leaves and what to do if you have to leave later

 

[Goofyernmost]

I mean seriously, you think a restaurant, who is in the food business, not the transportation or baby sitting business should for some reason take a paternalistic approach and make sure all of its customers know how to get themselves home? They need to print the bus schedule, keep it up to date with all the possible changes so that what...people don't have to take care of themselves? Whether its WDW, going out in NYC, or any vacation spot, you honestly think its some type unusual situation that an adult who manages to book a reservation at a restaurant for themselves....somehow should have thought of...well after i am done eating....how am I getting back to my hotel?

Yet, you cannot see that this isn't a restaurant like you might find in your neighborhood, this is freaking Disney. They have made it a point to tell everyone that the only way to experience Disney is to lock yourself into their ungated community and, as they say, rely totally on them for all their needs including transportation.

Even though some like to "shield" Disney from any responsibility, at the very least, they have the responsibility to inform their captive audience of what will be expected from whatever venue they chose to throw away their money. Since this particular requirement only involves a few people making sure that those people understand what is needed if they miss that normal opportunity is not even questionable. It is not that the option isn't there, it is that not everyone is aware of it and might not know if the DS option is workable. I'm not advocating that Disney supply a limousine for them just that it be stated in any restaurant it applies too, to make sure everyone foolish enough to throw away their money in a Disney owned or sponsored restaurant how to get back to their resort without ANY degree of panic. Proper information solves a great many man made problems.

 

[Goofyernmost]

You did suggest that though……..

I said that it should be included with the menu, not physically part of it. You know like when a restaurant has a "special" that they manually slide into permanent menu's on a daily basis.

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

Braindead? Yet, you cannot see that this isn't a restaurant like you might find in your neighborhood, this is freaking Disney. They have made it a point to tell everyone that the only way to experience Disney is to lock yourself into their ungated community and, as they say, rely totally on them for all their needs including transportation.

Even though some like to "shield" Disney from any responsibility, at the very least, they have the responsibility to inform their captive audience of what will be expected from whatever venue they chose to throw away their money. Since this particular requirement only involves a few people making sure that those people understand what is needed if they miss that normal opportunity is not even questionable. It is not that the option isn't there, it is that not everyone is aware of it and might not know if the DS option is workable. I'm surprised that you would call me braindead when you seem to have a problem grasping the point. I'm not advocating that Disney supply a limousine for them just that it be stated in any restaurant it applies too, to make sure everyone foolish enough to throw away their money in a Disney owned or sponsored restaurant how to get back to their resort without ANY degree of panic. Proper information solves a great many man made problems. If that's your idea of Braindead then I sure as hell don't want to know what your definition is of genius!

Yes braindead, as in unthinking, as in being too dumb or lazy to figure out how you need to get from point A to point B. As in being reduced to skills of a second grader who has to be told where to line up, where to get on a bus and how they are getting to and from school. While i am lucky enough to work with numerous people i would characterize as geniuses in their fields, i am not looking for special education/training/skills, nor does it take any to know how you are getting home at night.

These restaurants ARE like any normal restaurant that you might visit. Unless ANY restaurant is physically in your hotel, or within walking distance you need to know how you are getting home after your meal is done. Disney, no business in fact, has any responsibility to hold your hand and figure that out for you.

 

[Jon81uk]

Braindead? Yet, you cannot see that this isn't a restaurant like you might find in your neighborhood, this is freaking Disney. They have made it a point to tell everyone that the only way to experience Disney is to lock yourself into their ungated community and, as they say, rely totally on them for all their needs including transportation.

Even though some like to "shield" Disney from any responsibility, at the very least, they have the responsibility to inform their captive audience of what will be expected from whatever venue they chose to throw away their money. Since this particular requirement only involves a few people making sure that those people understand what is needed if they miss that normal opportunity is not even questionable. It is not that the option isn't there, it is that not everyone is aware of it and might not know if the DS option is workable. I'm surprised that you would call me braindead when you seem to have a problem grasping the point. I'm not advocating that Disney supply a limousine for them just that it be stated in any restaurant it applies too, to make sure everyone foolish enough to throw away their money in a Disney owned or sponsored restaurant how to get back to their resort without ANY degree of panic. Proper information solves a great many man made problems. If that's your idea of Braindead then I sure as hell don't want to know what your definition is of genius!

Disney do inform people how to travel between places.
Back when paper was more of a thing than the internet, we got a leaflet upon check-in at our resort which did exactly that. Even down to the fact that the best mode of transport between two resort hotels is via Disney Springs (or Downtown Disney as it was back then).

Nowadays they use the MDE app instead of giving out so much paper, but there is also information on the website.

from https://www.disneyworld.co.uk/guest-services/bus-transportation/
"Getting Between Different Disney Theme Parks, Water Parks and Resort Hotels
Please tap “Get Directions” in the My Disney Experience app or ask a Cast Member to assist you in planning your trip from one park to another. The most direct route may involve a combination of bus, monorail, boat or walking."

There is also a whole page on transport https://www.disneyworld.co.uk/guest-services/resort-transportation/

But they tell the resort guests how to travel to/from their resort. There is no need to tell every single guest at a restaurant how to do it.

Also as already noted this is only really an issue at Animal Kingdom Lodge where the nearest parks close early. Dine at the Contempory and you will more than likely be able to walk to the Magic Kingdom and get a bus to your resort as the MK is open much later and (as shown on the above-mentioned webpage) bus service continues an hour after park closing.

 

[Pix E. Dust]

I DID NOT SUGGEST THAT. We are not talking about you driving your car to your local restaurant. We are talking about how many people might have been pulled into that Disney Bubble crap and didn't know how transportation works at WDW. They were lead to believe that since they were dependent completely on Disney transportation to get them from place to place and might not have known or even thought that they might have to take an extra step to get back later at night. Why is that so difficult for people to grasp. Fine, if you think that just because someone did not have the luxury to have been before they are going to have committed to memorizing the bus schedule when all they were doing is having dinner, on property. They did not know the situation like those of us that once frequented or still do go there all the time. Stranded has more than one definition. Whether or not they were actually stranded or just felt that they were, the feeling is the same. But, you're right, why should we care about others as long as we are well versed.

There is really no reason to yell at me.

As the OP stated, the bus driver is not going to let you be stranded. They will take you to DS after you finish your meal where you can catch your bus to your resort. If you hadn't figured that out on your own with the transportation information available at your fingertips, they will direct you.

Can I ask....why are you eating at these restaurants and staying on property if you express both experiences so negatively?

 

[Dead2009]

Yup, that is exactly what Disney Co. thinks. And sadly, they keep getting away with it.

You are responsible for how you get home/back to your hotel. Disney simply provides the means of transportation when it's available to you. If I go to a baseball game by a mode of transportation that isn't my own car, it's on ME to figure out how i'm leaving, not the ball park staff.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Disney Springs buses run until 12:30am.

do they? It sure seems like they clear out springs really fast these days. Of course they used to run until 2:00 am with pleasure island.

I'm not sure if it's a firm rule or open to driver discretion.

Based on my similar interaction it’s driver discretion - he looked at the park close time and considered the drive time. If the park has just closed and the driver is confident busses will still be running i think they will take you.

 

[Mr. Sullivan]

Yup, that is exactly what Disney Co. thinks. And sadly, they keep getting away with it.

Getting away with a reasonable assumption that an adult can figure out how to get on two busses? I would think most companies would get away with that.

 

[easyrowrdw]

Disney do inform people how to travel between places.
Back when paper was more of a thing than the internet, we got a leaflet upon check-in at our resort which did exactly that. Even down to the fact that the best mode of transport between two resort hotels is via Disney Springs (or Downtown Disney as it was back then).

Nowadays they use the MDE app instead of giving out so much paper, but there is also information on the website.

from https://www.disneyworld.co.uk/guest-services/bus-transportation/
"Getting Between Different Disney Theme Parks, Water Parks and Resort Hotels
Please tap “Get Directions” in the My Disney Experience app or ask a Cast Member to assist you in planning your trip from one park to another. The most direct route may involve a combination of bus, monorail, boat or walking."

There is also a whole page on transport https://www.disneyworld.co.uk/guest-services/resort-transportation/

But they tell the resort guests how to travel to/from their resort. There is no need to tell every single guest at a restaurant how to do it.

Also as already noted this is only really an issue at Animal Kingdom Lodge where the nearest parks close early. Dine at the Contempory and you will more than likely be able to walk to the Magic Kingdom and get a bus to your resort as the MK is open much later and (as shown on the above-mentioned webpage) bus service continues an hour after park closing.

Even as someone who visits Disney frequently, the transportation element still vexes me at times. For instance, you won’t find info about your resort’s transportation schedule in the Transportation section of the app. You have to look at your resort info for that. I only remember that now bc I was just there lol

It says buses from resorts to the parks continue up to an hour after the park closes. So I would think I could take a bus back to a park even if was already closed as long as it’s within an hour of closing. And if it’s listed somewhere in the app that buses from the parks stop 90 minutes after park close, I couldn’t find it.

The bubble usually works really well for us but I still see plenty of confusion, particularly among new guests.

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

This has long been the policy at AKL/Boma, going back over 20 years. (also Sanaa) It has always been a bit of a pain to get back by bus, because going all the way to DS takes a long time. This goes back before Uber existed, so I always just paid for a taxi, because it was inexpensive and much faster.

If you dine at Hoop, WDW provides bus service back to your hotel- or at least they did, I haven't been to it in some years, so I'm not sure they still do. (though the buses make multiple drops, so that was not always direct either). So it is not crazy for someone to not realize they can't just hop on any park bus.

Sometimes WDW treats all of us like we are idiots, like telling each person that single rider = single rider, for example.
(and yes, I know some groups STILL ask if they can ride together.)

In this case, they might make a tiny effort to post useful information at the AKL bus stop. Doesn't the AKL bus stop have one of those electronic signs, like all the other WDW hotels? It maybe could say, "Guests must transfer to DS after the parks close," so guests at least take the first DS bus that arrives.

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

This happened about two weeks ago. My travelling party (3 people) was staying at OKW with no car. We travelled via bus to DAKL for Boma dinner from DAK. We finished dinner after 9 and decided to grab the DHS bus (since it was the first to come) in order to get a bus to OKW. As we stepped on, the bus driver (very young lady, probably the youngest bus drive I've ever met) asked why are you going to Hollywood Studios? I replied to get a bus to OKW. She said that since the park was closed she could only take us if our car was parked there, otherwise we have to go to Disney Springs.

If I'm ignorant, I apologize but have never had anyone ask me that. Maybe it's new? Maybe she was new? Is it a rule other drivers just don't care to enforce?

To answer your question, Yes.
I can attest that this has been the policy since Boma opened.