There is a problem that keeps getting worse with guests using the Saratoga Springs busses directly from the parks as a quick/easy way to get to Downtown Disney. My family and I just returned from our annual Walt Disney World trip staying at Saratoga Springs (our DVC home resort) once again, and each year this problem has existed, but unfortunately it is now worse than before. This year, every bus we boarded to go back to Saratoga Springs (day or night from any park) had multiple people (not staying at SSR) asking which stop to get off on to get to Downtown Disney, etc.
I completely understand the Walt Disney World bus transportation can be used by anyone staying on property…my family has also used other resort busses to get to a dining reservation somewhere else, etc. but there are a few issues happening at Saratoga Springs specifically that is getting bad and that Disney needs to consider taking a look at.
1- Saratoga Springs guests are having their bus space taken up by many non-Saratoga Springs guests which means a couple of things are happening (again I witnessed all of this multiple times)
a. Some SSR guests were left waiting in line for the next bus due to full busses with many of whom are simply looking for a quick/easy way to get to Downtown Disney
b. Many SSR guests (children and some parents holding small children, me included) were forced to stand because several of the seats were taken by those just looking for a quick/easy way to get to Downtown Disney
2- Some guests are parking at Downtown Disney, walking to SSR, and catching the Disney bus to the parks so they do not have to pay for parking. I’ve overheard people talk about this on our busses so it is happening from time to time but it’s not too frequent from what I can tell. My guess is some people board the Magic Kingdom resort area busses as well at DTD to do this but I have no proof of that.
I absolutely love Saratoga Springs, that is why we made this our home resort. As a Disney Vacation Club member, my family has spent and continues to spend a lot of money for these deluxe accommodations and we would expect bus service accommodations to be the same (or even better) than value resorts where we have also stayed at before.
The problem in my opinion is two-fold:
1- There are no busses directly from the parks to Downtown Disney (therefore they simply board the SSR busses)
2- The bus drivers tell them how to do this! (I’m not blaming them, they are simply answering the question when they are asked “how can I get to Downtown Disney”…unfortunately “just get on the SSR bus” should NOT be the answer)
I’m hoping Disney can take a look at providing a direct bus from the theme parks to Downtown Disney. I understand why they should not “pick up” guests at Downtown Disney to go to the theme parks as more people would take advantage of the free parking so if there could just be a pickup at the parks and a drop-off spot at Downtown Disney I think this would eliminate a lot of the problems with the SSR busses (and/or the bus from Downtown Disney after dropping off guests from the parks could even service another resort instead of going back to the theme parks – not sure how the bus system fully works but this may be an option as well)
I know some of you probably haven’t experienced this or may even think this is not a big deal and how everything is supposed to be… but when you are left waiting on the next bus or having to stand holding an infant while the bus is close to half full of those just going to Downtown Disney…I just don’t think this is fair (over and over again) and is something that could easily be corrected. Your thoughts?
I completely understand the Walt Disney World bus transportation can be used by anyone staying on property…my family has also used other resort busses to get to a dining reservation somewhere else, etc. but there are a few issues happening at Saratoga Springs specifically that is getting bad and that Disney needs to consider taking a look at.
1- Saratoga Springs guests are having their bus space taken up by many non-Saratoga Springs guests which means a couple of things are happening (again I witnessed all of this multiple times)
a. Some SSR guests were left waiting in line for the next bus due to full busses with many of whom are simply looking for a quick/easy way to get to Downtown Disney
b. Many SSR guests (children and some parents holding small children, me included) were forced to stand because several of the seats were taken by those just looking for a quick/easy way to get to Downtown Disney
2- Some guests are parking at Downtown Disney, walking to SSR, and catching the Disney bus to the parks so they do not have to pay for parking. I’ve overheard people talk about this on our busses so it is happening from time to time but it’s not too frequent from what I can tell. My guess is some people board the Magic Kingdom resort area busses as well at DTD to do this but I have no proof of that.
I absolutely love Saratoga Springs, that is why we made this our home resort. As a Disney Vacation Club member, my family has spent and continues to spend a lot of money for these deluxe accommodations and we would expect bus service accommodations to be the same (or even better) than value resorts where we have also stayed at before.
The problem in my opinion is two-fold:
1- There are no busses directly from the parks to Downtown Disney (therefore they simply board the SSR busses)
2- The bus drivers tell them how to do this! (I’m not blaming them, they are simply answering the question when they are asked “how can I get to Downtown Disney”…unfortunately “just get on the SSR bus” should NOT be the answer)
I’m hoping Disney can take a look at providing a direct bus from the theme parks to Downtown Disney. I understand why they should not “pick up” guests at Downtown Disney to go to the theme parks as more people would take advantage of the free parking so if there could just be a pickup at the parks and a drop-off spot at Downtown Disney I think this would eliminate a lot of the problems with the SSR busses (and/or the bus from Downtown Disney after dropping off guests from the parks could even service another resort instead of going back to the theme parks – not sure how the bus system fully works but this may be an option as well)
I know some of you probably haven’t experienced this or may even think this is not a big deal and how everything is supposed to be… but when you are left waiting on the next bus or having to stand holding an infant while the bus is close to half full of those just going to Downtown Disney…I just don’t think this is fair (over and over again) and is something that could easily be corrected. Your thoughts?
