We just got back from a week split between AKL and BI, and I wanted to share our transporation experiences with others.
We used Tiffany Towncars for travel to and from the airport and absolutely LOVED them! We had different drivers, and both were very polite, professional, and best of all, on time! It was nice to arrive in Orlando to the driver with my name on the sign. And our car was 15 minutes early for the return trip. I would definitely use them again.
I disliked the Disney bus system and wished I had rented a car. AKL is very remote--you even need a bus to get to AK! The wait times are unpredictable. There was one time we waited 20 minutes for a bus to get to Epcot. Then the bus driver took us to AK, because it had just closed and the huddled masses were waiting. So, they crammed as many as they could onto our bus (I gave my seat to a mother with infant), and then we went to Epcot. The total wait/travel time was over 50 minutes.
When we switched to BI, I thought transportation would be better. Wrong. Waited through one bus loading at MK before the second bus came and got us. At this point, I'd like to offer a suggestion to Disney. Just a little tip. When the queues are packed with people waiting for buses, it may be helpful to hide the six buses not in use in the median with engines running (one would assume the drivers are on break?). Standing for 30 minutes waiting for a bus while six sit unused is especially demoralizing! Finally the bus got us, and we sat through several bus stops. I was surprised that the Yacht, Beach Club, Swan, Dolphin, and Boardwalk all share one bus. Again, another 50 minutes of low class travel.
We didn't even bother trying to catch buses after cirque du soleil and illuminations but took cabs instead.
I know that some have reported satisfaction with the bus system, and there are disadvantages and costs associated with renting a car. Nevertheless, I found the bus system poorly managed, under-funded, and no less frustrating than dealing with parking lots and traffic.
My two cents.
Tom
We used Tiffany Towncars for travel to and from the airport and absolutely LOVED them! We had different drivers, and both were very polite, professional, and best of all, on time! It was nice to arrive in Orlando to the driver with my name on the sign. And our car was 15 minutes early for the return trip. I would definitely use them again.
I disliked the Disney bus system and wished I had rented a car. AKL is very remote--you even need a bus to get to AK! The wait times are unpredictable. There was one time we waited 20 minutes for a bus to get to Epcot. Then the bus driver took us to AK, because it had just closed and the huddled masses were waiting. So, they crammed as many as they could onto our bus (I gave my seat to a mother with infant), and then we went to Epcot. The total wait/travel time was over 50 minutes.
When we switched to BI, I thought transportation would be better. Wrong. Waited through one bus loading at MK before the second bus came and got us. At this point, I'd like to offer a suggestion to Disney. Just a little tip. When the queues are packed with people waiting for buses, it may be helpful to hide the six buses not in use in the median with engines running (one would assume the drivers are on break?). Standing for 30 minutes waiting for a bus while six sit unused is especially demoralizing! Finally the bus got us, and we sat through several bus stops. I was surprised that the Yacht, Beach Club, Swan, Dolphin, and Boardwalk all share one bus. Again, another 50 minutes of low class travel.
We didn't even bother trying to catch buses after cirque du soleil and illuminations but took cabs instead.
I know that some have reported satisfaction with the bus system, and there are disadvantages and costs associated with renting a car. Nevertheless, I found the bus system poorly managed, under-funded, and no less frustrating than dealing with parking lots and traffic.
My two cents.
Tom