Staying at Swan. . .better to catch bus there or at Boardwalk?

[historytchr]

We are staying at the Swan and plan to catch bus at Boardwalk to Magic Kingdom to avoid TTC.

Is there any reason to not use the Swan transportation to AK? Wondering if we should use the BWV busses again or Swan busses will get us to AK for early entry. We have always stayed at BWV but did not have availability the dates we wanted, so I have no experience with Swan transportation. I know we can walk/boat to HS and Epcot, so just wondering about AK. Any advice is appreciated!

 

[NYCgrrl]

We are staying at the Swan and plan to catch bus at Boardwalk to Magic Kingdom to avoid TTC.

Is there any reason to not use the Swan transportation to AK? Wondering if we should use the BWV busses again or Swan busses will get us to AK for early entry. We have always stayed at BWV but did not have availability the dates we wanted, so I have no experience with Swan transportation. I know we can walk/boat to HS and Epcot, so just wondering about AK. Any advice is appreciated!

I always assumed Swan and Dolphin shared transport with WDW so looking forward to hearing an answer to this query.

 

[Lewisc]

The time it takes to walk to Boardwalk, combined with the probable longer wait for a bus and longer walk from MK bus stop to the gate offsets the TTC delay. Ferry is quick.
Use Swan bus to the AK.

 

[sponica]

I always assumed Swan and Dolphin shared transport with WDW so looking forward to hearing an answer to this query.

They used to have WDW buses, but at some point they switched.

 

[historytchr]

I always assumed Swan and Dolphin shared transport with WDW so looking forward to hearing an answer to this query.

They used to share a bus with BC, YC, and BW but they have had their own for a few years now since not officially Disney property.

 

[NYCgrrl]

I wonder if the negotiations didn’t go well between the two properties since I they are still sharing costs for boat transport which would be much more complicated to end?

 

[Lewisc]

They used to share a bus with BC, YC, and BW but they have had their own for a few years now since not officially Disney property.

The hotels are on Disney property. They aren't operated by Disney.

 

[SteveH]

@historytchr - Here is a post that was posted recently on the Swan/Dolphin thread along with some responses that might help. For AK the parking for the S/D bus is as good, if not slightly better, then the YC/BC/BW parking spots. IMHO it's a toss up, with the plus to Disney since you can see the schedule of the busses.

@NYCgrrl - all changed during Covid and the bussing still hasn't returned. Staffing challenges, operating costs and who knows what else might be going on behind the scenes. I really assumed it might have come back by now.

 

[TheyCallMeStacey]

when we've stayed there, we did the Boardwalk buses to MK - since it was direct to MK instead of TTC and then we did the swan bus to animal kingdom. They do drop off a little ways back from the gate, but the walk to boardwalk would have negated any steps saved at the animal kingdom parking area. this was 2022

 

[Karalee402]

We always take the BW buses to MK to avoid the TTC, but the Swan/Dolphin buses to AK aren't worth the walk. They drop off plenty close to the AK entrance.

 

[Lewisc]

Swan runs buses from 3 hotels, right next to each other, to 2 theme parks and DS. The wait for buses tend to be less then with Disney buses.

Absolutely no advantage using Disney buses to the AKL.
I find Disney bus wait times on the app are worthless.

 

[patty57]

I stay at Swan/Dolphin pretty frequently. I walk to BW for MK bus. I disagree that the walk to BW offsets the inconvenience of the TTC. I use Swan/Dolphin bus for AK. It has a better drop-off than most of the Disney resorts.

 

[Lewisc]

I stay at Swan/Dolphin pretty frequently. I walk to BW for MK bus. I disagree that the walk to BW offsets the inconvenience of the TTC. I use Swan/Dolphin bus for AK. It has a better drop-off than most of the Disney resorts.

I'm basing my comments on a handful of trips. I don't generally rope drop MK. I would walk over to Boardwalk or YC for early park.

The ferry rides adds 10-20 minutes. Walking from the Swan to the Boardwalk is 10 mimutes, as per Disney app. My experience is the Swan buses to the MK run every 15 minutes or so. Disney buses trend to be 20 minutes or so, with the plus or minus going to the plus.

Swan generally uses bus stop.#2. Total walking to the ferry, then to the tap point can be similar to the walk from some of the resort bus stops to the tap point.

Walking to the Boardwalk may save a few minutes, but the difference isn't as significant as some posters imply.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I wonder if the negotiations didn’t go well between the two properties since I they are still sharing costs for boat transport which would be much more complicated to end?

Whatever happened never leaked out

 

[JoJoGirl]

I usually take the BW or YC bus to and from MK, because I like to walk through those resorts and often stop and buy something, or just spend time on the Boardwalk on the way.

S/D bus going to AK works well, is comfortable, and drops off at a decent place. But coming home from AK, I prefer to catch the BW or YC/BC bus. I’ve tried the S/D bus for the return trip, but don’t like how the bus stop works for pickups. Multiple off-site resort buses pick up in about the same spot and they often don’t have identification. It can sometimes be tricky to tell which bus to board without trekking across the lot to ask. The BW and YC/BC buses may be a little farther away, but to me the extra steps are worth it to avoid that confusion. YMMV.

 

[LAS2AMS]

Whatever happened never leaked out

Swan & Dolphin have the same (primary) owner since they were conceived. The owner received the rights to build the properties as part of its agreement on financing/ constructing Epcot (but had to sue Disney to enforce/ build them).

The owner of the hotels also designed and constructed the Disney Springs Hilton (but sold it to Hilton corporate awhile ago). The then-Disney Village/ Downtown Disney-area hotels used WDW bus transportation until 2000ish, when the Hilton lead the change to their own bus system after WDW significantly hiked their fees.

I’m guessing WDW proposed a significant rate hike for the Swan & Dolphin (busses were always crowded) and since corporate had experience in alternative transportation, they went with that option (ownership owes several other properties in the area).

 

[elvispursley]

Since we have an ECV in our party and have heard that not all the S/D buses are accessible, we’ll likely just use YC or BW buses for both AK and MK. If it becomes too much of a hassle, we’ll just book a Minnie van. This will be our first stay at the swan.

 

[Lewisc]

Since we have an ECV in our party and have heard that not all the S/D buses are accessible, we’ll likely just use YC or BW buses for both AK and MK. If it becomes too much of a hassle, we’ll just book a Minnie van. This will be our first stay at the swan.

S D uses a lot of motor coaches, scooters go under the bus. Works if you can transfer, requiring walking up a few steps.

They'll arrange alternatives if you can't transfer.

Edited to add:

If you can transfer S D buses are the way to go. I think they can fit more then 2 scooters umder the bus. You shouldn't have to wait the next bus. The ferry between TTC and MK doesn't limit the number of scooters.

You'll waste time if you go to YC or Boardwalk and have to wait for the next bus.

 

[Echo queen]

I need all of this info..

 

[lampshadehead]

So here are some thoughts I have about the bus thing at SD:
It started down-pouring while I was on the Boardwalk bus from MK. The radar showed it lasting for at least another hour. Waiting for the rain to stop, under the bus shelter at Boardwalk after getting off the bus, wasn't an option. If I used the SD bus from the TTC, there would have been no walking in the rain. The bus drops off right at the hotel. There is a covered walkway from the bus stop to the lobby at the Dolphin and I am pretty sure the same goes for Swan.
Even in the morning, it was August, and walking over that bridge and then through Boardwalk, with no shade, is hot.
On a trip a few years ago, my MK mornings consisted of going to the bakery to get a coffee and a muffin, sit outside for a bit, then go catch the bus.
Maybe its just me, but the Boardwalk area felt empty this past visit (could be because it was August and not May like my previous visit). All I wanted to do was get to the bus stop this time.
One more thing: it was a mix of busses that they used at the SD. Some were the big charter type, others were the same style that Disney uses.
And since I am saying how hot the Boardwalk path is, I will be fair and add that the bus stop area at the TTC, is hot also There are some shaded benches, so you can wait under them and then walk over to the bus stop when the bus arrives. Just make sure you pay attention because I feel the bus stops aren't always clear.