AKV Bus Service - Good/Bad?

[willy39]

I have a 7 day vacation planned for Mid-August at the Animal Kingdom Villas. I am a little worried that being the resort is in the middle of nowhere that it will be a LONG wait for the buses from the Parks and Downtown Disney to the resort. I would really appreciate any opinions on your experiences with the bus service from the resort to the parks. Please help as I am on the verge of switching my stay back to my home resort at Saratoga. Thanks!!

[tomandrobin]

We stayed at AKV in April. We were concerned about the bus service before the trip. But it ended up that we had the best bus service ever that trip. It may have been just dumb luck, but we left AKV quite happy with our experience.

[I'mNoPrince]

As both AKV and SSR are the furthest away from the parks they would be close as far as Bus service goes.

But the thing to remember is that everyone suggest those going and coming from DTD hitch a ride on the SSR buses so I would think AKV would have a bit better service.

Now I do understand that the buses are hit or miss and have no real rhyme or reason to how they run this is just my thoughts on it.

I will be doing a split stay for 12 days in JUly and will be finishing it off at AKV after our BWV sta. I can't wait for a resort I really didn't think I would care for. The more I look into it the better it's sounding.

[JimP]

I am a little worried that being the resort is in the middle of nowhere that it will be a LONG wait for the buses from the Parks and Downtown Disney to the resort.

The remoteness has little to do with wait time. The number of buses in operation and dispatch rate are the key variables (they are linked).

I have not noticed any problems with AKL.

/Jim

[Simba's Mom]

I was at AKV 3 weeks ago. I don't remember the bus service being any different from anyplace else I've stayed. One night, leaving Epcot just before Illuminations, I was pleasantly surprised that a bus came after a few minutes. And leaving AK, even though I'd just missed a bus, it was only a few minutes until another bus came. On the other hand, one morning, I remember a bunch of us waiting for a MK bus...and waiting...and waiting. By the time the bus showed up, there were more people than would fit on the bus, so they had to call for another one.

[carolina_yankee]

Remember, unlike nearly any other resort at WDW, AKL/V has a dedicated bus with only one stop. This pretty much makes the door to gate time as good as or better than other resorts with the MK possible the only exception.

We've stayed there 3 times in the past (before the current dispatch system), and never waited more than 12 minutes for a bus. I know they have a new system, but I can't help but think they try a little harder with AKL/V because it is a deluxe and because it is further away than other resorts.

Dirk

[CptJacksPrincess]

Hi,

Was just there. Bus service from AKL was nice. Maybe a 10 to 15 minute wait once. Have a great time!