Hey everyone! I was wondering about the Bus Service within Vista Way. For those without a car for the year I understand there is transportation to the local supermarket and other local areas but how often do these busses run? I'm not too worried because I'm sure there are others in the same boat as I am (and I understand walking/taxis are other forms of getting around), however I am now 27 days away from departing, and the anxieties are beginning to kick in! Butterflies, really. Anyway, hoping to hear from what you've heard and or experienced. Cheers! Jen
I'm sure it's changed a lot since how I remember it in '06, but basically on a specific day every month, a bus will go to the Florida Mall. So, in April, it may be every Monday, in May, it may be every Wednesday, and there may even be a month where the bus won't go to the mall at all. On the rest of the days where the bus doesn't go to the Florida Mall, it goes to a plaza that has Walgreens and Publix in it (which is by the Commons, on the other side of the outlet mall), as well as Walmart. Most days it has a pretty restrictive schedule, running only a couple hours or so, but then there are also a couple of days where it runs from morning until about dinner time to these spots. There's also a bus that goes to the Cross Roads, which has a bunch of restaurants there if I recall correctly. That runs every night until after the restaurants/bars close. Unfortunately I really don't know if they follow a similar kind of schedule or have totally re-vamped it, but they do try to make it feasible for you to get to all the places that you need to go - just gets tricky sometimes with the timing. Boo urns!
Thanks for the tips not too worried since it sounds like the majority of people in this program use the bus system and have survived I guess i can too also just found a place that delivers groceries which will be helpful when I can't make it to the local grocer thank god for the internet!
Okay, so here's how it goes: There are buses to every Disney park, Downtown Disney, the water parks, and most of the resorts (since people from the four housing units - Vista Way, The Commons, Chatham Square, and Patterson Court - work in all of these locations). These buses all run from freakishly early in the morning until freakishly late at night. I believe the Magic Kingdom bus just went to a 24-hour bus in the last month or so, for those suckers doomed to work the graveyard shift. The bus to Wal-Mart and Walgreens/Publix runs every day, but the time changes based on the day of the week; on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, the bus starts running around 1 PM and runs until about 1 or 2 AM; on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, the bus starts running around 11 AM and runs until about 5 PM. What was said about the Florida Mall bus is true - one day a week, and that specific day changes from month to month. This bus also runs to the Premium Outlets. However, I can tell you right now that taking that specific bus to the outlet mall is silly, because you could just board any bus from Vista Way that's heading to The Commons, get off at The Commons, and walk through the parking garage. So much faster! On top of that, there's the local public transit, which can be dirt cheap if you're not going to far, and can be picked up quite close to The Commons and Patterson. You'll also make friends with people that have cars, trust me. If any of them are like the Canadians I'm working with, most of them can be paid in cookies to drive you anywhere you want to go.
I can cook and bake so that sounds like a great idea thanks so much for all the feedback and eliminating some anxieties
Does anyone know if Disney offer any trips for the international employees such as trips to Miami, Tampa or Daytona Beech? Id also like to travel to the southern states like Georgia, Alabma and Louisiana.
Yes they do offer trips like that every couple months, you just need to sign up for them and pay. Then they arrange a bus for everyone.
That is awesome! Looking forward to touring around but as soon as the weather gets nice I'm going to swim with the dolphins at dolphin cove (it's been on my bucket list for some time now)
The bus services to and from The Commons and the Walt Disney Park and The Commons and Walmart; is it free of charge? or do you have to pay a rate, or a monthly price? Thanks
The American Coach buses, that get you to and from work/play in the parks/resorts and to Walmart and the mall are free, they're included in your rent. If you want to take a Florida bus to Universal, for example, it costs money. I never heard about any trips to other states, but they did have a beach bus twice during my ICP. It was something like 5-10 dollars to get on the bus.
Target is awesome lol ;D much prefer it to Walmart!! Its a shame they dont do a bus there too, i imagine there is another bus company that does a bus there, but who knows? I will investigate before i arrive in August!
There's a Target at Millenia opposite the Mall, think there's a Lynx bus there but if not get the iRide to Prime Outlets (Belz) then a cab from there. Always ask the cabbie to go to "Millenia via the (Millenia) Boulevard", otherwise they go all the way back down i-Drive to get on the I4. Think there was almost a $20 difference in the fare that way.
No worries. Expect to fall out with a few Haitian cabbies (they all seem to be Haitian for some reason) this way. It's not like any other city in the World where you can specify which route you want the driver to take without argument, these boys just want to rinse you for your tourist $$$. Be firm with them - "Millenia take the Boulevard, NOT the I4". I found that saying I'm a local means there's less chance of them trying to fleece you too.
kk, thanks for all the info. I love Target and really want to go while I'm down there. I wish there was on closer. lol. Maybe thats a good thing, so I don't spend all my money there. haha
