We’ve got an update from the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin today, and no, it’s not that we’re excited for the Food & Wine Classic: Limited Edition (even though we are!).
Mears Bus at the Swan
It’s actually about the buses at these Disney World resorts! In past years, the Swan and Dolphin have had access to Disney World buses for transport around the parks and resorts. Now, though, that’s changed as the Swan and Dolphin has switched to Mears Motor Coaches.
We went over to the Swan to see what we could learn about the new buses and their schedules. The Mears coaches will run about an hour before the parks open to an hour after the last park closes. During busier times in the morning and evening, they are hoping to run a bus every 10 to 15 minutes. At not-busy times, they will run a bus every 30 minutes.
Mears Bus at the Swan
For EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios the Mears buses will take you to the same place a Disney bus would and drop-off/pick-up in the usual Swan and Dolphin lanes. To visit Magic Kingdom, your experience will be a little different than it would on a Disney bus.
Mears Bus at the Swan
Only Disney transportation is allowed to go to the gate at Magic Kingdom. Since the Mears buses technically fall under “Taxis and Chartered Buses” they must drop-off and pick-up at the Transportation and Ticket Center for Magic Kingdom. At the TTC, these buses will use spots C3 and C4 which can be found on this map. The digital signs on the buses will say Swan and Dolphin.
TTC Bus Transportation Map
According to Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Guest Services, the new location for their shuttle buses at the Ticket and Transportation Center for Magic Kingdom guests may be temporary, but they are not sure yet. As another note, once the boats start running again the buses will not go to EPCOT or Hollywood Studios, but for now, you can catch a Mears bus to all four parks.
Mears Bus Routes
As always, stay tuned to DFB for the latest updates and if you have any questions, drop them in the comments and we will do our best to get you an answer!
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I wonder why they are doing that, it seems to take the magic from going from the Resort to the parks, etc.
Will the Covid-19 “safety guidelines” be the same on a Mears bus from Swan/Dolphin as the Disney bus? Wondering what it looks like compared to a Disney bus as far as spacing of guests or plexi glass etc. Thanks in advance for any information you are able to provide!
Any ideas why they switched?
I would think dropping folks off at the Magic Kingdom Transportation and Ticket Center and then having to bus, boat, or monorail over would be a fairly big negative. I used to stay at the Swan and Dolphin hotels a lot when I traveled for conventions and really appreciated it feeling like being in a Disney resort without it actually being a Disney resort.
Hi! Does this also apply to AK? I would think so but you know never assume. This really adds more travel time to incorporate Into planning.
AJ I have to say the intro of your last DFB was spot on , especially about drinking water😂. You really out did yourself ,which is pretty hard to do ‼️🌈. Thank you
Linda, the resorts will use Mears to get to AK as well.