Possible Additions/Changes to WDW Transportation

[jtwibih]

I apologize if this has been brought up before but I figured this could fit into the News/Rumor board. I know this is just a survey but we all know what can come of these things (tiered pricing).

I received a survey request regarding Disney Transportation today and decided to give a try. It asked the basics on how I get to the resort from the airport and how I get around the property and if I use taxis, Uber, etc. It asked what I use these for and eventually got to the part where I pick from around 10 or so "wishlist" items that I would like to see if Disney put their own version of a taxi service in place. It asked if I wanted flat fee or pay based on distance. It went into how I wanted to pay including the use of my Magic Band. One of the questions even asked what is the most I paid for a taxi on my last trip. The thing I found the most interesting was that there were several questions related to booking in advance. Of course, for my family, we only use taxis for dining reservations due to where they are or time constraints. However it also asked if we'd use this transportation from/to the airport which got my attention. I guess I could look at it as a second option to Magical Express for those who don't want to stop at several resorts and go straight to their own. However there's also the possibility that they are looking for a new revenue stream in place of Magical Express.

Again this is all based on a survey but Disney is clearly considering this. There were several pages where you could actually type comments especially if you were strongly against a proposed option. I don't blame them for considering this. Taxis are quite expensive but they also know that Uber can do it cheaper and that they are missing out on some of this revenue. It would make sense especially if they made it a flat rate. People are clearly using the taxis and Uber enough for Disney to notice and they want a piece of the action.

If you have any questions about the survey, please ask. I'm sure I left quite a few things out but I wanted to hit the high points for anyone interested.

 

[uccats97]

I got the same survey. I didn't use uber/taxi on my last trip though. I have many times but not the last time. I didn't get the same questions as you for that reason, I'm sure. I did think that maybe they were considering their own type of uber system. I don't mind paying a small fee to get where I want to go quicker than the free transportation can get me there. However, I do not want the free options to go away. Having a paid option would give Disney a chance to capitalize on people willing to pay for an uber type ride. We shall see...

 

[lockedoutlogic]

A centralized HUb and light rail would solve their problems...but they don't "do" projects that accomplish great things any more...

 

[beer dave]

Enter the "Disney Driving Plan".......... You can chose from several different packages for travel--- DDrP, DrP, and the VDrP-- where you get a ride to the park but have to drive other people back.

 

[rlbates13]

-- where you get a ride to the park but have to drive other people back.

........ now THAT's.... funny.

 

[jtwibih]

I got the same survey. I didn't use uber/taxi on my last trip though. I have many times but not the last time. I didn't get the same questions as you for that reason, I'm sure. I did think that maybe they were considering their own type of uber system. I don't mind paying a small fee to get where I want to go quicker than the free transportation can get me there. However, I do not want the free options to go away. Having a paid option would give Disney a chance to capitalize on people willing to pay for an uber type ride. We shall see...

I made sure that I stated in the comments several times that I would not want this to replace the complimentary transportation. I said it was a nice "add on" but not something I'd like to use frequently. I don't think they are trying to change the bus system completely. I think this about capitalizing on missed revenue from taxis and potentially Magical Express. I could see a scenario where they charge for that though I think it would be a mistake.

 

[sachilles]

I'm still surprised they don't have a direct to park option now on the Magical express. With the bags going to your room, text'd room assignments, auto check in etc it only makes sense.

 

[Scalemaster34]

Resort to Resort transportation is time consuming in many cases... for some upscale guest a Taxi or some of the newer services just makes sense. I've noticed a lot more of this activity, and I'm sure Disney has too.

Would be pretty easy to add a "car service" feature to My Disney Experience... One low cost fee for an AK to MK Resort area, Epcot Resort area, or DS.

But it is sad some of the plans they had back in the 90's for resort transportation, and here we are still using buses and having to use the Paks as hubs to make transfers to other resorts....

 

[mikepizzo]

A centralized HUb and light rail would solve their problems...but they don't "do" projects that accomplish great things any more...

I think a light rail system would be cool, but I'm just trying to visualize the hub...

My flight lands at MCO, I get shuttled to the hub, then wait for a train that takes me "directly" (potential stops at other resorts) to my resort?

I'm not too familiar with transportation in general, so I may be missing the boat with my understanding.

 

[rteetz]

I think a light rail system would be cool, but I'm just trying to visualize the hub...

My flight lands at MCO, I get shuttled to the hub, then wait for a train that takes me "directly" (potential stops at other resorts) to my resort?

I'm not too familiar with transportation in general, so I may be missing the boat with my understanding.

I'm guessing it wouldn't take you directly to your resort but say a station near your resort. Like an Epcot resort area station, a Disney springs resort area station, etc.

 

[mikepizzo]

I'm guessing it wouldn't take you directly to your resort but say a station near your resort. Like an Epcot resort area station, a Disney springs resort area station, etc.

So then land, shuttle, wait, train, wait, shuttle, resort.

Not sure how much time that saves on the guests end, but I suppose Disney would be able to move more guests in one shot.

Again, I could be totally off base with what @lockedoutlogic has in mind.

 

[Maineiak]

Why don't they just expand the monorail?

 

[rteetz]

So then land, shuttle, wait, train, wait, shuttle, resort.

Not sure how much time that saves on the guests end, but I suppose Disney would be able to move more guests in one shot.

Again, I could be totally off base with what @lockedoutlogic has in mind.

I think it would be in walking distance of the resorts but I'm not sure.

 

[AnnaKat]

I read on the Dis that Uber was only recently allowed on WDW premises. We budgeted for taxis for our last trip--Nov./Dec. 2015.

I honestly do NOT think that Disney wants a piece of the taxi/uber pie!
From talking to our taxi drivers, we were told that business was POOR for the taxi drivers @ WDW these days
(EVEN prior to uber allowed). I had noticed that the taxi charges were significantly less than in 2012.
And mentioned that.

Also, sometimes there was a Mears CM(AKL), and they kept wanting us to get their app for booking future rides,
& emphasized that it offered 50% off(first use?)

We also now take a taxi to MCO after almost missing our flight with Magical Express.

 

[mikepizzo]

I read on the Dis that Uber was only recently allowed on WDW premises. We budgeted for taxis for our last trip--Nov./Dec. 2015.

I honestly do NOT think that Disney wants a piece of the taxi/uber pie!
From talking to our taxi drivers, we were told that business was POOR for the taxi drivers @ WDW these days
(EVEN prior to uber allowed). I had noticed that the taxi charges were significantly less than in 2012.
And mentioned that.

Also, sometimes there was a Mears CM(AKL), and they kept wanting us to get their app for booking future rides,
& emphasized that it offered 50% off(first use?)

We also now take a taxi to MCO after almost missing our flight with Magical Express.

Was there a lot of traffic when you took the Magical Express the time you almost missed your flight? Or was security out of control at the airport?

We always get to the airport right around 2.5 hours early using Magical Express. Plenty of time to make it through security and get to the gate.

 

[DanBoris]

Why don't they just expand the monorail?

Because we all know it would cost something like $1 Billion per mile.

 

[Maineiak]

Because we all know it would cost something like $1 Billion per mile.

Last number I saw said that the cost had increased to $1.2 billion per mile.

 

[AnnaKat]

Resort to Resort transportation is time consuming in many cases... for some upscale guest a Taxi or some of the newer services just makes sense. I've noticed a lot more of this activity, and I'm sure Disney has too.

Would be pretty easy to add a "car service" feature to My Disney Experience... One low cost fee for an AK to MK Resort area, Epcot Resort area, or DS.

But it is sad some of the plans they had back in the 90's for resort transportation, and here we are still using buses and having to use the Paks as hubs to make transfers to other resorts....

I would hope that if Disney has their own taxi/uber service, that they would not subject guests to what we endured
when trying to get dropped off @ the Beach Club Resort by a Mears taxi.
They always ask why(which they should).
I replied that we had a reservation @ the Biergarten @ Epcot.
" Would you like to check my magic band?!", I had offered.
The security CM kept questioning & questioning us, not seeming to want to let us in.
He kept saying over & over, " I'm not sure this is the BEST place for you!!!! "
After like 10 minutes, he finally let us in.

We had planned on taking the taxi months before.
We were NOT parking @ BC, just being dropped off.
Yet, it felt like Disney--via that rude security CM--was discouraging resort to resort transportation via taxi!!

 

[epsmith921]

I also got this survey yesterday but it didn't have any of those questions for me since we used Disney transportation exclusively. I did comment that the monorail was a bit of a problem because the express monorail wasn't running for most of our trip so the resort monorail was more crowded (we were staying at CR). This lead to us walking back from MK more often than taking the monorail. I like my space and we had two strollers.

Some of these things are interesting though if they happen.

 

[Maineiak]

...
I replied that we had a reservation @ the Biergarten @ Epcot....
He kept saying over & over, " I'm not sure this is the BEST place for you!!!! "
After like 10 minutes, he finally let us in.

Maybe he was suggesting a better place to be dropped off is at the EPCOT front gate?