Could I get a focus group together? Please?

[Disney1fan2002]

This is in the very EARLY planning stages, but I am thinking of starting a transportation business.

I would buy one of these

Then I would offer airport shuttle service, not just for anyone, but for families going to Disney! I am thinking I can get a DVD from Disney, kind of like what you see in your Disney hotel room, things to do around the parks, or maybe a DVD that offers hints and ways around the crowds. I would play Disney theme park music, I would see about getting bulk shipments of Mickey ears to give out to the kids.

Here is what I would like to know. Is this something you would be interested in? I mean, not everyone feels they need a ride into the airport. But, if you could get a Disney BUZZ going even before you step on the plane, wouldn't that fuel your excitement?

How would you expect to pay?

a) xxx amount of dollars for the ride
b) xx amount of dollars per person
c) xxx amount of dollars for a party up to 6 people, the xx dollars per person past the 6th.

I am also thinkong I could schedule some down time, maybe September, when it is Disney slow time, and offer tour trips into NYC, and maybe get packages together, like American Girl and World of Disney, where I could offer lunch in these places.

There is also the ever popular casino trips to CT.

But, I am focusing on offering shuttle service EXCLUSIVE to Disney families. What do you think? Am I crazy?

 

[Lewisc]

I think you're crazy. You're not going to have enough people going from the same general area to the same airport at the same time to run a shuttle service. You're going to have to run it as a limo or towncar. Probably charge a flat fee, maybe a small surcharge for more than 6 guests.

I don't think people would pay a premium price. What do the local cab and limo companies charge for airport transfers? That's your price. Assume you'll need to offer discount coupons to get started. Given the price of gas, liability insurance and airport fees I can't see you making any money.

I think your trips to NYC and casinos are going to have to be the majority of your business. A lot of potential customers would rather take a towncar or limo.

 

[shatzjsl]

I don't think it is crazy. You never know how many people from one area are going to WDW. I know here in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area you would probably have a lot of customers but would have to have competitive prices because there are a lot of other options.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I don't think you are crazy, many big businesses were built on a simple idea at the beginning.

I do think, however, there are a lot of things to think about as far as a business specific to Disney passengers (and I believe we live around the same area). One issue is that people have to be at the airport for different flight times. Most probably fly in the morning but I'm sure there are others with later flights. If you have only one vehicle (as opposed to a fleet) you may not be able to accomodate as many people as you would like to. I agree the cost of gas is a problem today as well as other expenses that could eat into your profits. I also wonder about licensing agreement issues with Disney videos and merchandise.

Personally, I prefer to drive and park at the airport. We use TFGreen because of the convenience of parking and easy commute compared to Logan. I pay about $60 to park for the week when we go to Disney using a coupon available through the parking website. When I'm pricing a trip I visit the idea of a limo but always go back to just driving, it's simpler and cheaper for us. So if I were to use your service, honestly, it would have to be under $100 for the four of us RT or I would just drive myself. Others may feel differently, that's just me. Another reason we prefer to drive is that sometimes at 4am we really don't feel like talking to anyone. I have noticed even when we get on the parking shuttle the drivers get "chatty". I am normally chatty myself but usually they see from our clothes and bags we are going to WDW and start to tell us their own version of "Disney tips". Though they're not uanappreciated I prefer to drink my coffee in peace, watch my kids excitement and perhaps talk to DH about our plans instead.

With that said I do see a need for better local transportation around the South Shore area and have often thought if I were to start my own business it possibly would be a local livery service. Is there something you could do locally as well as the other trips such as NYC and CT? There is a lot of competition to those places on the large luxury buses such as Fah Wong (?sp) out of Quincy, very cheap to go to NYC with them.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

deleted duplicate post

 

[CarolA]

The competetion in Orlando is BEYOND steep...

You have Disney doing FREE transport. (That's going to be hard to underprice!) Disney is also playing Disney videos.... Personally I think this is bad timing.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

The competetion in Orlando is BEYOND steep...

You have Disney doing FREE transport. (That's going to be hard to underprice!) Disney is also playing Disney videos.... Personally I think this is bad timing.

It would be Massachusetts. Getting people TO the airport.

 

[DebbieB]

The competetion in Orlando is BEYOND steep...

You have Disney doing FREE transport. (That's going to be hard to underprice!) Disney is also playing Disney videos.... Personally I think this is bad timing.

I think they meant in their local area to the airport, not in Orlando.

There is alot to consider. Most airports require licenses to drop people off there, plus insurance, driver costs, taxes. I think most limo companies have more than 1 vehicle. What if that vehicle needs to go to the garage for repairs? Do you have a backup? It's a nice idea but I think it will be a losing proposition for you unless you can get some partners and get a fleet of vehicles.

 

[twinklebug]

My DH worked quite a few years as a towncar/limo driver for various companies in the South of Boston area, so what I say here only comes from what I saw his companies (one, the best of which, was a start up) go through.

You really need a lot of experience with pickup/drop off as well as Logan (and to some extent providence) to get the job done right. It's not a job you can just purchase a vehicle and go with. For sake of the discussion, let's assume you have the experience.

Running your own livery businees, you need to be a people person. Not just at 9 am, but try 9 pm, midnight, 6am and even 3:15 am. Scheduling can be a nightmare, expecially when you're exhausted and running on 4 hours sleep for the third night in a row. Flights are delayed, rescheduled and canceled all the time. People get frantic and will occasionally take it out on you. Even with one vehicle, you'll need help and not just an employee. Do you have a close member of the family who is willing to step in and answer that phone when you catch a couple Zs?

I'm not saying your idea is a bad one, I'm positive there are always plenty of folk heading off to Disney at any given time, but it will take a lot of effort, organization and the expierence to draw on to do it well and stay afloat. If you can keep the company going and growing your client base for three years, chances are you'll do well.

Let me know if there is any more info I can hlep you with. Good luck!

 

[twinklebug]

Just one question though...
This type service looks appropriate for large parties and organizations headed off together. Were you thinking of picking up a family, packing them on, heading off to the next family's home, picking them up, etc. etc? If this is the case I don't think the service would work at all. It's a different story on Disney's end because the stress of making the flight is over.

 

[CarolA]

There is another consideration.... These type of companies have been struggling for years and gas prices are really starting to kill some of them. You would need to be able to support yourself and the business for several months before you can really expect to make any money. (Figure about 6 months to be on the safe side.)

Timing is also an issue. You are going to miss the "summer" travel so I would think that next Spring might be a good time.

(I still have my doubts and probably would not invest)