Disney makes a poor choice

[KilleriMac17]

This has ALWAYS been the case.


But, as stated, you are never asked to "prove" you have any ticket or card to ride the buses, monorail or boats.

While not common, it DOES happen. We were there in October, and one day we got a ride to TTC and were going to go on the monorail to go somewhere. and there were people outside the entrances to the monorail asking to see resort ID's. if you didnt have them, they wouldnt let you on.(we had them). that is the first time I had seen that happen. Also, on the boats to DTD from FQ/POR they were making everyone get off, if you wanted to stay on you had to get off and join the back of the line that *MAY* have been waiting.

 

[KilleriMac17]

When I bought our tickets online, it stated that we were allowed to use Disney transportation. In fact, here is the quote::::
"Convenient Walt Disney World® transportation - monorails, ferryboats, and motor coaches"
And, we always stay offsite being timeshare owners.

I tried to find it, can't find that listed anywhere for just park hopper tickets, I see it for packages and listed in their benefits of staying onsite, but cant find it anywhere listed as being a benefit for having park tickets..

 

[Disneyholics5]

your off site hotel should provide shuttle service. most off site hotels do. Disney is very accomodating to its guests, both on and off site, but I think it would be very difficult for them to offer their own shuttle buses to the off site hotels, there are so many in the area, where would it ever stop? hence the reason why all the off site hotels that I know of due provide shuttle service, including to DTD. sorry that you received a lot of incorrect information and hope that you enjoy the rest of your stay.

 

[lsteadman]

You choose to say OFFSITE at the Nick Hotel. You even stated that the Nick Hotel is the best place for your family. As a result of that choice, you cannot expect Disney to proivde you with transportation to/from the your hotel to the parks or to/from your hotel to DTD, waterparks, etc.

Stay on Disney property does have its perks! The rooms cost more a bit more. On my 3 trips to Disney this year, I didn't rent a car once. I used Magical Express and Disney bus transportation and went everywhere from the Value resorts.

Enjoy the rest of your trip but Disney is not to blame for this one!

 

[TheWog]

and there was the option of the taxi that was just chosen not to be used. You pay less in one respect, but a little more in other areas. Just the trade off.

 

[Disneyjosh229]

I am writing from the area right now (we are staying offsite at the Nick hotel). I was displeased to learn last night, that the only real way to get to Downtown Disney if you are staying offsite without a car, is paying $28 for a taxi one way, which isn't going to happen.
I called and spoke with someone from the Disney transportation last night, because of an earlier conversation I had with the shuttle driver who informed me "Disney caters to those who stay on their property, and don't really care about anyone else". I could not believe my ears, so I was determined to find a way to Downtown Disney besides a taxi. I failed. When I spoke with this woman on the phone from Disney transportation, she confirmed they would take me on the monorail as far as the disney bus station, but that only those who stay on the property get to take those busses. At the end of the conversation, I asked if I could please leave a suggestion for those of us offsite, without a car, please "allow" us to come spend more money at their establishment, and I was told "most people find a way". Well, I guess I am not "most" people, because I will not pay that much for a taxi so that I can spend more money.
Does Disney's bullying ways guarantee that I will book my next trip on a Disney property? Most definitely not. If anything, it makes me determined to stay offsite once again.
Before I get flamed, I must add that 1)This was our first trip here, after several to Disneyland, and I had no idea everything was so spread out. 2) I didn't rent a car because I really don't feel comfortable driving in areas that I have never been to. 3)Downtown Disney was really supposed to be for my sons, the Lego fanatics, and if I can make something happen for my boys, I try my hardest to a point. 4) I do not regret my decision whatsoever to stay here at the Nick hotel, because it was a decision I made for my boys, and they love it here.
And yes, I know, I am only one person, so, who cares? But, after writing this, I really feel better now. Thanks for listening.

Amy

Ive said it before, and Ill say it again...

IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE POLICIES AND RULES, GO SOMEWHERE ELSE!

There are plenty of us that follow the rules and accept the policies of Disney. There is a reason people pay more to stay on site. Ask yourself this...If Disney was to offer shuttle service to EVERY hotel in the Orlando area, to its parks and entertainment areas, what would be the incentive to staying onsite (Besides EMH)? Ive stayed offsite numerious times, and I didn't expect Disney to provide transportation to Marriott's Grande Vista! As much as we would all love to think so, Disney is not just a provider of "Magic", there a company and they want to make $$$$$!!

 

[D&DDisney]

When I bought our tickets online, it stated that we were allowed to use Disney transportation. In fact, here is the quote::::
"Convenient Walt Disney World® transportation - monorails, ferryboats, and motor coaches"

This quote is also seen on the old 4-5 day park hopper tickets bought before 1/1/05. We were told and shown the quote in the broucher that we could use the transportation because we bought that privledge with our tickets. It did not specify which transportation was excluded.
When you stay off site w/o a car you have to be "creative" in finding ways to get around but sometimes it costs a little. We don't mind walking, so staying off site has never hindered our getting around and has saved us a bundle.

Let's also keep in mind that the original intent of this thread was not to pit on site guests against off site guests. I hate to see people debating whether on site people are better and entitled to more than off site people.
There's plenty of magic to go around so let's all just enjoy ourselves at the parks regardless of how we arrived there or where we will turn in for the night.

 

[VSL]

Wow, what a pointless thread

Why on earth would Disney be providing transportation (free or otherwise) for off-site guests to get to WDW?

I'm shocked that there are some people who think that they do/should!

As someone else said, it's a business.
Haven't you got to arrange your own transportation with Mears (or whoever) to get to other parks when staying on property? Why should it be any different for people doing the reverse?

 

[bicker]

I think the point has been made, folks. It seems to me almost like the thread's getting a little abusive towards the OP, and I don't think that's anyone's intent, right?

 

[crisi]

Particularly since the OP came back and said "Oh, yeah, I see....that's makes sense, thanks."

Sometimes we don't always think things through from all angles before we decide something should or shouldn't be. Takes class though to say "gee, your right, never thought of it that way."

 

[CarolA]

I think the real thing I notice is that the OP was not fully prepared for WDW.

I know we have all seen this when we are at Disney... the folks who think they can walk from Epcot to MK. The people who think they get the castle view from Pop Century (and my personal favorite...those who ask their TA for an ocean view while staying in ORLANDO! LOL!)

Disney is a vacation you must prep for....;

 

[boomhauer]

Particularly since the OP came back and said "Oh, yeah, I see....that's makes sense, thanks."

I didn't even notice that. Glad to hear she's moved past it.

It is true - Disney World is a vacation you have to plan for. There's a reason they sell so many guidebooks.

I had a friend who used to ask me "Why are you spending a week in Disney? I can't spend more than a day at Six Flags." Obviously, he had never been. People who haven't been really don't know until they see it for themselves.

 

[PKS44]

We always stay onsite--so my question is more out of curiosity...when did Disney change their policy...It used to be that any resort guest or ANYONE with a theme park ticket had unlimited use of transportation. The costs of transport were built into the ticket...did this change with the MYW tickets?

I agree with the suggestion to take the NICK shuttle to the MK, walk or monorail to the Contemporary and take a Contemporary bus to DTD---then do the opposite to get back...Yawn!

 

[boomhauer]

We always stay onsite--so my question is more out of curiosity...when did Disney change their policy...It used to be that any resort guest or ANYONE with a theme park ticket had unlimited use of transportation. The costs of transport were built into the ticket...did this change with the MYW tickets?

I think it's more a question of Disney reserving the right to refuse transportation service to an offsite guest. Probably not the best way to say it, but I think that's it.

 

[Skroops]

I kinda know how you feel, I sure wish the outlet mall would have free shuttles FROM my WDW hotel, so that I could go and spend my money there too!! As it stands, I don't want to spend the money for the taxi in addition to what I spend at the mall! Ah well....

 

[bicker]

Precisely. It has always been this way. If anything, over the years, Disney has gotten much more lenient in their enforcement.

 

[Robo]

It used to be that any resort guest or ANYONE with a theme park ticket had unlimited use of transportation. The costs of transport were built into the ticket...did this change with the MYW tickets?

It hasn't changed.
This thread is bonkers.

 

[JimVL]

We always stay onsite--so my question is more out of curiosity...when did Disney change their policy...It used to be that any resort guest or ANYONE with a theme park ticket had unlimited use of transportation. The costs of transport were built into the ticket...did this change with the MYW tickets?

This hasn't changed. Once you get yourself on propertity with at least a theme park ticket the transportation system is available.

Jim

 

[boomhauer]

There seems to be a lot of miscommunication on this thread.

Noone is denying the use of Disney Transport among offsite guests. Obviously, it's available. If you're at MGM, have a park hopper, you don't have to be a resort guest to park hop.

HOWEVER

Disney DOES reserve the right to refuse transportation from a resort to any park or to Downtown Disney to any offsite visitor. It does happen. Others have verified it.

If you don't believe it, I suggest the next time you're staying offsite, that you drive over to any Disney Resort, ask the security guard at the front gate if you can park your car there and take Disney Transport to the park. See what they say.

 

[bicker]

And the reason why so many of us veterans push the issue whenever it comes up is that folks would get rightfully if they were led to believe they were entitled to something and then refused access. The way things are, where off-site guests are not entitled to access, but granted access almost all the time, is a perfect win-win for everyone.