Disney makes a poor choice

[crisi]

Actually, the buses do run from the resorts to DtD. They no longer run from the parks to DtD.

Sorry, resorts in that sentance should have been parks. Thanks for catching it.

 

[boomhauer]

This is the way I took it also. I didn't think she was asking for transport direct from her hotel?

Possibly, but still, why get mad at Disney? If that's the case, it's not just off site guests - It's on site guests as well. Basically, all they said was, there is no transportation from the TTC to DTD. They're right.

 

[crisi]

Then just ride the DTD bus to a resort and jump on a bus to the parks and vise versa.

When they don't ask for ID (and they seldom do) this will work. But its really time consuming. At Disney, time is money.

However, having reread the OP, now I'm confused. There is no $28 cab ride on property - I've gone all over Disney in cabs and never spent more than $15. So now I'm wondering if she was expecting transport from Nick to DTD.

 

[boomhauer]

When they don't ask for ID (and they seldom do) this will work. But its really time consuming. At Disney, time is money.

However, having reread the OP, now I'm confused. There is no $28 cab ride on property - I've gone all over Disney in cabs and never spent more than $15. So now I'm wondering if she was expecting transport from Nick to DTD.

The cab ride from Nick to DTD was $28.

 

[TinkerbellMama]

I think the whole point of the OPs post was to say that if you are staying off site with no car AND PLAY BY THE RULES as per the CM, there is NO WAY to get to DTD. She was just expressing her disappointment.
Maggie

I'm confused. There IS a way to get there. You can take a cab, at the very least. IMO, if she didn't like the price of the cab ride to DTD, and shopping at DTD is important to her, then she should consider staying onsite next time and just fork over the $28 this time and chalk it up to experience...or look into public transportation...or a feasible way to use Disney transportation if they would allow her, since the "rule" is not strictly enforced. JMO. I definitely don't understand the OP ? at all. Either she is saying it's stupid not to have transportation from the TTC to DTD (which goes for everyone, even us onsite guests!) OR she's upset that an onsite perk isn't available offsite. I don't get it?? Not flaming at all, I just don't get it.

 

[kathylovesdisneyworl]

I got the impression that the OP was saying that she could get to the TTC via her hotel's shuttle, but that since she wasn't allowed to use the buses due to staying offsite, how would she be able to get to DTD?? I do NOT think she was asking why disney didn't provide transportation to the Nick hotel.

I
Maggie

I thought so to untill I reread the original post. It states she was looking for transportation from her off site hotel to DD and they only way to get there was the cab for $28. So I have to agree with others, the problem was with the Nick hotel not Disney if there wasn't a shuttle to take her to DD.

 

[maggiew]

I thought so to untill I reread the original post. It states she was looking for transportation from her off site hotel to DD and they only way to get there was the cab for $28. So I have to agree with others, the problem was with the Nick hotel not Disney if there wasn't a shuttle to take her to DD.

No. She could get a shuttle from her hotel to TTC, but then there was no way to go any further since the CM told her she wasn't allowed to use the bus system. I think that is the only complaint from the OP. Although, I am under the impression that if you have a park ticket you can use Disney Transportation.

OP, if you don't want to "risk" using Disney transportation, just take a cab from TTC to DTD. You don't have to take a cab all the way from Nick hotel.
Maggie

 

[MrsNick]

I thought so to untill I reread the original post. It states she was looking for transportation from her off site hotel to DD and they only way to get there was the cab for $28. So I have to agree with others, the problem was with the Nick hotel not Disney if there wasn't a shuttle to take her to DD.

Yep. Nothing wrong with wanting to save a few dollars to stay offsite if it doesn't cost you more than you're saving in transportation fees, and doesn't cost you a lot of valuable time. Time is money at Disney (IMO).

OP could have taken public transportation (much cheaper, but much lengthier and complicated) or taken a cab (more expensive, but fast and very convenient) or rented a car (convenient, but daunting for someone unfamiliar with the area - more expensive? maybe not once OP paid for transportation between airport and hotel).

Each has its pros and cons, as does staying on-site vs. off-site. Everyone has to weigh those for themselves.

Personally, I'm spoiled rotten . I like to stay on-site, rent a car from the airport, and then drive to most places on property (i.e. Animal Kingdom, waterparks or DTD), and use Disney transportation for others (i.e. Magic Kingdom). I'm of the "convenience is king" philosophy on my vacation!

 

[kathylovesdisneyworl]

No. She could get a shuttle from her hotel to TTC, but then there was no way to go any further since the CM told her she wasn't allowed to use the bus system. I think that is the only complaint from the OP. Although, I am under the impression that if you have a park ticket you can use Disney Transportation.

Quote from original post:
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 guess I didn't take this post the same way. What I read is they are not happy because they are staying offsite and it will cost $28 for a taxi to get to DD.

 

[bicker]

I believe the taxi fare from TTC to DTD is about $8. So $28 sounds about right for the taxi fare from a more remote off-site hotel to DTD.

 

[dcgrumpy]

I haven't read all of the replies. Birnbaum's has always said that Park Hoppers include all transportation, but one day tickets only include monorail and ferry. Wouldn't Disney have them correct the info if it was incorrect?

 

[susan1]

hi
i always thought transportation was part of the ticket system, you got complimentary transport between all disney facilities with the purchase of a pass. you don' t have to stay on site to by a ticket into disney. i wouln't expect transport other than the free shuttle busses which some hotels run to the parks. it should be possible by juggling snd matching these times to det to dtd. also i believe the lynx bus service now goto the macic kingdom.

 

[TDC Nala]

You can't get on property from off property using Disney's bus transportation. That makes sense to me.

But once you're there,you can ride any of the transportation anywhere. You can even go to DTD so long as you transfer at a resort first. No one is going to ask you if you are staying at the resort. As far as they know you are there to eat or to see the resort or to meet someone. And they won't kick the offsite guests off the bus, because Disney WANTS them to eat in the resort restaurants.

There was a guy on a bus last weekend on a cell phone complaining that Disney wouldn't transport his family to Sea World for free.

 

[mrswortham]

Wow...you guys have been busy posting, while I was playing all day! Thanks to those of you for kind replys, and actually reading my post before flaming me. My point was, the shuttle that runs here at Nick does NOT go to DTD.....I called and spoke to someone at the Disney transportation system, was told that even if I took the monorail over to a Disney resort bus that goes to DTD, I could not go because I was not staying on Disney property. No, I do not expect a Disney bus to come over to the Nick hotel and pick up my family and I and take us to DTD. I was hoping that if I were to make my way to one of their buses that go to DTD, we could go. That is not the case according to the Disney employee with whom I spoke to on the phone. Because of the explanation that one of the first posters posted, I am now contemplating just taking a taxi. When things are told in a different perspective, it can make a world of difference. Thanks to all.

Also edited to add that I purchased hopper tickets from the WDW website, and this did not make a difference to the CM. Thanks.

 

[KilleriMac17]

The cab ride from Nick to DTD was $28.

it isnt even that far, I think its only a few minutes, thats a pricey cab ride.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I was hoping that if I were to make my way to one of their buses that go to DTD, we could go. That is not the case according to the Disney employee with whom I spoke to on the phone. Because of the explanation that one of the first posters posted, I am now contemplating just taking a taxi.

Well, I can guarantee you one thing....Disney would much rather have you spend that taxi money at DTD instead of on the taxi ride to get there!

 

[ambymm018]

I think what everyone is forgetting is that this is DISNEY. Never as a guest or cast member have I been asked for ID to use the bus there. Yes they are primarily for guest use as a convience. Does that mean you shouldn't use them if you aren't staying at one of the resorts..some people would argue no. Personally I think that EMH are the true benefit of on-property stay but I'm biased (I always make it a point to ride the Haunted Mansion at Midnight). Don't worry about it! It's your vacation! Go, have a good time, and make sure you take your family to the World of Disney (the best store ever) and hit Goofy's for free samples! The grape/green swirl goofy glacier is the best!

 

[huey578]

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

If you want the DIsney perks, I sugguest you stay on site at WDW. Why should they cater to those who don't stay at their resorts. So stop complaining ...you have no basis.

 

[Brikate]

I called and spoke to someone at the Disney transportation system, was told that even if I took the monorail over to a Disney resort bus that goes to DTD, I could not go because I was not staying on Disney property.

So this statement makes me think that Boomhauer's theory is somewhat correct. While the CM told her because she was not staying on site, she was not eligible to take the resort bus to DTD. The CM was only doing her job in stating the 'official' facts - whether anyone else enforces them is another story, but she has to stick to the script. How was she (the CM) to know that this wasn't just someone trying to get around the parking fees in a creative way?

I think what happens is when people know what to expect in other theme parks (Disneyland/Six Flags etc.) they think they know what to expect at WDW and forget to research. WDW is like no other theme park experience. You can not walk between all the parks, you can't see the Cinderella Castle (except monorail resorts) or even the ocean from your room. It's a vast area which requires planning and lots of research. Any amount of time before a trip reading and asking questions here on the DIS can help prevent most misconceptions.

To the OP: Sorry you and your boys are disappointed about not being able to get to the Lego store (and it's just a little store, it's nothing like Legoland), but if it was that important to you to make it happen, then more planning to make sure it happened was in order. In reading especially this board, you would have learned all about how to walk over to the Poly or the CR and catch a bus to DTD without having to ask anyone 'official'.

Hope you enjoy the rest of your vacation.

 

[boomhauer]

To be honest, it sounds like the CM was a bit confused by the OP.

If you have a park hopper, it is my understanding that you have access to all 4 theme parks, and both water parks. However, as we all know, there is no transportation to or from DTD, to or from any of the parks. As most of us know, the reason for this is simple - People were parking at DTD for free, then taking shuttles over the parks. It may be a bum deal for off site guests, but the fact of the matter is, Disney had to do something to keep people from taking advantage of free parking at DTD, and this was the only solution.

As I'm sure the OP has realized by now, if she takes her hotel's shuttle to a park, tranfers over to an onsite resort, more than likely she will have no problems getting over to DTD. However, she should also realize, if she is going in the evening, she will probably have to take a taxi back to her offsite hotel, as the parks will be closed.