Disney to start charging for non resort guests in- park transportation?

[we"reofftoneverland]

Hidden in their statement about the magical express was the idea that Disney will start charging non-guests for using in park transportation. It says that complimentary on site transportation will still be available FOR RESORT GUESTS. They could have said Disney guests, but they did not. I have been thinking for some time that they would do this and do not necessarily think it is a bad idea (unlike the discontinuation of Magical Express, which I do think is a bad idea). I assume DVC owners would be free whether staying on site or not since we pay for transportation in member fees.

 

[dreamer17555]

I can't see them changing it. They wanted it to sound like a perk for staying onsite but they aren't going to staff positions and install scanners to check everyone is staying at a resort. Nope. Not happening.

Making it difficult for a guest to take the skyliner or a monorail to a resort to eat and shop is foolish. Plus with park hoppers back it would be a huge mess.

 

[Cyberc1978]

Hidden in their statement about the magical express was the idea that Disney will start charging non-guests for using in park transportation. It says that complimentary on site transportation will still be available FOR RESORT GUESTS. They could have said Disney guests, but they did not. I have been thinking for some time that they would do this and do not necessarily think it is a bad idea (unlike the discontinuation of Magical Express, which I do think is a bad idea). I assume DVC owners would be free whether staying on site or not since we pay for transportation in member fees.

Resort guests and DVC guests are the same. DVC members pay through their dues for the use of DME.

Maybe this is like onsite site parking allover again. Eventually onsite guests needs to pay, except for DVC members/guests

 

[Best Aunt]

Hidden in their statement about the magical express was the idea that Disney will start charging non-guests for using in park transportation. It says that complimentary on site transportation will still be available FOR RESORT GUESTS. They could have said Disney guests, but they did not. I have been thinking for some time that they would do this and do not necessarily think it is a bad idea (unlike the discontinuation of Magical Express, which I do think is a bad idea). I assume DVC owners would be free whether staying on site or not since we pay for transportation in member fees.

I haven't seen the official notice. But I think it depends on the definition of "resort" and the definition of "guests."

Disney refers to the whole shebang as the "resort."
Example from the official website: "Important Information about the Walt Disney World Resort

• Certain parks, hotels, restaurants and other offerings may be modified or unavailable..."

And Disney refers to anyone visiting as a "guest."
Example from the same page of the official DisneyWorld website: "To enter a park, both a park reservation and valid admission for the same park on the same date are required for Guests ages 3 and up."

I am quoting from the website for use of the terms only.

 

[drusba]

I think you are reading too much into the announcement. ME applies to guests staying at Disney resorts and thus to point out that on-site transportation will still be avialable to resort guests is simply pointing out that nothing is changing on-site for those affected by the ME decision.

Decades ago off-site guests coming to Disney could not use busses that served the resorts -- to get on one you needed to show a room card. That was done away with principally because the resort restaurants and stores wanted the off-site guest business. I seriously doubt that will change, particularly by changing it to a pay system for off-site guests which would slow down the transportation systems as people take time to pay at the front of the bus, and may decide to avoid going to resort restaurants because of the transportation charge. Having no charge for off-site guests is consistent with the current parking fee rule at the resorts which limits the fee to overnight guests staying at the resort but no fee to those just visiting in the day to go to a restaurant.

 

[skeeter31]

I think you are reading too much into the announcement. ME applies to guests staying at Disney resorts and thus to point out that on-site transportation will still be avialable to resort guests is simply pointing out that nothing is changing on-site for those affected by the ME decision.

Decades ago off-site guests coming to Disney could not use busses that served the resorts -- to get on one you needed to show a room card. That was done away with principally because the resort restaurants and stores wanted the off-site guest business. I seriously doubt that will change, particularly by changing it to a pay system for off-site guests which would slow down the transportation systems as people take time to pay at the front of the bus, and may decide to avoid going to resort restaurants because of the transportation charge. Having no charge for off-site guests is consistent with the current parking fee rule at the resorts which limits the fee to overnight guests staying at the resort but no fee to those just visiting in the day to go to a restaurant.

Yeah, the Press Release was directed to Resort guests, so that’s why they included that language. They’re not going to restrict other transportation options to resort guests only. It was just semantics in the release.

 

[zorro77]

So as a DVC member and still have annual pass do we Not have to pay for park and resort parking.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

Anyway, it is an interesting topic, one that I have thought about. I say never say never. I was shocked when they implemented a parking fee and am pretty floored about Magical Express. This one seems like a no brainer to me. If Disney thinks people will pay to get from the airport to a Disney hotel without batting an eyelid, they certainly think people will pay a couple of dollars to ride Disney transportation for the day. And they will be looking for ways to make people who stay at Disney resorts feel “special” since they are taking away other benefits tied to resort reservations.

 

[Sandisw]

So as a DVC member and still have annual pass do we Not have to pay for park and resort parking.

As owners, we do not pay to park when staying at a DVC resort because it’s part of the dues.

Parking at the parks is free to all onsite resort guests and has nothing to do with being a DVC owner.

It is also included as a benefit to annual pass holders. Nothing in yesterday’s announcement involves that.

Having said that, there is nothing to prevent WDW to start charging people to park at the parks or take it away from AP holders. Now that they charge for parking at the resorts, I’d be surprised to see it go away.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I also think it's just a phrasing and isn't meant to imply they'll prohibit anyone from using the transportation.

 

[Dean Marino]

Deleted.

 

[bobbiwoz]

It’s been mentioned, we had to show resort key when boarding busses in the ‘80’s.

I can’t imagine they would charge to ride the busses, but who knows for sure?

 

[SL6827]

I put absolutely nothing past them now. If it creates a revenue stream, they might consider it. They have no shame what so ever now.

 

[Fanofthegame]

It’s been mentioned, we had to show resort key when boarding busses in the ‘80’s.

I can’t imagine they would charge to ride the busses, but who knows for sure?

Lol. In 89 we ran into that. Staying off property and were riding busses until one driver wouldn't let us board. We waited and finally got one bus. At this point Disney bean counters are desperate. Lol. M.j maybe a shoe tax on every step taken on Disney property. Making every guest to have a credit card on file.

 

[The Jackal]

Just to point something out?
All WDW transportation now has WIFI capability. Great for your cell phone ....

BUT - that bus, or monorail, can now also communicate with Home Base. Say, at LOADING time or station entry .

MB, AP Card, Cell Phone - all the stuff WDW uses to check on your Resort/Ticket status? It may now be "checked" as you enter transportation .

Let's wait and see if this is "phrasing". WDW now has the technology in place to pull this off .

I don’t foresee WDW requiring every guest, yes it would have to be every single one, besides children under 3, to carry a cell phone with WiFi on. If they don’t make everyone, I could be staying on property and see a group of four and say they are with me. They already have issues with guests parking at DS and walking over to SSR and taking buses to parks, and they do nothing about it.

 

[M:SpilotISTC12]

Pretty soon you'll have to tap your magicband to ride the bus, monorail and skyliner. It'll show you as a resort guest or AP. Otherwise you're paying if you're not either of those two things.

 

[dreamer17555]

Pretty soon you'll have to tap your magicband to ride the bus, monorail and skyliner. It'll show you as a resort guest or AP. Otherwise you're paying if you're not either of those two things.

No. Disney want you at the resorts shopping and spending money even as an offsite guest. It would be shooting themselves in the foot to do this. There’s no real benefit to it.

 

[M:SpilotISTC12]

No. Disney want you at the resorts shopping and spending money even as an offsite guest. It would be shooting themselves in the foot to do this. There’s no real benefit to it.

We said the same thing about stranding people with no escape from the Disney bubble but here we are.

 

[dreamer17555]

We said the same thing about stranding people with no escape from the Disney bubble but here we are.

Until they actually announce this it remains to be seen. The press release reads as look you still have this perk- not will be eliminating the service for offsite guests. Could you even imagine the extra staffing that would need to happen? Aren’t they trying to cut costs? I’m literally trying to picture how they would tell the family that is at the Magic Kingdom for the day that they cannot go over to wilderness Lodge on the boats for an ADR. Nope not happening.

 

[M:SpilotISTC12]

I’m literally trying to picture how they would tell the family that is at the Magic Kingdom for the day that they cannot go over to wilderness Lodge on the boats for an ADR. Nope not happening.

They won't tell them no per se. They'll tell them, "$5 for adults and $3 for kids over 3 years old." It'll charge your magicband. No cash exchanged.

Edit: and then they miss their ADR and Disney gets a cancelation fee. Win-win.