Disney Transport - MOD and Flex explained

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Hey there folks...

I keep throwing out terms like "MOD" and "Flex Dispatch"... and I know a lot of y'all might not be too familiar with them and how Disney Transport works, so I thought I'd explain them in greater detail.

Unlike many transit authorities that some of you might be familiar with, with little exception, Disney Transport does not use Fixed Routes. Because of our unique guest traffic flow, much of Disney Transport is done dynamically. As such... things can vary throughout the day.

Disney Transport is divided into 6 Hubs, or what we call Zones:

Zone 1: Transportation/Ticket Center
Zone 2: Magic Kingdom
Zone 3: Epcot
Zone 4: Disney-MGM Studios
Zone 5: Downtown Disney
Zone 6: Disney's Animal Kingdom

Opening drivers will be assigned a resort area, and a zone to pick up for. Busses will be staggered so that the opening drivers will pick up approx every 15 minutes. For example, I might be assigned to go through the All-Stars, and pick up for Zone 2... this would mean that I'd pick up anyone going for breakfast (or Early Entry) at the Magic Kingdom, Contemporary, Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, or Fort Wilderness.

Starting at 8:00am, we start our Magic On Demand. This is where things sometimes get a bit confusing, so I'll try and explain it the best I can. (It's important to note that Zone 1 and Zone 5 do not participate in MOD... more on Zone 5 later.)

Each Zone has a staging area where the busses all report to. At the Staging Area is a Dispatcher (Field X). Staging areas are as follows:

Zone 2: Stages out of the Magic Kingdom bus load zone, South Loop. Zone 2 covers Contemporary, Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, and Fort Wilderness

Zone 3: Stages out of a parking lot between Riverside and French Quarter. Covers all of Port Orleans. Also has a dispatcher at Epcot itself.

Zone 4: Stages out of the Studios Charter Bus parking lot. Covers Swan, Dolphin, Yacht, Beach, Boardwalk, Caribbean Beach. Coronado Springs becomes a MOD resort, and is handled out of Zone 4 when another resort shuts down. Currently, it is flex dispatched.

Zone 6: Stages out of a parking lot between Sports and Music. Covers All-Star Sports, Music and Movies. Also has a dispatcher at DAK itself.

It's important to note that Old Key West, and Animal Kingdom Lodge do not participate in MOD. The reason for this is that they typically do not have the demand that MOD was created for. These resorts are Flexed all day long. More on Flex later on. Coronado Springs was added to MOD when Caribbean Beach shut down due to the added guest traffic. No word on whether it will stay a MOD resort once CBR re-opens.

This is basically how it works. Busses are staged at their appropriate staging areas, and are dispatched to their home resorts to pick up for all four theme parks. If they get dispatched to another zone, they drop off at that zone, and then get reassigned from that end back to their home zone.

For example:

Bus 4805 belongs to Zone 3. He gets dispatched to pick up at French Quarter for the Magic Kingdom. When he gets to the Magic Kingdom, instead of deadheading (running empty) back to Zone 3 staging, he gets dispatched to pick up Wilderness Lodge/Fort Wilderness for Epcot. Once at Epcot, he then returns to Zone 3 Staging, and starts the process all over again.

Magic On Demand offers greater utilization of our busses by eliminating deadhead runs. Busses are full on both journeys. This system is highly flexible, and allows our drivers to better serve our guests.

It is important to note that although this system is influenced by guest demand, it is not driven solely by demand. Busses are dispatched at regular intervals by the Field X Dispatcher, and depending on demand, are instructed to go different routes. If there is an increased demand in a particular area, the dispatcher will decrease the interval, or possibly send two busses at once.

Between 10:30-11:30, the Zones transition into FIDS, or Flexible Independent Dispatching System. (We call it Flex Dispatch for short.) No longer are busses shared between the Zones.

In the past, we used to use fixed routes for our busses. Each resort area would have 2-4 busses on that specific route, and they would just go around in circles, with pre-assigned dispatching times based on a set cycle time.

For example, if I was at the MK doing the Riverside #2 bus, my times out of the MK might be 1:00, 1:36, 2:12, 2:48, and so on. I would be given 36 minutes to do my route. Now, some days, I'd come back to the MK with 10 minutes to spare, and I'd just sit there for that time, waiting for my time out. Other days, I might get stuck in traffic, or something happens, and I end up running 5 minutes late.

With Flex Dispatch, the dispatch times are still there. However, no bus is assigned to any fixed route. As it pulls into the bus load zone area, it receives the next dispatch on the master dispatch list. The MDL is basically all the old route times, listed on one sheet in order. By doing this, we eliminate the wasted hold time, and put it to use. It also compensates for any delays that a driver might encounter. One special benefit... if a bus needs to be taken out of service, it no longer creates a gap in service.

Typically Flex will run from 11:00am, until park closing. At that time, the various hubs will switch to Float Mode for the exit. Floating is just when the dispatcher sends busses to wherever they are needed most. If a load zone is light, they will tell the driver to hold at that load zone for 5-10 mins, or until full. For heavy load zones like the All-Stars, they might send two busses to double load.


A few notes:
Downtown Disney operates with Flex Dispatch all day long.

All MOD and Flex hubs use Radio dispatching.

Fort Wilderness Internal busses, and TTC busses operate via fixed routes. These are the only busses that are on fixed routes.

Okay, I think I got everything there... if you have any questions, or desire clarification, please feel free to let me know.

 

[figmentvi]

Wow Tyler That is some incredible coordination that has to go on. Thanks soooo much for this information. It really makes me appreciate the effort that Disney Transportation has to put in to moving a gazillion people around everyday.

 

[AZKathy]

Whew! That is incredible!

Thanks for all your input and help on the Transportation Board.

 

[DisneyHumbug]

How do the handicap accessible buses fit into this? We are considering renting a wheelchair or scooter for my DF at Christmas and we are concerned that several buses might pass us by if they were not equipped.

 

[Jeanny]

Now if guests complain that busses are running slow or start complaining about the service... all they have to do is read your post and realize how complex and HUGE the system is.. Maybe they'll leave their "ME" attitude home and enjoy their vacation!!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by DisneyHumbug
How do the handicap accessible buses fit into this? We are considering renting a wheelchair or scooter for my DF at Christmas and we are concerned that several buses might pass us by if they were not equipped.

All of our busses are fully ADA-Compliant, so there should be no worries. In the rare case that a specific type of bus is required (whether it be Lift-equipped, or low floor with ramp), both MOD and Flex allow flexibility for that type of bus to be put on that route.

 

[Pluto4President]

Wow, couldn't you sleep last night

Nice explanation....

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by Jeanny
Now if guests complain that busses are running slow or start complaining about the service... all they have to do is read your post and realize how complex and HUGE the system is.. Maybe they'll leave their "ME" attitude home and enjoy their vacation!!

That's the part that I don't understand... how someone can say they've been waiting 30-45 minutes for a bus. Typically, our break room is shared with our dispatcher, so I get to hear all the dispatches. And because most of our hubs use Radio Dispatch, I get to listen in to the dispatches while I'm driving. Often times, I'll be dispatched to a location... I'll load 'n go, and only 5 mins later, I'll hear another bus be dispatched to that same location, so I know busses are running as they should...

*shrug* The only thing I can think of is that it might only be 15 minutes, but it feels like 30?

 

[Tiffany]

Thanks for the detailed info.

I can attest to the "feel" factor when people post their times. One trip I traveled with my Aunt and we had gotten out of PI after the midnight fireworks. I looked at my watch when we arrived at the bus stop. Well we had only been waiting between 10 to 15mins and sure enough other people waiting at the bus stop along with my Aunt start complaining that we have been waiting over 20mins for a bus and that they had been told at the resort that the buses run about every 20mins and this was not right. Well a bus showed up and according to my watch we had waited just shy of the 20mins stated expected wait time and people were complaining that they had waited over a half hour and how bad the buses were. This was back in 1992. Every trip since then I make an effort to look at my watch when we arrive at a bus stop and then check it again when the bus shows up. During all of these trips there has only been one time that we waited more then 20mins and that was over Memorial Day weekend in 2001 going from the AK park to the AKL. The driver that picked us up said that the dirver that was suppossed to pick us up had gone on a different route by mistake.

I know this is a little long but I just wanted to say thanks.

One more thing I think where people come from impact there feelings of the bus system. I am from a city just outside of Boston we have something called the "T" for the public bus and train system. Standing on buses and trains during peak times and having to wait for the next bus or train due to the one you were waiting or being full is the norm. My husband and I compare the Disney Transportation to the "T" and Disney wins hands down.

We only use the bues to go from our resort to one of the main parks as we do feel that the bus system is not set up to get people from resort to resort that well.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by Tiffany
I am from a city just outside of Boston we have something called the "T" for the public bus and train system. Standing on buses and trains during peak times and having to wait for the next bus or train due to the one you were waiting or being full is the norm. My husband and I compare the Disney Transportation to the "T" and Disney wins hands down.

We only use the bues to go from our resort to one of the main parks as we do feel that the bus system is not set up to get people from resort to resort that well.

I love riding the T... especially the Green Line...

As for Resort to Resort... just like the T, sometimes ya gotta transfer. If you want to get from Braintree to Fenway... gotta take the Red line to Park St, and then switch to the Green line... No fault of the system, that's just how the routes are set up. *shrug*

 

[AZKathy]

Originally posted by Chip 'n Dale Express

*shrug* The only thing I can think of is that it might only be 15 minutes, but it feels like 30?

15 minutes seem like an HOUR when it is 90 degrees and 100% humidity!!!!!

Do they increase the amount of buses to resorts when it is closing time for parks? I don't feel there is an increase but it may feel that way only because I have walked through a large crowd with three tired kiddos and I am pooped myself!!! We seemed to have a very long wait after MK closed one evening for OKW (our bus broke down, too).

Thanks for all your hard work!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by AZKathy
15 minutes seem like an HOUR when it is 90 degrees and 100% humidity!!!!!

Do they increase the amount of buses to resorts when it is closing time for parks? I don't feel there is an increase but it may feel that way only because I have walked through a large crowd with three tired kiddos and I am pooped myself!!! We seemed to have a very long wait after MK closed one evening for OKW (our bus broke down, too).

Thanks for all your hard work!

We pretty much double the amount of busses running for the park exit. It's a constant flow. However, busses get dispatched to the heavy areas first. Old Key West is typically our lowest demand, crowd wise. Not to say they'll get a bus last, but All-Stars might get 6 busses to one OKW bus.

 

[ohanafamily]

Wow Tyler, Thanks for the explanation. This explains why the "Busier Resorts" seem to get faster bus servic. This also explains why it seemed that the busses ran closer to schedule a few years ago (the busses were dedicated to routes)

My questions to you, if you can comment on them, are

1) can you explain the GPS system that they were testing in the busses earlier this year, and tell me if the program was scrapped?

2) I recently waited for over 45 minutes at the Poly for a bus to DTD; what are the routes with the longest wait times, and what times of day should we hope not to be able to get to or back from various places quickly. (I am asking this because it seems from your flex/mod explanation that empty busses go to a staging area and not back to resorts. this would indicate to me that if I (for example) went in to DTD at 11:00AM, ran into a shop and wanted to get back to my hotel...it might not be so quick getting back.

3) There are still a lot of people griping about the transportation and timing of the busses (see
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=288366&perpage=15&pagenumber=1 )
I have noticed the difference before the flex/mod was added, and thought that it was because you removed a bus from the rotation. Is there a chance that they will come up with a better system (especially for resorts like OKW) We have stayed there a few times, but will generally stay at the BW or BC

4) how much lead time should we have to "resort hop", and what is the best route...
IE from OKW to the AKL for dinner at Boma. (My thought)
A-> My thought, to get there...Hop first bus you see to a park, then transfer to an AKL bus.
B-> Return after park close...Go to DTD, then get on bus for OKW

5) is there a place where we can find where the maximum wait times should be (By resort to park)

6) Suggestion: do you think that each hotel could print up a 1 page description of how these times run and the best ways to get from resort to resort at the various times of the day

7) pat yourself on the back for trying to be helpful and risking getting the wrath of "Hanging Guests" (in other words, thanks Tyler)

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by ohanafamily
Wow Tyler, Thanks for the explanation. This explains why the "Busier Resorts" seem to get faster bus servic. This also explains why it seemed that the busses ran closer to schedule a few years ago (the busses were dedicated to routes)

Don't be confused with Flex... the busses are still on the "Routes"... however, with Flex, it just might not always be the same bus on a specific route. The same dispatch times are used from before.

For example... I might get assigned the 4:12 Riverside run out of the MK. That is now my dedicated route. I do that run, and arrive back at the MK at 4:28... The next Riverside dispatch is at 4:38... and if I were on the old style routes, I'd hang out for ten minutes. However, we have a 4:30 French Quarter run. So, now I become the 4:30 French Quarter bus... and another bus that arrives at 4:35 becomes the 4:38 Riverside bus. The same dispatch times exist.. the only difference is that different busses handle them.

Originally posted by ohanafamily
1) can you explain the GPS system that they were testing in the busses earlier this year, and tell me if the program was scrapped?

The only GPS system that I have heard of is for a Talking Bus type system. The GPS part of the system is to trigger pre-recorded speils. For example, when entering the Magic Kingdom, Mickey would welcome you. Or, when approaching a stop within Old Key West, the bus would automatically announce it. The benefits to this system would be that it would provide a clear audible notification of stops... versus potential thick accents, and quiet drivers.

Originally posted by ohanafamily
2) I recently waited for over 45 minutes at the Poly for a bus to DTD; what are the routes with the longest wait times, and what times of day should we hope not to be able to get to or back from various places quickly.

Downtown Disney is a unique environment. You know how people flood to the theme parks in the morning? Well, something simmilar happens to Downtown Disney in the evening... At the same time, to complicate things even more, you have a similar rush to leave Downtown Disney. The DTD dispatchers do add busses to thier routes to attempt to compensate, however, they lack the staging areas that MOD has. When a MOD bus goes 72 (code for full) in the morning, the dispatcher can dispatch a bus and have one there within 2 minutes if they wanted to. With Downtown Disney, if a bus goes 72, they can dispatch another one, however, it won't arrive for another 15-20 minutes. They can do thier best to predict and anticipate, however, no one is perfect.

Originally posted by ohanafamily
(I am asking this because it seems from your flex/mod explanation that empty busses go to a staging area and not back to resorts. this would indicate to me that if I (for example) went in to DTD at 11:00AM, ran into a shop and wanted to get back to my hotel...it might not be so quick getting back.

Once again, Downtown Disney does not participate in MOD... rather, they run Flex all day long. However, if you change that to Epcot... never fear. There are dispatchers at the parks themselves as well. If there are guests waiting at Epcot to go back to the All-Stars at 10am... the Epcot dispatcher will send an incoming Zone 6 bus to take them back to their resort.

Originally posted by ohanafamily
Is there a chance that they will come up with a better system (especially for resorts like OKW) We have stayed there a few times, but will generally stay at the BW or BC

MOD and Flex Dispatch are a HUGE improvement to the previous systems that we had in place. Short of installing Star Trek style Transporters, I'm not sure how we could improve our dispatching system. Flex Dispatch *IS* an improvement, and OKW does benefit from it. One thing to keep in mind... because OKW is a very low traffic resort, bus intervals will typically be greater than that of higher traffic resorts such as Port Orleans or the All-Stars.

Originally posted by ohanafamily
5) is there a place where we can find where the maximum wait times should be (By resort to park)

Disney posts bus intervals as every 25 mins for Animal Kingdom, and 20 mins for all other destinations. In reality, our dispatchers dispatch the busses at smaller intervals. An example, during this past summer, busses to the All-Stars from the MK were dispatched at 7 minute intervals, and Port Orleans was 11 minute intervals. Now that we are in our slow season, intervals are slightly higher, although most are still well below the 20 minute mark.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Just thought I'd show you why I have the username that I do.

 

[Tiffany]

Very cool pictures Chip'n Dale Express.

 

[Pluto4President]

Originally posted by Chip 'n Dale Express
Just thought I'd show you why I have the username that I do.

Ah, but that's a new style 4800 bus which I thought you didn't like

 

[ohanafamily]

Thanks a lot Tyler, I re-read your start of thread, and it makes sense. I guess I should come in the busy season? BTW, Bus looks great, and we will look for you on our next trip.....

OK, a couple more; I do have a hard head, and I am trying to figure strategies for my next 2 trips...one of which we are going to a wedding with lots of resort hopping.....

1) If this system works as you say it does, how come there are still some very long waits?

2) How do the dispatchers know when a bus is needed? We were at BW last April, and there was someone doing statistics with a modified PalmPilot, but on this last trip we stayed at the Poly; I saw no hint of a CM or anybody that could let you know of a need for a bus. Since the resorts don't have zone numbers posted how can you tell what bus a person is waiting for. It seems you would need a dispatcher at each stop to do the system in a way that could increase the flow from the resorts properly. Also, are there cameras at the parks in the zone lanes? that would make it so that you could look at several locations by one dispatcher.

Thanks again for your help,

 

[Poly Pal]

And here I've been thinking you got your handle from being an extra fast stripper! LOL!

Thanks for all of the good info. I can tell you that time does slow down at the Typhoon Lagoon bus stop. Combine heat, humidity, sandy bathing suits and a couple of tired kids and the minutes expand expotentially while waiting for a bus.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by ohanafamily
1) If this system works as you say it does, how come there are still some very long waits?

I'm trying to figure this out myself... By all accounts, it should not be happening as frequently as folks claim it does. One thing that is a problem is that time does slow down... In our experience, the vast majority of time that we get complaints of extended waits, it's just "felt" like 30-45 mins... (Not saying the real thing hasn't happened) You can bet I've been working hard to get to the bottom of this... having meetings with managers, and whatnot. We have recently (as of this week I beleive) unveiled a new computer system... these Tablet Computers will help us better keep track of the busses and dispatches... and will tell us our exact interval. (Previously, everything was on paper)

Originally posted by ohanafamily
2) How do the dispatchers know when a bus is needed? We were at BW last April, and there was someone doing statistics with a modified PalmPilot, but on this last trip we stayed at the Poly; I saw no hint of a CM or anybody that could let you know of a need for a bus. Since the resorts don't have zone numbers posted how can you tell what bus a person is waiting for. It seems you would need a dispatcher at each stop to do the system in a way that could increase the flow from the resorts properly. Also, are there cameras at the parks in the zone lanes? that would make it so that you could look at several locations by one dispatcher.

For the resorts in the morning... the dispatchers have pre-set dispatching times... however, we rely heavily on communication with our drivers. If a driver reports a busy bus stop, they'll call the dispatcher, and they'll send an extra bus. (Hence Magic on Demand)

As for the theme parks... you just go wait in the bus stop as usual. The theme park dispatcher does monitor the load zones, as well as the bus drivers themselves monitor them. Whenever they see a guest, they call the dispatcher on the radio and inform them of an "Upstream" guest. Often times the dispatcher will tell them to take them, and then give them an assignment for that resort in which they will be going.