new blog: Walt Disney World Transportation – Flawed or Convenient?

[LeahZ]

http://www.disunplugged.com/2012/08/15/walt-disney-world-transportation-flawed-or-convenient/

 

[pepe of ohio]

http://www.disunplugged.com/2012/08/15/walt-disney-world-transportation-flawed-or-convenient/

We've made 47 trips to WDW , some by flying (3), some by train (20+) and the rest by driving and thru the years and all the different means of travel, never used our auto nor rented a car once on property.... It was one of the draws for us , no driving and still means the most to us on vacation..

We've had our share of issues with WDW transportation but nothing to disrupt or hinder our stay... Mostly we enjoy the fully A/C buses, doesn't cut into our vacation time but enhances it, what's a wait and ride on a bus... 5 minutes more than seeking out a car and parking in a huge lot, tramming it to the entrance and then reversing the process to leave at closing along with 20000 other drivers... I'm on the bus, short walk from the park, cool and next stop is my resort...

Nope, control grams can have their cars and expense... Disney does great with their transportation and are alway trying to improve the experience ....an average of 20 minutes...decent for us for the convenience!

 

[zulemara]

I'll just link to my post on the DIS Unplugged boards. If you're interested in an insider's take, check it out:
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?p=45834762#post45834762

 

[Paging Tom Morrow]

I work for NYC Transit within our bus operations and I want to weigh in on the portion of the blog that discusses, "However, over the past few years, I have noticed that my beloved Disney buses are becoming more and more unpleasant. The main cause: poor planning. Even the most novice Disney World visitor realizes that there are some parts of the calendar year that the parks are more crowded than others. Typically, the weeks surrounding holidays and summer vacation tend to be filled more so than other times during the year. To say that Disney and its transportation management team are unaware of this is foolish. So, why aren’t more buses (and boats, when one really thinks about it) being used to combat the crowds?"

The likely reason for not having more vehicles is that any additional vehicle means more maintenance costs. Department of Transportation regulations require that Disney maintains the buses on a fixed schedule. For most buses, this would be based on the mileage that the bus travels, however there is a maximum number of days the bus can go without being inspected as well.

If Disney were to add an additional 50 buses (at an approximate cost of 400k each for a hybrid bus), those buses would likely only be used President's Week, Easter Week, Summer Vacation, Thanksgiving and Christmas Weeks. That would mean that they would use 16% of their fleet only 25% of the time.

The next aspect that makes it even more cost prohibitive is the cost of employing the bus operators for the whole year even though they would be used just 25% of the time. (Hiring of additional part time operators isn't something that should be pursued due to the safety sensitive nature of bus operations.)

While we all see the front side of these decisions, the financial reality of the situation doesn't make additional bus availability as something worthwhile. With that same money, they could easily invest in something that could improve the guest experience for all, instead of just those just relying on the bus service.

 

[Lewisc]

I work for NYC Transit within our bus operations and I want to weigh in on the portion of the blog that discusses, "However, over the past few years, I have noticed that my beloved Disney buses are becoming more and more unpleasant. The main cause: poor planning. Even the most novice Disney World visitor realizes that there are some parts of the calendar year that the parks are more crowded than others. Typically, the weeks surrounding holidays and summer vacation tend to be filled more so than other times during the year. To say that Disney and its transportation management team are unaware of this is foolish. So, why aren’t more buses (and boats, when one really thinks about it) being used to combat the crowds?"

The likely reason for not having more vehicles is that any additional vehicle means more maintenance costs. Department of Transportation regulations require that Disney maintains the buses on a fixed schedule. For most buses, this would be based on the mileage that the bus travels, however there is a maximum number of days the bus can go without being inspected as well.

If Disney were to add an additional 50 buses (at an approximate cost of 400k each for a hybrid bus), those buses would likely only be used President's Week, Easter Week, Summer Vacation, Thanksgiving and Christmas Weeks. That would mean that they would use 16% of their fleet only 25% of the time.

The next aspect that makes it even more cost prohibitive is the cost of employing the bus operators for the whole year even though they would be used just 25% of the time. (Hiring of additional part time operators isn't something that should be pursued due to the safety sensitive nature of bus operations.)

While we all see the front side of these decisions, the financial reality of the situation doesn't make additional bus availability as something worthwhile. With that same money, they could easily invest in something that could improve the guest experience for all, instead of just those just relying on the bus service.

I don't agree with your post. I was taking bus transportation at park closing. Very busy time of year. Disney was using Mears buses, DCL buses and buses with a variety of signs on them. Disney doesn't have to purchase enough buses to handle peak crowds.

Disney's relationship with Mears enables Disney to supplement their bus fleet as needed.

 

[Paging Tom Morrow]

I don't agree with your post. I was taking bus transportation at park closing. Very busy time of year. Disney was using Mears buses, DCL buses and buses with a variety of signs on them. Disney doesn't have to purchase enough buses to handle peak crowds.

Disney's relationship with Mears enables Disney to supplement their bus fleet as needed.

In your example, Disney is using their relationship with third-party contractors to supplement the fleet to maximize the transportation option. This option is available only when third-party providers have additional buses available. During peak times, Mears is also transporting more people, thereby limiting their available vehicles to lend.

During your example of park closing, those third-party vehicles would be available because that would represent off-peak times for those companies (no DCL needs, limited needs for to and from airport). Therefore the third parties can provide those vehicles. It does not solve the issue of higher demand during the peak times for the third-party providers. Only purchasing additional vehicles can accommodate that.

 

[Lewisc]

In your example, Disney is using their relationship with third-party contractors to supplement the fleet to maximize the transportation option. This option is available only when third-party providers have additional buses available. During peak times, Mears is also transporting more people, thereby limiting their available vehicles to lend.

During your example of park closing, those third-party vehicles would be available because that would represent off-peak times for those companies (no DCL needs, limited needs for to and from airport). Therefore the third parties can provide those vehicles. It does not solve the issue of higher demand during the peak times for the third-party providers. Only purchasing additional vehicles can accommodate that.

Peak times for Disney is park opening and closing. That's before and after peak need for airport runs. You mentioned vacation weeks. Disney can even charter school buses to increase capacity.

Obviously I agree that it doesn't make sense to purchase/lease buses for peak needs. Disney can, and does, get buses from other sources to supplement its fleet. I trolly stops running at 10:30p. Those buses can, and are, used for late park nights.