New Express Transportation: $19/day or $29/week-SERVICE ENDING AUGUST 23RD 2017

[EveDallas]

My last trip to Disney was four years ago. Every time I start thinking about going back, Disney unleashes some new money grab that makes me shake my head and start planning my next Universal trip.

 

[fan1080]

My last trip to Disney was four years ago. Every time I start thinking about going back, Disney unleashes some new money grab that makes me shake my head and start planning my next Universal trip.

Have fun at Universal.

Happy travels.

 

[denise5374]

I plan on using this on the 8th so I can report back. I will be going from AK to DHS.

 

[DisFanDad]

My 2 cents, for what its worth at this point -

I don't mind upcharge items, when they don't devalue the other person's tickets/experiences, generally speaking. I think Disney is far too focused on upcharge items and not providing a better experience for guests all around (yes I know, big projects in the works and I am happy about that, but these are long overdue and most are years off).

IF they hire additional drivers (or use a subcontracted service like Mears), AND keep all the buses currently running on the regular system - this is awesome, win win win all around.

I doubt this will happen, disney has been cost cutting like no one's business, and they will either move current drivers over to these shuttles, or will subcontract and then reduce regular buses if the demand decreases for them at all (which it would if there are people taking a different transit option).

Most likely, IMO, Regular bus riders take a hit of some sort, while people willing to pay get a better transit option. This, is bad.

Maybe disney proves me wrong, but nothing they have done in the last 5 years would indicate that they will.

 

[DisFanDad]

How much time could this actually save?
Prob can't be answered but don't buses normally run on 30 min intervals??
The the time saved would be walking out of the park and potentially security, but not really much if any in driving time correct?

I have not been since 2015 but at that time security was pretty fast in particular if you didn't have bags. I hear that's changed though so this could be helpful and the cost seems good but not great. By that I mean for Disney it is cheap but for a simple shuttle a few bucks is common so if you assume a common six day stay used once a day would be $4

The regular/free buses between parks and parks/resorts are on approx a 20 min cycle

Otherwise, no, no one is sure what can be saved. Walking time and security time mostly. And in some cases, traffic as the routes they'll take inside the parks may avoid parking gates, which can back up in some cases

Yup, no one knows now. There are all kinds of things that could come into play, depends how many shuttles / buses they offer, how busy it is etc. I mean if you just missed your transit between parks, waiting 30 mins could mean the trip is actually slower than taking the regular bus (I haven't really had to deal with big lines for security check except for start of days, but we go at less busy times).

Pick up locations might also change how convenient it is for you (though you could plan your day around them, though this seems like another variable to deal with).

It will be interesting to see how it rolls out, I could see this being obviously more advantageous during the busy season, during regular / low season I can't see you actually saving much, if any, time.

 

[AngiTN]

I don't know, I always see rows of buses sitting waiting on something, usually in Resort parking lots but sometimes in Park parking lots, off to the back. Maybe those drivers are on breaks or maybe those drivers are waiting on calls to go to a stop, I have no idea. Maybe this will be where the send those drivers that are currently waiting to be called

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

Maybe I think too far into it, but whenever Disney does something like this, I try and disect the thought process behind it. I'm in advertising and have a degree in business and marketing, so I guess it's just something I'm interested in. Any case study I've done in college - be it for Operations or marketing, etc. has been about Disney.

I often think Disney looks at the root of a problem and brainstorms on ways that they can monetize the solution. After all, they're a business. I think the best reasoning I've seen is that it could break up park screening and alleviate the congestion at the front of the parks. I could just imagine Disney's team brainstorming how to create a more efficient security screening procress. "What if we screen guests once and allow them to travel internally through the parks?" That's why they don't include the resorts, etc.

As for the cabana thought process - well, they were created for people willing and able to afford the luxury, however, I think it was also to urge guests who don't stay on-site to stay on-site by giving the thought process of "well, I could spend $800 for this cabana, or I could spend $400/night at a moderate resort —or $200/night at a value..."; I also think it tempts the Disney guest who stays moderate to spring for a Deluxe. I've seen a lot of people argue "why would I spring for a cabana for one day when I could spend a night at Contemporary?"... EXACTLY. I think that's the thought process and mindset that Disney wants.

We personally spend an entire morning at a park, go back to the resort, then head to the next park, so this wouldn't totally help us. Who it would help, however, is those staying for a shortened trip who wish to pack every second of Disney into their trip. Maybe those looking to dine at Chefs de France for dinner and still make it to DHS for Fantasmic.

 

[JJZMgailey]

Walt Disney World Resort is introducing a special, add-on service associated with the park-hopper ticket called Express Transportation. This new option enables Guests with park-hopper tickets to travel more conveniently than ever between theme parks by whisking them from inside one and transporting them straight into another.

After initial entry into a theme park, Guests will be picked up and dropped off by Disney buses from directly inside the parks. By traveling between backstage locations, Guests can spend even more time experiencing the magic with their families.

This feature will be available when purchasing Park Hopper tickets online or upgrading at Vacation Planning or Guest Relations. For single-day service, Express Transportation can be added onto a Park Hopper ticket for $15 per person. For multi-day service, it is $24 per person.

Express Transportation is available at all four Walt Disney World theme parks from 10 a.m. until park close beginning Dec. 7.



How does it work? Express Transportation is a new transportation option that provides Guests with faster access when traveling between our theme parks. After initial entry into a theme park, Guests can board a Disney bus which will take them directly to another theme park.
By traveling between backstage location, Guests can spend even more time experiencing the magic inside our theme parks.
How can Guests get Express Transportation? Guests may add this option at Vacation Planning and Guest Relation locations throughout property as well as at the new Express Transportation kiosks in the four theme parks. For single-day service, Express Transportation can be added onto a Park Hopper ticket for $15 per person. For multi-day service, it is $24 per person.

Where will Express Transportation pick up and drop off Guests?
• Magic Kingdom Park
o Onstage kiosk location – near the exit of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin in Tomorrowland
o Backstage location – Park 1
• Epcot
o Onstage kiosk location – East of Spaceship Earth
o Backstage location – Eastgate bus loop
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios
o Onstage kiosk location – Adjacent to the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Courtyard
o Backstage location – Behind “The Twilight Zone” Tower of Terror & Sunset Showcase
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
o Onstage kiosk location – Near Kilimanjaro Safaris entrance
o Backstage location – Vehicle Maintenance parking lot

How often will Guests be picked up? When will it start and stop each day? Guests will be picked up every 30 minutes. Service will begin each day at 10:00am Service will conclude at park close each night.
Will Guests be in backstage areas by themselves? No. Whenever stepping into a backstage area, Guests will be escorted by a Guest Relations Cast Member. Similar to the way we currently operate our VIP Tour Services and other experiences, Express Transportation will allow Guests limited access backstage with an escort. This includes no Guest photography in backstage areas.
Is this service available for Cast Members with Main Entrance Passes and Annual Passholders? Cast Members and Annual Passholders may purchase the single-day service for $15 or the multi-day service for $24 (valid for seven consecutive days from day of sale).

As always, @yulilin3, thank you so much for providing so much great info for all of our readers; we sure do appreciate you!

This thread was featured on today's edition of the DIS Daily Fix that was filmed from the gorgeous Royal Caribbean - Oasis of the Seas where Podcast Cruise 6.0 is taking place!

 

[disneyseniors]

I'm not expecting they know a lot more than we do at this point

Thanks for offering to ask questions, Yulilin3: Please ask the CM if they are providing for wheelchairs and scooters???? Thanks.

 

[yulilin3]

Thanks for offering to ask questions, Yulilin3: Please ask the CM if they are providing for wheelchairs and scooters???? Thanks.

I did this yesterday. The CM didn't have any additional info other than what we already know

 

[Gillbob316]

Planning to try this on Saturday the 11th, since it sounds like a good option for my situation. I'm a party of 1 who's just looking to pack a lot in, since I don't have friends and family slowing me down. I originally planned to use a combination of Disney transport and driving myself... but I think this would save me a lot of time skipping ticketing, security, and not to mention walking to my car, driving myself (on unfamiliar roads w/ google maps, potentially getting lost) parking... etc. Even if it's not markedly faster than the free buses, I think it will be faster than driving myself, and the price is cheap enough that I don't feel bad about it.

Plan is to park at TTC early morning. Monorail to MK for park open at 8am. Spend a very short morning there (mostly just a pop in). Monorail back to TTC then to Epcot before 10am (I'd love to use this service for that first hop, but it's apparently only after 10am, and I hope to be at Epcot before that, so monorail it is)... spending the rest of the morning and early afternoon at Epcot. Currently shooting to catch the 2:30 express bus from Epcot to Studios. Planning to leave studios anywhere between 7pm and park close (9pm) depending entirely upon how quickly I get done everything I want to do there. Will catch the next available express bus back to MK (whenever that is, should be 9:30 at the latest) and end off my day there 'til park close at Midnight. Assuming it takes the buses less than a half hour... which I'd HOPE it would... considering they're using added speed as a selling point... I should make it to MK to see wishes at 10 and spend another hour or two just piddling around.

My car will still be at the TTC, so I should then be able to monorail right back where I left it.

Going to Very Merry the following day, so I'm not overly concerned with getting a lot done at MK... which is why I'm only tacking it onto the beginning and end of the day, since it's the first park to open and the last to close.

I could see where this wouldn't be ideal for some situations, but frankly it sounds perfect for mine. Even if I only plan to use it for 2 rides, at $7.50 a ride... considering the time it should save me... I don't feel bad.

 

[AngiTN]

Thanks for offering to ask questions, Yulilin3: Please ask the CM if they are providing for wheelchairs and scooters???? Thanks.

I'm going to guess there is no way they are going to exclude ECV or wheelchair users from this. Especially since it's going to be on buses, which can accomdate them.
What is a good question is how are in park ECV and Wheelchair rentals going to be handled. Can you move it from park to park? I wouldn't think so but it's also not feasible to return the one you rented and then move to the pick up point. It may well be that those who rent them in the parks are just not going to be good candidates for this

 

[bookgirl]

Here's a question.....if you buy wine in Epcot, and you pick it up in Epcot then walk back to the in park bus then do you get to take the bottle into MK/AK/DHS?

ETA: I've never bought wine at Epcot and didn't know if the holding area was in or out of the park gates.

 

[Gillbob316]

Here's a question.....if you buy wine in Epcot, and you pick it up in Epcot then walk back to the in park bus then do you get to take the bottle into MK/AK/DHS?

Good question... actually.

I had already pondered the question of souvenirs a bit, and ultimately just figured, "Well, I guess I'd have to carry anything I buy"

Didn't even occur to me that one park might sell you something that's prohibited in another.

There's allegedly no security check on the express bus, because you aren't exiting the park... so... presumably... they should allow you on with any merchandise you bought (and shouldn't even check your bags)...

I'd assume if you kept it on the down-low you'd be fine... if they aren't indeed checking bags... but if you started trying to bust it out at Magic Kingdom you might find yourself in some trouble. But you raise a very interesting question regardless.

If you buy a bottle of alcohol at Epcot, do they allow you to carry it around with you, or do you have to send it to the front of the park? (Never have, honestly don't know). I imagine if you have to get it sent up front that could potentially be a place where they prevent you from heading back to the express bus with it?

 

[EveDallas]

Have fun at Universal.

Happy travels.

I have before and will again thanks.

 

[Gillbob316]

I have before and will again thanks.

I go to both and enjoy both. Have done so for the last 10 to 20 years. I'll be going to both this weekend. I don't understand why people get all catty about it like it's one or the other. Both have made me happy. Both have annoyed me. Like most things in life.

They're themeparks folks, not religions or political beliefs.

 

[smallworldnh]

I have before and will again thanks.

I can certainly understand the annoyance when it seems that lately Disney has been continuously coming up with more ways to squeeze every last available buck out of their guests and make things that should be included in the very expensive cost of a trip, cost extra. When does it end, when WDW becomes so elite that only the very rich can afford to go?

 

[AngiTN]

Good question... actually.

I had already pondered the question of souvenirs a bit, and ultimately just figured, "Well, I guess I'd have to carry anything I buy"

Didn't even occur to me that one park might sell you something that's prohibited in another.

There's allegedly no security check on the express bus, because you aren't exiting the park... so... presumably... they should allow you on with any merchandise you bought (and shouldn't even check your bags)...

I'd assume if you kept it on the down-low you'd be fine... if they aren't indeed checking bags... but if you started trying to bust it out at Magic Kingdom you might find yourself in some trouble. But you raise a very interesting question regardless.

If you buy a bottle of alcohol at Epcot, do they allow you to carry it around with you, or do you have to send it to the front of the park? (Never have, honestly don't know). I imagine if you have to get it sent up front that could potentially be a place where they prevent you from heading back to the express bus with it?

You have to send it to bag pick up. Those buying wine are probably not going to be able to use this service.

 

[AngiTN]

I can certainly understand the annoyance when it seems that lately Disney has been continuously coming up with more ways to squeeze every last available buck out of their guests and make things that should be included in the very expensive cost of a trip, cost extra. When does it end, when WDW becomes so elite that only the very rich can afford to go?

I'm not sure why folks thinka special park to park transportation like this should be offered for free. They offer a free park to park option.

 

[smallworldnh]

I'm not sure why folks thinka special park to park transportation like this should be offered for free. They offer a free park to park option.

True, but this is yet another extra cost addition like the special parties, special viewing areas, paying more to get into the parks earlier, cabanas, etc. etc. that they've been coming up with pretty rapid fire. Maybe if it didn't seem like they're throwing all these things out there so quickly, one right after the other, it would be easier to stomach? To me it seems like Disney is getting greedy, business or no business. it's very frustrating!