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

[Gillbob316]

I was studying the parks on google maps, trying to figure out the probable routes these busses will take based on their known pickup/dropoff points.

Even though the majority of the middle of each drive would likely be the same as a normal bus, using main roads, it looks like there's a great deal of time and distance to be saved by circumventing the parking lot/entrance area. Most of the express pickup/dropoff spots shoot right into the middle of parks from a quick/hidden little turn off the main road. Wheras most of the standard pickup/dropoff spots require a long schlog AROUND the massive parking lots, then up into the middle of them (not to mention, fighting with parking lot traffic).

Even Epcot for instance, while the pickup/dropoff area is near the front of the park, looks to save a great deal of travel on a map.

They look to be more direct than the standard vehicle entrances (which, after all, is the idea)

As for losing the "Mainstreet Effect" by entering via a small backstage entrance... I won't deny there is a mainstreet effect... but I feel like it's more important to first timers than anyone else. Not that veterans can't appreciate it just as much, but... veterans also don't mind missing it as much if it means packing a bit more in. As for first timers, I don't think they're likely to be park hopping with enough frequency to consider a paid car service. They don't really have any perception of the ins and outs of Disney, or why they might see the benefit of this service (especially when a free one is readily available). Granted, nothing is universal, but I feel like first timers are more inclined to take parks slowly, 1 at a time, over multiple days, than they are to cram 3 parks into 1 day from the get-go. (But as I said, nothing is Universal. I'm sure there are people who park hop their first day in Disney too.) In any event... nothing is ever going to cater to everyone, so I don't see why this should either. For some it will seem appealing. For others it won't. No one has a gun to their head forcing them to purchase it.

While I could see the price increasing in the future (doesn't the price of everything at Disney increase in the future?)... I feel like it will likely always stay affordable. If the idea is to alleviate front of park traffic, and present an in-house alternative to Uber and Lyft... they can't price themselves out of the market, or people just go back to Ubering park to park. Right now a full days rides for $15 is a much cheaper alternative than Uber/Lyft... which average about 15 bucks for 1 ride in my experience (Sometimes less if its short. Sometimes more if it's surge pricing... which it frequently is around peak times in the Disney area)

I for one plan to make use of this on my trip this Saturday, because I've been going to Disney for years, and any extra speed I can make my park hops with is speed I'm willing to pay a paltry 15 bucks for. And I'll be going to Very Merry the following evening, so I'll still get all the Mainstreet effect I can handle.

 

[AngiTN]

As for losing the "Mainstreet Effect" by entering via a small backstage entrance... I won't deny there is a mainstreet effect... but I feel like it's more important to first timers than anyone else. Not that veterans can't appreciate it just as much, but... veterans also don't mind missing it as much if it means packing a bit more in.

Plus, most people, even the hardened Disney veteran, will have other times where they will go in the front gates of each of the parks. Hopping is rarely the only time someone goes to a given park during a trip. So they can get the maingate/entrance effect. Just maybe not on every trip in to a park.

 

[Ckleiber2365]

I love the main street effect but if getting into the parks faster and not have to go thou as much Sercerty it would be worth it I don't know if I will consider it or not it has its pros and cons

 

[Robo]

I love the main street effect but if getting into the parks faster and not have to go thou as much Sercerty it would be worth it I don't know if I will consider it or not it has its pros and cons

It (at this point) only has two known "cons" (seeing backstage and it's monetary cost.)

Neither of which do I consider to be a deal-breaker.
If the realization of the service pans out to save time and inconvenience... sounds like a winner.

 

[Ckleiber2365]

It (at this point) only has two known "cons" (seeing backstage and it's monetary cost.)

Neither of which do I consider to be a deal-breaker.
If the realization of the service pans out to save time and inconvenience... sounds like a winner.

It (at this point) only has two known "cons" (seeing backstage and it's monetary cost.)

Neither of which do I consider to be a deal-breaker.
If the realization of the service pans out to save time and inconvenience... sounds like a winner.

I agree with that we will see

 

[Selket]

I just checked my streaming schedule and I'm park hoping on Dec 10th
I think I might try this out first hand...

I arrive the evening of the 9th and we plan to buy it so I will be hopping with you on the 10th! I guess the only downside I can think of is that there will probably be kinks to be worked out and they'll be working them out on us that first weekend. I'm excited to try it out though!

 

[DisFanDad]

Yes, that is how they sold it. They lowered the price by a few dollars for those who were willing to strip off features that were previously included...then the raised the prices.

No doubt this will be the same. It is a slippery slope, so to speak.

I think some of you missed my point earlier. Ultimately, if you buy into this, then you are buying into the idea of paying for transportation within WDW. Previously, guests could travel within WDW for free.

Every WDW guest used to get tickets that included hopping and never expired.

My point has little to do with what I personally will use.

As guests collectively buy into the idea of paying for things that used to be included, Disney will keep this idea rolling. It is similar to the model the airlines used.

They will keep taking as long as we are willing to give.

What's next, an upcharge to see the fireworks? Oh, wait, they are already doing that too.

Extremely well explained.

 

[FastPasser]

.

 

[hiroMYhero]

I keep reading that seeing backstage will ruin the magic. What the heck is back there that will cause this to happen?

Character performers are concerned because as soon as they are offstage and beyond sight lines, costume parts can be removed to keep them from getting heatstroke. If they have to remain in full costume because of the buses, there could be major health concerns.

Guests also aren't to take photos when backstage. Will the bus driver stop them or ask them to delete photos?

 

[Robo]

The backside of Magic is like the backside of Water.

Some folks' sensibilities are are more easily jostled than others.


As someone who has spent the better part of his life since 12 years of age "behind the curtain," throwing the levers and twisting the knobs, it's just as magical to ME to see "how it works" as it is to actually see it work.

 

[stenmarks]

The backside of Magic is like the backside of Water.

Some folks' sensibilities are are more easily jostled than others.


As someone who has spent the better part of his life since 12 years of age "behind the curtain," throwing the levers and twisting the knobs, it's just as magical to ME to see "how it works" as it is to actually see it work.

I agree with this. We were at MK during Christmas week last year, and we used the backstage cut-through behind Crystal Palace after Wishes one night. My daughter (then 8) thought it was special and exciting to get a brief glimpse of the "Magic"! We didn't see anything in particular, but it was thrilling to be allowed backstage.

 

[HopperFan]

Character performers are concerned because as soon as they are offstage and beyond sight lines, costume parts can be removed to keep them from getting heatstroke. If they have to remain in full costume because of the buses, there could be major health concerns.

Guests also aren't to take photos when backstage. Will the bus driver stop them or ask them to delete photos?

Very much agree to the impact to CMs.

I think one of the downsides to this offer is we will now begin to see backstage photos, which now you don't see often. No way a bus driver is going to stop people, it's going to happen.

And it simply isn't as pristine as in the parks. You know how folks complain about less than perfect in the parks ....

Google Earth WDW, there can be stuff sitting around, trashcans, dumpsters, clutter, zero imagineering. THEN you will likely drive past all kinds of stuff especially at AK.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Not speaking for me per se, but yet another screw job for locals that don't hop seven days in a row.

MG

 

[Lesverts]

I have a few thoughts that are probably not coherent.

Thought 1: This would make doing the 4 parks in 1 day challenge a lot easier
Thought 2: This does not fit into how I tour the parks
Thought 3: Ooooooo backstage without the tour price
Thought 4: Why can't Annual Pass holders buy length of stay if they are staying on property?
Thought 5: Backside of water joke: pure awesome

If you got through that, have a biscuit, y'all deserve it.

 

[yulilin3]

Character performers are concerned because as soon as they are offstage and beyond sight lines, costume parts can be removed to keep them from getting heatstroke. If they have to remain in full costume because of the buses, there could be major health concerns.

Guests also aren't to take photos when backstage. Will the bus driver stop them or ask them to delete photos?

I think the only place where character cm will need to "keep it together" is at MK, the other locations are no where near any character encounters, the backstage pictures will be inevitable, but all that people will get are backside of buildings and dumpsters.
From the backstage locations pick up, I've been on 3 of them (not the mk one) ) and there really isn't anything to see

 

[Elenadc]

I read somewhere (possibly from a CM friend on Facebook, can't remember for sure) that guests will be escorted by a CM from the kiosk onstage to the bus backstage. I know it won't prevent pictures entirely, but it should help.

 

[yulilin3]

I read somewhere (possibly from a CM friend on Facebook, can't remember for sure) that guests will be escorted by a CM from the kiosk onstage to the bus backstage. I know it won't prevent pictures entirely, but it should help.

I think the problem will be once the bus is moving, the bus driver can't have eyes everywhere.
The only place where I see potential for spoiling something is at AK, depending on where the bus is going you can potentially be driving behind Pandora, not that you don't see Pandora while riding the regular MK bus, but these will be more backstage areas.
At Epcot you will ride behind TT, and if you have done any RunDisney events you have probably ran through there so not a big deal. DHS and MK, the exit toward the main road is very, very close, so minimal impact

 

[kaytieeldr]

Not speaking for me per se, but yet another screw job for locals that don't hop seven days in a row.

MG

The guests whose admission cost potentially averages out to $2 a day or less? They'll have their own vehicles right there in the parking lot. For the few that don't for whatever reason, a one day access will still be comparable to or less than Über/Lyft. And more convenient.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Plus, most people, even the hardened Disney veteran, will have other times where they will go in the front gates of each of the parks. Hopping is rarely the only time someone goes to a given park during a trip. So they can get the maingate/entrance effect. Just maybe not on every trip in to a park.

Not sure how the post that you quoted came up as a quote from me, but I didn't write that!!

I agree with you: I need my Main St entrance fix every trip... but not necessarily every day...

 

[AngiTN]

Character performers are concerned because as soon as they are offstage and beyond sight lines, costume parts can be removed to keep them from getting heatstroke. If they have to remain in full costume because of the buses, there could be major health concerns.

Guests also aren't to take photos when backstage. Will the bus driver stop them or ask them to delete photos?

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that all the areas they've set up for this service are so minimally back stage and not at all anywhere near where a character goes that the above will be a non issue. Even photos that are sneaked are going to show nothing. I am going to go out on another limb and say that Disney will have set up things to block anything that could be seen (aka, the way they would the walk through out of MK before they reworked it) using the bushes in carts trick.