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

[AngiTN]

Has anyone tried this from DHS to Epcot after SW fireworks?

In a couple weeks, I am doing a morning AK/DHS with SW dessert party/Epcot EMH night. I'm thinking of using the express option, especially if I can hustle over after the fireworks at DHS to grab the last bus to Epcot to catch Illuminations. 7:45 fireworks, 8:00 park closing. If the bus will not be available, I'll just walk.

We did this but it was after F!, not SW Fireworks. So shorter walk, earlier start. Had no problem getting over there for the 8:00 bus
We were sitting there when the SW fireworks went off and watched them before we were walked back to the bus.
We got to Epcot and had enough time to hit a bathroom, walk to and ride Soarin and walk to and watch Illuminations from the FP viewing area. I'd say you could get the 8:30 bus and make Illuminations, just won't be any stopping between the bus and finding a viewing spot\

Though Hiro does bring up a good point. You'd have to walk from the center to the drop off and wait on the bus. You could get to Epcot on your own easier. But, you do have to deal with security and turnstiles again. So the bus may not save you much time but it does save your feet and the small hassle of the IG entrance.

 

[subtchr]

Because the DHS-Epcot Express runs on the hour and 1/2 hour, even if the 8:30 bus runs, you'd get to Epcot by walking well before 8:30.

You wouldn't have time to make it to the 8:00 bus.

Thanks, Hiro! I thought I had seen 8:20, must have been a schedule for another park or something.

I love the walk and am on my own this time, so I'll just plan on that.

 

[shoreward]

Thanks, Hiro! I thought I had seen 8:20, must have been a schedule for another park or something.

I love the walk and am on my own this time, so I'll just plan on that.

When I was there during the first week of operation, I was told that if I stayed for SW fireworks, I would need to use other transportation. So, I skipped show to use bus to EPCOT.

 

[AngiTN]

Here is the experience of another poster:

http://www.disboards.com/threads/ne...ge-57-post-1135.3563694/page-46#post-56965167

Yes, that's to MK, not Epcot.

 

[subtchr]

When I was there during the first week of operation, I was told that if I stayed for SW fireworks, I would need to use other transportation. So, I skipped show to use bus to EPCOT.

Thanks for the personal experience! I am excited for the dessert party for the SW fireworks, so I'll just walk to Epcot after the show. I've done the walk many times, so I know I'll have plenty of time.

 

[Suzanne74]

Okay, now that the Rivers of Light is out, what are the chances that AK will run one bus later for all those that saw the river show but now want to hop to MK for evening EMH. This is where I wish we knew times and if they would extend. Trying to plan the unknown is tough

 

[DisneyNut815]

When we were there last week we asked if the buses would run to a park during EMH and they said the Express Bus stopped when the official park closing was. Therefore, it does not take into account EMH. You would have to get the last bus to the park before EMH began.

 

[AngiTN]

Okay, now that the Rivers of Light is out, what are the chances that AK will run one bus later for all those that saw the river show but now want to hop to MK for evening EMH. This is where I wish we knew times and if they would extend. Trying to plan the unknown is tough

When we were there last week we asked if the buses would run to a park during EMH and they said the Express Bus stopped when the official park closing was. Therefore, it does not take into account EMH. You would have to get the last bus to the park before EMH began.

Right, the service is available to anyone with Hoppers, not anyone on site with Hoppers. Since they don't check for resort stay the wouldn't be set up to only transport those who qualify for EMH. They could add that layer of access but for now, I wouldn't expect to use it for EMH to any park.

Otherwise, I'm certain the AK bus will run longer than it currently does and go to any park still open.

 

[Suzanne74]

When we were there last week we asked if the buses would run to a park during EMH and they said the Express Bus stopped when the official park closing was. Therefore, it does not take into account EMH. You would have to get the last bus to the park before EMH began.

Wow really? So what is the point of hopping if you can't get to evening EMH locations? I can understand not having them run AM EMH but this is a game changer for me. It is impossible to see any night shows and get to another park on the express busses. Seems pretty cheap if you ask me. I would think most hopper holders are families that stay in the resorts and would want to get to EMH once another park closes.

 

[AngiTN]

Wow really? So what is the point of hopping if you can't get to evening EMH locations? I can understand not having them run AM EMH but this is a game changer for me. It is impossible to see any night shows and get to another park on the express busses. Seems pretty cheap if you ask me. I would think most hopper holders are families that stay in the resorts and would want to get to EMH once another park closes.

There are tons of reasons to hop and not go to EMH. We never do evening EMH. Tried, and they are just way too crowded. Too little payoff.
And it's not at all impossible to see night shows and get to another park on express buses. We did it

 

[Suzanne74]

Right, the service is available to anyone with Hoppers, not anyone on site with Hoppers. Since they don't check for resort stay the wouldn't be set up to only transport those who qualify for EMH. They could add that layer of access but for now, I wouldn't expect to use it for EMH to any park.

Otherwise, I'm certain the AK bus will run longer than it currently does and go to any park still open.

On the night I am looking, the Rivers of Light show is 8:45pm which is 15min long and AK closes at 9pm. MK closes at 9pm with EMH until 11pm. So if what you are saying about EMH, I will not be able to take an express bus to MK. I would have to go all the way out with the masses to the bus depot.

 

[subtchr]

On the night I am looking, the Rivers of Light show is 8:45pm which is 15min long and AK closes at 9pm. MK closes at 9pm with EMH until 11pm. So if what you are saying about EMH, I will not be able to take an express bus to MK. I would have to go all the way out with the masses to the bus depot.

Another factor is that the Express Transportation location at AK is way back at the Safari, a long walk from the ROL area. I doubt they will have it running any later than closing. But since ROL is new, who knows? I have actually switched my plan for an upcoming short trip, and have a FP for ROL, then plan to hop to MK. I will most likely just grab an Uber to the Contemporary and walk over. $10 or so well spent.

 

[AngiTN]

On the night I am looking, the Rivers of Light show is 8:45pm which is 15min long and AK closes at 9pm. MK closes at 9pm with EMH until 11pm. So if what you are saying about EMH, I will not be able to take an express bus to MK. I would have to go all the way out with the masses to the bus depot.

Correct. Though it will be a shorter walk than to the Express bus stop.

 

[Suzanne74]

There are tons of reasons to hop and not go to EMH. We never do evening EMH. Tried, and they are just way too crowded. Too little payoff.
And it's not at all impossible to see night shows and get to another park on express buses. We did it

But that depends on the park hours of when you are going. The week we are there in March, all the parks close at 9pm every night. So for us, we wouldn't be able to see any night show and then get to a park afterwards using Express busses.

 

[AngiTN]

But that depends on the park hours of when you are going. The week we are there in March, all the parks close at 9pm every night. So for us, we wouldn't be able to see any night show and then get to a park afterwards using Express busses.

This was 2 weeks ago, hours as short, if not shorter, than in March.
Had no problems seeing F! at 7:00 and Illuminations at 9:00. Even got a ride on Soarin in between.
Could have easily done F! at 7:00 and Wishes at 9:00 too.
No, you couldn't do Illuminations at 9:00 and Wishes at 9:00 but that's rather obvious, no?
I'd say if there was a RoL at 7:00 you could make Illuminations or Wishes at 9:00 with no problems.

 

[Suzanne74]

Another factor is that the Express Transportation location at AK is way back at the Safari, a long walk from the ROL area. I doubt they will have it running any later than closing. But since ROL is new, who knows? I have actually switched my plan for an upcoming short trip, and have a FP for ROL, then plan to hop to MK. I will most likely just grab an Uber to the Contemporary and walk over. $10 or so well spent.

Agree that is what we will have to do only because I have a short window of all 4 of my family together and ROL is every other night. I am sure in weeks that ROL has two shows every night or when regular park hours extended, it may be worth it to utilize Express. But I won't pay for Express to also have to go and pay for Uber to get to other parks at night which is when we hop the most.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

I am hoping to be able to use express transportation to go from a 7:15 ROL show to MK after hours on 3/2. Animal Kingdom is closing at 8, and ROl is abot 15 min, MK closes at 9, so it should be doable correct?

 

[AngiTN]

I am hoping to be able to use express transportation to go from a 7:15 ROL show to MK after hours on 3/2. Animal Kingdom is closing at 8, and ROl is abot 15 min, MK closes at 9, so it should be doable correct?

Probably. I'd have to go back and check the times for the AK/MK bus. As long as you got to MK before 9:00 it should be running

 

[Suzanne74]

This was 2 weeks ago, hours as short, if not shorter, than in March.
Had no problems seeing F! at 7:00 and Illuminations at 9:00. Even got a ride on Soarin in between.
Could have easily done F! at 7:00 and Wishes at 9:00 too.
No, you couldn't do Illuminations at 9:00 and Wishes at 9:00 but that's rather obvious, no?
I'd say if there was a RoL at 7:00 you could make Illuminations or Wishes at 9:00 with no problems.

I never said I was looking to see two night shows which is impossible the week I am there anyway, as they all start at either 8:45 or 9pm. I am looking to see a night show and then get on an Express bus to another park afterwards that has EMH, which I just found out they do not offer. I have Star Wars dessert party on an Epcot EMH night and a ROL dining package on a MK EMH night.

 

[AngiTN]

I never said I was looking to see two night shows which is impossible the week I am there anyway, as they all start at either 8:45 or 9pm. I am looking to see a night show and then get on an Express bus to another park afterwards that has EMH, which I just found out they do not offer. I have Star Wars dessert party on an Epcot EMH night and a ROL dining package on a MK EMH night.

Sorry, misunderstood what you were trying to do.

Unfortunately, they can't distinguish between on site and off site when they check for Express Pass users. Maybe they can eventually and can add on EMH service too