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

[OSUZorba]

Flyers are at every counter at the resort. There are signs and brochures at each check in point. I also got an email shortly before my trip that highlighted it

Last day at WDW today, went by a couple of the resorts, went out of my way to find information on this, and still couldn't find anything. I was also right by the check in spot at HS multiple times (before I read this thread) and didn't see anything massively obvious. Just seems odd that they are offering a service that is fairly expensive to operate, then make very little attempt to get people on it. I'm guessing they are still in a pilot phase and want the ability to scrap it at any time.

 

[mexi]

That does not sound promising.

Yesterday when we hopped from Epcot to mk there were 16 of us on the bus.

 

[danikoski]

Last day at WDW today, went by a couple of the resorts, went out of my way to find information on this, and still couldn't find anything. I was also right by the check in spot at HS multiple times (before I read this thread) and didn't see anything massively obvious. Just seems odd that they are offering a service that is fairly expensive to operate, then make very little attempt to get people on it. I'm guessing they are still in a pilot phase and want the ability to scrap it at any time.

There were signs up at the concierge/ticket desk at Wilderness Lodge, and we could have added it on there.
Just as an aside, the Express Transportation kiosks/check-in can only take credit/debit cards. Guest Relations and Hotel ticket desks can take cash, gift card, magic band, or credit/debit cards.
Also, the plaid at one of the stops was saying they intentionally did minimal advertising to see how it would catch on via word of mouth. This may be a little bit of a social experiment on Disney's part.

 

[Suzanne74]

There were signs up at the concierge/ticket desk at Wilderness Lodge, and we could have added it on there.
Just as an aside, the Express Transportation kiosks/check-in can only take credit/debit cards. Guest Relations and Hotel ticket desks can take cash, gift card, magic band, or credit/debit cards.
Also, the plaid at one of the stops was saying they intentionally did minimal advertising to see how it would catch on via word of mouth. This may be a little bit of a social experiment on Disney's part.

Wait, why would the kiosks only take credit cards and not magic bands? I thought the whole point of the band was to not have to bring a credit card or wallet into the parks? Seems counterproductive if they want more people to spontaneously sign up.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

for those debating whether the bus would run from AK (ROL) closing at 9 pm to MK which closes at 9 with EMH hours after that - it might. We asked about the last bus that would run to AK (January trip) - AK that night closed at 7:30 - last bus over there would run at 7:40 and drop us outside of the park (since the park would be closed). Point is they would run a bus to a closed park basically to get people back to their parked cars. Not sure how it would work with MK EMH - they might run it to the inside of the park and escort non - resort guests out once they arrived???....

 

[danikoski]

Wait, why would the kiosks only take credit cards and not magic bands? I thought the whole point of the band was to not have to bring a credit card or wallet into the parks? Seems counterproductive if they want more people to spontaneously sign up.

Not sure, except the couple had to use a credit card to buy it...The machine does scan magic bands to ensure you have a park hopper, to link your band with the service, and to check-in, but it didn't appear to have a PIN pad to enter your PIN for magic band purchases.

 

[shoreward]

Not sure, except the couple had to use a credit card to buy it...The machine does scan magic bands to ensure you have a park hopper, to link your band with the service, and to check-in, but it didn't appear to have a PIN pad to enter your PIN for magic band purchases.

Agree about credit cards being only accepted means of purchase at check-in locations...found that out yesterday, when CM could not get Disney gift card to work.

 

[Cottager]

for those debating whether the bus would run from AK (ROL) closing at 9 pm to MK which closes at 9 with EMH hours after that - it might. We asked about the last bus that would run to AK (January trip) - AK that night closed at 7:30 - last bus over there would run at 7:40 and drop us outside of the park (since the park would be closed). Point is they would run a bus to a closed park basically to get people back to their parked cars. Not sure how it would work with MK EMH - they might run it to the inside of the park and escort non - resort guests out once they arrived???....

Hoping this works out. We booked a Rivers of Light dining package for the 7:15 pm show on March 9. We plan on walking from the Dinoland viewing area at 7:30 pm to the Express Transportation point for the 8:00 pm scheduled bus to Magic Kingdom to attend the Disney After Hours event. AK closes at 8:00 and MK regular hours closes at 9:00 pm so technically we should fit within the time requirements....I think.

 

[AngiTN]

Hoping this works out. We booked a Rivers of Light dining package for the 7:15 pm show on March 9. We plan on walking from the Dinoland viewing area at 7:30 pm to the Express Transportation point for the 8:00 pm scheduled bus to Magic Kingdom to attend the Disney After Hours event. AKL closes at 8:00 and MK regular hours closes at 9:00 pm so technically we should fit within the time requirements....I think.

Yes, those times are exactly what we did but at HS, Epcot. HS closed at 8, Epcot at 9, we took the bus from HS to Epcot at 8. I'm sure it will work the same in your scenario

 

[freewill]

Yes, those times are exactly what we did but at HS, Epcot. HS closed at 8, Epcot at 9, we took the bus from HS to Epcot at 8. I'm sure it will work the same in your scenario

Did you happen to do this after the Star Wars show at 7:45? Wondering if it'd be possible to see that show then catch that bus at 8 to Epcot. Or any chance they'd run a last bus to MK after 8??

 

[ErinsMommy]

Any rumors of this becoming permanent yet?

 

[AngiTN]

Did you happen to do this after the Star Wars show at 7:45? Wondering if it'd be possible to see that show then catch that bus at 8 to Epcot. Or any chance they'd run a last bus to MK after 8??

No, we did it after F!. I am not sure you can possibly make it from a spot that you can view the fireworks all they way back to the bus stop before it leaves at 8:00. You have to check in a few minutes before the bus leaves and they leave on the dot, not late.

As for would a bus leave for MK after HS closed? That is harder to answer. It's possible, I'm not sure what the HS-MK schedule is. If the next bus is close to 8:00 they may. You'd just have to ask.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Any rumors of this becoming permanent yet?

"Extended indefinitely" is all that has been stated by CMs.

 

[ErinsMommy]

"Extended indefinitely" is all that has been stated by CMs.

That's great, hope by September its still either in 'indefinite' mode or shows up as an option to add to package =)

 

[freewill]

No, we did it after F!. I am not sure you can possibly make it from a spot that you can view the fireworks all they way back to the bus stop before it leaves at 8:00. You have to check in a few minutes before the bus leaves and they leave on the dot, not late.

As for would a bus leave for MK after HS closed? That is harder to answer. It's possible, I'm not sure what the HS-MK schedule is. If the next bus is close to 8:00 they may. You'd just have to ask.

Thanks

 

[PeasandCarrots]

I'm hoping to use this for a 7:15 RoL show with AK closing at 8pm to go to MK. Has anyone done this? Does RoL get out with enough time to get to the bus in time?

Also, we used this service Christmas week and here's our video review if anyone's interested.

 

[mamamelody2]

Officially booked for November, now. I hope this is still available then!!

 

[cmarsh31]

Planning next week to hop from AK to HS for Fantasmic! (7pm) then to MK for Wishes at 9pm and staying (if we're still awake!) to enjoy EMH with our friends who will be arriving that day! Express Bus is going to make this all possible! (will report back on buses after F! ends. Also planning HS to AK for ROL, then maybe to Epcot (after dining reserved seating for 7:15 ROL) - Epcot is open til 9, then EMH! At least Disney was kind enough to provide an Express Bus when they messed up all of my night plans last week!

 

[AngiTN]

I'm hoping to use this for a 7:15 RoL show with AK closing at 8pm to go to MK. Has anyone done this? Does RoL get out with enough time to get to the bus in time?

RoL is only what, 18 min, roughly? Maybe even less. There shouldn't be any problems getting to the bus as long as they keep the last one at 8:00. I suspect they'll keep it. I'd sit where it's easy to hop out of the stadium.

 

[PeasandCarrots]

RoL is only what, 18 min, roughly? Maybe even less. There shouldn't be any problems getting to the bus as long as they keep the last one at 8:00. I suspect they'll keep it. I'd sit where it's easy to hop out of the stadium.

Thank you!