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

[miamimi]

I'll agree with that once it rolls out and we get a feel for whether they divert buses and/or staff from the "regular" transportation system for it. If it's additional buses and additional staffing, then I'm all for it.

IMO, there is no way Disney is going to add additional buses or personnel to staff this. Sorry I'm so cynical, but Disney's current policies support my theory.

 

[Stitch808]

This would make Park hopping better. My biggest problem now is that you have to spend time every time in bag check prior to entering every Park which limits the number of parks to go to. I do hope the upcharge is per person per ticket and not per day per ticket.

 

[miamimi]

Have you ever seen a bus from on-stage? They have buses coming and going all day backstage. Don't worry, you will not see a bus from inside the park

Have they ever offered bus service to guests from inside the park? Sorry, but neither of us knows how this will look until it's implemented.

 

[yulilin3]

Have they ever offered bus service to guests from inside the park? Sorry, but neither of us knows how this will look until it's implemented.

Not guests, per se, but they have buses coming and going with Cast Members, kids performing with their marching bands, choirs, dance troupes. Everyday, several times a day. You cannot see buses from on stage. They are going to use the backstage roads that are already in place

 

[Spridell]

I like this idea.

Was there this week and we did some park hopping and the monorail was down. Buses were running late and it was a bit of a pain. This could be good

 

[SureAsLiz]

The idea of express transportation doesn't bother me, but the backstage pickup/drop offs does.
I know backstage areas are used for transportation for things like conferences, but making it a regular daytime occurrence seems very against the idea of what backstage is supposed to be

 

[cavepig]

Not for us. You would think it would have to be limited somewhat, just so you don't have lines build up for it?!? We do 3 parks many days and the regular bus service is just fine for us.

 

[Disneylover99]

http://www.kennythepirate.com/2016/12/02/express-transportation-services-coming-to

 

[disneyjunkie11]

This is in response to SureasLiz, somehow I messed up quoting!

I said this exact this to a friend earlier. Disney doesn't seem to care about keeping the magic alive anymore. They are willing to do anything for an extra buck.

 

[yulilin3]

This is in response to SureasLiz, somehow I messed up quoting!

I said this exact this to a friend earlier. Disney doesn't seem to care about keeping the magic alive anymore. They are willing to do anything for an extra buck.

they do this backstage pick up/drop off with people who buy some of the VIP packages, they've been doing it for years, this is not something new.
It's your choice to use this service or not, so if you think that the magic will be broken by using this then don't. I think a lot of people will find it useful as it will cut travel time and you can spend that time enjoying the parks

 

[tubiemom]

If this is ONLY available to people with park hoppers, I think the people that are going to use this service is going to be a super small group. A lot of people don't buy park hoppers and then to spend an additional amount on the price you are already paying... I think this was another idea that came out of "where can we make another buck" which I get they are a business, but I think now they are marketing to a super small amount of people and it wont take long for them to realize there most likely just are not enough people that fall into the category (if they don't allow AP to use it) to make it worth the cost of running these buses.
I get the pros of security. As a person who has always bought a park hopper I get it, but my next trip I dropped the cost of park hoppers and did an extra day at the parks. Park hoping with two little kids is just a pain and this service would not have changed my mind about not park hoping on my next trip.

 

[cigar95]

It's your choice to use this service or not, so if you think that the magic will be broken by using this then don't. I think a lot of people will find it useful as it will cut travel time and you can spend that time enjoying the parks

This is why I'll have to think twice about using the service. There's something "special" about walking through the entrance of a WDW park. On the other hand, I'd still be walking through at least once per day, and after 25 years of coming to WDW (can it really have been that long?) I have to realize that WDW feels like a familiar, almost "regular" place for me, as opposed to a "WOW!" place.
In the end, as a passholder, it will likely come down to how it's priced for us.

 

[yulilin3]

This is why I'll have to think twice about using the service. There's something "special" about walking through the entrance of a WDW park. On the other hand, I'd still be walking through at least once per day, and after 25 years of coming to WDW (can it really have been that long?) I have to realize that WDW feels like a familiar, almost "regular" place for me, as opposed to a "WOW!" place.
In the end, as a passholder, it will likely come down to how it's priced for us.

I would like to have the option to use it, maybe on very crowded days. Not sure if we will have that option, still waiting on the Hub's advisory to come up with the FAQ

 

[yulilin3]

If this is ONLY available to people with park hoppers, I think the people that are going to use this service is going to be a super small group. A lot of people don't buy park hoppers and then to spend an additional amount on the price you are already paying... I think this was another idea that came out of "where can we make another buck" which I get they are a business, but I think now they are marketing to a super small amount of people and it wont take long for them to realize there most likely just are not enough people that fall into the category (if they don't allow AP to use it) to make it worth the cost of running these buses.
I get the pros of security. As a person who has always bought a park hopper I get it, but my next trip I dropped the cost of park hoppers and did an extra day at the parks. Park hoping with two little kids is just a pain and this service would not have changed my mind about not park hoping on my next trip.

you wouldn't need this service if you don't have park hoppers though

 

[tubiemom]

you wouldn't need this service if you don't have park hoppers though

Right, which is why I am saying that this only applies to a really small group of people if AP can't use it, I just don't see if being cost effective for Disney

 

[beesly]

I don't understand why it wouldn't be available to AP holders. Seems to me that the requirement for park-hopper tickets is probably just to ensure that people who use the service are actually eligible to enter another park on the same day with their ticket media, which would include AP holders. I know the way it's worded sounds like it's limited to PH ticket holders, but I'd think an AP holder could also go to Guest Relations to purchase the service for a specific day or time period (up to whatever the maximum "multi-day" time period is).

Edit: After my post, @yulilin3 posted the FAQs from the HUB, which state that Cast Members and Annual Passholders may purchase the $15 single-day option.

Second edit: Latest info now says AP holders can purchase the multi-day service for up to seven days.

 

[yulilin3]

Right, which is why I am saying that this only applies to a really small group of people if AP can't use it, I just don't see if being cost effective for Disney

they are seeing an increase in people taking cabs or uber so they want to get in on the action. They already have the vans (if that's what they are using) backstage, parked all day, ready to go.

 

[HopperFan]

If this is ONLY available to people with park hoppers, I think the people that are going to use this service is going to be a super small group. A lot of people don't buy park hoppers and then to spend an additional amount on the price you are already paying... I think this was another idea that came out of "where can we make another buck" which I get they are a business, but I think now they are marketing to a super small amount of people and it wont take long for them to realize there most likely just are not enough people that fall into the category (if they don't allow AP to use it) to make it worth the cost of running these buses.
I get the pros of security. As a person who has always bought a park hopper I get it, but my next trip I dropped the cost of park hoppers and did an extra day at the parks. Park hoping with two little kids is just a pain and this service would not have changed my mind about not park hoping on my next trip.

If you don't have hopper you have no use for this and so won't spend any extra.

Right, which is why I am saying that this only applies to a really small group of people if AP can't use it, I just don't see if being cost effective for Disney

Disagree. I think many people buy hopper tickets, especially if they are on DDP. We would spend a day at MK then hop to Epcot for dinner. Aso if you are say at AK and it closes at 6, then you can hop to MK and maybe take advantage of EMH if you are on site. Hopper costs are very reasonable for the perk, I think it's a popular choice.

they are seeing an increase in people taking cabs or uber so they want to get in on the action. They already have the vans (if that's what they are using) backstage, parked all day, ready to go.

This may totally be the result of a survey that was asking about Disney providing a "Disney Uber" style service. They may have found this was a popular reason to use it and Disney found a way to move the cash from Uber to themselves.

 

[Lalalyn]

We rarely go from park to park directly. Usually, we go back to our resort for a mid-day break, so this wouldn't help us (other than maybe getting some folks off the resort buses, but I double that).

And this has to be available to AP holders, right? Question is whether they will offer any discount to use it.

 

[yulilin3]

Frequently Asked Questions :
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).