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

[sharonabe]

Someone reported on twitter waiting one hour for the bus at MK to go to DHS. So far only negative one I've seen.

This one has me just a little suspicious. The buses are leaving every 30 min on a schedule, so how could they have waited one whole hour? It sounds like they didn't quite know what they were doing. Definitely more to this story.

 

[disneyseniors]

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.

I disagree with you about losing the mainstreet show effect by bypassing it. You say that it is more important to first times, rather than veterans of the parks. I am a park veteran,, and my husband and I appreciate the entrance "show" more and more each time we visit. It is important to us, and gets more important as time goes by. We also don't want to bypass it just to cram a lot of rides into our day. We find that we want to take it more slowly, and absorb more of the atmosphere, go to attractions when we want to, as at this point, being a veteran, we have ridden them all many times already. So, the need to rush to the park, bypass the front entrance, is NOT important to veterans such as myself. So that statement is only an opinion. Mine is a statement of what has actually occurred over the years as a Disney veteran. Just wanted to clear that up.

Also regarding disneys attempt to decrease crowding, that may be so. However, I feel that Disney saw how many guests were using uber, lyft, or cabs to bypass the bus system, and they wanted some of that money for themselves. They aren't stupid,, and saw some money going to other resources.

 

[HopperFan]

This one has me just a little suspicious. The buses are leaving every 30 min on a schedule, so how could they have waited one whole hour? It sounds like they didn't quite know what they were doing. Definitely more to this story.

Not newbies, actually Disney vloggers. Just because they are supposed to leave on a schedule doesn't mean there isn't going to be glitches, especially in the beginning. I doubt there is anything more to the story other than one bus didn't show up. I seriously would not be surprised if the buses continue to be practically empty - that they might reduce the frequency.

Her exact comment "So, thoughts so far on Express Transportation.... not great. Waited more than an hr today for one from MK to HS."

I disagree with you about losing the mainstreet show effect by bypassing it. You say that it is more important to first times, rather than veterans of the parks. I am a park veteran,, and my husband and I appreciate the entrance "show" more and more each time we visit. It is important to us, and gets more important as time goes by. We also don't want to bypass it just to cram a lot of rides into our day. We find that we want to take it more slowly, and absorb more of the atmosphere, go to attractions when we want to, as at this point, being a veteran, we have ridden them all many times already. So, the need to rush to the park, bypass the front entrance, is NOT important to veterans such as myself. So that statement is only an opinion. Mine is a statement of what has actually occurred over the years as a Disney veteran. Just wanted to clear that up.

I'm with you. Been going to WDW since before it even opened, and in to MK since it was 2 months old. I hate when we enter the park and they are making folks go through the bypass (parade and special events time). Part of the whole thing is walking down Main Street and breathing it in.

 

[DisneyOma]

Let's be honest, if you're driving, getting in and out of MK is at a minimum a 20-30 minute jaunt just to get to your car. It's not nearly as simple as the other parks where you just walk out. So, in my opinion, just to hop between MK and the other parks makes this worth it!!! DH was super-excited about this new service for this reason.

But do you leave the car at Mk and than have to go back for it? Isn't that a waste of time too?

 

[MommaBerd]

But do you leave the car at Mk and than have to go back for it? Isn't that a waste of time too?

A lot of times we'll hop mid-day and come back at night.

Maybe they'll come up with a valet service where you can drop off your car at one park entrance and then they'll drive and park it at the park where you want to end your day!

 

[Selket]

We did arrive once and the bus had just left so we waited another 30 mins for the next bus. The CM's told us though so we stayed in the park. Since the bus entrance at DHS was right by RnRC, 2 of us went to ride it with a FP they'd gotten (for use anywhere - given to us by the hotel for a problem with check-in) and I went to the restroom and got some water. Disney might want to consider giving out FP's for the ladies room when it's crowded - haha! That can take awhile.
In any case we all met up and got on the next bus.

Seems like there was one time when one of our MK busses left a few mins late. The MK seemed slammed over the weekend - especially on Saturday. I heard it closed down due to capacity but I never confirmed it. But we did notice the roads into the MK were jammed and very slow. I have never seen it like that (construction? just crowds?) so that HAD to impact the MK busses.

 

[loves to dive]

Thanks Yulilin3 for taking one for the team, as usual you rock. Thanks Robo for the updated maps, what would we do without them maps? We will be there next week and since we always hop every single day, we will be getting this. We may just hop once a day but bypassing security is worth $24 each for an entire trip. I don't even carry a bag and still think it's great. I can start my day at HS or Epcot and hop to MK, which has the worst bottle neck and be a happy camper. Or MK to Epcot without having to rely on that monorail, worth the price right there, work my way through FW to WS and exit there since we are at Dolphin this trip. Wish it did go later since MK is open until midnight every night but one this trip but hey I'm still happy with it.

 

[brockash]

I disagree with you about losing the mainstreet show effect by bypassing it. You say that it is more important to first times, rather than veterans of the parks. I am a park veteran,, and my husband and I appreciate the entrance "show" more and more each time we visit. It is important to us, and gets more important as time goes by. We also don't want to bypass it just to cram a lot of rides into our day. We find that we want to take it more slowly, and absorb more of the atmosphere, go to attractions when we want to, as at this point, being a veteran, we have ridden them all many times already. So, the need to rush to the park, bypass the front entrance, is NOT important to veterans such as myself. So that statement is only an opinion. Mine is a statement of what has actually occurred over the years as a Disney veteran. Just wanted to clear that up.

Also regarding disneys attempt to decrease crowding, that may be so. However, I feel that Disney saw how many guests were using uber, lyft, or cabs to bypass the bus system, and they wanted some of that money for themselves. They aren't stupid,, and saw some money going to other resources.

100% Disney saw an opportunity to make more money and that's the reason it now exists.

 

[Mousetopia]

I will be there the end of February begging of March and I do hope this get extended

ME TOOO ME TOOOOO!!! Feb 28 to March 10! I want this!!!!! Make it so Pixie Dust!

 

[ah10is]

We tried out the new express service for our quick 4 day trip and absolutely loved this new bus service! Though we didn't use it to the fullest, it made things a whole lot easier to hop from one park to another with someone in an ECV. Every time we used it, we had the bus to ourselves! With having Mom in an evc it made it very hassle free! Easily saved us 2 hrs each time. If you have someone in an evc, sensitivity to crowds, elderly etc. it is an awesome new service!!!!

 

[tonyhb12]

100% Disney saw an opportunity to make more money and that's the reason it now exists.

I agree. However, there are a few differences with what disney has done with this "extra" that they missed the mark on with others.

First, they saw an opportunity to raise revenue, enhance guests' experience, and not piss off guests who feel price-gouged. The latter part of that statement is where they have missed the mark with other add-ons like the Future Work Cabanas, etc... Second, they definitely solved a problem for us park-hopping, schedule freaks who often stress about making it to FP+, ADRs, characters, etc... while hoppin as Disney Transportation has become increasingly unreliable. Another thing they have done is basically make the park hopper ticket more attractive. Lastly, I believe that they priced this on point. For a family of 4, it's a $100 cost for a week for a significant time savings and planning stress reduction.

I do believe that this will be used during peak dates and may not be viable for slower times.

 

[shoreward]

There are inaccuracies or changes from what was originally posted by Disney about the service. The Express Transportation option is not currently for sale at the resort concierge desks, though there is a display of brochures to promote the service (unless some resorts are selling it, but others are not).

The CMs are being told to publicly state that the service only will run for seven days, but the total test will run 30. The first day of service was actually on Wednesday, December 7. The bus drivers got about a week's notice, and a couple of days of training. Some cast members indicated they only found out about it a few days before the service started.

The CMs staffing the Express Transportation are from Guest Relations. The drivers are from the regular staff and operate a dedicated fleet of 16 motor coaches.

The pass may be purchased at the check-in points by credit card or Disney gift card, only. Other forms of payment are accepted at park ticket counters and at Guest Relations in the parks. Either a MagicBand or ticket is scanned, when checking in.

The schedules that the CMs are using are not always accurate. They are constantly radioing back and forth between the outside check-in station and backstage to see if a particular bus is there or to notify them that there are passengers waiting for a bus.

There are many guests who walk up to the check-in point, seeing the sandwich-board sign for Express Transportation. Most think it's a free service and walk away, after hearing that it's a fee-based service.

The loads can be extremely light, ranging from one passenger up to five or six. Many times, the buses depart with no passengers at all.

My personal opinion is that there is a place for this service. I can see strong benefits at times when there are very large crowds and when the weather is not the best. If timing is good, it can also be a great time-saver, cutting out both the time for walking back and forth to the regular motorcoach transportation and waiting for the next bus, as well as waiting in line and passing through security.

The driving time between parks runs between 10 and 20 minutes, depending on the route and traffic.

The guest is never left unescorted, at any time. No pictures are allowed to be taken, once the guest enters the backstage area.

The first bus of the day departs at 10:00 a.m., and the last bus pulls out at park-closing.

 

[sunflare]

The CMs are being told to publicly state that the service only will run for seven days, but the total test will run 30. The first day of service was actually on Wednesday, December 7.

Argh! I really hope they decide to extend this over marathon weekend...at least through the 10th or 11th. I think that is a crowded enough time to sustain it, especially with runners who want to hit as much as possible in a short amount of time.

 

[CookieGVB]

This one has me just a little suspicious. The buses are leaving every 30 min on a schedule, so how could they have waited one whole hour? It sounds like they didn't quite know what they were doing. Definitely more to this story.

I wonder if they went during early entry, and tried to hop before 10? Sorry - I always seem to be devil's advocate here at work, too!

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

I probably missed it but do they put the ride "ticket/ ability" onto your MB and do they scan it before you get onto the bus (to make sure you have paid?)

 

[yulilin3]

I probably missed it but do they put the ride "ticket/ ability" onto your MB and do they scan it before you get onto the bus (to make sure you have paid?)

yes they can do that or you can get a regular media ticket. They scan it before each trip. I thought about you and your family since I know you guys park hop a lot

 

[ellie05]

I just got back from vacations(not Disney) and I had a good laugh at this thread. Would I pay for this extra service I don't think so, we were just at a resort that offer free transport on call and their buses were a step up from Disney. I am actually looking forward to having our AP expire so I don't feel I need to go back to Disney to get my money worth. Personally I am never in such a rush in the parks when we do hop we usually do a park in the morning, mid day break at the resort and another park in the afternoon so this service won't really help us.

 

[rteetz]

the manager said they had the schedule out for one month exactly. So Jan. 7th?

Interesting we likely will add it for the 7 day option. We arrive January 2nd so that would put our 7 days at January 8th. I hope they don't stop it January 7th or I'm cut short a day.

 

[MagicalMawMaw]

We used the express service for the 2nd time today. This time to hop from HS to AK.
We went to the express check in & they scanned our magic band. We had 20 minutes till the bus left. So we did a restroom stop & returned.
They walked us to the waiting area & sat a few minutes till they walked us to our bus. Again there were only 4 people on the bus & it left exactly when they said it would.
Including the 20 min wait we took a total of 35 min to arrive from HS to AK.
Bypassing security is a huge plus. The last 3 parks I got picked to go though the scanner thing & my hubby too. Can't figure out why I'm getting picked,as a 50+ MawMaw I don't look very threatening.
I love the express service. It's a huge time saver. Because of it we were able to do Indian Jones before we hopped & still make our ADR at Yak &Yeti. The other way there is no way we could of done that!
Also, wanted to add I purchased the express add on at our first resort we stayed at. I purchased it at POP & was told I was the first person to do so.
We are now staying at AKL but I figure you can add it there to.

 

[toonaspie]

Has anyone determined if there is a set schedule for each park's Express (as in what busses leave and travel to what parks when) or is it something that is varied and not predictable?