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

[shoreward]

We plan to use the express to hop back and forth from HS to Epcot one day to watch the new Pixar show. How long does it take to get to HS from Epcot on the express bus?

Same plan here. Depending on time of day and local traffic, it's about 12 minutes. And, of course, it's only about a 3 minute walk from the Express bus to the theater.

 

[maryj11]

Same plan here. Depending on time of day and local traffic, it's about 12 minutes. And, of course, it's only about a 3 minute walk from the Express bus to the theater.

Our plan is to have the Pixar dining package lunch at MM then go back to Epcot then back to HS for the show at 8:15 . Will that be much time running back and forth? Or maybe if the stand by lines for the last show will not be to bad we will cancel the dining package. I'm going to wait and see what reviews people post.

 

[AngiTN]

Our plan is to have the Pixar dining package lunch at MM then go back to Epcot then back to HS for the show at 8:15 . Will that be much time running back and forth? Or maybe if the stand by lines for the last show will not be to bad we will cancel the dining package. I'm going to wait and see what reviews people post.

The only bad part is MM is about as far from BatB theater, and the Express Bus stop area, as one can get

 

[shoreward]

Our plan is to have the Pixar dining package lunch at MM then go back to Epcot then back to HS for the show at 8:15 . Will that be much time running back and forth? Or maybe if the stand by lines for the last show will not be to bad we will cancel the dining package. I'm going to wait and see what reviews people post.

When booking the dining package, the system automatically assigns the time of the show. I don't know if calling in would allow you to request a particular show time, close to your dining time, so that you would not have to go back and forth so much, between the parks.

They are promoting this as a limited-time attraction, so I would think that demand will be high. What they haven't announced, however, is if FastPasses will be available, or not. I have not noticed FastPass availability, so far.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

My son said a friend just got back from his trip and said the lines were very long for the express transport, with having to wait for an additional bus you were just as well off using the regular transport. Anyone have an experience with this? He really only has one hop day planned.
ETA: When booking the Pixar dining package, we wanted the 2nd show. I tried as late as 2:15 and got show #1, but 2:30 on was show #3. I didn't keep trying more than 2 or 3 times, but it seemed that show #2 was just not available.

 

[TheFloatingBear]

My son said a friend just got back from his trip and said the lines were very long for the express transport, with having to wait for an additional bus you were just as well off using the regular transport. Anyone have an experience with this? He really only has one hop day planned.
ETA: When booking the Pixar dining package, we wanted the 2nd show. I tried as late as 2:15 and got show #1, but 2:30 on was show #3. I didn't keep trying more than 2 or 3 times, but it seemed that show #2 was just not available.

We were there the week after Easter and used it 3 or 4 times. Each time there was only one other party traveling with us on the bus. A couple of times there were multiple parties waiting for different buses, but still only a few groups.

 

[AngelDisney]

Our plan is to have the Pixar dining package lunch at MM then go back to Epcot then back to HS for the show at 8:15 . Will that be much time running back and forth? Or maybe if the stand by lines for the last show will not be to bad we will cancel the dining package. I'm going to wait and see what reviews people post.

I called to book a Pixar/Fantasmic package and was able to get the original dining time I had for the Fantasmic only package, and choose the second show time. Definitely try to call to see if you can change to a show that better fits your schedule. If you are having lunch at DHS, I think the last show would allow you more time at Epcot unless you hop to Epcot after the first show and stay there. The earliest show is 5 then 6:15/6:45.

By the way, thanks for posting here. I didn't realize there was a new dining package for Pixar and Fantasmic. With $5 extra, it's a no brainer to book a combined package. I am happy that I was able to call at 7 this morning and get the same dining time I had booked for the Fantasmic package.

 

[AngelDisney]

When booking the dining package, the system automatically assigns the time of the show. I don't know if calling in would allow you to request a particular show time, close to your dining time, so that you would not have to go back and forth so much, between the parks.

They are promoting this as a limited-time attraction, so I would think that demand will be high. What they haven't announced, however, is if FastPasses will be available, or not. I have not noticed FastPass availability, so far.

I read from the dining thread that a CM had confirmed over the phone that there would be no FP for the show but you know how reliable info from a CM can be, and Disney changes things up all the time.

 

[ShellieMimi]

My son said a friend just got back from his trip and said the lines were very long for the express transport, with having to wait for an additional bus you were just as well off using the regular transport. Anyone have an experience with this? He really only has one hop day planned.
ETA: When booking the Pixar dining package, we wanted the 2nd show. I tried as late as 2:15 and got show #1, but 2:30 on was show #3. I didn't keep trying more than 2 or 3 times, but it seemed that show #2 was just not available.

I think his friend was confused.

 

[angelinaxox]

I just used it the week after Easter on two days and had no problems getting an express bus. I got off Rock 'N' Rollercoaster at 12:00 noon and thought I would miss the Epcot bus, but got on at 12:02 and in Epcot at 12:15. We were the only ones on the bus.

The second day we took it from MK to Epcot in the afternoon and only one other couple was on the bus. On our return trip to MK at 6:00 pm, there were nine others on the bus which was the most crowded I encountered. MK was open that night until 2:00 am for Extra Magic hours.

We loved the express bus. I also have to comment how nice all the cast members were that were involved with it. Everyone was so helpful and friendly. If we were early, before the set time for the bus to depart, the bus drivers would chat with us. The one bus driver told us how much he enjoyed driving it and how he drove the first Express bus from the MK.

The Express bus made park hopping much more enjoyable and convenient. If it continues to be ran this way, I would definitely use it again.

 

[shoreward]

My son said a friend just got back from his trip and said the lines were very long for the express transport, with having to wait for an additional bus you were just as well off using the regular transport. Anyone have an experience with this? He really only has one hop day planned.

If that was during Spring Break, there could have been some school groups using the service. Using the service on a fairly regular basis, I have never seen either long lines, nor a time when an additional bus needed to be called. There has never been a time when a bus was ever near capacity, either.

 

[AngiTN]

My son said a friend just got back from his trip and said the lines were very long for the express transport, with having to wait for an additional bus you were just as well off using the regular transport. Anyone have an experience with this? He really only has one hop day planned.

They were confused/talking about something else. No way. We got back last Tuesday, after a week on site. We used the Express bus every day. Walked past it often. At no time was there a line of any sort, long or short. We had others on the bus with us most of the time but at most 8 guests. I am going to say no way did they see long lines for the Express bus stops. They may have seen long lines for park to park buses outside the park entrance but no, they did not see long lines for the Express bus stops inside the parks.

 

[maryj11]

I called to book a Pixar/Fantasmic package and was able to get the original dining time I had for the Fantasmic only package, and choose the second show time. Definitely try to call to see if you can change to a show that better fits your schedule. If you are having lunch at DHS, I think the last show would allow you more time at Epcot unless you hop to Epcot after the first show and stay there. The earliest show is 5 then 6:15/6:45.

By the way, thanks for posting here. I didn't realize there was a new dining package for Pixar and Fantasmic. With $5 extra, it's a no brainer to book a combined package. I am happy that I was able to call at 7 this morning and get the same dining time I had booked for the Fantasmic package.

Thank you. Mine says shows are at 5:00, 6:45 and 8:15.

 

[AngelDisney]

I think the only time you may have many people lining up for Express Bus would be the last run after closing a park and hopping to another park that is still open. We all have different schedules during the day, but the last run could be the only time when the schedules of more people coincide.

Isn't the Express Bus location also the VIP tour group sign in location? It could be a line for a special tour.

 

[tjmw2727]

My son said a friend just got back from his trip and said the lines were very long for the express transport, with having to wait for an additional bus you were just as well off using the regular transport. Anyone have an experience with this? He really only has one hop day planned.
ETA: When booking the Pixar dining package, we wanted the 2nd show. I tried as late as 2:15 and got show #1, but 2:30 on was show #3. I didn't keep trying more than 2 or 3 times, but it seemed that show #2 was just not available.

We used the service last week on 6 of our park days, at least 2x a day and it was wonderful. Not only was there never a line often there was only one other party on the bus and the most we had on a single bus was 18 or so.

I agree with pp's that having a schedule is really helpful as we can plan when to hop based on the departure times.

 

[AngiTN]

I think the only time you may have many people lining up for Express Bus would be the last run after closing a park and hopping to another park that is still open. We all have different schedules during the day, but the last run could be the only time when the schedules of more people coincide.

Isn't the Express Bus location also the VIP tour group sign in location? It could be a line for a special tour.

No, the VIP check in locations are not the same as the Express Bus location

 

[AngelDisney]

No, the VIP check in locations are not the same as the Express Bus location

I see. I thought they were close. Thanks for clarifying!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

I called to book a Pixar/Fantasmic package and was able to get the original dining time I had for the Fantasmic only package, and choose the second show time. Definitely try to call to see if you can change to a show that better fits your schedule. If you are having lunch at DHS, I think the last show would allow you more time at Epcot unless you hop to Epcot after the first show and stay there. The earliest show is 5 then 6:15/6:45.

By the way, thanks for posting here. I didn't realize there was a new dining package for Pixar and Fantasmic. With $5 extra, it's a no brainer to book a combined package. I am happy that I was able to call at 7 this morning and get the same dining time I had booked for the Fantasmic package.

I want to learn more about this if it will still be going on and I can add it to my Fantasmic meal.

 

[AngelDisney]

I want to learn more about this if it will still be going on and I can add it to my Fantasmic meal.

Here is the info on the Disney website. The Fantasmic package is $45. A combined package is $50. You get reserved seating for the Pixar concert and Fantasmic on the same day.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/hollywood-studios/music-of-pixar-live-dining-package/

For the combined package, you have to call. Right now you can book up to August 27. My first DHS day is August 26.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

anyone have a link that shows what this Pixar thing is? (it's not replacing BatB is it?