News Round Up 2017

[rteetz]

I'm not entirely sure what people expect. Haven't they been to a MLB game? A concert? A festival? All of these things are very similar. When the event is over, people are all leaving at once. They're all going to their cars, public transport, hotels down the street. I waited for 45 minutes after a concert at United Center just so I could get out of the parking lot. We used to set up a meeting spot at old Busch Stadium in case we got separated leaving after a game. There's very little disney can do to help the crush of humanity get where they're wanting to go all at once. I feel like if you're gonna wait somewhere, wait where you're comfortable. So, if you're comfortable waiting in line, seeing the next bus/monorail/ferry coming up then do that. If you're comfortable sitting on a bench sipping your drink, do that. But realize there's very little that can be done when thousands of people are going in the same direction.

Good point. I work at several professional sports venues and this is the case at all of them.

 

[rteetz]

which means more parking trams and more roads

They are building new roadways around the MK entrance right now to help some of these problems.

 

[eXo]

1. That won't happen now with Minnie Vans.

2. They just built an extra Ferry dock a couple years ago. I don't know if there is space for another.

3. Monorails are automated now not sure they can do that nor would they probably want to for safety reasons.

Like I said I always take resort transportation but I feel it should be kind of expected that there is going to be major crowds leaving after the fireworks. When a monorail or ferry is down that obviously is making the situation worse but I think having Disney offer three modes of transportation most time is reasonable.

1. Exactly. This is my point on how Minnie Vans make the problem worse. First of all, can Minni Vans even pick up at the gates, or do they have to pick up at the TTC? I would guess the TTC since they don't want them coming in and crowding up the bus lanes. Second, this just goes to show how the Minnie Vans do nothing to solve a problem that doesn't have a solution and instead try to simply cut in on a market they were loosing out on because their existing transportation was subpar. I'm not opposed to Minnie Vans as a concept, but charging that much extra just because it's "Disney brand" is a sure fire way to make sure you can't afford that fleet of vans you just bought. I get that these vans weren't designed to do anything but cut into Uber, but if that is the only goal, then charging more for the same service without actually adding anything beyond brand identity isn't what most people would call "good business sense". If Minnie Vans really want to compete, let people reserve them for later times (like when the exit crush happens) and let them pick people up directly in front of MK and not at the TTC. THEN you bet I'll pay $20 for one. Otherwise, if I can get all the way to the TTC before I get one, there is no reason for me not to take the cheaper Uber route.

2. Lets assume there is no more room for docks. Run 2 more ferry's then. As it stands, when one departs there is a delay before the next one lands. Stick a third rotation in there and you at least have a semi-constant flow of people loading up, with the only pauses being between a full load and the next boat departing.

3. Automated or not doesn't change having empty monorails lined up and ready to load. If it can stop at the loading station then it can stop before the loading station. Heck, it already does this when there is an issue loading the previous train up as we found out when we sat on the train for 10 minutes because of some shenanigans on the train ahead of us.

Major crowds when leaving are one thing. Doing nothing to alleviate them is another. Those crowds have only gotten worse over the years and Disney has done nothing to change that.

 

[umichigan10]

Honestly, they need to start running transportation they currently have more reliably.
On the worst night I've seen, the monorail was down, there were no buses running from MK -> TTC, and just as I boarded the ferry, it went down and we had to exit and wait for the next one. There was literally 0 way to get out of MK

This I can understand. Which is why I think it's absurd the monorails haven't been upgraded. It's not like they're a novelty system, they're integral to the flow of guests to and from the most popular theme park on the planet

 

[umichigan10]

Good point. I work at several professional sports venues and this is the case at all of them.

I always thought it was cool you worked for the brewers (obviously off topic lol). I've seen the stadium on tv and it looks pretty cool

 

[rteetz]

1. Exactly. This is my point on how Minnie Vans make the problem worse. First of all, can Minni Vans even pick up at the gates, or do they have to pick up at the TTC? I would guess the TTC since they don't want them coming in and crowding up the bus lanes. Second, this just goes to show how the Minnie Vans do nothing to solve a problem that doesn't have a solution and instead try to simply cut in on a market they were loosing out on because their existing transportation was subpar. I'm not opposed to Minnie Vans as a concept, but charging that much extra just because it's "Disney brand" is a sure fire way to make sure you can't afford that fleet of vans you just bought. I get that these vans weren't designed to do anything but cut into Uber, but if that is the only goal, then charging more for the same service without actually adding anything beyond brand identity isn't what most people would call "good business sense". If Minnie Vans really want to compete, let people reserve them for later times (like when the exit crush happens) and let them pick people up directly in front of MK and not at the TTC. THEN you bet I'll pay $20 for one. Otherwise, if I can get all the way to the TTC before I get one, there is no reason for me not to take the cheaper Uber route.

2. Lets assume there is no more room for docks. Run 2 more ferry's then. As it stands, when one departs there is a delay before the next one lands. Stick a third rotation in there and you at least have a semi-constant flow of people loading up, with the only pauses being between a full load and the next boat departing.

3. Automated or not doesn't change having empty monorails lined up and ready to load. If it can stop at the loading station then it can stop before the loading station. Heck, it already does this when there is an issue loading the previous train up as we found out when we sat on the train for 10 minutes because of some shenanigans on the train ahead of us.

Major crowds when leaving are one thing. Doing nothing to alleviate them is another. Those crowds have only gotten worse over the years and Disney has done nothing to change that.

Minnie Vans have been spotted in the bus lanes already so people are assuming they can drop off there. Compared to some UberXL Disney isn't charging much extra if at all. Now if it is just one person it may not be worth it but for a group of 5 or 6 it could totally be worth it especially with the car seat option.

 

[umichigan10]

I'm not entirely sure what people expect. Haven't they been to a MLB game? A concert? A festival? All of these things are very similar. When the event is over, people are all leaving at once. They're all going to their cars, public transport, hotels down the street. I waited for 45 minutes after a concert at United Center just so I could get out of the parking lot. We used to set up a meeting spot at old Busch Stadium in case we got separated leaving after a game. There's very little disney can do to help the crush of humanity get where they're wanting to go all at once. I feel like if you're gonna wait somewhere, wait where you're comfortable. So, if you're comfortable waiting in line, seeing the next bus/monorail/ferry coming up then do that. If you're comfortable sitting on a bench sipping your drink, do that. But realize there's very little that can be done when thousands of people are going in the same direction.

Yeah when I saw Black Sabbath last summer, I was stuck in an hour jam leaving and like a 3 hour one getting in (I missed part of their set because of the latter and was pretty PO'ed). It's unfortunately what you sign up for, but I do think Disney could make some improvements

 

[rteetz]

I always thought it was cool you worked for the brewers (obviously off topic lol). I've seen the stadium on tv and it looks pretty cool

Brewers, Bucks, and Green Bay Packers! I don't work directly for each team but I work at each respective stadium.

 

[umichigan10]

Brewers, Bucks, and Green Bay Packers! I don't work directly for each team but I work at each respective stadium.

That's awesome, especially since they're each performing pretty well in their own right

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I feel like if you're gonna wait somewhere, wait where you're comfortable. So, if you're comfortable waiting in line, seeing the next bus/monorail/ferry coming up then do that. If you're comfortable sitting on a bench sipping your drink, do that. But realize there's very little that can be done when thousands of people are going in the same direction.

I like how you put this - wait where you're comfortable

Just a comment on this topic as well - for the first time last year we stayed after the fireworks and enjoyed the ambiance of MK after close. We hit up Starbucks for some beverages, sat on a bench, watched the kiss goodnight a couple of times actually. It was glorious, I know many recommend this and if you have never done it you should try it. The bus ride was then great too, everybody had seats as the crowds had long since disbursed. I would say it was one of our best memories on the trip and it made leaving with a 3 yr old and 7 yr old much easier.

 

[eXo]

Minnie Vans have been spotted in the bus lanes already so people are assuming they can drop off there. Compared to some UberXL Disney isn't charging much extra if at all. Now if it is just one person it may not be worth it but for a group of 5 or 6 it could totally be worth it especially with the car seat option.

Your automatically comparing it to the most expensive uber option. If you are going to do that, then you have to try and figure out how many people who currently use Uber at Disney actually use UberXL. Because if it's only 10%, then that means the other 90% still have no reason to pay the extra money.

And as far as car seats go, again, what percentage of people using ride share, or potentially using ride share, are also looking for car seats?

As I have said time and time again, you are focusing on a niche group and using them to justify the existence of an entire ride share service.

 

[eXo]

I like how you put this - wait where you're comfortable

Just a comment on this topic as well - for the first time last year we stayed after the fireworks and enjoyed the ambiance of MK after close. We hit up Starbucks for some beverages, sat on a bench, watched the kiss goodnight a couple of times actually. It was glorious, I know many recommend this and if you have never done it you should try it. The bus ride was then great too, everybody had seats as the crowds had long since disbursed. I would say it was one of our best memories on the trip and it made leaving with a 3 yr old and 7 yr old much easier.

When I am there with only adults (which is only once in the last 4 or 5 trips), this is great. It doesn't work so well when you have little ones who are tired and you hope they get enough rest so they aren't terrorists when you are at rope drop the next morning for a different park.

My wife can't always get a full 2 weeks off her job, but I'm hoping she can next time so we never have 2 park days back to back and we can avoid that issue.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Okay so without filling in the lagoon what would you do? You can only add so many buses at a time. Obviously more monorails isn't going to happen. I have obviously never seen this major problem as I always take resort transportation.

The monorail/ferries are a bit of a nightmare right after fireworks. We have gotten to the point we either leave early or stay late and let the crowds die down. That rush right after - especially with kids and strollers, etc. - is not fun

 

[TheMaxRebo]

News

Disney will be doing a reservation systems update on July 19th from 2AM to 9AM. Systems will be down during this time.

I'll mark it on my calendar to expect ton of posts around "I can't get into the system!!!" panicked Facebook posts at 7am on the 19th

 

[TwoMisfits]

I am always amazed to see the crush of people that head for the exit right after fireworks/closing. We like to make sure we have a drink and a snack and a spot to relax for 30 minutes to an hour before we head to the ferry boat to get to the TTC and walk to the truck. We avoid at least some of the madness and get to enjoy more MK after dark time with each other. It's always worth it as far as we are concerned.

And that would work great...without little kids...when you are already staying past bedtime, staying another hour is probably not a good plan...

I mean, this is the park for little kids, touting how wonderful it is for families...the exit is anything but good...especially when it involve lining up with pushing, sweaty, unhappy people...the meltdowns I've seen over the years...it's not a "magical" ending...

Conversely, every other park, you just walk out - it's glorious in comparison...

 

[TheMaxRebo]

1. That won't happen now with Minnie Vans.

2. They just built an extra Ferry dock a couple years ago. I don't know if there is space for another.

3. Monorails are automated now not sure they can do that nor would they probably want to for safety reasons.

Like I said I always take resort transportation but I feel it should be kind of expected that there is going to be major crowds leaving after the fireworks. When a monorail or ferry is down that obviously is making the situation worse but I think having Disney offer three modes of transportation most time is reasonable.

I think that is a bit of an issue. If the monorails were running at 100% efficiency and at broader hours (the fact they often aren't running before park opening times) would help vs the current situation

 

[CJK]

Tikiman is reporting on Facebook that a fee for self-parking may be coming to Disney hotels in Orlando......

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Your automatically comparing it to the most expensive uber option. If you are going to do that, then you have to try and figure out how many people who currently use Uber at Disney actually use UberXL. Because if it's only 10%, then that means the other 90% still have no reason to pay the extra money.

And as far as car seats go, again, what percentage of people using ride share, or potentially using ride share, are also looking for car seats?

As I have said time and time again, you are focusing on a niche group and using them to justify the existence of an entire ride share service.

I know this has been covered but I think the MinnieVans and Uber are going after different markets. I have young kids that need car seats so I would never really even consider Uber when we are together - now with this service I might for an PPO breakfast or getting resort-to-resort, etc. Also some people disagree with the business practices of Uber and won't use them - or just have never used Uber, don't know much about it - but now see this marketed to them and might try it

I totally get why people that are comfortable with using Uber now this likely won't be attractive - but it isn't just taking a piece of the Uber pie, but rather expanding the pie as well

 

[rteetz]

Your automatically comparing it to the most expensive uber option. If you are going to do that, then you have to try and figure out how many people who currently use Uber at Disney actually use UberXL. Because if it's only 10%, then that means the other 90% still have no reason to pay the extra money.

And as far as car seats go, again, what percentage of people using ride share, or potentially using ride share, are also looking for car seats?

As I have said time and time again, you are focusing on a niche group and using them to justify the existence of an entire ride share service.

At Disney I would think the percentage of those wanting car seats is higher. I have never used Uber but isn't UberXL larger vehicle that fit more? If so they directly compare since all of the Minnie Vans seat 6 people.

 

[rteetz]

Tikiman is reporting on Facebook that a fee for self-parking may be coming to Disney hotels in Orlando......

This has been talked about for some time now.