Paid Private Water Taxi Service Now Available at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

[jpeden]

Your morning money grab from the folks over at Walt Disney World. From our friends at WDWNT:

Starting today, guests can book a private water taxi service from Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.


Private watercraft service now be offered to and from Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

The Walt Disney World Resort has always offered complimentary watercraft service to and from the resort, but will now offer an additional paid program. The service departs from the Grand Floridian and can be used by guests traveling to any destinations around the Seven Seas Lagoon. It is however warned that private return service from the Magic Kingdom may not be available due to the regular boat traffic in that area.

The service can accommodate up to 10 passengers per boat and costs $20 each way per family. The private experience is available throughout the day, based on availability. Reservations can be made by calling the recreation team at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort between 8AM and 6PM at 321-318-8212.

Link: http://wdwnt.com/blog/2016/11/paid-...now-available-disneys-grand-floridian-resort/

 

[rteetz]

Your morning money grab from the folks over at Walt Disney World. From our friends at WDWNT:



Link: http://wdwnt.com/blog/2016/11/paid-...now-available-disneys-grand-floridian-resort/

This was reported from the HUB last week I forgot to post it though. Thanks for starting a thread.

 

[sachilles]

I suppose, no real difference than taking a regular cab to some locations, just slower, but more scenic.
It would be worth it for me to get back from hoop de doo(assuming that's an option.

 

[jpeden]

This was reported from the HUB last week I forgot to post it though. Thanks for starting a thread.

No problem - happy to help out where I can.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Again...I don't get it...luxury to an aging amusement park and it's aging hotels...

It's not the George V...

 

[jpeden]

IF reports are correct it's also on a pontoon boat.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Giving people a canoe and pats would be faster

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I suppose, no real difference than taking a regular cab to some locations, just slower, but more scenic.
It would be worth it for me to get back from hoop de doo(assuming that's an option.

Well, I guess the difference is that the cabs weren't being provided by Disney - that is, Disney wasn't charging you the cab fee.

I know there were those stories about Disney looking into having their own "Uber-like" service - wonder if this is the first step towards that

 

[mikepizzo]

Meh, I don't really see this as a money grab. Let the option be there for the ones that want it.

I have no problem with additional options costing money.

Now...if this was the ONLY way to get from Grand Floridian to Magic Kingdom and they were charging money, then yeah, that would be money grabbing.

When/If they don't make enough money to cover the cost, or they don't make enough profit, this option will probably go away. No harm, no foul.

 

[Madonna3]

Again...I don't get it...luxury to an aging amusement park and it's aging hotels...

It's not the George V...

I don't get this either.

 

[LaidBackDad]

Again...I don't get it...luxury to an aging amusement park and it's aging hotels...

It's not the George V...

It's not anything I would ever consider using but I can see some appeal to someone not wanting to wait for the regular boat or monorail. I'm kinda surprised they didn't go full blown ostentatious money grab with the water taxi having hot tubs, complimentary foot massages, free drinks and apps, with characters driving the boats, all for a modest upgrade of about $10K per one way trip..

 

[closetmickey]

The only problem with this (as I see it) is for the guest who is willing to spend money for greater convenience, is that a private option is most needed to get that customer HOME from the MK. That is the real hassle....getting there is fairly simple using the existing transportation options.

 

[sachilles]

I'm still very surprised they haven't completed the path from the MK to the Grand Floridian. Seems like such a simple solution. Realize the canal crossing is an issue, but there are plenty of options there. Even with the gator attack precautions, I'd think it would be well utilized. Put a pedal cab or two on there for a money grab and life would be grand.

 

[Madonna3]

I'm still very surprised they haven't completed the path from the MK to the Grand Floridian. Seems like such a simple solution. Realize the canal crossing is an issue, but there are plenty of options there. Even with the gator attack precautions, I'd think it would be well utilized. Put a pedal cab or two on there for a money grab and life would be grand.

Yeah I don't understand this either. They could always create a drawbridge and have it monitored when needed like they do Epcot.

 

[Madonna3]

The only problem with this (as I see it) is for the guest who is willing to spend money for greater convenience, is that a private option is most needed to get that customer HOME from the MK. That is the real hassle....getting there is fairly simple using the existing transportation options.

Exactly. There are some nights I would probably pay for a private ride home.

 

[Madonna3]

Meh, I don't really see this as a money grab. Let the option be there for the ones that want it.

I have no problem with additional options costing money.

Now...if this was the ONLY way to get from Grand Floridian to Magic Kingdom and they were charging money, then yeah, that would be money grabbing.

When/If they don't make enough money to cover the cost, or they don't make enough profit, this option will probably go away. No harm, no foul.

I don't necessarily agree with the "no harm, no foul" part. If they are expecting a significant amount of revenue from this and they don't get it, but invest in the equipment then they will have to find a way to recoup that lost investment. However, I believe that because a large part of their fleet that is meant for guest use goes unused and with their policy of now only allowing fishing on excursions and not on private rentals that they need to recoup their revenue from lost rentals. Just my theory anyway.

 

[closetmickey]

Exactly. There are some nights I would probably pay for a private ride home.

ABSOLUTELY

 

[Scalemaster34]

I'm still very surprised they haven't completed the path from the MK to the Grand Floridian. Seems like such a simple solution. Realize the canal crossing is an issue, but there are plenty of options there. Even with the gator attack precautions, I'd think it would be well utilized. Put a pedal cab or two on there for a money grab and life would be grand.

I agree... on busy nights, I'd gladly take a 30 min walk to GF or Poly in stead of waiting that long to be packed in a monorail or boat that will again take another 30 mins...

 

[Polydweller]

Yeah I don't understand this either. They could always create a drawbridge and have it monitored when needed like they do Epcot.

Really, the shore to shore distance is a bit over 100 ft. That would be a massive drawbridge. Extremely expensive to build with almost no return on investment. There is just no cost justification for this given the fairly small amount foot traffic there would be.

 

[Madonna3]

Really, the shore to shore distance is a bit over 100 ft. That would be a massive drawbridge. Extremely expensive to build with almost no return on investment. There is just no cost justification for this given the fairly small amount foot traffic there would be.

Oh, I did not know that about the length. Looks much smaller than that. However, I am sure there is a solution to complete that path as it always just seemed like something that should be completed.