Resort Launch??

[ScarletFire]

I love the resort launch! You know, the boat between CR, WL and FW. Is it running yet? I'm thinking since HDDR is open the extra transportation is needed.

Just curious and wish for its return.

 

[Stratman50th]

Not running and unfortunately conventional wisdom says it won't be coming back.
Who knows, we can always hope.

 

[happycamper47]

Not running and unfortunately conventional wisdom says it won't be coming back.
Who knows, we can always hope.

Probably due to staffing shortages. They are still looking for more bus drivers too.

 

[Stratman50th]

Probably due to staffing shortages. They are still looking for more bus drivers too.

Might be, however I get the impression that they aren't looking too hard. They save a lot of money in staff as well as fuel and maintenance by not running the line. While not actively discouraging resort hopping they aren't actually pushing it now either. The launch is what could be considered a "frivolous expense". There are other ways to get to the resorts. Nowhere near as efficient but Disney has seen they can get away without the boat going to the resorts. Buses they have to have and you can shift them around as necessary. Boats have a very limited use. I've had boats all my life. The problem with a boat, and the reason we bought an RV is you have to have water going every place you want/need to go which isn't always the case.

 

[Love Ft Wilderness]

Must be cheaper to recreate a walking path between FW and WL. Maintenance would be minimal, and everybody used to love using that walkway. I would do that instead of the petri-dish bus any day.

 

[Stratman50th]

Must be cheaper to recreate a walking path between FW and WL. Maintenance would be minimal, and everybody used to love using that walkway. I would do that instead of the petri-dish bus any day.

The don't seem to be in a hurry to redo that either. I understand that they've made a lot of progress on the beach area, so that's at least some goodish news.

 

[Genie+]

This is a bummer. What’s the best way now to get from CR to Artist Point ADR? The boat would’ve been lovely!

 

[EmilyGahr]

This is a bummer. What’s the best way now to get from CR to Artist Point ADR? The boat would’ve been lovely!

Walk/monorail to MK and then the boat to WL would by my route. Or uber of course.

 

[Genie+]

Walk/monorail to MK and then the boat to WL would by my route. Or uber of course.

Oh thank you! There’s still the resort boat from MK?

This is our first time at Bay Lake and we’re very excited.

 

[Stratman50th]

Oh thank you! There’s still the resort boat from MK?

This is our first time at Bay Lake and we’re very excited.

Yes. The boats still run from the resorts to MK. Just not the resort loop.

 

[Genie+]

Yes. The boats still run from the resorts to MK. Just not the resort loop.

Thanks

 

[bama_ed]

Might be, however I get the impression that they aren't looking too hard.

I think they are trying to get bus drivers but in a limited way, Don.

The disneycareers.com website under the "Theme Park Operations" link has a:

Bus Driver Hiring Event, Tuesday September 6, 2022​

to try to attract bus drivers. They offer a starting hourly rate of $18/hr with a $1k signing bonus whereas most hourly CM jobs start at $15/hr (Housekeeping also appears to be a premium hiring opportunity at $17/hr also with a $1k bonus available).

There are Full Time Opportunities for bus drivers available. But Disney wants to schedule you when THEY want you.

SCHEDULE AVAILABILITY :
Our Theme Parks and Resort Hotels operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and some shifts may start as early as 5:00am while some may end as late as 3:00am, 4:00am or 5:00am. Please note that the principles of seniority are used to schedule all roles.

Of course, potential applicants would need to compare Pay/Bennies/QualOfLife for WDW versus other opportunities in the marketplace.

So WDW appears to be putting forth an effort but it remains to be seen how attractive this offer is.

Bama Ed

PS - they took the Resort Boat Loop triangle flag sign off the FW dock on the right side so I don't think that boat to CR-WL-FW is coming back any time soon. I loved that boat ride over to CR to walk to MK early in the mornings. I'll miss it.

 

[happycamper47]

I think they are trying to get bus drivers but in a limited way, Don.
.

They were trying to get additional drivers even before the Pandemic. I also know numerous PT drivers who had pretty flexible schedules. The schools are even having a harder time getting bus drivers in just about all the districts around Orlando. Orange County was 100 drivers short in July. Too many people just don't want to work anymore.

If you're a Disney fanatic you can't beat being a CM when you look at the park and cruise benefits. 30% or more off of Resort stays, even for friends, 40% off of merchandise, free park admission along with numerous guest passes, 7 day cruises for less than $3,000 total for 2 with a veranda, up to 3 cabins.

Until the labor shortages subside I think we will continue to see many of our favorite WDW things be very slow to return.

 

[Stratman50th]

@bama_ed
I was actually talking about the boat captains Ed. I know they need bus drivers. I wonder if it costs a lot more to contract out than have their own in house bus drivers. I'm a government contractor and I just can't believe they can't do it cheaper in house. One thing is they don't want to do what we do. Plus the expertise isn't there. Sorry, LOL didn't mean to turn this onto a contractor thread. Yeah, I don't doubt they are trying to recruit bus drivers!

 

[bama_ed]

@bama_ed
I was actually talking about the boat captains Ed. I know they need bus drivers.

Ooops. My bad.

Yeah, I didn't see any job postings for water boat captains. A bus is infinitely more efficient than a boat in terms of routing. A bus can be pulled off a low ridership run and reassigned on-the-fly to a high ridership run, for example.

The resort boat loop has gone the way of the Lawnmower Tree and the Exercise Trail, I'm afraid.

Ed

 

[PalmettoPath]

Probably due to staffing shortages. They are still looking for more bus drivers too.

CMs onsite told us it was due to a shortage of captains. They said they're actively recruiting and training. Many on that route decided to retire when the covid closures hit, so we were told.

 

[Love Ft Wilderness]

We loved riding the resort launch with the singing Captain. I don't remember his name, but he had a great voice. We always go in the month of December, and he always sang Christmas carols.