Express Transportation - The Most Magical Experience at WDW

[Chef Mickey]

I used the Express Transportation during my 10 day trip. I didn't buy the first 3 days, but used it every day my last 7 days. I paid $29/person for the 7 day pass (no tax) and I'd pay $100/person. It's the best service going at Disney and in my opinion, the most "worth it" for park hoppers.

For example, I was able to watch Happily Ever After and was on a bus for AK at 9:30pm, arriving at 9:50 in Africa. We used it multiple times per day, one day starting at EPCOT, going to MK in afternoon, going back to EPCOT for Dinner, and finishing back at MK for fireworks.

For those that don't know, the process is simple:

• Arrive at the Express Transportation location 5min before bus departure
• Scan MagicBands
• Guest Services escorts you to your bus backstage
• Driver leaves promptly at scheduled time and uses backstage areas to depart old park and arrive at new park.
• Get off backstage and Guest Services employee greets you and escorts you to the park and says "have fun."

For me, the benefits are:

• Cheap...$29 for 7 days is totally worth it for Park Hoppers.
• No Bag check...game changer
• No walking out to the bus and wondering when it will come
• Covered waiting area (although you don't need to wait long)
  
• Dropoff INSIDE the park is truly magical
  
• PROMPT service. Departure times are EXACT and scheduled in advance, so you can arrive 3-5 min before and be guaranteed to go the park of your choice. Bus leaves every 30min at specified time.

Another cool thing if you like this sort of thing is that you are able to see many backstage areas and employees going about their business in a non-Disney atmosphere. I saw several non-Disney moments that I won't share here, but I totally understand when you're off stage.

Overall, I'm impressed and I think at this price, it makes Park Hopper an unbelievable value. I was able to visit 3 parks in a day with ease just to re-ride favorites, eat dinner, or watch a show like Festival of the Lion King and head back to MK for fireworks.

HIGHLY recommended. I can't imagine this won't get more popular. We were routinely the only people on the bus and even the most was 3-4 other people. My only complaint is 1 day they "suspended" it for lightning. Something about insurance and being in "off stage areas."

 

[JIMINYCR]

Thanks for the positive review. Sounds worthwhile. When it was first put out there I mentioned it to DW as a possibility, but wasnt exactly sure if the expense would offset the bus waiting time. We do get the PH passes and utilize them. We have been experiencing better bus service at POFQ than in past trips but maybe we should rethink our way of doing it and add this into our budgeting.

 

[thomas998]

I used the Express Transportation during my 10 day trip. I didn't buy the first 3 days, but used it every day my last 7 days. I paid $29/person for the 7 day pass (no tax) and I'd pay $100/person. It's the best service going at Disney and in my opinion, the most "worth it" for park hoppers.

For example, I was able to watch Happily Ever After and was on a bus for AK at 9:30pm, arriving at 9:50 in Africa. We used it multiple times per day, one day starting at EPCOT, going to MK in afternoon, going back to EPCOT for Dinner, and finishing back at MK for fireworks.

For those that don't know, the process is simple:

• Arrive at the Express Transportation location 5min before bus depature
• Scan MagicBands
• Guest Services escorts you to your bus backstage
• Driver leaves promptly at scheduled time and uses backstage areas to depart old park and arrive at new park.
• Get off backstage and Guest Services employee greets you and escorts you to the park and says "have fun."

For me, the benefits are:

• Cheap...$29 for 7 days is totally worth it for Park Hoppers.
• No Bag check...game changer
• No walking out to the bus and wondering when it will come
• Covered waiting area (although you don't need to wait long)
  
• Dropoff INSIDE the park is truly magical
  
• PROMPT service. Departure times are EXACT and scheduled in advance, so you can arrive 3-5 min before and be guaranteed to go the park of your choice. Bus leaves every 30min at specified time.

Another cool thing if you like this sort of thing is that you are able to see many backstage areas and employees going about their business in a non-Disney atmosphere. I saw several non-Disney moments that I won't share here, but I totally understand when you're off stage.

Overall, I'm impressed and I think at this price, it makes Park Hopper an unbelievable value. I was able to visit 3 parks in a day with ease just to re-ride favorites, eat dinner, or watch a show like Festival of the Lion King and head back to MK for fireworks.

HIGHLY recommended. I can't imagine this won't get more popular. We were routinely the only people on the bus and even the most was 3-4 other people. My only complaint is 1 day they "suspended" it for lightning. Something about insurance and being in "off stage areas."

Well I see two future issues with it... 1)If you and your family were often the only ones on it then Disney isn't going to keep it going unless that changes because they are in the business of making money and running a bus with 3 or 4 people on it when they've only charge them a little over $4 for as many trips as they want is going to be a huge money loser... and 2)Assuming they get past number 1 and manage to get enough of a following to keep the thing going it will likely become too popular and eventually you'll be waiting in line for god only knows how long until a bus queues up for the huge number of waiting guests.

In short I would enjoy it while you can because I doubt it will be around in the way you've described it for long.

 

[jloucks]

I used the Express Transportation during my 10 day trip. I didn't buy the first 3 days, but used it every day my last 7 days. I paid $29/person for the 7 day pass (no tax) and I'd pay $100/person. It's the best service going at Disney and in my opinion, the most "worth it" for park hoppers.

For example, I was able to watch Happily Ever After and was on a bus for AK at 9:30pm, arriving at 9:50 in Africa. We used it multiple times per day, one day starting at EPCOT, going to MK in afternoon, going back to EPCOT for Dinner, and finishing back at MK for fireworks.

For those that don't know, the process is simple:

• Arrive at the Express Transportation location 5min before bus depature
• Scan MagicBands
• Guest Services escorts you to your bus backstage
• Driver leaves promptly at scheduled time and uses backstage areas to depart old park and arrive at new park.
• Get off backstage and Guest Services employee greets you and escorts you to the park and says "have fun."

For me, the benefits are:

• Cheap...$29 for 7 days is totally worth it for Park Hoppers.
• No Bag check...game changer
• No walking out to the bus and wondering when it will come
• Covered waiting area (although you don't need to wait long)
  
• Dropoff INSIDE the park is truly magical
  
• PROMPT service. Departure times are EXACT and scheduled in advance, so you can arrive 3-5 min before and be guaranteed to go the park of your choice. Bus leaves every 30min at specified time.

Another cool thing if you like this sort of thing is that you are able to see many backstage areas and employees going about their business in a non-Disney atmosphere. I saw several non-Disney moments that I won't share here, but I totally understand when you're off stage.

Overall, I'm impressed and I think at this price, it makes Park Hopper an unbelievable value. I was able to visit 3 parks in a day with ease just to re-ride favorites, eat dinner, or watch a show like Festival of the Lion King and head back to MK for fireworks.

HIGHLY recommended. I can't imagine this won't get more popular. We were routinely the only people on the bus and even the most was 3-4 other people. My only complaint is 1 day they "suspended" it for lightning. Something about insurance and being in "off stage areas."

When we go back, I will be getting this. Thanks for the briefing!

 

[jloucks]

Well I see two future issues with it... 1)If you and your family were often the only ones on it then Disney isn't going to keep it going unless that changes because they are in the business of making money and running a bus with 3 or 4 people on it when they've only charge them a little over $4 for as many trips as they want is going to be a huge money loser... and 2)Assuming they get past number 1 and manage to get enough of a following to keep the thing going it will likely become too popular and eventually you'll be waiting in line for god only knows how long until a bus queues up for the huge number of waiting guests.

In short I would enjoy it while you can because I doubt it will be around in the way you've described it for long.

You assume they want to make money with it. The entire busing system loses money. At least, related to itself. I suspect the price on this new service is simply a demand throttle. This system seems to appeal to the people that really hate the cattle car busing system and/or have more money than time. I am one of those. I've said it before, ill say it again. the busing setup is in my top 3 list of things that is far from magical. The airport to site and back is pretty good.

 

[thomas998]

You assume they want to make money with it. The entire busing system loses money. At least, related to itself. I suspect the price on this new service is simply a demand throttle. This system seems to appeal to the people that really hate the cattle car busing system and/or have more money than time. I am one of those. I've said it before, ill say it again. the busing setup is in my top 3 list of things that is far from magical. The airport to site and back is pretty good.

While they clearly lose money on the bus system since they charge nothing for it they likely look at it as a necessary evil to increase the probability that a guest will forego their own car and become a captive to Disney... once caught in the web of Disney they can probably quantify a certain number of dollars they will now generate from you because you are no longer able to waltz down to the Wal-Mart for a case of water bottles for the same price Disney charges for one bottle.... So I can clearly see a real reason to run those buses for nothing.. But their is little gain by offering a premium bus service at a price that according to the OP was operating in such a way that is losing money. Disney doesn't do dessert cruises simply because they want some guests to enjoy a nicer view of the fireworks, they do it to make money and if the premium bus service doesn't make some money it wont last. Now if I was going to be using that type of service I would simply hope they ratchet up the price closer to $10/day per person to keep it try and keep it from being overrun by the masses. At roughly $4/day I might even be tempted to use it and I will never ever use those vile free buses again.

 

[Gelatoni]

Stop telling people! I want this to myself!

If they drop this i wont get park hoppers I'm so spoiled now...

 

[Chef Mickey]

You assume they want to make money with it. The entire busing system loses money. At least, related to itself. I suspect the price on this new service is simply a demand throttle. This system seems to appeal to the people that really hate the cattle car busing system and/or have more money than time. I am one of those. I've said it before, ill say it again. the busing setup is in my top 3 list of things that is far from magical. The airport to site and back is pretty good.

Agreed. I think this is less about money and more about giving guests an option to feel like the Park Hopper is a good value and just overall increase guest satisfaction. I'm with you...my least favorite part about Disney is walking OUT of the park, waiting for a bus that you don't know when will come, walking to the new park, going through bag check, and finally getting back in. This is particularly bad at Hollywood Studios where there is no cover for park to park buses and they seem to take forever to come.

Treating it like going to different airport terminals where guests in the park are already "secured" was a brilliant idea to increase guest satisfaction. To me, if they wanted to make money on it, they'd just charge more. I think people who are willing to pay $29 would be willing to pay $59 too. It's more about making the guests happy and getting them to spend more other places because they are happy. I wouldn't have eaten at Teppan Edo at EPCOT if it weren't so easy to get there at dinner. I probably would have just eaten at Cosmic Ray's, but I ended up spending $130 instead of $40.

 

[jloucks]

But their is little gain by offering a premium bus service at a price that according to the OP was operating in such a way that is losing money. Disney doesn't do dessert cruises simply because they want some guests to enjoy a nicer view of the fireworks, they do it to make money and if the premium bus service doesn't make some money it wont last.

My guess is that they are going after a very specific demographic. A very sweet and juicy demographic, the more money than time crowd. Or just the the money crowd. Or the really hates buses crowd. Disney will be able to tell very easily the correlation between premium bus service, park spending, and lodging expenditures. It only takes a very small % increase to make it worth it.

They may even be able to tell if the premium bus system brings those demographics to the parks more often, which is an ever greater success. I just cannot quite figure out how except using a survey.

You could equate in increase in premium lodging with the introduction of premium busing. ...but not sure how you would prove it.

 

[Chef Mickey]

Stop telling people! I want this to myself!

If they drop this i wont get park hoppers I'm so spoiled now...

What's interesting is that it's even advertised at the lobby front desk and it's very visible in the parks. I really think people are kind of maxed out with their spending and can't see the value of spending more on something they can get for free, or even don't park hop, so they don't need it.

If Park Hoppers try it, I think they will buy it. It's really a good way to maximize your time/money spend because you could conceivably do 4 parks in a day with maybe 60 minutes total of travel time. I bet with this service and the app to reserve FP on the fly, I could do the major stuff at all 4 parks in 1 day assuming I started at 8am and ended at 12am.

 

[Chef Mickey]

My guess is that they are going after a very specific demographic. A very sweet and juicy demographic, the more money than time crowd. Or just the the money crowd. Or the really hates buses crowd. Disney will be able to tell very easily the correlation between premium bus service, park spending, and lodging expenditures. It only takes a very small % increase to make it worth it.

They may even be able to tell if the premium bus system brings those demographics to the parks more often, which is an ever greater success. I just cannot quite figure out how except using a survey.

You could equate in increase in premium lodging with the introduction of premium busing. ...but not sure how you would prove it.

I always make the argument your time is SUPER valuable at Disney, even if you're not "rich" because you have to think logically. You're paying so much to be there in just sunk costs (hotel, park ticket, airfare) have all been spent. If you can squeeze out an extra hour of entertainment that you'd save traveling, you're coming out ahead. You could also shorten your trips by probably a day and get the same or more done, saving you real money on hotel and food.

 

[jloucks]

Agreed. I think this is less about money and more about giving guests an option to feel like the Park Hopper is a good value and just overall increase guest satisfaction. I'm with you...my least favorite part about Disney is walking OUT of the park, waiting for a bus that you don't know when will come, walking to the new park, going through bag check, and finally getting back in. This is particularly bad at Hollywood Studios where there is no cover for park to park buses and they seem to take forever to come.

Treating it like going to different airport terminals where guests in the park are already "secured" was a brilliant idea to increase guest satisfaction. To me, if they wanted to make money on it, they'd just charge more. I think people who are willing to pay $29 would be willing to pay $59 too. It's more about making the guests happy and getting them to spend more n other because they are happy. I wouldn't have eaten at Teppan Edo at EPCOT if it weren't so easy to get there at dinner. I probably would have just eaten at Cosmic Ray's, but I ended up spending $130 instead of $40.

Interesting, I wonder how high I would go. $29 a person for 7 days is a no brainier. I'd do it in a heartbeat. I'd probably cap out at $60-$70 as a max as park to park buses were more tolerable than park to resort buses. Now if they also had premium to resorts as well, I'd love it. At some point tho, taxis would be cheaper and the way to go (from park to resort at closing time, family of 4).

Last time we went I swore I would use Taxis/Lyft anytime the bus line was over about 30 minutes long. Never happened. I think the buses knew they had a traitor in their midst.

 

[Jedi Stitch]

Just like were others have said it where you feel the value is. That is were the value of the value resort comes in. You pay for the Cadillac of dinning plans, pay for express service, have every thing sent to your resort. Then you are paying that same as if you are staying in a deluxe resort.

 

[Bairstow]

Another cool thing if you like this sort of thing is that you are able to see many backstage areas and employees going about their business in a non-Disney atmosphere. I saw several non-Disney moments that I won't share here,

Aww c'moooooon!

 

[Chef Mickey]

Aww c'moooooon!

I view them as "off the clock" and I'm on their turf.

 

[DuckTalesWooHoo1987]

If they would take me back and forth to BLT as well as to the parks I'd be all over it. It's actually $29 PER DAY PER PERSON though right? Not just $29 added on to your park hopper? Although we always have the DVC annual pass and I don't even know if we'd be eligible for getting that kind of a deal.

 

[disney4life2008]

Enjoy it because it will be $100 for 3 days before you know it.

 

[flynnibus]

So what you are saying is... you're willing to pay to be IMPRESSED with service... instead of 'its just like everyone else' or 'its a bus, what do you expect', or other excuses for medicore?

It's why we willingly paid a premium for Disney in the past - and are upset when the Disney experience is no long impressive but oppressive.

 

[thomas998]

My guess is that they are going after a very specific demographic. A very sweet and juicy demographic, the more money than time crowd. Or just the the money crowd. Or the really hates buses crowd. Disney will be able to tell very easily the correlation between premium bus service, park spending, and lodging expenditures. It only takes a very small % increase to make it worth it.

They may even be able to tell if the premium bus system brings those demographics to the parks more often, which is an ever greater success. I just cannot quite figure out how except using a survey.

You could equate in increase in premium lodging with the introduction of premium busing. ...but not sure how you would prove it.

Well given you have to scan your magic band to use the buses they'll have a very good idea of what the typical premium bus rider does as they will be tracking their every move with the magic band.

 

[marni1971]

Imagine if it was magical for everyone. Someone had to say it.