AK walk from bus stop to gate - in need of moving walkway?

[DisneyJunkie]

Is it just me, or could Animal Kingdom really use some kind of moving walkway (perhaps in either direction) from the bus stop closer to the main entrance of the park? Seriously, that is a very long walk (especially if you're one of the buses way out at the drop-off point) without any kind of cover from either the sun or the rain. Would it really be that expensive to put in some kind of moving walkway system to save its guests from wearing down their feet any more than necessary?

 

[wdwmagic]

It gets you prepared for the day of walking! Consider it a warm up LOL.

 

[wm49rs]

Is it just me, or could Animal Kingdom really use some kind of moving walkway (perhaps in either direction) from the bus stop closer to the main entrance of the park? Seriously, that is a very long walk (especially if you're one of the buses way out at the drop-off point) without any kind of cover from either the sun or the rain. Would it really be that expensive to put in some kind of moving walkway system to save its guests from wearing down their feet any more than necessary?

Yes, actually it would be....

 

[DisneyJunkie]

Yes, actually it would be....

I'd like to see the figures on that, and compare something useful (as that would be) like that to the wasted money spent on things like Stitch's Escape over at MK or the money spent on constant revisions to JIIY.

 

[wm49rs]

I'd like to see the figures on that, and compare something useful (as that would be) like that to the wasted money spent on things like Stitch's Escape over at MK or the money spent on constant revisions to JIIY.

SGE and JIIY are existing attractions, for better or worse, so there's no figures to compare with a hypothetical moving walkway, which isn't necessary to begin with.

 

[lazyboy97o]

It gets you prepared for the day of walking! Consider it a warm up LOL.

I was going to say something similar. If you're complaining about the walk into the park, you're not going to enjoy what you find on the inside.

 

[DisneyJunkie]

SGE and JIIY are existing attractions, for better or worse, so there's no figures to compare with a hypothetical moving walkway, which isn't necessary to begin with.

Actually there are figures to compare. How much money was wasted on reimagining those existing attractions (reimaginings hated by so many) and how much would it cost for a (quite necessary) hypothetical moving walkway?

 

[wm49rs]

Actually there are figures to compare. How much money was wasted on reimagining those existing attractions (reimaginings hated by so many) and how much would it cost for a (quite necessary) hypothetical moving walkway?

So, go compare them. But, you're basing your comparison with the "wasted" monies for existing attractions and rides. So at the very onset the comparison, as it were, would be biased.

And I've never heard of a hue and cry for a moving walkway at the AK.....

 

[DisneyJunkie]

OR.....even if they sectioned off part of that walkway into a tram path and had someone drive it back and forth, even that expense would be quite low.

 

[DisneyJunkie]

So, go compare them. But, you're basing your comparison with the "wasted" monies for existing attractions and rides. So at the very onset the comparison, as it were, would be biased.

And I've never heard of a hue and cry for a moving walkway at the AK.....

Well unfortunately I don't work for WDW, nor would have any access to those kinds of financials. And bias has nothing to do with it. Well I have heard quite a few complain about the walking distance from bus to front gate at AK.

 

[wm49rs]

Well unfortunately I don't work for WDW, nor would have any access to those kinds of financials. And bias has nothing to do with it. Well I have heard quite a few complain about the walking distance from bus to front gate at AK.

I'll let this drop after this post, but if you're comparing costs between one item, and those expenditures you consider "wasted," then yes, there's an inherent bias.

And I could counter that's there's quite a few who don't complain about it. I'd rather see monies go towards something drawing people into the park itself. Then perhaps concern over the arduous trek in could be addressed.

 

[wilkeliza]

OR.....even if they sectioned off part of that walkway into a tram path and had someone drive it back and forth, even that expense would be quite low.

The trams are rather expensive actually. The cost of buying new trams, upkeep, gas, and the several new cast members to hire is not worth it. Honestly it isn't that long of a walk. The only walk that requires trams is if you park your car in the parking lots. The bus stops are more than close enough.

Seems like people want to just be let off right at the front gate but if that were to happen everyone would complain about how the bus stops ruin the theming. It isn't like it is a mile or even half or quater of a mile from the bus stop to the front of Animal Kingdom. This just comes off as another pointless thing people want to complain about. It's walking maybe 100 yards (.05 miles) so it isn't that big of a deal. As others have said if you have issue walking that your not going to be too happy once you get into AK and realize how spread apart things are in that park. I swear I walk more on my Disney vacations than I run for my training.

 

[FettFan]

You're wanting to put a moving sidewalk outside, in the middle of central Florida's heat, humidity, and routine afternoon convectional downpours?

Not going to happen. The maintenance alone would be astronomical.

For a much simpler solution, throw out the sandals and flip-flops in favor of a pair of comfortable walking shoes.

 

[wolf359]

Is the walk really that long that it is worth worrying about? I've never given it a second thought and had you asked me which had the longest walk I would have said EPCOT, not Animal Kingdom.

Of course, considering the amount of walking I'm going to do in an average Disney vacation I don't think the 50-yard or so walk from the bus stop is that much of a concern for me personally.

 

[DisneyJunkie]

Whether I have bias or not is completely irrelevant. And you already are seeing monies being spent to draw people into the park itself (i.e. Avatarland).

The walk around the park is enough in and of itself. The architects certainly could have come up with a better solution for the bus pickup/drop off area of Animal Kingdom. And it really IS a long walk, particularly if you're elderly, or someone with physical infirmities, or even parents who have children to carry. I'm still on the young side and in good shape and health, and I do consider it quite a trek just to get from the bus to the turnstiles and then up and over the bridge to actually be in the park itself.

I'm not saying anything like this WOULD/COULD ever happen. But it sure would be nice.

 

[Tip Top Club]

The Bus Stop is right next to the entrance....It really couldn't get any closer.

 

[Master Yoda]

Just FYI.....the distance from the furthest bus stop to the turnstiles at MK is only 6' shorter than the same distance (furthest bus stop to turnstiles) at AK. MK comes in at 1249' AK is 1255'. By comparison Epcot has the longest possible walk at roughly 1305' and DHS comes in as the lowest at 950'

 

[Kev1417]

this just reminds me of Wall-E.

 

[jakeman]

Just FYI.....the distance from the furthest bus stop to the turnstiles at MK is only 6' shorter than the same distance (furthest bus stop to turnstiles) at AK. MK comes in at 1249' AK is 1255'. By comparison Epcot has the longest possible walk at roughly 1305' and DHS comes in as the lowest at 950'

You should see the mass of people 6 feet from the entrance who just can't make it. They look at the entrance, then where they are, then back at the entrance, and turn around and go home. So many of them just shake their fist in rage yelling, "If only there was a means of conveyance these last six feet! I could have enjoyed myself! Curse you TDO!"

It's really sad.

 

[lokisix]