BUS DRIVER RUMOR: Disney to start charging for resort buses...

[dizknee24]

Man, Bus Drivers have become the almighty source for new information. At least this rumor pertains to the busses themselves.

 

[wendysue]

I think the bus driver was full of baloney, but I think people would pay the fee if Disney actually did it.

If we hadn't already cancelled our vacations because of having to make reservations for things months in advance and having our vacation micromanaged, this would do it. We sure did enjoy all the trips we had, but now it's time to move on....UNI in December!

 

[Tonphanan]

They use to check Key to the World cards in the past. All a guest had to was show it to driver as they boarded. Checking magic bands will take some time unless they have a cast member at each stop scanning badges which would also mean people would have to wear their badges to go downtown. Adding an extra cost for the buses for would be easier if you take and average number of trips a family would make during an average stay and just tack that onto the total bill. Just raise rates again across the board then they get their money and no one has to know its for the "free" buses.

 

[dizknee24]

If this eventually comes to pass, then I would think that Magical Express would follow suit soon after.

 

[ToTBellHop]

LOL

 

[wm49rs]

If this eventually comes to pass, then I would think that Magical Express would follow suit soon after.

Delete everything after "If".....

 

[minninedaisy74]

I think the bus driver was full of baloney, but I think people would pay the fee if Disney actually did it.

Your right people would pay I know we would. One of my husbands favorite things about Disney is that if we drive once we get on property we park the car only to see it again when we leave.

I wish Disney would do more perks by resort level. I think giving out FP by the level of your resort would be an awesome idea and would definitely push us from always staying moderate to deluxe.

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

If Disney actually does this, they certainly won't advertise it as a seperate charge. They will build it into the price of the room. The more separate charges guests have on their bill, the more they will start second guessing their vacation and actually realize how much their spending. (Those darn magic bands make it so hard for you realize exactly how much money you're spending. That's why I like cash!!) Say you have a family of four traveling to Disney. If your bill at the end of your trip appears like this:

Guests 1
Room - $$$
DME - $$$
Transportation to parks - $$$

Guest 2
Room - $$$
DME - $$$
Transportation to parks - $$$

Guest 3
Room - $$$
DME - $$$
Transportation to parks - $$$

Guest 4
Room - $$$
DME - $$$
Transportation to parks - $$$


While it's not a lot of charges, it will appear Disney is really trying to nickel and dime them. Why make it look that way when it can look like this:

Guest 1
Resort - $$$

Guest 2
Resort - $$$

Guest 3
Resort - $$$

Guest 4
Resort - $$$

And have the little charges for DME and buses in that one rate. You still might be spending the same amount as if they laid each charge out on it's own, but it doesn't look as bad.

Disney wants to keep guests on property, plain and simple. If they implement this, that means a family of four, they can rent a car for proabably about the same price, maybe a little more and save money by going off property to eat and shop. I'm actually surprised more people don't already do this. For what you would save in eating dinner nightly off property instead of a TS place on property, that would probably pay for a weeks car rental! Then they would have the freedom to visit one of the off property tourist traps to buy their souvenirs, thus saving even MORE money. Disney doesn't want this to happen. They want to keep guests in their magic bubble so to speak.

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

Your right people would pay I know we would. One of my husbands favorite things about Disney is that if we drive once we get on property we park the car only to see it again when we leave.

I wish Disney would do more perks by resort level. I think giving out FP by the level of your resort would be an awesome idea and would definitely push us from always staying moderate to deluxe.

But then that would be excluding guests who are staying at the value and moderate resorts. And Disney doesn't want to exclude. They want to include everyone and let everyone have the same perks and benefits. That's apparently why they changed to the FP+ system. So everyone has a fair chance to get FPs.

 

[lazyboy97o]

If Disney actually does this, they certainly won't advertise it as a seperate charge. They will build it into the price of the room.

The charge is already included as part of Disney's hefty premium over comparable accommodations elsewhere.

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

The charge is already included as part of Disney's hefty premium over comparable accommodations elsewhere.

Exactly. And if they do add MORE, they won't advertise it and make it a separate charge. You won't check in and hear them say "Here's the room charge, and the bus charge, and the DME charge..." or you won't have to pay to get on the bus, like a city bus. They will continue to build charges like into the cost of the room.

 

[Lord_Vader]

Years ago, before it became the Magical Express, Mears did charge around $10 to go from airport to Disney....but someone at Disney realized that if they provided it for free and marketed it just riiiiiiiight, more people might take advantage of it and forego renting a car. The more people forego the car, the more people who will eat, shop and stay on property. I am certain the number crunchers laid it all out and said that even though it costs Disney X amount, they are getting back X * Y over the long haul.....

My guess is there is no chance they go back to charging for the Magical Express. Even at $10, a family of 4 might say, 'you know, for another forty we can rent a car and head over to Universal for a day, and maybe eat at that Olive Garden I heard so much about.'

You do realize that Disney contracts Mears to provide ME right now?

Any I agree, they will never charge for the opprotunity to trap a guest on property.

 

[danlb_2000]

There are absolutely no plans at all to start charging Disney owned and operated resort guests to use the bus transportation on a per-use basis as is suggested in this thread.

Does this imply that they might start charging offsite guests?

 

[minninedaisy74]

But then that would be excluding guests who are staying at the value and moderate resorts. And Disney doesn't want to exclude. They want to include everyone and let everyone have the same perks and benefits. That's apparently why they changed to the FP+ system. So everyone has a fair chance to get FPs.

I see it differently I guess because I don't see it as excluding anyone. We live in a world where you get what you pay for and I am totally on board with those who pay higher prices to stay at Deluxe resorts getting a few extra Fastpasses, free transportation, or special viewing area for parades and fireworks. Airlines do it and many hotels to it whY shouldn't Disney.

 

[KTaylor]

If this rumor was put into place and they actually scanned everyone's band as they entered the bus would we have to explain why we are getting on the bus to a different resort from where we are staying? For example...in December we are staying at POR, but we have dinner reservations at Sanna. As we enter the AKL bus and they scan my band will I then have to present the bus driver with my dining reservation so we can be permitted to ride?

 

[Nmoody1]

Whilst it seems unlimely, its not impossible.

In london all of our busses are touch to pay - you'd pay per journey by tapping your magic band on a bus sensor... its happening in most cities. Its all very well and good, but I'll raise my favourite subject that disney wouldneed to improve the comfort of the busses and make the system fairer for those guests travelling with ECVs... why would anyone pay for a service where peoeple can cut in line?!?!

 

[NowInc]

If this rumor was put into place and they actually scanned everyone's band as they entered the bus would we have to explain why we are getting on the bus to a different resort from where we are staying? For example...in December we are staying at POR, but we have dinner reservations at Sanna. As we enter the AKL bus and they scan my band will I then have to present the bus driver with my dining reservation so we can be permitted to ride?

Your reservations are linked with your bands..so they would "just know" without having to ask

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

I see it differently I guess because I don't see it as excluding anyone. We live in a world where you get what you pay for and I am totally on board with those who pay higher prices to stay at Deluxe resorts getting a few extra Fastpasses, free transportation, or special viewing area for parades and fireworks. Airlines do it and many hotels to it whY shouldn't Disney.

Sorry but deluxe resorts already have better locations, sit down restaurants, better themed pools, bigger rooms, some are on the monorail line, some are within walkign distance to Epcot, etc, etc.. So you already are getting what you pay for. If Disney were to add in any of those perks you listed, those already sky high deluxe room rates would go even higher to justify those additional perks. I'm sure you would be singing a different tune if you couldn't afford to stay at deluxe resorts.

 

[senor_jorge]

When I retire, I want to be a Disney bus driver. Once a month I'll pick a day to drop some outlandish info, and go home and be entertained for days as forums explode.

 

[KTaylor]

Your reservations are linked with your bands..so they would "just know" without having to ask

well that would make me feel better it sure would hold up the line for everyone to explain their reason for choosing to get on a different bus.