Busses for resort guests only.

[Krozar]

You missed the part where the busses are paid for by the resorts. $2 per room, per night. Not in your park ticket, that pays for the monorails. resort guests pay for the busses when they pay for their room. You assume its free because we dont charge you each time you get on. It's not.

[Also to OP... but it's a long quote]

So there is now a distinction between inter-resort and inter-park buses? Because, why would a resort "charter" out a bus that goes from Epcot to DAK? That then gives two explanations:

1. Two separate "Disney Transport" bus systems, which seriously alters all these little theories on buses only being for resort guests because their resort pays for the runs. This makes things more complicated.

-or-

2. Exaggeration

Actually I would be willing to bet that the buses are run by a seperate company. Considering the liability if one of those buses were to get into a wreck/burn and kill all on board, I can see Disney setting up a seperate Disney bus/charter company and then contracting with the resort and the bus company to avoid any huge damage claims. I mean if properly done the most anyone could get if someone was killed on a bus would be from a little bus company with no assets beyond some buses... much less than if you would sue Disney as a whole.

Just because the bill doesn't break down any cost / room doesn't mean they don't exist. Lots of companies employ multiple seperate legal entities and do all sorts of wierd costing between them for all sort of reasons. This is probably one of them.

As stated, buses are part of Disney Transport. They are driven by CMs, they are even part of one of the Transportation Dept's logos (Huey, Duey, and Louie: Buses, Monorail, and Watercraft), under the same department head, carry the same form of ID, use the same time clock, etc.

I honestly don't see too much of a problem in any of the issues being discussed her!!
1.If somebody wants to park at DTD to save $10 let them,It'll take them over an hour and a half to get to the park and the same back.
2.Bus transportation is for people with park passes?,Bus transportation is for resort guests only?,WHO CARES,anybody who wants to resort-hop will probably end up spending money to eat or shop at the resorts,so why would Mickey care who's using the buses????
3.Charging for parking at Downtown Disney,DUMB IDEA,that's why Mickey keeps it free.Ask Pointe Orlando in International Drive how much of a good idea it is to charge people to park????

Too much truth and sense in one post. Either the thread will instantly self-destruct or it will go into survival mode by completely ignoring your post, just as if it was never posted. But I am not one to let the latter occur.



The jist of it is that the 'DE FACTO' policy is that buses are available to everyone. Sure, people are supposed to come to a complete a full stop when turning right on a red light. How many of you always do this? Also, supposed to stop in front of a stop sign rather than the edge of the intersection. But, Who does that?

And besides, is it really a de jure policy? I see nothing.

 

[Blackie Pueblo]

Ok,what is the story with parking at DTD and catching the buses to tour the resorts? My wife and I have done this before. We have taken a day not to even go to the parks but just to enjoy walking around the resorts. We enjoy walking especially outside.

We've parked at DTD and caught the buses to a resort because it sometimes becomes such a hassle to drive to the resorts. I know it is just security doing its' job. Usually we take a bus to a certain resort. And then there are so many pathways, we walk after enjoying that resort to another resort. Sometimes we catch a bus back to DTD and then to another resort.

We eat and shop at the resorts sometimes as well. Is this "Frowned" apon? If so why? Why can't a visitor tour the hotels like this?

 

[Krozar]

We eat and shop at the resorts sometimes as well. Is this "Frowned" apon? If so why? Why can't a visitor tour the hotels like this?

Nobody would care in the least. Heck, mention to some CMs what you are doing and they will probably give you some tips on restaurants or something.


That's why I dislike this thread. Its premise is not representative of reality.

 

[morgan22]

wow, lots of arguments here with no real information.

I can indeed back up the fact that the bus system is paid for out of the resort bucket and not the daily ticket bucket. It is truly a service for resort guests only even though that policy has not always been enforced.

There are lots of reasons to look at why this is the case and we can all discuss them ad naseum but until hear form an executive at the world on the subject it will all be heresay.

If this is 'truly' the case then why would the official Disney website sell 'Unlimited use of the WDW transportation system' as a perk of buying a multi-day pass?????????????? (Please see my previous post where I have included a link direct to their website to back this up).

IMO those that park at DTD just to save the $10.00 must be desperate as what a waste of time (not to mention the added hassle) of bus/resort hopping!

Personally speaking, I have only had need to use the 'resort' busses when I have stayed on property - we always have a car when we stay off property. I should think it is a small minority of people that use the resort busses to escape the parking fee at the parks - is it really important enough to get people so worked up!!!! (me included!)

 

[niteobsrvr]

If this is 'truly' the case then why would the official Disney website sell 'Unlimited use of the WDW transportation system' as a perk of buying a multi-day pass?????????????? (Please see my previous post where I have included a link direct to their website to back this up).

IMO those that park at DTD just to save the $10.00 must be desperate as what a waste of time (not to mention the added hassle) of bus/resort hopping!

Personally speaking, I have only had need to use the 'resort' busses when I have stayed on property - we always have a car when we stay off property. I should think it is a small minority of people that use the resort busses to escape the parking fee at the parks - is it really important enough to get people so worked up!!!! (me included!)

The flyer that you reference was not written well. You can read it as you have or you can interpret it to mean that the ticket along with a Disney Resort Hotel stay gives permission to use the buses.

You can ask this question of Disney but I would suggest putting it directly to the vice-president of resorts.

 

[ImaYoyo]

I'm not even going to post the email I just received pertaining to my inquiry because I think this entire thread is rediculous. But for the answers, if you email Guest Correspondance, they'll post an answer from Transportation Manager Andy Keck, essentially saying Disney Transportation is a benefit available free of charge to guests of The Walt Disney World Resort.

Key word in there is "THE". Singular. Means not the hotels, but the resort in general. This policy, like every other disney policy, is purposely vague, because that means at any given point it could be manipulated to mean guests of the resorts, guests of the parks, or even guests of Downtown Disney. But point being, if you need to use the transportation, take it. No one will stop you. And if someone tries, they shouldn't, because more importantly, no where does it say you CANT take it.

 

[niteobsrvr]

I'm not even going to post the email I just received pertaining to my inquiry because I think this entire thread is rediculous. But for the answers, if you email Guest Correspondance, they'll post an answer from Transportation Manager Andy Keck, essentially saying Disney Transportation is a benefit available free of charge to guests of The Walt Disney World Resort.

Key word in there is "THE". Singular. Means not the hotels, but the resort in general. This policy, like every other disney policy, is purposely vague, because that means at any given point it could be manipulated to mean guests of the resorts, guests of the parks, or even guests of Downtown Disney. But point being, if you need to use the transportation, take it. No one will stop you. And if someone tries, they shouldn't, because more importantly, no where does it say you CANT take it.

I would, as many others I am sure, be interested in seeing the actual email response you received. Nothing to kill an arugment like refuteable proof. However, without it, this thread will only go on from here about you not providing the proof.

 

[PigletIsMyCat]

See the problem with this thread is that it has turned into 'Why can only resort guests take buses? Can't regular day visitors use them too? What's wrong with that?' The original poster claimed that Disney buses were chartered and not owned by Disney.

Anyone who is a guest on Disney property, whether it be at the theme parks, water parks, or resorts, is 'allowed' to use Disney buses. ImaYoyo is right about the vague wording, though. This way Disney can more quickly and easily change policies as it sees fit.

The thread got heated because of numerous incorrect 'facts' the OP presented. It has somehow drifted into who can and cannot take Disney buses, and the answer is this: If you are currently standing with two feet on ground that is owned by Disney, you are more than welcome to use one of the Disney buses.

 

[mpaul32001]

This thread will be closed soon......:lookaroun

 

[eagles]

i know when my daughter and i stayed at the beach club about 14 yrs ago, we had to show our resort id to get on the bus. if you were not staying at their resorts you could not get on the bus.

also i forget what year it was, but we stayed at shades of green one time and we were not allowed on disney buses either. we had to take only the sog buses.

i just thought i would share my past experiences.

 

[ImaYoyo]

I would, as many others I am sure, be interested in seeing the actual email response you received. Nothing to kill an arugment like refuteable proof. However, without it, this thread will only go on from here about you not providing the proof.

I'm not going to post an internal email. I value my job more than that.

 

[The Mom]

i know when my daughter and i stayed at the beach club about 14 yrs ago, we had to show our resort id to get on the bus. if you were not staying at their resorts you could not get on the bus.

also i forget what year it was, but we stayed at shades of green one time and we were not allowed on disney buses either. we had to take only the sog buses.

i just thought i would share my past experiences.

I also remember those days, when you HAD to flash a resort ID. :lol:

HOWEVER, back in those days, there weren't as many activities at the hotels (such as character breakfasts at the GF, etc) so not as many non-resort guests had a reason to travel to them.

I also suspect (but quite frankly, have no proof) that WDW realized that being able to SEE a hotel often made a guest long to stay there. In the early days, guests would see the MK resorts from the boat/monorail and dream of a day when they could stay there.(I know I did) When more resorts were added, people weren't able to preview them. IMO, it just made good business sense to allow non-resort guests a sneak preview, so they might decide to stay there in the future.

 

[slappy magoo]

3.Charging for parking at Downtown Disney,DUMB IDEA,that's why Mickey keeps it free.Ask Pointe Orlando in International Drive how much of a good idea it is to charge people to park????

Swan & Dolphin charges for parking, even for people staying there. They seem to be doing OK.

If DTD started to charge parking for non-resort-guests, while offering coupons & other discounts for people shopping or dinng at DTD, AND if the pice to park was nominal for people only staying a few hours (so if someone was parking there to avoid paying for a theme park lot, by the time they got back at the end of the day, the price would be comaparable to parking at the theme park lots) 99 percent of the people who'd "suffer" under that plan would be those trying to take advantage of the free parking now.

There would be some exceptions, like the poster who said he likes to park @ DTD and resort hop. But, in this instance, that poster would still have coupons that could be used in DTD. Nothing says he still can't spend time in DTD to use them.

Small & Medium Towns all across America have municipal parking lots in their business districts that drivers have to pay to use. The money goes to maintain the roads in the business district, which take a beating from all that traffic. And because it's often 1 or 2 dollars an hour max, or pay one price park all day, people rarely complain & business rarely suffers.

 

[ImaYoyo]

I understand where you're coming from, but DR Doom has a point. Local shopping destinations, such as Downtown Disney, City Walk and Point Orlando bring in a lot of revenue from tourists, but they bring in just as much from locals too. This is why City Walk stoped charging for parking in the evenings, and now offers free valet during the day if you visit certain restaurants or see a movie. This is also why Pointe Orlando is a miserable failure. The only tourists that visit it are those in the I-drive district who can walk to it, and locals don't want to pay to park for something they can visit without paying for parking elsewhere.

Not to mention, local commercials for DTD ALWAYS say "Downtown Disney, where the parking is ALWAYS free"... it's been one of their biggest marketing points for a while.

Swan & Dolphin charges for parking, even for people staying there. They seem to be doing OK.

If DTD started to charge parking for non-resort-guests, while offering coupons & other discounts for people shopping or dinng at DTD, AND if the pice to park was nominal for people only staying a few hours (so if someone was parking there to avoid paying for a theme park lot, by the time they got back at the end of the day, the price would be comaparable to parking at the theme park lots) 99 percent of the people who'd "suffer" under that plan would be those trying to take advantage of the free parking now.

There would be some exceptions, like the poster who said he likes to park @ DTD and resort hop. But, in this instance, that poster would still have coupons that could be used in DTD. Nothing says he still can't spend time in DTD to use them.

Small & Medium Towns all across America have municipal parking lots in their business districts that drivers have to pay to use. The money goes to maintain the roads in the business district, which take a beating from all that traffic. And because it's often 1 or 2 dollars an hour max, or pay one price park all day, people rarely complain & business rarely suffers.

 

[PhilharMagician]

Assuming the OP is a transportation CM

I am impressed how all of the people that replied on this thread say the OP is wrong. Apparently guests and visitors know more than the actual people that do the job.:hammer:

WOW!

 

[ImaYoyo]

Assuming the OP is a transportation CM

I am impressed how all of the people that replied on this thread say the OP is wrong. Apparently guests and visitors know more than the actual people that do the job.:hammer:

WOW!

You're forgetting how many Cast Members post here. Including some that would be in charge of that Cast Member, AND some that are in charge of that Cast Member's Manager...

:lookaroun

Not to mention the majority of Front-line CMs are (unfortunately) not a reliable source of information.

 

[PhilharMagician]

You're forgetting how many Cast Members post here. Including some that would be in charge of that Cast Member, AND some that are in charge of that Cast Member's Manager...

:lookaroun

Not to mention the majority of Front-line CMs are (unfortunately) not a reliable source of information.

I know, but that just has not been the case yet.

I will also say that I do not which is correct. In the Bus Kiosk Thingys thread that is going on someone has sent a request to Guest Relations asking for a answer to this. I am hoping that an E-mail will be posted there soon and hopefully copied here to finally put this debate to rest.:brick:

 

[ImaYoyo]

I know, but that just has not been the case yet.

I will also say that I do not which is correct. In the Bus Kiosk Thingys thread that is going on someone has sent a request to Guest Relations asking for a answer to this. I am hoping that an E-mail will be posted there soon and hopefully copied here to finally put this debate to rest.:brick:

Are you SURE? I mean, do you really KNOW who you're talking to? I mean, I might even be such a person. Theoretically speaking, of course...
:lookaroun

 

[slappy magoo]

I understand where you're coming from, but DR Doom has a point. Local shopping destinations, such as Downtown Disney, City Walk and Point Orlando bring in a lot of revenue from tourists, but they bring in just as much from locals too. This is why City Walk stoped charging for parking in the evenings, and now offers free valet during the day if you visit certain restaurants or see a movie. This is also why Pointe Orlando is a miserable failure. The only tourists that visit it are those in the I-drive district who can walk to it, and locals don't want to pay to park for something they can visit without paying for parking elsewhere.

Not to mention, local commercials for DTD ALWAYS say "Downtown Disney, where the parking is ALWAYS free"... it's been one of their biggest marketing points for a while.

Ah. Not being a local, I didn't know they touted free parking in their commercials. While I wouldn't be surprised if one day that changed, I also wouldn't be surprised if locals rebelled based on that campaign.

But if you are a local (or know a local), let me ask you this: What if you had to pay for parking at DTD, but the amount of money you pay for parking THIS time, gave you a gift certificate good for the EXACT same amount at any DTD store or resturant (but not parking) NEXT time? If you parked at DTD for 4 hours, and it cost 5 dollars, your receipt was good for 5 dollars anywhere at DTD. Aside from that first trip, the parking is still free.

Again, the people it'd effect most are those trying to avoid paying for the theme park lots, and while they're technically getting that money back in the form of a voucher if they go back and venture into DTD, it does mean running the risk of spending even more money, you know what I mean? If the gift cert. was good for 10 dollars, and a family of four parked in DTD to avoid the MK lot, then they go back to use that 10 dollar voucher (which means they may have to pay to park again), 10 dollars isn't gonna buy too much in DTD. A soda for each member of the family, maybe. Pretzels. Don't go in that store, Jimmy, awww crap now he wants to build his own Mister Potato Head! Honey, put that shirt down, we don't need it! Heh. Next thing you know, they spent money they never would've spent had they just paid to park in the MK lot, or never went back to DTD to cash in that credit. It becomes a less-than-zero sum game for cheap tourists like that.

Locals, meanwhile, if they keep going back the way you claim locals keep going back, will ALWAYS find a day to cash in those vouchers. And the next one and theone after that and so on. Aside from that intitial day of parking, they're always getting their money back. And if there's a day when you get a ride or dropped off at DTD, heh, it feels like "found money," know what I mean?

The free valet thing at Uni is kinda interesting though, as it kind of matches with my prior point. Maybe it's just me, but if you say "Park here and get a free movie pass/some other coupon good for a comparable amount of money," and "See the movie and park for free," and the price between parking and the movie is kinda comparable, then it's pretty much the same thing.

 

[ImaYoyo]

While it is an interesting idea, logistically it would be VERY difficult. There are 6 parking entrances to DTD, and traffic on LBV is already terrible getting in and out. A parking gate at each entrance would not help, and would create backups for miles. There has, however, been a rumor around for a LONG time, back when I was at DTD, that a parking garage would be built to allow for more expansion room, however it really doesn't seem to have any merit. It's possible that this particular rumor (parking garage) has been around as long as the "Disney quest is closing, this year, in january, I'm SERIOUS" rumor.

But who knows.

Ah. Not being a local, I didn't know they touted free parking in their commercials. While I wouldn't be surprised if one day that changed, I also wouldn't be surprised if locals rebelled based on that campaign.

But if you are a local (or know a local), let me ask you this: What if you had to pay for parking at DTD, but the amount of money you pay for parking THIS time, gave you a gift certificate good for the EXACT same amount at any DTD store or resturant (but not parking) NEXT time? If you parked at DTD for 4 hours, and it cost 5 dollars, your receipt was good for 5 dollars anywhere at DTD. Aside from that first trip, the parking is still free.

Again, the people it'd effect most are those trying to avoid paying for the theme park lots, and while they're technically getting that money back in the form of a voucher if they go back and venture into DTD, it does mean running the risk of spending even more money, you know what I mean? If the gift cert. was good for 10 dollars, and a family of four parked in DTD to avoid the MK lot, then they go back to use that 10 dollar voucher (which means they may have to pay to park again), 10 dollars isn't gonna buy too much in DTD. A soda for each member of the family, maybe. Pretzels. Don't go in that store, Jimmy, awww crap now he wants to build his own Mister Potato Head! Honey, put that shirt down, we don't need it! Heh. Next thing you know, they spent money they never would've spent had they just paid to park in the MK lot, or never went back to DTD to cash in that credit. It becomes a less-than-zero sum game for cheap tourists like that.

Locals, meanwhile, if they keep going back the way you claim locals keep going back, will ALWAYS find a day to cash in those vouchers. And the next one and theone after that and so on. Aside from that intitial day of parking, they're always getting their money back. And if there's a day when you get a ride or dropped off at DTD, heh, it feels like "found money," know what I mean?

The free valet thing at Uni is kinda interesting though, as it kind of matches with my prior point. Maybe it's just me, but if you say "Park here and get a free movie pass/some other coupon good for a comparable amount of money," and "See the movie and park for free," and the price between parking and the movie is kinda comparable, then it's pretty much the same thing.