Disney Transport Now Has Characters

[Invero]

I'm not sure what the schedule is, or if it will be a permanent thing... but for the time being, Chip & Dale, along with Pluto, will be riding the Magic Kingdom Ferryboats in the morning. They won't be signing autographs, but rather, they'll just be wandering the upper deck of the Ferrys playing with the guests, and just having fun. So, if you take the Ferry, expect either Chip or Dale to play a practical joke on you! I was on my way in yesterday, and Chip stole my bottle of coke... and then hid it on me! lol... lil rascal... But it was a lot of fun seeing the characters playing around and interacting with everyone.

 

[Yellow Shoes]

a little Magic returns............

 

[donaldduck1967]

Thats such a great idea. It helps build up the excitement of going to MK. I wonder why they never dod this before

 

[tenchu]

Is this to try and reduce congestion on the monrails or something?

I like this idea anyway, i always take the ferryboat when it's busy.

 

[MKCustodial]

Really great idea! Sounds like the Disney Magic is returning full force! :sohappy:

 

[SnowWhite5669]

Last Wednesday I saw Pluto on the monorail. It was so cool seeing him in the front as the monorail pulled up to the transporation center. Definately Magic!!!!!:sohappy:

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Such a simple idea.................its brilliant.
Heres hoping it becomes a permanent feature, who knows, characters on WDW buses soon ??

 

[niteobsrvr]

Originally posted by tenchu
Is this to try and reduce congestion on the monrails or something?

I like this idea anyway, i always take the ferryboat when it's busy.

Even though Disney is a business and factors like finances and marketing do play a large part in decision making, not every decision will be made with a a profit or logistics motive behind it. Maybe the folks at the Magic Kingdom are just trying to lighten up.

 

[Dwarful]

Yea! I just hope some irate parents don't get all out of sorts because their child "WANTS" an autograph right now! Can you just see it? But I think its a great idea and will be such a surprise to see the characters not knowing when or which ones...clever clever clever! Let's hope it lasts!

 

[goofyman]

That is GREAT I hope it lasts!:sohappy:

 

[Eljay]

On the ferry, they could only be there on cool days. Can you imagine how hot it would get in those suits in May, June, July, August & Sept. in central FL? Pass-out city!

 

[tenchu]

Originally posted by niteobsrvr
Even though Disney is a business and factors like finances and marketing do play a large part in decision making, not every decision will be made with a a profit or logistics motive behind it. Maybe the folks at the Magic Kingdom are just trying to lighten up.

Yeah, but a lot of descisions have a reason behind them! :lol:

 

[TURKEY]

Originally posted by CAPTAIN HOOK
Such a simple idea.................its brilliant.
Heres hoping it becomes a permanent feature, who knows, characters on WDW buses soon ??

The monorails are too small and you won't be able to have a character in each car.

The buses are too small as well. You don't have very good access and it could easily end up distracting the driver.

I think the ferries are the only good place that you could have characters involved during transportation. The captain is away from the characters and won't have to worry about being distracted too easily because of other CM on the boat. Also there is more space available on the ferry than other modes of transportation allowing much easier access to characters.

 

[SnowWhite5669]

But the character of Pluto is on the monorail and there is plenty of room in the front car!!!

 

[TURKEY]

Originally posted by SnowWhite5669
But the character of Pluto is on the monorail and there is plenty of room in the front car!!!

For 3 or 4 guests and I think that would only help distract the pilots.

Imagine the wait for the front where the character is if this was to happen. That's only going to make lines longer.

 

[Invero]

Originally posted by tenchu
Is this to try and reduce congestion on the monrails or something?

Not really... it's not really an advertised thing.

 

[Invero]

Originally posted by Eljay
On the ferry, they could only be there on cool days. Can you imagine how hot it would get in those suits in May, June, July, August & Sept. in central FL? Pass-out city!

Well, the characters are outside during the summer months inside the park... the Ferry is no different. In fact, it provides a nice breeze. The characters are close to break areas at the TTC, so that they may get thier drinks of water and such.

 

[Invero]

Originally posted by SnowWhite5669
But the character of Pluto is on the monorail and there is plenty of room in the front car!!!

When I brought Pluto into my front car last March, it was a little squeeze to have him, and 4 other guests in the front. It was certainly doable, however, only four guests got to interact with him on a limited basis. (Although, when the train pulled in, everyone on the platform was screaming, "PLUTO!!!!!" so it was definetly a great thing, and I'm glad that my old manager took my suggestion of doing this on a more regular basis. I'm just sorry it took so long for them to get it in place.

For the monorail, the front cab really is the only place they can go. Putting them in the back cars would actually be more cramped because there would be more people. Plus, people would be jumping over seats to get to the characters.

Realistically though, the only place that the characters can really roam about is on the Ferry. And like I was saying, they weren't lining up for anything, they were just roaming, playing around with the guests.

 

[Invero]

Originally posted by turkey leg boy
For 3 or 4 guests and I think that would only help distract the pilots.

Imagine the wait for the front where the character is if this was to happen. That's only going to make lines longer.

When I had Pluto in my front cab, it really wasn't that much of a distraction... and I was driving the Resort beam, which requires the most action on the drivers behalf. As for lines... We never announced that there would be a character in the cab... and instead of having people fight... we would pre-select a group prior to the train entering the station.

 

[SnowWhite5669]

Pluto sat in the front car with a CM, no other guests were allowed in the front car, when he got off at the transportation center he walked around and said hi to the kids and then he went downstairs probably to catch the ferry. It was the most awesome sight to see him as the monorail pulled in. Why are we getting into a debate about a little added magic??