Express Transportation starting Dec 7th

[wogwog]

From a Guest Relations friend neighbor of mine.

Approved answers for them to give to guest questions.


"Frequently Asked Questions (for use on a reactive basis):
How does it work?
Express Transportation is a new transportation option that provides Guests with faster access when traveling between our theme parks. After initial entry into a theme park, Guests can board a Disney bus which will take them directly to another theme park. By traveling between backstage location, Guests can spend even more time experiencing the magic inside our theme parks.
How can Guests get Express Transportation? Guests may add this option at Vacation Planning and Guest Relation locations throughout property as well as at the new Express Transportation kiosks in the four theme parks. For single-day service, Express Transportation can be added onto a Park Hopper ticket for $15 per person. For multi-day service, it is $24 per person.
Where will Express Transportation pick up and drop off Guests?
• Magic Kingdom Park
o Onstage kiosk location – near the exit of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin in Tomorrowland
o Backstage location – Park 1
• Epcot
o Onstage kiosk location – East of Spaceship Earth
o Backstage location – Eastgate bus loop
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios
o Onstage kiosk location – Adjacent to the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Courtyard
o Backstage location – Behind “The Twilight Zone” Tower of Terror & Sunset Showcase
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
o Onstage kiosk location – Near Kilimanjaro Safaris entrance
o Backstage location – Vehicle Maintenance parking lot
How often will Guests be picked up? When will it start and stop each day?
Guests will be picked up every 30 minutes. Service will begin each day at 10:00am Service will conclude at park close each night.
Will Guests be in backstage areas by themselves?
No. Whenever stepping into a backstage area, Guests will be escorted by a Guest Relations Cast Member. Similar to the way we currently operate our VIP Tour Services and other experiences, Express Transportation will allow Guests limited access backstage with an escort. This includes no Guest photography in backstage areas.
Is this service available for Cast Members with Main Entrance Passes and Annual Passholders?
Cast Members and Annual Passholders may purchase the $15 single-day option."

 

[jakeman]

Slight correction, Fixing the transportation network would cost money and anger Disney's REAL customer Wall St. So they came up with this which makes extra money and further hurts the transportation system for the 'poors' as buses were withdrawn from the 'poor pool' to facilitate transportation for the 'Wall St Dad's' yes that is Disney's new target market for WDW.

Don't worry monetizing FP's will come soon enough, It will happen when TDO needs a big revenue bump, Why else did TDO test TSMM as FP only in 2015 the only possible reason was monetizing FP access to 'Premium' attractions. Disney no longer CARES about the 'base' ticket holder.

He understood perfectly well that was at cross purposes with a positive guest experience, The reality is he did not CARE about a positive guest experience his goal was a positive FINANCIAL experience for Wall St who are Disney's REAL customer and the ONLY one they care about these days.

I'm a bit confused as to the point you're trying to make. Could you please restate your thesis several more times?

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

Makes this more inevitable when they start rolling out that rumored "Resort Fee" that was discussed earlier this year......
http://www.wdwmagic.com/resorts/wal...a-nightly-resort-fee-to-its-resort-hotels.htm

 

[ford91exploder]

I might have to change my mind on all of this and champion it if this is what's up.

There's no guarantee an Iger replacement will be better for Disney fans, We might really get skunked with a Goldman Sach's, Citi or Wells Fargo CEO who would double down on all of Iger's bad ideas.

 

[drizgirl]

I would recommend a ticket booklet for AP holders. Price should be based on quantity. 1 ticket is $15. 7 ticket booklet is $24. 30 ticket booklet is $40. Etc.

You think they're going to do this with a per ride average just over a buck?

 

[drizgirl]

There's no guarantee an Iger replacement will be better for Disney fans, We might really get skunked with a Goldman Sach's, Citi or Wells Fargo CEO who would double down on all of Iger's bad ideas.

Probably. But I think I'm ready to take what's behind door #2.

 

[deeevo]

With all these value-add services being added there are only two things I can think of that justifies the lunacy behind them. One - Disney is trying to create an up-charge environment that matches the additional spend they get out of Disney Cruise Line patrons. Or, there is actual behind-the-scenes knowledge of an Iger departure date. And with this departure date a lot of current executives are trying a last ditch money grab to pad revenue and increase personal bonuses prior to being caught up in the post-Iger executive scuffle.

Great.... now you just put this in a term we use everyday in my job. "value-added." If the customer is willing to pay for it then it is "value-added" and Disney will continue to add these to make a profit until it is "non-value-added". Six Sigma 101.

 

[jt04]

You think they're going to do this with a per ride average just over a buck?

Now that I think about it, no. Unless your length of stay is 24 days.

 

[jt04]

There's no guarantee an Iger replacement will be better for Disney fans, We might really get skunked with a Goldman Sach's, Citi or Wells Fargo CEO who would double down on all of Iger's bad ideas.

That is why I will always have non-Disney options under consideration. If they stray too far from Walt's vision and ethics then adios.

 

[Fe Maiden]

Now it is being reported that it will be a bus that will make pickups every 30 minutes...so if you just miss a bus, you will need to wait

Can we interest you in renting a cabana for the half hour you wait?

Let's see $700 for a full 14 hour day, 28 half hours, $700 divided by 28 is only $25 per half hour. Oh you're a family of 5? That will be $125. Now you're really getting your money's worth!

 

[Horizons '83]

Overreaction much? Geez, its an option not a requirement. This will cost you nothing if you opt not to purchase this offering.

 

[xdan0920]

Overreaction much? Geez, its an option not a requirement. This will cost you nothing if you opt not to purchase this offering.

WOW. GREAT POINT!!!!!

 

[Horizons '83]

WOW. GREAT POINT!!!!!

Thank you!

 

[Rteetz]

Overreaction much? Geez, its an option not a requirement. This will cost you nothing if you opt not to purchase this offering.

Well do we know if they are taking buses away from the regular guests for this or are these additional buses and staff. If it's not additional this could cause longer lines at bus stops which would be a problem for guests who do not purchase this.

 

[jakeman]

Overreaction much? Geez, its an option not a requirement. This will cost you nothing if you opt not to purchase this offering.

I think the issue is more that the Disney bus system has been fairly notorious for it's inefficiencies and in this case, instead of investing in wholesale improvements for all guest, Disney is going to just let you pay to go around a system they created.

 

[jt04]

Overreaction much? Geez, its an option not a requirement. This will cost you nothing if you opt not to purchase this offering.

Agreed. I think it is an awesome plan. Just think that discounts for frequent users including CMs and especially AP holders is fair.

 

[DisneyJoe]

I hope that they would adjust sending buses as needed. If they only send 1 bus per route per 30 minutes, and 2X (or more) that amount of passengers are waiting, passengers are going to get upset quickly, especially since they are paying for Express service.

 

[drizgirl]

Overreaction much? Geez, its an option not a requirement. This will cost you nothing if you opt not to purchase this offering.

I think the overreaction is about the big upsell picture this is part of.

 

[Luxe]

Yay!

I don't know why some think this is a bad idea. As long as it doesn't interfere with theming or other transport what's the problem? I have always thought such a system would be cool. I hope this leads to an automated system from WS to DHS.

Finally, how much will this cost for annual passholders????

That is the important question.

Implying you own, or will ever own an AP.

 

[Horizons '83]

Well do we know if they are taking buses away from the regular guests for this or are these additional buses and staff. If it's not additional this could cause longer lines at bus stops which would be a problem for guests who do not purchase this.

That is certainly a valid point and worth mentioning. If they are truly adding buses to the system to accommodate this express option then I really wouldn't have an issue offering this.