Express Transportation starting Dec 7th

[rct247]

I can see how people will think this is great not having to go through security a second time at the next park they enter. I can also see how exciting it may be to see a backstage area as a Guest, but I absolutely hate it.

First of all, when visit a park, when are security checkpoint lines the longest...in the morning...which you still have to stand in line and go through. When you get ready to leave to park hop, I'm assuming most Guests will park hop between the hours of 1pm and 6pm. What do security lines look like then...usually very manageable. So my family of four will pay $60 (plus tax I'm assuming) just to bypass the security line that may take a maximum of 10 minutes. Not a terrible price, but certainly not a "value" if you ask me.

Second, this is not how the park were designed to be enjoyed. Walt and his team prided themselves on the carefully designed lead up as you entered the park. Bypassing the main entrance at these locations is BAD SHOW and I'm not really sure how this hits on Disney other 3 core principles either. Yes currently, Disney uses backstage access for VIP tours and parade/firework crowd control, but that can be justified to some extent even if I still hate it. This is purely a cash grab with no infrastructure set up currently to make it easily happen at the entrance to each park. It isn't how you were supposed to enter the park and if you are a Guest, especially a first time visitor or child, the magic is ruined. The awe-inspiring moment when you see the Tree of Life or Cinderella Castle or walking up to Spaceship Earth is gone just so you don't have to wait in a security line for 5 to 10mins a second time.

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

This is ridiculous.

A company that (once) prided itself on keeping backstage infrastructure hidden in the name of show and cohesive theming is now throwing all that away just so it can make a few extra bucks and pat itself on the back for offering a "solution" to WDW's increasing transportation problems.

Just sad.

 

[jt04]

This is ridiculous.

A company that (once) prided itself on keeping backstage infrastructure hidden in the name of show and cohesive theming is now throwing all that away just so can make a few extra bucks and pat itself on the back for offering a "solution" to WDW's increasing transportation problems.

Just sad.

I thought the same thing but the theming is broken anyway when park hopping. This, eventually, can work around that in creative ways including new classes of busses.

 

[ElvisMickey]

Rent a car-it would be cheaper!

It seriously amazes me that more people don't do this. Not only cheaper, but a huge time saver.

 

[JoeCamel]

This is ridiculous.

A company that (once) prided itself on keeping backstage infrastructure hidden in the name of show and cohesive theming is now throwing all that away just so it can make a few extra bucks and pat itself on the back for offering a "solution" to WDW's increasing transportation problems.

Just sad.

They have done that for years with the backstage tours. I agree this is not the way to do this. An analogy would be they took out the benches so they can sell places to sit down and created a transportation system that sucks so they can sell efficiency. Either way their fault with a very poor solution.

Several years ago they announced they no longer wanted the casual guest including APs and have shown by their actions they are serious about this. Get used to it and vote with your dollars. Pony up or stay away.

 

[James Norrie]

A company has a problem when what they are doing is more exciting for shareholders than customers. Eventually you need full fledged customer excitement which translates into shareholder excitement.

I agree there needs to be a balance of shareholder/customer focus. But, it seems like everyone on these boards (not just WDWM, the other (lesser) ones too) has a self-righteous attitude of "I have a better Idea, they're not listening to me". The company cannot and should not listen to every single customer opinion to drive their business, they would never get anything accomplished. But, with a massive injection of funding coming down the pike (Epcot, SWL, Pandora, TSL, etc.) they really need something added to buffer the short-term losses they are facing. This is not a mandatory across-the-board every-customer-pays service, it is a value-added service that People can pay if they want it, won't pay if they don't. There is no loss to be seen (unless nobody uses it, which is highly unlikely), and money to be made from this. Will it pay for the Billions in Capex? No! But, It will at least bring something additional in, and satisfy a group of customers that feel that this is a worthwhile, worth-paying-for service.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

As a DIS Shareholder, I don't see that as a problem. I didn't invest in a company that was sure to lose money by only paying attention to the numerous and varied opinions of their customers. I invested in a company that pays attention to the masses and has had a general growth in the last 5 years, with a future vision and plan to make more. I think so many people are so caught up in the World "as Walt saw it" and don't realize that WED was not a publicly traded company, and was able to make choices based off of one man's Amazing Vision. But, times have changed, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. That's my perception.

You are correct that the times change and the current Disney Co. has little in common with what made this company an American Institution.

Hurray!

 

[Notes from Neverland]

I think no true opinions can be formed until it's confirmed whether or not buses are being added or removed.

 

[RobbinsDad]

If you need to get from one destination to another quickly in Disney and you are willing to pay for it, here's an option already available.

 

[Rickster7]

I don't know if this has been said but wouldn't this be a lot of one-way traffic from the 3 half day parks to the Magic Kingdom. Sounds like MK could be more crowded at night.

 

[RobbinsDad]

You still have to do the parking lot/security trek. This avoids all that.

Yes, but you're still waiting on the transportation. You assume you'll be able to walk right up to one of these buses/vans/whatever.

 

[Bandini]

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's what I'm wondering. There are people saying this doesn't effect them, but no one knows how Disney will handle this.
Another question would be about loading disabled passengers: are the scooter and wheelchair users and their families going to get priority seating like they do on the regular buses?
If so, people could be waiting a lot longer for their transportation than they would if they just used the regular buses, simply because the regular buses have a higher capacity.

 

[DougK]

Will this be available for people using wheelchairs or ECVs?

 

[surfsupdon]

Did I read correctly that this is only available for park hopping, from Park-to-Park? Not available to get from MK to my Resort at BoardWalk at Park closing? Correct?

 

[Rteetz]

Did I read correctly that this is only available for park hopping, from Park-to-Park? Not available to get from MK to my Resort at BoardWalk at Park closing? Correct?

Correct

 

[sshindel]

Will this be available for people using wheelchairs or ECVs?

My guess is that their money spends the same as everyone else's, so it will be available to them.

 

[wogwog]

Did I read correctly that this is only available for park hopping, from Park-to-Park? Not available to get from MK to my Resort at BoardWalk at Park closing? Correct?

Park to Park only for now. If Disney sees money for Park to Resort and finds enough vehicles you bet they will consider it..

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

Yes, Bandini, you have hit the nail on the head. I, too, was wondering about the number of disabled guests who will surely take advantage of this offer. I'm not talking about the ECV people, but the "mobility challenged" people who have difficulty just walking to the security check in point in each park. I can see this option as being a great opportunity for someone who has difficulty walking the long, long distances to the park entrances. I include my husband in this, as he has a difficult time walking this far due to a back injury with nerve damage. He is going to use a cane and an ECV while in the park, but not all the time. I see this option as an answer for many people who can't walk that far or those that don't want to walk that far, and are okay with missing the "show" at the entrance. Also families with little ones who can't walk very far could see this as a cheap advantage. The possibilities are endless for usage.
Personally, we would not do this. We enjoy the entrances of each park as part of the Disney experience. However, with the cost of $l5.00 per person it would be $30.00 for the first day and 24 for the other 9 days while at the park; pretty cheap alternative for us, and for many others I would guess. I wonder if this is going to backfire on Disney with increased usage and increased wait time for the buses. I can see this system getting overwhelmed, but will wait to see what happens.

 

[surfsupdon]

Correct

Park to Park only for now. If Disney sees money for Park to Resort and finds enough vehicles you bet they will consider it..

Thanks. I would definitely pay for the perk if it were from Park closing at MK back to my Resort. Those late night crowded busses post parades and fireworks are the worst.

 

[DisneyJoe]

However, with the cost of $l5.00 per person it would be $30.00 for the first day and 24 for the other 9 days while at the park;

If you are doing multiple days, the cost is just $24 per person, it includes the first day.