High Capacity/Tractor Trailer Disney Transport

[tjcouch]

Back in the late '80's I visited MK in the summer, and I remember seeing a Disney Transport tractor trailer/semi truck that was being used to pull what was essentially a human "cattle car."

Does anyone else remember this or have any additional info?

It looked kinda like this (but it was more modern/boxy looking)

 

[StageFrenzy]

I too remember being shuffled onto a Semi-trailer one night at MK. I feel like it was after one of the Christmas parties this would have been 88-92ish. It was kind of surreal, on the inside I remember it having seats much like a Disney bus and also for some reason hay on was on the ground. Info on Ye olde google box seems scarce nary a picture or article.

 

[Tom]

Were those perhaps used at the Epcot International Gateway entrance? There was a tram loop there, very early on.

 

[marni1971]

Were those perhaps used at the Epcot International Gateway entrance? There was a tram loop there, very early on.

Gateway used regular parking trams but painted shades of blue and pink.

 

[StageFrenzy]

Another diz related board mentioned them being used for the all stars until they broke down

 

[mikeymouse]

I remember the blue and pink trams at IG and the brown/tan/orange ones for the regular lots, but not these.

 

[Nemo14]

I remember those trailers that the OP mentioned - from probably the late 80's or early 90's.

 

[Nemo14]

I found this old post about them, but no pictures:

Ahhhhh yes, the "SuperBus"... Although it carried well over a hundred people (120-150), it was never well recieved by the guests. Can't imagine why. LOL... It was only used for park exits, and super busy times. And pretty much All Stars only.

As for specs, It was just a regular tractor... with a trailer that had the inside made like our busses, with seats and standing room. Often times, the driver would pick out a kid, and have him be the "Co-Driver"... he'd get to sit up front with the driver, and watch the lil monitor of the passenger compartment. The kids got a kick out of that.

As for my thoughts on the matter... Disney had the right idea... just wrong implementation. What they should have done was bought a bunch of Articulated busses instead. (Those are the "double long" busses with the accordian in the middle). They hold just as many passengers, with the "Cattle" feeling.

 

[Nemo14]

Found pictures!

 

[Bairstow]

Interesting. I never knew Disney used these things.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trailer_bus

 

[copcarguyp71]

I've always said they look at us like dim-eyed cattle...now I have proof LOL!

 

[WWWD]

The Army used "cattle cars" like that to move recruits around the base when I was in basic training many years ago. Although I don't remember windows. They packed us in so tight that you could literally fall asleep standing up. Memories!

 

[s8film40]

I came across these a while back (not my photos).

 

[Bairstow]

Hm. Wonder what the capacity of these behemoths was.
I can't imagine that these were ECV compatible.

 

[Mouse_Trap]

I came across these a while back (not my photos).

Hmm, they are somewhat similar to the buses commonly found at many european (especially spain) airports to get you from the plane to the terminal.

Though to be honest, using a higher density transport method at peak times seems to make sense for the value resorts.

 

[StageFrenzy]

If the height difference between the seats looks large, it's because it was.

 

[Daniel Johnson]

That's awesome. Would be cool to see them floating around wdw today. They were obviously diesel, are the buses used now all diesel or some propane?

 

[HollyAD]

I was lucky enough to get on a super bus probably in the late 90's or possibly 2000. It was during a severe thunderstorm at Blizzard beach! We waited over an hour for a bus in the Lightning and rain. Then the super bus came to our rescue! I didn't care what picked us up at that point as long as we got out of there.

 

[tigger1968]

Very interesting. I wonder if they were put into service for a specific need (heavy crowds) or were they being evaluated as part of a test?

 

[JiminyandTink]

With the horrendous bus line-ups on some buys nights (especially MK), I'm not sure I'm opposed to this at all. I say paint them up, roll them out and just call me cattle