New bus app feature being tested at POFQ

[Rose&Crowner]

Saw this in action at Boardwalk Inn yesterday AM, very cool, very excited for the app. The cast member that was using it was actively soliciting feedback on the apps performance as she used it and demonstrated how it works (she did not know how to answer me when I told her we wanted the bus to Tokyo Disney Sea) and admitted that it was still quite buggy as it is only being tested. One off thing that she did say was that she believed that the app would be standalone from the my Disney experience, I hope that is not the case. I didn't ask if I'd be able to reserve a FP+ for a bus ride, imagine the fights at the bus stop!!!

 

[Hakunamatata]

Would be nice if it included a functionality that allows you to ping the transportation system to let them know you need a ride. This might be a more economical alternative than installing long range readers at all the bus stops. If Disney did this correctly, it could easily allow them to better coordinate guest flow too and from the parks.

 

[mikenatcity1]

this would be awesome to have! It would make getting ready to go a lot easier- you could see when the next bus would come and not have to run hoping to get a bus then end up waiting 20+ minutes

 

[KotaJeff]

I agree with the tv channel in the room,or even a monitor in the lobby if there's a bit of a walk to the bus stop (Akv ) for example.

 

[PhotoDave219]

After more digging....

This will be "interesting." How do I put this..... The weak link is the actual bus dispatch system. There's some insane issues with the old system and the new bus dispatch system, that's reportedly a piece of stuff. That's being tested at epcot and has caused some service issues recently.

For whomever suggested an uber type system? Ain't gonna happen. Disney isn't that advanced and it would cost too much money.

Short version? It's coming but unless they actually fix the back end problems, the front end won't be accurate.

 

[TubaGeek]

This is an exciting development! There's a lot of cool stuff they could do with this technology as it develops.

 

[LizC]

This is amazing! Best Disney News/Rumor Ever!

Kind of sad that I am as excited about this as I am. Oh well...

 

[StageFrenzy]

I'm just disappointed we didn't hear about this before in a rumor from a bus driver.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I'm just disappointed we didn't hear about this before in a rumor from a bus driver.

They're as reliable as a USF grad....

 

[StageFrenzy]

They're as reliable as a USF grad....

Hey-o I'm a pretty reliable guy, someone stand you up or break your heart?

 

[PhotoDave219]

Hey-o I'm a pretty reliable guy, someone stand you up or break your heart?

Just my experience with your athletic department.

 

[StageFrenzy]

Just my experience with your athletic department.

The ticketing and outward facing portions of the Athletic department couldn't find you know what with one of the spotlights that used to illuminate the sky over MGM Studios. I will say I think most of them probably graduated from somewhere else or have yet to complete their degree.

 

[PhotoDave219]

The ticketing and outward facing portions of the Athletic department couldn't find you know what with one of the spotlights that used to illuminate the sky over MGM Studios. I will say I think most of them probably graduated from somewhere else or have yet to complete their degree.

They could learn a thing or two about how the sports world works. So could UCF.

 

[Baldy]

I hope they are able to get this to work.
We will be at POFQ in Aug. and I am looking forward to trying it out.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I hope they are able to get this to work.
We will be at POFQ in Aug. and I am looking forward to trying it out.

They will. Theyre just going to have to spend some money. You know, the money they should have spent years ago when they first promised bus improvements and wait times.

 

[LAKid53]

I've said for a couple of years now that Disney needed to add bus wait times to the app. Always like getting to the bus stop just as the bus for the park we are visiting drives off...

Really like the monitors the GF has at the bus stop.

 

[KotaJeff]

Maybe they were waiting for the cost of the technology to come down.

 

[RayTheFirefly]

After more digging....

This will be "interesting." How do I put this..... The weak link is the actual bus dispatch system. There's some insane issues with the old system and the new bus dispatch system, that's reportedly a piece of stuff. That's being tested at epcot and has caused some service issues recently.

For whomever suggested an uber type system? Ain't gonna happen. Disney isn't that advanced and it would cost too much money.

Short version? It's coming but unless they actually fix the back end problems, the front end won't be accurate.

How long have they been testing that. Because every time I've taken a bus from Epcot for the last year and a half, it's been abysmal.

 

[wdwtopten]

This would be very nice to have.
The problem with the boards is you don't have that info until you are already waiting at the stop. With the app, you can check in your room or at the food court and know whether or not you need to hurry to the bus stop. If the next bus isn't due for 20 minutes, you can be a bit more leisurely. Should help make some more informed decisions about when to arrive at the bus stop which would be a small but significant improvement.

This is the most important part, right here.

"Time for one more drink, the bus won't be here for 15 minutes."

"Let's look in the gift shop, the bus won't be here for 13 minutes."

"Let's grab a snack, the bus is 10 minutes away."

Etc., etc.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Maybe they were waiting for the cost of the technology to come down.

....... Ahem......

Bwahahahahahaha hahahahahaha!