The character bus in Epcot is ending?

[MayKit]

Does this mean forever? I'm assuming the characters will still be there, right? (we might be taking my niece this winter)

 

[Connor002]

If they end the character bus, they would (most likely) still have scheduled character greets, as well as random character meetings within the park (usually in the WS).

 

[GenieGirl]

The character bus is going down...not sure if it is going down now or after Food and Wine. The characters from there will be scattering (VIP's to America) and Pasta Piazza will be a meet and greet location.

Hope this helps!

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

Well...I wouldn't have no problems not seeing all the characters...I mean in the early 80's the only characters that roamed there were Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto, Chip, and Dale and wore those....um...."futuristic" looking costumes...But let's not forget Dreamfinder & Figment.....which I think ARE the Official mascots of Epcot. I mean the park was more about technology from the world around us...not being a Magic Kingdom 2: The Future of Characters.:lol:

 

[Brian_B]

Well...I wouldn't have no problems not seeing all the characters...I mean in the early 80's the only characters that roamed there were Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto, Chip, and Dale and wore those....um...."futuristic" looking costumes...But let's not forget Dreamfinder & Figment.....which I think ARE the Official mascots of Epcot. I mean the park was more about technology from the world around us...not being a Magic Kingdom 2: The Future of Characters.:lol:

Exactly...couldn't have said it any better.

The biggest problem these days is that Disney World is always trying to polarize itself. MGM is for the adult crowd, MK is for the kiddies (Epcot has an identity crisis, but i'm sure they'd love to make it the "thrill" park of the bunch)...as opposed to how things were: 3+ unique parks that ANYBODY could enjoy and not feel silly, and not necessarily have to have a little kid in tow to appreciate.

This sort of park distinction is contrary to everything Walt envisioned.

 

[Jedi Osborn]

Does anyone know where this stands? We'll be heading down in early December and a favorite part of our previous trip was "Mickey's Bus"

 

[PhotoDave219]

Rumor for several months now is that it will be ending... not too sure when.... Character M&G will continue... rumored to be some place like Odyssey. Nothing concrete yet....

 

[SilentWindODoom]

I've always preferred that one find characters from different countries in their respective homes, and only there, not on some party bus. I hope they do this.

 

[WDWKat26]

Here's the official word guys:

DCOH will be down as of November 9th, 2005. The characters will be greeting at Pasta Piazza for a 5 month test to see how it goes. One of the main reasons why the bus is going down is due to lack of time spent with the guests, the character's set times are shorter than if you were to go see the characters at MK (this is because the bus needs time to get to the set location and back). In my personal opinion I really enjoy the DCOH bus, and I know the CM's who work it love it just as much. This 5 month test period will be very important because Guest Relations will be listening to what the guests are saying, so if you want the bus back, go tell guest relations! It's all about what the guests want for the next 5 months, so the guests' words are as good as gold.

 

[mousermerf]

If the bus ends on the 9th, don't expect to see characters in Pasta Piazza on the 10th - Food and Wine will still be setup in the venue.

5 months? Meaning they'll be clearing them out just in time for setting up the Flower and garden festival?

 

[lscott933]

where is the pizza piazza locate at. it this in indoor or outside piazza.

 

[mousermerf]

Innoventions West - right next to the Fountainview cafe - same building as Ice Station Cool.

 

[Piebald]

Hmm, so are they gonna round up like 10-15 characters (or however many appeared on the bus) at a time at this new meet and greet location or will it just be the popular ones with the secondary guys in their respected countries? Just curious

 

[Thrawn]

Well, you know, gas is just so expensive these days. Imagine how much it costs Disney to have a bus that goes to so many different countries every single day!

 

[mickeysaver]

Man, I love the character bus. We had such a wonderful time with the characters the last time we were there. I know that many of you are not fond of the characters being as prominent in Epcot, but I like character interaction. If the new way is ok, I will say so, but I have to say that I think this central meet location is a big mistake. Maggie

 

[Atta83]

Dont worry there will still be characters at EPCOT.

 

[Jedi Osborn]

ugh, what a bummer.
I suppose in the grand scheme of things, it no big deal. But for the past couple years, one my daughter's favorite stories was about how we found Mickey's bus.
I guess its just one of those things, you can never count on Disney to keep things the same.

Just ask Mr. Toad!! :lol:

 

[Jedi Osborn]

........and before anyone has anything to say.....yes, I understand things need to change...progress, competition, evolution etc etc....I know I know.
We'll still miss the bus.

 

[Thrawn]

........and before anyone has anything to say.....yes, I understand things need to change...progress, competition, evolution etc etc....I know I know.
We'll still miss the bus.

It might be back. Its just a test of this other way of doing things. Change is only needed when its for the better. So if the characters are able to see more people with these new "sets" then I'd rather them do that.

 

[MickeyTigg]

It might be back. Its just a test of this other way of doing things. Change is only needed when its for the better. So if the characters are able to see more people with these new "sets" then I'd rather them do that.

I totally agree....I was never a real big fan of the bus as far as a character greeting vehicle...to many characters and not enough time. I'd rather see set locations.