Upcharge Express Transportation

lockedoutlogic · Dec 3, 2016

Baby Groot said:
This isn't worth it for me but I see how some would like it. I don't think I would like to see behind the scenes either.

You bring up a good point:

There is nothing "cool" about the service areas...lots of nondescript warehouses, beat up vehicles, dumpsters and disgruntled employees...especially EPCOT

j2thomason · Dec 3, 2016

I have an AP, have a trip booked starting on 12/26 and I am staying on property. How do I go about adding this option?? Is it on MDE or do I call?? I hate calling because the CMs never seem to know anything I ask them about. They need to get on Disboards so they can stay up to date with all things Disney

skier_pete · Dec 4, 2016

MJ6987 said:
The only time I would pay for this if is I wanted to do a "4 Parks in One Day" challenge.

That's my initial thought. We rarely hop (and rarely buy hoppers), but when we hop, it's either (a) stop back at the resort in the afternoon and then a second park in the evening or (b) DHS to Epcot WS during Food and Wine - which I don't see the bus as better since it takes you up to the front of the park.

MermaidMommy said:
AP's can purchase the $24 multi day option, but, as of now, it's limited to 7 days for them.

That seems more like it. For $24 for 7-days I would maybe consider it, but would have to hear stories about people doing it. If it was still a lot of standing around for the bus, then I am not so sure I would bother. I could really see this being decently popular though. Even if 5% of people take advantage of it, that's 10s of thousands of people each day - I could see it being a bit of a mess with long lines during mid-day hours. Will want to hear reports from others - and not really even when they first start - but after it's been established. I still doubt I would do it, because I really don't like giving Disney up-charge revenue.

danikoski · Dec 4, 2016

Depending on the reviews and whether it is still being done, my mom and I are considering using this in February. She only has a couple of things she wants to do at DHS and AK and more stuff she wants to do at Epcot and MK. She also gets nervous in the security gate crowd, so this may help her get a better overall experience.

loves to dive · Dec 4, 2016

Now that I know AP holder's can get the $24 option we might try it on our upcoming trip in two weeks. I rarely carry a bag but my jeans don't have pockets big enough for my phone and if I wear leggings, no pockets so I have to carry a bag. I could start out at AK, which doesn't have bad bag check lines and move over to MK, which does, and still carry a bag and not have to go through security. Might be worth it for me. I never carry a big bag, just big enough to hold my phone and some cash/cc/ID so it's a pain to stand in the long lines with people with huge bags stuffed full. Now if Disney would do small bag versus big bag versus stroller's packed to the gills, I wouldn't bother.

DisMommyTX · Dec 4, 2016

I think the different pick up and drop off locations are the major selling point. We could easily plan our day to finish AK over by KS then hop to HS starting by RnR. Forget security lines, not having to walk an extra trip front to back in each park would be more than worth it. We usually take 10 day trips, so $24 pp is far less than I would spend getting the kids past all the snack vendors on the long (hot) hikes to and from the front of the parks.

Busses departing every 30 minutes would be fine as long as they have scheduled departures and can tell you the times in advance (ie to MK on the hour and half hour; to AK at :10 and :40; to HS :20 ...)

Of all the gimmicks they've come up with lately, this one actually seems worth it to me.

Now, how can I convince my husband that we need a $695 tent on our next trip? :laughing:

sndral · Dec 4, 2016

Our trips are usually 10-11 days and we often get an AP using it for 2 trips. We rely exclusively on WDW transportation. Whether I consider paying for this add on depends on a few things. We go to a daytime park followed by a night time park, but the evening park is usually tied to where ever we are having dinner & often dinner is at a resort by the night time park - so there's no skipping security or avoiding the front of the park advantage in that scenario.
I will say that if I do pay for 'better' transportation, then I would expect better service. To wit - buses that run on schedule & I'm not sure Disney can manage this. I've spent enough time waiting for buses and lately watching the predicted bus arrival times get extended again and again to have 0% confidence in Disney's ability to actually be on schedule. From traffic, to 15 minute scooter loading, or lengthy bus driver change overs including lengthy driver chit chat/inspections, etc., those buses dawdle. Plus how would Disney manage crowds - will people be crammed in and expected to stand and if the bus is full have to wait for a next bus due a 1/2 hr. later? These are normal happenings w/ the bus system that is 'free' but if I'm paying I would not be happy to stand or wait. And what about Disney's tendency to comp. complainers - we already see freeby fast passes jamming those lines occasionally, will we see the same with comp'ed bus passes?
It'll be interesting to read reports from those who try this.

Danman · Dec 4, 2016

I think this is an excellent idea. And I like that they charge for it separately vs. increasing the cost of a park hopper ticket, gives options if you don't want it. Don't understand the griping about the charging for a service that never existed plus the same old transportation is still there for free.

I do have a couple of thoughts though, 1. will it be every 30 min. on the hour like 9:30, 10:00 etc vs random times? This would make wait time minimal as I know when the bus will be there. 2. What if it become really popular and I still have to wait for another bus to come as the full one leaves?

Bottom line for me is that if I know there is a bus that I can board inside the park at a known time, sign me up!

Danman · Dec 4, 2016

lockedoutlogic said:
You bring up a good point:

There is nothing "cool" about the service areas...lots of nondescript warehouses, beat up vehicles, dumpsters and disgruntled employees...especially EPCOT

We were escorted off Splash Mountain once because of a breakdown and seen the service area behind it. I did think it was cool to see, but that's me. Really need to do a behind the scenes tour someday lol.

Madonna3 · Dec 5, 2016

sndral said:
.
I will say that if I do pay for 'better' transportation, then I would expect better service. ... to 15 minute scooter loading,

This is an excellent point and one that surely needs attention. Now, before anyone tries to hate on me, I believe everyone in any type of mobility vehicle has every much right to ride the bus as I do when I choose to do so. However, I do not believe the Disney buses were made properly to allow quick and efficient loading for those requiring extra accommodation. You're taking people who aren't always experienced with the scooters and asking them to maneuver them in tight places and then the bus drivers have to go through the arduous task of strapping these things down. For a well able bodied driver, this may take all of 2 minutes. For another driver not so able bodied, it can take over 5-8 minutes. Then there's people like my mother that can't load the thing at all who don't have the help of better "drivers" like myself and my husband. I've seen a woman hit the wrong level on the scooter and crash into both sides of seating on the bus. Then lord help you if there's more than one. Since there are so many mobility challenged people at Disney, I think they should have designed their buses better or perhaps have dedicated buses or vans to pick up scooters/wheelchairs; kinda like a call in service. There are already phones at bus stops. Perhaps one could go to the phone, request a pick up, and a better modified bus would be sent to pick up.

sachilles · Dec 5, 2016

I'd agree that the way they tie them down does seem a little hoakie. I'm fairly certain I can load my race car on to it's trailer, and secure it quicker most times. A big issue is the mobility devices vary greatly.

Spaceguy55 · Dec 5, 2016

It does seem like a lot of effort to secure them when everybody else on the bus..except the driver is not wearing any seat belts.
Maybe a couple wheel chucks to keep them in place is enough..

Madonna3 · Dec 5, 2016

Spaceguy55 said:
It does seem like a lot of effort to secure them when everybody else on the bus..except the driver is not wearing any seat belts.
Maybe a couple wheel chucks to keep them in place is enough..

Right? What kind of sense is this? They put seatbelts around people in scooters and wheelchairs, but it's cool if I'm standing as the driver is practicing for the slalom.

skier_pete · Dec 5, 2016

DisMommyTX said:
Busses departing every 30 minutes would be fine as long as they have scheduled departures and can tell you the times in advance (ie to MK on the hour and half hour; to AK at :10 and :40; to HS :20 ...)

This would make the most sense. But how do they handle the demands of the numbers. If you show up for a 10:40 AM bus to AK, but there are 80 people waiting in front of you and only one bus - do you wait another 30 minutes? Only time will tell.

sachilles · Dec 5, 2016

Spaceguy55 said:
It does seem like a lot of effort to secure them when everybody else on the bus..except the driver is not wearing any seat belts.
Maybe a couple wheel chucks to keep them in place is enough..

If they roll free during an accident or sudden stop, they'd break someones leg for sure. Definitely need something to clamp them down. I'd agree that something better could be worked out though.

dlavender · Dec 5, 2016

lockedoutlogic said:
It's hard to properly explain my belief that all of these repackages and sells..."after hours magic" being first and foremost...dessert upsells inside the Halloween upsells being another...

Really erodes the value and the core ambience of what a Disney trip should feel like...

Hell, now they are using the employees drop points to sell people a few minutes here or there in "timesavings"

...the answer to this "horrid" crowding is more attractions, guest areas and a better point to point transportation system...but that's apparently the lost ark on Wall Street.

Keep "drinking the sand"

I agree. The upsells are moving from out of sight to in your face at an alarming pace. Walking by the steam boat from 1-3, you see a roped off line, "sorry, private event your ticket doesn't allow for" sign. You walk down mainstreet getting ready for the parade, not 1, but 2 roped off areas, "sorry, private event your ticket doesn't allow for" sign. You walk over to Space mountain, you see weird out of place white tents, "sorry, exclusive tent city your ticket doesn't allow for sign."

I'm not saying the sky is falling and Disney should be a non profit. I'm saying that my ticket that I'm paying 100% more for than I was just 15 years ago (I didn't do the exact math just spitballing) is not as exclusive anymore. I know these events are added. What I'm trying to convey is that seeing rides closed and areas now closed off to me, erodes what the experience used to be. I can see an event and think, "suckers" if I want, but doing it 5-6 times a day is going to damper the mood some.

Mackenzie Click-Mickelson · Dec 5, 2016

dlavender said:
I agree. The upsells are moving from out of sight to in your face at an alarming pace. Walking by the steam boat from 1-3, you see a roped off line, "sorry, private event your ticket doesn't allow for" sign. You walk down mainstreet getting ready for the parade, not 1, but 2 roped off areas, "sorry, private event your ticket doesn't allow for" sign. You walk over to Space mountain, you see weird out of place white tents, "sorry, exclusive tent city your ticket doesn't allow for sign."

I'm not saying the sky is falling and Disney should be a non profit. I'm saying that my ticket that I'm paying 100% more for than I was just 15 years ago (I didn't do the exact math just spitballing) is not as exclusive anymore. I know these events are added. What I'm trying to convey is that seeing rides closed and areas now closed off to me, erodes what the experience used to be. I can see an event and think, "suckers" if I want, but doing it 5-6 times a day is going to damper the mood some.

That's actually a good point. There's a huge difference to me in the not-so-in-your-face VIP tours that they have (which I didn't even know they had til I was bored one day and went perusing the Disneyworld website) and the in-your-face type stuff that are becoming the new norm.

mikepizzo · Dec 5, 2016

I think there are some really interesting points in regards to bypassing security (if that's a perk of this service).

There are a few things I would spend extra money on (if the price is right). Being able to bypass security lines is one of them. TSA-Precheck is $85 and is good for 5 years. We usually take 2 trips down to Disney a year. For $8 extra we get to skip airport security. For us, financially, that is a reasonable expense.

This may not be a popular opinion, but I would *gladly* pay a reasonable premium for a similar service at Disney (or anywhere that has security checks). Do whatever kind of check on me that you want if it means me not having to wait in a security line.

I'm not saying this is a good or bad way to do that, but if there was a Disney version of a TSA-Precheck...sign me up.

sachilles · Dec 5, 2016

mikepizzo said:
I think there are some really interesting points in regards to bypassing security (if that's a perk of this service).

There are a few things I would spend extra money on (if the price is right). Being able to bypass security lines is one of them. TSA-Precheck is $85 and is good for 5 years. We usually take 2 trips down to Disney a year. For $8 extra we get to skip airport security. For us, financially, that is a reasonable expense.

This may not be a popular opinion, but I would *gladly* pay a reasonable premium for a similar service at Disney (or anywhere that has security checks). Do whatever kind of check on me that you want if it means me not having to wait in a security line.

I'm not saying this is a good or bad way to do that, but if there was a Disney version of a TSA-Precheck...sign me up.

Pre-check saves time, but you don't skip security. You are just going through a metal detector as opposed to a scanner.
In Disney's case, it's the bag check that seems to the slow down, and the random pull to the metal detector.
To truly be expedited at Disney you either need to be brought through an area with a smaller load on the screeners. The true benefit is not having to do it multiple times in the day, so long as you haven't left the safety perimeter.
I think the best way to do it would be to screen people while waiting for the bus at your resort, so you can get it out of the way while you are waiting already, then have a pre-screened bus bypass.
As is customary now, resort guests wait 0-20 minutes to get on a bus, then offload at the bark only to wait in another line to get in the park, which is redundant.

lockedoutlogic · Dec 5, 2016

The other thing about this is do you honestly think they'll supply the employees and vehicles necessary to provide "adequate" service?
Or will the beaners squeeze every ounce of every dollar spent, ignore the complaints of failures that will 100% come in from customers, and ultimately say "it's enough...we don't need you..." the way they seem to address every single issue for about the last 20 years

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