New Express Transportation: $19/day or $29/week-SERVICE ENDING AUGUST 23RD 2017

[AngiTN]

I've seen some folks mention they thought this wasn't gonna last - what would you say the odds are it will still be there the first week of Sept.? Just trying to plan ahead - and I think this sounds fabulous

Folks say that because the bus they are on is not full. I don't think that is the barometer Disney is using to determine it's success. The numbers on a given bus have rarely been high (buses to AK since Pandora opened have been the only ones regularly full) yet it's continued. Whatever their minimum goals are, they are meeting them. So right now, there are no signs to indicate it's going anywhere. If anything, it's the opposite. They have recently added in signs that show the schedule. They have never had that because they never considered it set it stone. The fact that there are now signs indicate that it is indeed, set in stone. Now, they could change their minds and take it away tomorrow but if they did it wouldn't be because they didn't meet usage goals. It would be something else, such as I have seen other reports of a significant shortage of bus drivers overall. I think it has met their usage goals, whatever they are.

 

[kaytieeldr]

They won't take it away literally tomorrow because the new AP offer runs until late July or early August

 

[AngiTN]

They won't take it away literally tomorrow because the new AP offer runs until late July or early August

It was a figure of speech. A bad one I guess.

 

[wareagle57]

Curious if anyone has any more solid or anecdotal evidence of which bus is the last of the day when choosing a route that runs ON the hour (or bottom of the hour). Seems like for our upcoming trip almost every night ends that way and I don't know if I need to plan on leaving the park early (which I'd rather not do) or if we'll have another 30 minutes to get to the last bus.

 

[ThistleMae]

Curious if anyone has any more solid or anecdotal evidence of which bus is the last of the day when choosing a route that runs ON the hour (or bottom of the hour). Seems like for our upcoming trip almost every night ends that way and I don't know if I need to plan on leaving the park early (which I'd rather not do) or if we'll have another 30 minutes to get to the last bus.

I don't know whether this is helpful on not, but my thought is to stay and see the Ever After fireworks at MK and then get the bus to AK, when it's open to 11 p.m. and I'll still be within the time frame. The best way to be sure is to ask one of the drivers when you get there, that's my plan. And the rain thing...that seems a bit on the tricky side, since someone else posted the bus wasn't running even though it wasn't lightning out, because the CM's had no cover at the stops.

 

[kaytieeldr]

It was a figure of speech. A bad one I guess.

I know, that's why the smile. Plus, some people do take things literally.

 

[kaytieeldr]

The best way to be sure is to ask one of the drivers when you get there,

I think it might be more effective to ask one of the CMs at the loading or access points.

 

[AngiTN]

I don't know whether this is helpful on not, but my thought is to stay and see the Ever After fireworks at MK and then get the bus to AK, when it's open to 11 p.m. and I'll still be within the time frame. The best way to be sure is to ask one of the drivers when you get there, that's my plan. And the rain thing...that seems a bit on the tricky side, since someone else posted the bus wasn't running even though it wasn't lightning out, because the CM's had no cover at the stops.

This is true, they do not have any cover. Just a small patio type umbrella on a stand. Except at AK. They are under the cover there next to the check in at TH, but there is quite a hike (compared to the other locations) to the buses

 

[ThistleMae]

Where is the stop at AK? I know someone, somewhere posted maps with the locations of the stops. Got to find that.

 

[dclpluto]

Where is the stop at AK? I know someone, somewhere posted maps with the locations of the stops. Got to find that.

By tusker house

 

[dclpluto]

Just had the weekly pass. It was definitely worth the money imo. Used it probably 5 out of the 7 days. A couple times used it twice in a day. Watched the fireworks show in magic kingdom got on the express bus and than watched rivers of light in animal kingdom.

 

[AngiTN]

This is true, they do not have any cover. Just a small patio type umbrella on a stand. Except at AK. They are under the cover there next to the check in at TH, but there is quite a hike (compared to the other locations) to the buses

Where is the stop at AK? I know someone, somewhere posted maps with the locations of the stops. Got to find that.

See the bold in my post right above yours

And don't worry, when you buy it they will give you a map

 

[kaytieeldr]

This is true, they do not have any cover. Just a small patio type umbrella on a stand. Except at AK. They are under the cover there next to the check in at TH, but there is quite a hike (compared to the other locations) to the buses

Even so, there wouldn't be anyone at the other three parks to greet and escort the guests. If one closes, they all close. It'll be anarchy! (paraphrased from a movie.)

Not necessarily true, though. It could be raining at one park but but the others.

 

[jo-jo]

I wrote a detailed letter to disney asking about the express bus. Stating of the not running in the rain, being dropped off in front of the park during rain storm, wondering if there is anything on the app saying service has been halted ( gave the example of walking from Finding Nemo show to bus, only to find it's not working) and the rumor that after closing hours you would be dropped off in front of the park.

This was the total response......

The express buses run from 10:00 AM until park closing rain or shine. If the park is closed then you would not be able to use express transportation and would need to use the regular bus transportation between parks.


So the people who couldn't ride it during a rain storm must have been dreaming.

Also little upset about the once it's closed you have to take the regular bus. During our Dec trip, disney is posting that MK is closing at 6 on 4 of the 8 days we are there.

 

[AngiTN]

Sounds like a disconnect in the raining part. It's totally within the realm of possibility the person who wrote that hasn't a clue about it too.

I am however, confused about your last sentence. What are you upset about? I mean, it's unfortunate but yes, when a park is closed, you can't take it. That's not something to be upset about. The rain part yes. I'll agree with you there.

 

[sharonabe]

Also little upset about the once it's closed you have to take the regular bus. During our Dec trip, disney is posting that MK is closing at 6 on 4 of the 8 days we are there.

I'm with AngieTN on this point. If MK is closed, you won't be in MK anyway and you don't want to go there either, so what are you upset about?

 

[jo-jo]

Sounds like a disconnect in the raining part. It's totally within the realm of possibility the person who wrote that hasn't a clue about it too.

I am however, confused about your last sentence. What are you upset about? I mean, it's unfortunate but yes, when a park is closed, you can't take it. That's not something to be upset about. The rain part yes. I'll agree with you there.

Not upset -mad----how stupid can disney be type---- but yeah, with the parks closing at 6 pm I wish some arrangement could be make with dropping you off in front of the park. I wouldn't expect it with a park closing at 9 or 10, but 6???? We are staying at BLT in Dec, so we would always be returning there. Sounds crazy, but in my mind, taking the express over to MK and walking back to BLT seems like less of a chore than leaving a park, walking to the buses and standing for who knows how long. It's that does a bus come in 5 mins or 25 mins, that makes the difference.

 

[AngiTN]

Not upset -mad----how stupid can disney be type---- but yeah, with the parks closing at 6 pm I wish some arrangement could be make with dropping you off in front of the park. I wouldn't expect it with a park closing at 9 or 10, but 6???? We are staying at BLT in Dec, so we would always be returning there. Sounds crazy, but in my mind, taking the express over to MK and walking back to BLT seems like less of a chore than leaving a park, walking to the buses and standing for who knows how long. It's that does a bus come in 5 mins or 25 mins, that makes the difference.

Well, sure, I think everyone would love that. A bus with a schedule that they could catch to get back to their resort (via walking in this case). But that's not what the Express bus is for.

Guests at Epcot resorts could say same for getting to HS

 

[AJT607]

We purchased Express Transportation during our trip last week to WDW. This was our second time purchasing ET - we loved it when we visited in April. We were very disappointed in the service last week. It was a very rainy week in Orlando and any time there was inclement weather - the service shut down. I understand that this is for CM safety since they check you in under a little umbrella at each location but I honestly didn't think about that at all when we purchased and it really caused us some issues during our trip.

We also had a big issue one evening when we were hopping on the last bus from DHS to DAK. I made sure I knew what time the last bus left and we arrived 5 minutes early. They told us the bus would be running late. The bus finally arrived almost 20 minutes later than scheduled. When we finally got to DAK - they dropped us off out in front of the park at the main bus stops. The other riders on the bus tried to talk to the bus driver but the only explanation we got was that "the main bus stop was where he was directed to take the bus."

At the end of the trip - we had only been able to use the Express transportation 3 times and the one time was the complete bust where we got dropped off out in front of the DAK. We could've probably left DHS out of the main gate with the regular guests and beat the Express bus there. If they continue to offer the service, I will need to think hard about whether it is worth the cost / risk and whether it truly makes sense for us in the future. I'm willing to pay for a premium service but what we got last week felt anything but premium.

 

[ThistleMae]

By tusker house