I got a call back re: my email (even though I didn't include a contact # and it's not the email in my
MDE) from Gary in Guest Experience Services.
I missed the call but the voicemail said they were calling about my disappointment with the service ending and Gary invited me to call back to discuss any comments or concerns I had and told me he'd sent an email as well.
The email arrived about an hour later. It appears to be the exact same email my brother received from another CM though I haven't doublechecked to see if it's actually identical.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts regarding the recently announced changes to our transportation offerings.
We continually evaluate and adjust our offerings based on a variety of factors, including feedback from our Guests. We have found that while Guests who used Express Transportation enjoyed the convenience, more Guests preferred other forms of transportation.
We have recently started offering Minnie Van service through a collaboration with rideshare service, Lyft. With Minnie Van service, Disney Cast Members will whisk you away to wherever you want to be at the Walt Disney World Resort . This service accommodates up to six guests and provides two versatile car seats so even the tiniest of passengers can travel in style! Additionally, we are eagerly preparing for the Disney Skyliner, which will give Guests a bird's-eye view of the Walt Disney World Resort as they travel between Disney's Art of Animation Resort, Disney's Pop Century Resort, Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and the International Gateway at Epcot in gondolas featuring favorite Disney Characters. These new services, in conjunction with our existing transportation offerings, will continue to provide our Guests with a variety of ways to travel between our Theme Parks and Resorts.
Our Guests’ feedback is important to us, and you may be assured your comments have been thoroughly reviewed.
Best Regards,
Gary Nettles
Guest Experience Services
Walt Disney World Resort
I haven't called back yet or responded to the email.
I found it very odd they would take this opportunity to promote the gondolas that don't exist yet and won't for years and the Minnie Vans which aren't even available to all resort guests. Non-existent transportation certainly doesn't replace Express Transportation and even if the gondolas WERE already running they aren't even remotely similar to what I told them I was disappointed to lose.
And while Minnie Vans do at least currently exist who knows if I'll be eligible to use it on my upcoming trip and they also don't do the same things that Express did.
And that "more guests preferred other modes of transportation" line really bugs me. Sure! And more guests eat at quick service than table service! More guests stay at Values than Deluxe! More guests use the buses than the monorail! More guests utilize regular park hours than EMH or EMM or hard ticket parties! Just...not the best argument. At all.