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

[AngiTN]

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.

Please write to them about your experience. They must address this rain situation. Especially if they are continuing to advertise it as operating as running rain or shine.

 

[ThistleMae]

Here are maps that show those locations.

 

[ThistleMae]

 

[jo-jo]

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.

Were you being dropped off during normal AK hours or was it EMH by now? I wonder if that made the difference.

I had written to Disney and was told the service ran rain or shine.

I do hope you are able to tell disney of your experience.

 

[AJT607]

Were you being dropped off during normal AK hours or was it EMH by now? I wonder if that made the difference.

I had written to Disney and was told the service ran rain or shine.

I do hope you are able to tell disney of your experience.

Last bus was supposed to leave DHS at 9:40 and Animal Kingdom was open to the general public until 11. We got there around 10:20-10:30 after all of the delays.

I stopped by Guest Services on the way out of Animal Kingdom that night and they told me that they would note my feedback. They admitted that a mistake was made but they said that it can happen from time to time when the bus drivers aren't sure what time the last bus is supposed to drop off backstage.

 

[jo-jo]

Last bus was supposed to leave DHS at 9:40 and Animal Kingdom was open to the general public until 11. We got there around 10:20-10:30 after all of the delays.

I stopped by Guest Services on the way out of Animal Kingdom that night and they told me that they would note my feedback. They admitted that a mistake was made but they said that it can happen from time to time when the bus drivers aren't sure what time the last bus is supposed to drop off backstage.

So is GS saying there ARE times, when the bus driver should drop you off up front? If so, I wonder what those rules are?

Also GS is blaming the bus driver for not being sure of the time for backstage drop off. You had said that he was told to drop you off up front. Doesn't sound like it was the bus driver's decision.

 

[asamford23]

we did this today for the first time. talked to the cast member for a few minutes while waiting for the express from MK to AK. They said that if the big outside rides are down (which is due to lightning, not rain), then the bus service will be down. It was down today at 3 PM when we first tried to ride, but was running again at 4 PM, and it was raining lightly. If the service goes down while you are in route, they will drop you off outside the gates at the main bus drop off. This is because, if it is lightning out, the cast members will go inside for safety, and won't be available to escort you backstage at the express drop off. We rode today at 4 PM from MK to AK and were the only ones on the bus. It was a very pleasant ride and dropped us off right in Africa and were almost immediately walking into Pandora. It was awesome!

 

[jo-jo]

we did this today for the first time. talked to the cast member for a few minutes while waiting for the express from MK to AK. They said that if the big outside rides are down (which is due to lightning, not rain), then the bus service will be down. It was down today at 3 PM when we first tried to ride, but was running again at 4 PM, and it was raining lightly. If the service goes down while you are in route, they will drop you off outside the gates at the main bus drop off. This is because, if it is lightning out, the cast members will go inside for safety, and won't be available to escort you backstage at the express drop off. We rode today at 4 PM from MK to AK and were the only ones on the bus. It was a very pleasant ride and dropped us off right in Africa and were almost immediately walking into Pandora. It was awesome!

Thank you for getting the info. When we rode it last month, no one mentioned any reason for it to go down. I wonder, does this mean if there is lightening in the MK area, does the whole express bus system go down? For example, no hopping between Epcot and DHS.

 

[laurabelle]

Thank you for getting the info. When we rode it last month, no one mentioned any reason for it to go down. I wonder, does this mean if there is lightening in the MK area, does the whole express bus system go down? For example, no hopping between Epcot and DHS.

I was told yes to this by a CM. When we used it two weeks ago the only issue we ran into was one time the bus was late arriving to pick us up going from EPCOT to AK. The CM said it was due to a storm approaching at AK which may mean suspending service, we would have to wait and see. When the bus arrived a few minutes later the driver told us it wasn't due to weather, but a traffic light was out where he needed to make a left turn on a road where there is construction going on and heavy traffic, and there were no police directing traffic.

 

[jo-jo]

I was told yes to this by a CM. When we used it two weeks ago the only issue we ran into was one time the bus was late arriving to pick us up going from EPCOT to AK. The CM said it was due to a storm approaching at AK which may mean suspending service, we would have to wait and see. When the bus arrived a few minutes later the driver told us it wasn't due to weather, but a traffic light was out where he needed to make a left turn on a road where there is construction going on and heavy traffic, and there were no police directing traffic.

Does that means the service goes down every day for the daily rain storm during the summer? I don't know the area of WDW, but we've all heard many times, AK is being drowned and Epcot is bright and sunny. So no service at all. You would think they could still do the Epcot to MK loop.

 

[ThistleMae]

Last bus was supposed to leave DHS at 9:40 and Animal Kingdom was open to the general public until 11. We got there around 10:20-10:30 after all of the delays.

I stopped by Guest Services on the way out of Animal Kingdom that night and they told me that they would note my feedback. They admitted that a mistake was made but they said that it can happen from time to time when the bus drivers aren't sure what time the last bus is supposed to drop off backstage.

Great....the bus driver's don't know when they are supposed to drop in the park? Is this because of EMH? Well, I guess anything can and does usually happen. I guess I'll ask both the driver and the CM...best to double cover.

 

[ThistleMae]

It does rain almost every afternoon in Florida in the summer. I hope their policy is consistent....will operate in rain, will shut down if there is thunder and lightning. It will definitely be a learning experience for us. Can't wait to try it. I did look at the maps to see where the locations are. I'm not as familiar with AK as I am with the other parks. I do know where the Safari ride is, it seems to be near there, but I couldn't tell you exactly how to get there without looking at the signs or the map. So what is the best route to Pandora from the express bus stop? Is there only one way you can go?

 

[AngiTN]

One thing to remember, this is the first summer they've operated the bus so it is a learning curve for everyone. Doesn't excuse their not making it clear, or stating that it runs rain or shine, they must fix that statement ASAP. But I am not surprised they are working through the kinks related to summer rain.

It does rain almost every afternoon in Florida in the summer. I hope their policy is consistent....will operate in rain, will shut down if there is thunder and lightning. It will definitely be a learning experience for us. Can't wait to try it. I did look at the maps to see where the locations are. I'm not as familiar with AK as I am with the other parks. I do know where the Safari ride is, it seems to be near there, but I couldn't tell you exactly how to get there without looking at the signs or the map. So what is the best route to Pandora from the express bus stop? Is there only one way you can go?

The AK bus stop has moved from the original location near the Safari. If you make it to the Safari you've passed the current check point. It's at Tusker House check in. Or next to it. They share the same covered area, across from the bathroom's in Africa. The actual bus loading area is not near the check in point. You will walk down the path to the Lion King theater and out a side employee entrance to a back stage area. The buses pick up in the same parking lot that the Safari vehicles are stored in

There are 2 ways in to Pandora. Main entrance is first left past Tree of Life, past Pizzafari and Tiffins/Nomad Lounge.
Other way is past Lion King Theater. This would be considered by most as "the back way" in. Sometimes, when things are really crowded, this is exit only. This has not happened very often after the 2nd day of operation. If it is exit only they have large signs posted.
If we arrive to AK through the main entrance we take the main entrance in to Pandora. When we arrive to AK via the Express Bus we take the entrance in from Africa as it's just on the other side of the Lion King theater.

 

[laurabelle]

I wonder, does this mean if there is lightening in the MK area, does the whole express bus system go down? For example, no hopping between Epcot and DHS.

That is what we were told.

Does that means the service goes down every day for the daily rain storm during the summer? I don't know the area of WDW, but we've all heard many times, AK is being drowned and Epcot is bright and sunny. So no service at all. You would think they could still do the Epcot to MK loop.

Again, the CM said all service would be suspended.
It was sunny at Epcot. Clouds were rolling into AK when we arrived. We didn't stay long, we were headed back to our room at AKL. The bottom fell out when we were back on the bus to AKL. Later that evening we watched a crazy lightening storm from our balcony, that was over AK, but not us.

 

[laurabelle]

BTW this was the only time we had a storm, Orlando had been in a drought. The day we left the rain came and lasted all week. I am on the fence about using it for our August trip for this reason.

 

[AngiTN]

BTW this was the only time we had a storm, Orlando had been in a drought. The day we left the rain came and lasted all week. I am on the fence about using it for our August trip for this reason.

It wouldn't surprise me if they come up with some other solution by August. I'm not sure anyone thought through just how often the service would get suspended during the summer months. Now that it's arrived and it's happening daily they may well address it. Especially if folks will approach Disney with their concerns about not getting to use the service they pay for when it happens every single day. This is why it's very important to report back to Disney about it. Let them get the complaints logged. See that something needs to be done, if something can be done. Without complaints, they won't know.

 

[jo-jo]

There are 2 ways in to Pandora. Main entrance is first left past Tree of Life, past Pizzafari and Tiffins/Nomad Lounge.
Other way is past Lion King Theater. This would be considered by most as "the back way" in. Sometimes, when things are really crowded, this is exit only. This has not happened very often after the 2nd day of operation. If it is exit only they have large signs posted.
If we arrive to AK through the main entrance we take the main entrance in to Pandora. When we arrive to AK via the Express Bus we take the entrance in from Africa as it's just on the other side of the Lion King theater.

Thanks for that explanation. I was looking on a map and saw the skinny "back way" and thought maybe it was just for CMs. If you're coming from the express bus stop, it does seem like that way would save steps.

 

[laurabelle]

It wouldn't surprise me if they come up with some other solution by August. I'm not sure anyone thought through just how often the service would get suspended during the summer months. Now that it's arrived and it's happening daily they may well address it. Especially if folks will approach Disney with their concerns about not getting to use the service they pay for when it happens every single day. This is why it's very important to report back to Disney about it. Let them get the complaints logged. See that something needs to be done, if something can be done. Without complaints, they won't know.

Agreed!

 

[subtchr]

New Express Pass for the summer available to AP holders for $59, good until August 10.

 

[AngiTN]

New Express Pass for the summer available to AP holders for $59, good until August 10.

Link to the article is in the bottom of the first post, in red