Two WDW Rumors
Walt Disney World: Could the parking lot trams soon be history at Walt Disney World, replaced by buses?
From J. Dana
Posted December 29, 2002 at 10:13 PM
FIRST RUMOR
Apparently, the whispering has started again that Walt Disney World (perhaps the whole theme park division) will be "offering" Cast Members the opportunity to take a Voluntary Separation Package (VSP) this spring. As you may remember, a little over a year ago, the Disney company reduced staff by 4,000, mainly at WDW, in large part through a VSP. Although Cast Members who take the VSP are compensated well, there's trepidation in the ranks. Hopefully, this round of layoffs/VSPs won't be as deep and severe, but more belt-tightening seems to be on the horizen.
SECOND RUMOR
Presently, transportation Cast Members are conducting utilization studies in the parking lots of the four WDW theme parks. The purpose? Plans call for getting rid of the trams from the parking lot into the parks. They may be replaced by buses. Now, before you bust a blood vessel thinking this is just more cost-cutting, there are reasons for this. Mainly, it's because STUPID tourists don't realize that when the tram is moving, you don't jump on or off. Also, inbred families can't get it through their dueling-banjos heads that hanging their young children over the edge of the moving vehicle is not a good idea. Apparently, numerous accidents and mishaps have prompted this decision. And not everyone (myself included) always remembers to "watch your head as you board." (OUCH!!)
And having a bunch of dimbulb tourists die and elevate our gene pool is bad? Oh, I guess it would be bad for Disney. Heaven forbid Disney just ALLOW natural selection to happen for the benefit of the rest of us.
I would hope Disney doesn't get rid of the trams, they're one of my favourite things about going to WDW!!!
From steve lee
Posted December 30, 2002 at 10:24 AM
Yikes, Kevin. Don't get me wrong, you're absolutely right...but Yikes!
Natural selection is a wonderful thing. Unfortunately, our society is far too sue-happy to allow it to fulfill itself in that manner. Disney's got to cover the Mouse's posterior to keep stupid lawsuits from being filed. And they will be filed. And, of course, they will be stupid.
I can't imagine how anyone could load and unload a bus in anywhere near the amount of time it takes to load and unload a tram. Perhaps Disney could invest in a swinging gate to block the tram's sides, like Universal has on its studio tour trams.
However, having dragged my family again across the wretched Mickey and Friends parking structure at Disneyland last night, I fear that Disney's choice may be to eliminate tram service entirely at parks like MGM and Animal Kingdom, where the parking lot lies adjacent to the park entrance.
Heck, if the Californians can walk half a mile from the garage entrance to their cars, why can't the Florida visitors make a similar trek to theirs?
(Wash away the dripping sarcasm before touching any part of your computer, please.)
I've never used one of the silly trams. I always thought they were more for people who were unable to walk the distance. My opinion is if you're going to walk through the park all day, you can walk from the gate to your car. The only places I've ever taken a parking tram are at the two Busch Gardens where you almost have to ride the tram to get to the gate, unless you have a death wish.
As far as I'm concerned, eliminating the parking tram is a great way to save some money.
From Ben Mills
Posted December 30, 2002 at 12:07 PM
Well if they're so bothered about stupid people filing lawsuits, then why not give them an IQ test at the entrance to the car park. Anyone that is obviously dumb isn't allowed into the resort. Or Disney can just give the stupid people their own resort with flat rides and padded walls.
And the Dumbo clones.
I HATE the Dumbo clones...
Gosh, Ben. It's bad enough with Disney's corporate managers rarely visiting the parks as it is. Now you want to ban them entirely?
From Ben Mills
Posted December 30, 2002 at 1:35 PM
I sure do.
From J. Dana
Posted December 30, 2002 at 7:00 PM
Okay, Robert...that was the biggest laugh I had all week! But you know what they say about a kernal of truth in effective humor...
From steve lee
Posted December 30, 2002 at 11:37 PM
I think if an IQ test was required prior to entry, Main Street USA would have tumbleweeds blowing down it.
I know none of ya'll are morons, but you can't argue that there aren't a heckuva lot of them out there.
I agree with that statement!
As far as laws are concerned, as long as Disney blathers on, like they do EVERY time you climb aboard, how you don't stand or hang out the car, then they are covered. If someone gets run over, that's one thing. If someone gets hurt jumping out of a moving vehicle, who'd give that moron any money?
After standing on numerous roller coasters, just to sit on the back of the seat in front of me and get a thrill of riding the coaster backwards or, loosening the restraints on standup coasters so I could 'free-fly,' I have nothing to say on the matter of jumping on or off moving trams.
However, why is Disney cutting cast members? Other than watching idiots stumble [and hitting their heads] into trams, it's the smiling faces of the oh so many, truly happy-with-their-jobs cast members I enjoy seeing most (second to the attractions) during my visits at WDW. ... Knowing the guy who handed a balloon to a four year old, making her day, may not be standing on any given corner brings a tear to my eye. That extra young lady who asks you to, "Please watch your step," as you board Dumbo or the Haunted Mansion's doom buggies is greatly needed. Someone just to stand near the Fast-Pass station is a plus just in case the system were to suddenly go down. The guy who just goes around wiping dust off everything, even he gives you a nice feeling as he smiles, whistles and winks to passing guests as only he knows of the true happiness he/she feels, as he works for the only, truly magical place on Earth.
Unless you consider Efteling.
From Ben Mills
Posted January 2, 2003 at 4:13 PM
You've been to Efteling? How cool is that park!
Maybe the buses wouldn't be a bad idea after all so long as Disney has enough buses to handle the capacity. During the summer time when the weather can turn ugly in a matter of minutes, the trams are brought in and parked when lightning approaches the theme parks. This is for safety reasons since the trams cannot protect passengers the way a bus can. This leaves guests to fend for themselves. I have see some real morons at Epcot decide to WALK to their cars during a thunderstorm. There's nothing worse than being in the middle of a wide open parking lot when you are the tallest object around.
You aren't the tallest object. Last time I checked parking lots were jam-packed with lampposts.
This discussion has been archived, and is not accepting additional responses.
