I imagine most folks head off to Disneyland to do the typical tourist things; ride the various attractions, see some of the live shows and musicals, and take in the whole (pricey) Disney experience. I’m perhaps an exception – my interest tends to gravitate towards the various mass transportation options the company provides to help guests navigate the park. Here at Tokyo Disneyland, they have one that I believe is unique – the Cruiser Bus.
Though I’ve only been to Disney World and Tokyo Disneyland, a little research turned up these motor coaches providing service at their respective Disney parks. Upper left – Disneyland, upper right – Disney World, lower left – Hong Kong Disneyland, and lower right – Disneyland Paris. Nice, but nothing distinctive…
At Tokyo Disneyland, they’ve put a little more effort into their transportation options. There are currently two different Cruiser bus designs in operation. This is the more modern version; I guess you could call it ‘60s chic…
The other design, the one I prefer, is a little more retro – it has more of a ‘40s Art Deco vibe…
Both of these are replicas – a new body fitted over a modern chassis. The donor is a Hino Rainbow – a mid-sized urban transit model with a longitudinal rear engine.
The Cruisers run a route from Disney’s several hotels to its various parks (Disneyland and DisneySea).
I could do without the big “Mickey” windows but other than that, I think they’re a nice addition – and they’re kept absolutely spotless; both inside and out. Plus they have another unique quality that I’ve found in short supply at any Disney Theme Park – they’re free…
In the set of 4 pictures after the 1st, the bottom two appear to be Setras. So did Disney World replace their GM RTS buses with these for in-park transportation? It was a minority type while we were there yrs. ago; I don’t remember the others but they may have been GM Classics.
They had really nice European-tour style buses for their Orlando airport service but don’t recall those models either. Sometimes buses lack obvious manufacturer markings.
I think the one on the left is in Paris, I doubt they ever had GM RTS buses there, ever…
I was referring to the lower-left dark-blue one with pink roof, which looks like the same model as the Parisian one in yellow & bright red.
BTW it’s hard to find bus pics on Disney websites.
Isn’t that Hong Kong? I don’t think it’s the same model either, it’s just generic rest-of-world coach styling.
Sorry if there was some confusion with the other park bus pictures – the upper left is a New Flyer DLF40 at LA Disneyland, the upper right is a Novabus LFS at Disneyworld, lower left is a BYD model at Hong Kong Disneyland and lower right a Setra at Disneyland Paris. Jim.
Those are cool, Japan has some creative coaches in service.
These are nice; Disney can really get the charming details right when they want. The retro motor launches they use in Orlando are fun as well.
If Mickey Mouse isn’t kawaii enough for you, try the Hello Kitty park instead:
http://www.harmonyland.jp/english/harmony/harmony.html
At Disney, EVERYTHING must be perfect. Mouseko does not believe in excuses
comradeMouseketeer….You fool! You’ve brought down the Wrath of the Mouse on our heads! I hear the squeaking at the door and the pounding of tiny white-gloved hands as we speak! Run!
Cool. The goofy, (better duck after that pun) Mickey Mouse windows, combined with the Mickey Mouse taillamps (and grille) on the retro cruiser is something I believe old Walt would have appreciated as well.
Not so sure he would appreciate the amount of money it takes to visit the happiest place on earth nowadays.
I call the Mickey Mouse logo “The Three Rings of Happiness before Poverty.”
It’s like a Venn Diagram of ‘Where Did My Money Go?’
You forgot to mention Mickey Mouse tailpipes.
Cool bus, the frontal styling is cribbed from a 1950s Foden truck right down to the distinctive Foden Shield with the mickey moose head on it replacing the original.
Good catch–I knew it reminded me of something, but only having seen Foden trucks in pictures (and vintage Matchbox) it didn’t occur to me immediately.
Great design though–say what you will about Disney, they succeed because they think of the details.
Me likey ! .
-Nate