Airport urged to halt Disney shuttle service

[NewEnglandDisney]

Well, I'm taking a limo on my next trip, so someone will get at least one business transaction.

However, I'm sorry if I don't feel bad for these companies that have lived by feeding off the mouse for so many years. I just don't see how Disney has a responsibility to these little companies who sprouted up, of their own accord, in a tourist area that wouldn't exist if it weren't for Disney in the first place.

I live in a tourist area in another part of the country, and you learn quite quickly that jobs that depend on tourists aren't terribly secure. I do wish anyone who has been displaced by this to find new employment, but when you gamble in business this is what happens.

N.E.D.

 

[Gooofy-Blade]

I worry more about my luggage with DME then if I am in charge of it. I want to know if the luggage got to the airport to begin with. I'd hate to find out 4 hours later that my luggage never came off the plane. I prefer to grab a luggage guy to get it for me and take it to the towncar.

But another option with DME is that you CAN actually control your luggage by picking it up yourself and taking it to the bus with you! Simply don't use the yellow tags and it would all be the same.....but still free.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

I worry more about my luggage with DME then if I am in charge of it. I want to know if the luggage got to the airport to begin with. I'd hate to find out 4 hours later that my luggage never came off the plane. I prefer to grab a luggage guy to get it for me and take it to the towncar.

Just an FYI, you can have the best of both worlds - use the DME bus service and get your own bags. I have done it several times so far. Just proceed to luggage claim as normal, get your bags, then check in at the ME counter.

I too think it's too much risk for the very reason you cite - first, it takes hours anyway, and second, if it doesn't show up you don't know who to blame - DIsney or the airline.

I love the ME service, but just get my own bags - never understood what was so hard about that in the first place anyway.

N.E.D.

 

[skiwee1]

But another option with DME is that you CAN actually control your luggage by picking it up yourself and taking it to the bus with you! Simply don't use the yellow tags and it would all be the same.....but still free.

Sure it's an option but why do that only to have to sit on a bus for who knows how long going to who knows how many resorts before getting to my own. With my luck I'd be the last stop! LOL! I'd rather pay to get better service.

 

[skiwee1]

Sorry, but I don't feel bad for anyone who feels the right to charge a "mandatory tip" and ALL the towncars basically do. To me the "honest" thing to do is charge the right amount upfront and not call it a "tip".... The only reason for the "tip" is to try and avoid taxes...

Also, Orlando has NEVER adequately regulated cab drivers. So... this is what they get. (I have read other articles in the Orlando newspaper about conventions basically telling the Convention Center they would not return due to the cab issue.)

Tiffany doesn't have a mandatory tip. You pay what you want.

 

[Lewisc]

Sure it's an option but why do that only to have to sit on a bus for who knows how long going to who knows how many resorts before getting to my own. With my luck I'd be the last stop! LOL! I'd rather pay to get better service.

Nothing wrong with paying for personal service. I was the last stop (AKL) and must have just missed a bus, I waited about 20 minutes until my bus left. It took me about 90 minutes from arrival at the gate until I got to AKL. I probably would have save 30 minutes if I took a towncar.

Tyler says Disney is tracking DME guests based on their flight information. He said the average arrival time at the resort is 70 minutes after your flight lands. By the time you wait for you luggage a towncar has to be close to an hour.

If I was going to get my own luggage I'd probably just rent a car. Getting my own luggage takes away the main advantage of DME.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I've often wondered why the towncar drivers don't offer a grocery store run for Disney guests after they arrive to their resort using ME. Just think, they could ride out this free disney shuttle period by providing something else that's needed. I would be more than willing to pay Tiffany or any of the others a set amount to take me to the grocery store from my Disney resort.

littlestar,

How much would you be willing to pay (rate and tip) to a towncar company for a grocey run? I'm just curious if people would be willing to pay enough to make this a viable business proposition for towncar companies.

You can already ask a towncar company for a price quote for a grocery run, even though there's not a published rate on that towncar company's website. The towncar companies are willing to "connect" destinations that aren't listed in their websites.

One other comment... The idea that "they could ride out this free disney shuttle period" assumes that DME will be complimentary for only a limited period. Although Disney has only promised the complimentary DME service through 2006, it's quite possible that the service will remain free if DME leads to significant indirect revenue (increased room occupany and room rates, more on-site spending).

 

[skiwee1]

Someone on another board was told by a CM that the trip she was booking just made it under the wire for free DME. The CM went on to say that there will be a charge for it after October 2006.

 

[PlaneJoy1]

I have been to the MCO airport a few times recently on business and have seen the white glove waving Disney employees. They are there, sometimes they stand out more than other times.

I think the contention is that Disney reps. are just outside security and people can freely go up and ask them "how to get to Disney". They simply tell them to use DME. Cab and Limo drivers can't stand outside of security where Disney is with a sign promoting a service that a passenger can then go find out about at another location (downstairs).

I do think Disney somewhat has an advantage that could be taking away potential business. Perhaps a counter (like the rental car counters) downstairs in baggage claim would be sufficient? Instead of an employee outside of security.

I don't think Disney could afford not to begin charging for this service at a later time. The expense of DME has to be in the millions of dollars. Granted some of this is made up by additional spending at Disney for those who would have rented cars and shopped off-property. But I can't imagine that this venture wouldn't be costing them a lot of cash.l

 

[Lewisc]

A grocery trip would probably take almost an hour, 15 minutes each direction and a 30 minute shopping trip. Add in the time for the driver to drive to and from your resort. My guess is it would be at least $50. Not sure how many people would pay it when you can use wegoshop for less than half that price and not have to leave your resort.

Even if DME doesn't stay free Disney may still offer it a subsidized rate that will make it difficult for the other transportation companies. I could see Disney including it for free (or almost free) if you book a package with a higher price if you're booking room only. Free motivates me but once I'm above half the price of a rental car I'll re-consider.

Another rumor is Disney is considering charging guests to park. Many offsite properties as well as S/D are doing that. Disney could use some or all of that revenue to support DME.

I understand the normal charge for off-site luggage checkin is around $10/bag. Not sure if Disney will charge that much but it might be worth it if it allowed Disney to add other airlines.

littlestar,

How much would you be willing to pay (rate and tip) to a towncar company for a grocey run? I'm just curious if people would be willing to pay enough to make this a viable business proposition for towncar companies.

You can already ask a towncar company for a price quote for a grocery run, even though there's not a published rate on that towncar company's website. The towncar companies are willing to "connect" destinations that aren't listed in their websites.

One other comment... The idea that "they could ride out this free disney shuttle period" assumes that DME will be complimentary for only a limited period. Although Disney has only promised the complimentary DME service through 2006, it's quite possible that the service will remain free if DME leads to significant indirect revenue (increased room occupany and room rates, more on-site spending).

 

[seashoreCM]

At least two passengers on my DME bus paid Mears to be tranported on a ME bus. .

I was told that Mears' own customers who want to go to Disney (perhaps did not reserve 10 days in advance as required) are often mixed in with ME guests. After all, Mears owns and drives the ME buses.

Well, I was required to show my "barcode" paperwork that had come in my ME packet so I feel the "mousehand" was simply directing me to where I needed to go! If I didn't have the barcode ME ticket, would I have been let aboard the ME bus? ......"

From what I have heard, Disney is not good about getting out written confirmation of ME reservations even after specific requests for this so the only fair way to handle things is to take the guest's word.

 

[Lewisc]

I was told that Mears' own customers who want to go to Disney (perhaps did not reserve 10 days in advance as required) are often mixed in with ME guests. After all, Mears owns and drives the ME buses.

From what I have heard, Disney is not good about getting out written confirmation of ME reservations even after specific requests for this so the only fair way to handle things is to take the guest's word.

But I don't think the Mickkey CM on level three are supposed to be soliciting that business. Disney is allowing guests who didn't reserve ride free. One passenger lives in Orlando and wanted to take a bus to AKL to make it easier for her son to pick her up. She said paying Mears was cheaper than taking a cab.

 

[WillCAD]

I believe this is just a case of sour grapes.

Yeah, having a business that you have busted your hump and sacrificed to build up over many years suddenly dry up and blow away because a multi-billion-dollar megalithic corporations starts giving it away free as a promotional perk tends to cause peoples' grapes to go a little sour.

Of coarse, Disney has a perfect right to operate a service like DME, and I think it is long overdue. But I do think that they will not provide the service for free in perpetuity; I'm certain that they will begin to offset the huge cost of DME by charging for it at some point, and knowing Disney, they will charge the same or a little more than Mears charges on their own busses ($29 r/t).

DME will become a perk that Disney can throw in for free for limited times, like the free dining plan, that will be very useful as a marketing and promotional device.

Personally, however, I will continue to rent a car on every trip. I'm willing to pay the extra money, and handle my own luggage, in order to be freed from hassles of riding in a shuttle with 50 other people.

 

[cranbiz]

Deb just posted in her newsletter that Disney has announced that DME will remain free thru the rest of 2006.

They must be seeing the rewards of the service in keeping guests on property and spending more $$$

 

[quicksilver]

Deb just posted in her newsletter that Disney has announced that DME will remain free thru the rest of 2006.

They must be seeing the rewards of the service in keeping guests on property and spending more $$$

Yes, it was announced that they will extend it for 2 extra months. After that is "collecting" time.....

 

[quicksilver]

Yeah, having a business that you have busted your hump and sacrificed to build up over many years suddenly dry up and blow away because a multi-billion-dollar megalithic corporations starts giving it away free as a promotional perk tends to cause peoples' grapes to go a little sour.

Of coarse, Disney has a perfect right to operate a service like DME, and I think it is long overdue. But I do think that they will not provide the service for free in perpetuity; I'm certain that they will begin to offset the huge cost of DME by charging for it at some point, and knowing Disney, they will charge the same or a little more than Mears charges on their own busses ($29 r/t).

DME will become a perk that Disney can throw in for free for limited times, like the free dining plan, that will be very useful as a marketing and promotional device.

Personally, however, I will continue to rent a car on every trip. I'm willing to pay the extra money, and handle my own luggage, in order to be freed from hassles of riding in a shuttle with 50 other people.

Hey will ,

As always the voice of reason...

Gregory.

 

[huey578]

Hey will ,

As always the voice of reason...

Gregory.

I use to rent a car the first few times we went to Disney but it was a waste of money since the rental car just sat there in the parking lot. I rather spend my money on goodies.

 

[huey578]

Hey will ,

As always the voice of reason...

Gregory.

Just curious, Quicksilver...do you work for Alamo rent a car?

 

[WillCAD]

Actually, Quicksilver is Gregory Nicholas, owner of Quicksilver Tours towncar service.

Huey578, not a day goes by at WDW when my rental car sits anyplace all day. I use the car to go everywhere on-site, instead of the WDW transportation system, except in cases where I use the system for fun instead of transportation. An example of this, of course, would be taking the Friend Ship Launch from Epcot to the Epcot resorts or over to MGM, or taking the boat from MK to Wilderness Lodge. I love the boats and monorails at WDW and ride them just for the experience.

Anyplace I'd have to take a bus to get to, I use the car.

Your Milage May Vary.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

But I don't think the Mickkey CM on level three are supposed to be soliciting that business.

I guess it would depend on the contract between Disney/Mears/GOAA.