Disney's Magical Express - anyone plan on using this?

[lulu71]

Here is a snippet about this new service:
"If you’re visiting Walt Disney World and staying at a Disney owned resort during the Happiest Celebration on Earth commencing on May 5, 2005, you’ll be able to take advantage of complimentary airport shuttle service, luggage delivery and airline check-in.

Starting on May 5, the Disney’s Magical Express service will allow guests to check their luggage at their hometown airport and have it taken directly from the Orlando International Airport to their Disney Resort. (This service is patterned after the luggage system used by Disney Cruise Line guests who use DCL transfers.)

In addition, there will be a Resort Airline Check-in Desk where departing guests can check their bags and receive their boarding passes when leaving their Disney Resort.

While the inbound domestic airlines are not restricted, as of now the outbound pre-flight check in at the resort is limited to guests flying on American, Delta, Song, Continental, United or Ted. Guests using these airlines can check their bags and receive their boarding passes between 6:00am and 2:00pm at the Resort Airline Check-In Desk located in or near the lobby of their Disney resort.

The Disney’s Magical Express complimentary shuttle service will be provided by Mears Transportation. Upon arrival at the Orlando International Airport, guests are greeted by a Disney representative. They will then be directed to the Disney Welcome Center which will be located on the Level One/A side of the airport and be scheduled for the next available shuttle.

When returning home, guests will be notified the day prior to their departure of the pick-up time. The Motor Coach will be scheduled to pick up guests approximately 2 ¾ hours prior to their flight departure. Guests will be picked up from their Disney resort.

Transportation is provided round the clock and is available seven days a week. Guests using the Disney’s Magical Express service should anticipate sharing transportation with vacationers staying at the other Disney resorts."

Sounds interesting, but I doubt we'd use it because Mears was such a hassle the one and only time we used it. I wonder how DVC will work with this? Does this appeal to anyone?

 

[Carlnne]

Sounds great for some but not for us. Reasons:

1. When staying at DVC we need a trip to the grocery store.
2. I also do not like to depend on Mears- they try to squeeze too many people in and you risk making several stops. Sure the concept works for cruises but they use a bus and everyone onboard is going to the same place.
3. We usually fly USair- not on the outbound list.

I cant wait to hear comments from actual users in the spring.

 

[palmtreegirl]

Sounds great we'll definitely give it a try.

 

[cruise-o-matic]

For a cruise, this is a good idea. But for me personally, I like the freedom of having a rental car.

 

[DebbieB]

We always get a rental car so we would not use it. It would make me nervous that someone is picking up or delivering my luggage for me in a large airport. Imagine with the USAir mess this past weekend. I'd rather be there if my luggage did not show up on the belt.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

The big question is, how will this "complimentary airport shuttle service" be funded?

If this service is funded by the Disney-owned resorts, then each resort's operating budget will take a hit. The upside for the Disney-owned resorts is that the value of this service is likely to increase occupancy levels and decrease the need for discounting, thereby improving yield and providing the funding for the service.

But, do you remember you pays the operating costs, including transportation costs, for DVC resorts? Yep. That's you and me, the DVC members. So, for DVC members, Disney’s Magical Express service will hit our annual fees whether we use the service or not, or else the service won't be available to DVC members staying on points (except possibly as an optional not-complimentary service).

Of course, it's possible that the funding will be handled differently. On-site parks, shops, and restaurants are likely to benefit, as the captive audience won't have ready access to off-site attractions, off-site shopping, and off-site dining. So maybe Disney’s Magical Express will at least be subsidized or possibly even fully funded by the various WDW business entities that stand to benefit from the captive audience.

By the way, here's the Orlando Sentinel article (requires registration): http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/lo...ggage,0,782286.story?coll=sfla-home-headlines

And here's the full press release: http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/041228/fltu007_1.html

 

[kathleena]

A new perk for bag and shuttle transportation to WDW! Anyone care to muse on whether this will be available to DVC members?

We usually get a car so the transportation wouldn't matter, but this sure would be nice in August when I go with my granddaughter and we won't have one! And even with the car - I would like to send my bags ahead from home and from the resort!

We have those new TSA locks for the bags BTW - they worked great! Both in Portland and Orlando the TSA crew knew just what they were and said no problem-o.

 

[Pumbaa_]

When I first read about this it sounded great. BUT, they pick you up 2 3/4 hours prior to your flight time. Ugh!

Plus, just how many other Disney guests will you be sharing this lovely motorcoach with? It sounds to me like you will be getting a guided tour of many different Disney resorts courtesy of Mears.

I like the idea of having all the bags handled, and it would be better than straght Mears I guess.

I think I will stick to either a Towncar or rental car.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I'm having a tough time seeing how this benefits Disney...unless Mears gave them a cut under the assumption more people would take the "free" shuttle to Disney. The 23/4 hour prior window isn't unusual...and may be a little shorter than the last time I used Mears. I'm wondering if this was something put in place for the now de-railed train project?

If I still had to fly in I'd probably use it. Not sure about the remote check-in part tho'...I really prefer to keep control of my baggage until the bitter end.

Financially...maybe the resorts won't take that big of a hit. It's a joint project between Mears, Disney and the outbound airlines. Perhaps the airlines will pick up part of the bill.

 

[TDC Nala]

You betcha, if it's freakin FREE!

I use Mears a lot anyway.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Hmmm, on thinking about this, maybe my luggage can travel free and I can go luggage free in a towncar!

 

[Doctor P]

My gut feeling is that we will not be eligible for the free transfers. I hope I am wrong, though we usually drive and wouldn't have use for the transfers most of the time (even though I think it is a great little perk).

 

[Mary Anne]

My feeling is we always stay in a one bedroom as we're 4 and I happen to LIKE the kitchen so we cook. Therefore we need a car to shop, however, when we do our non DVC trips around the holidays (points too high) and we stay at a Disney Hotel, I'll be glad to use the free transportation. Heck we only do carry on anyway, so for us it will work out great. I too wonder how long free will actually be free after 2006, but I will worry about it then.

 

[Beca]

My gut feeling is that we will not be eligible for the free transfers. I hope I am wrong, though we usually drive and wouldn't have use for the transfers most of the time (even though I think it is a great little perk).

ITA!! And, with my dd penchant for having to go to the emergency room at LEAST once during every trip...I'd be nervous going w/o a car...but, you never know..maybe later!!

I do think this will be a BIG boost for those people who are trying to decide whether they stay off-site or at a value resort. I just wonder how long this will last.



Beca

 

[athenna]

I think it sounds great! I have always used Mears and never have never had a problem. They are pretty organized and try to goup people together headed in the same direction. As long as this is available to DVC members, I will certainly give it a try.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I just wonder how long this will last.

The "complimentary airport shuttle service," which begin May 5, 2005, is scheduled to last the entire 18 months of Disney's "Happiest Celebration on Earth," commemorating the 50th anniversary of the opening of Disneyland. According to the Orlando Sentinel, "Details, such as cost, haven't been worked out for the service beyond the celebration."

As long as this is available to DVC members, I will certainly give it a try.

I wonder when we'll know if Disney’s Magical Express service will be available to DVC members staying at a DVC resort on points?

 

[DrTomorrow]

We won't be using it, because we prefer a rental car. However, even if we didn't, I would never use this type of service. We have experienced it in the past, when we first started travelling to Las Vegas and we used a package (Key Tours). First of all, I'm the sort of person who doesn't like to leave important aspects of our trip - such as getting us and our luggage to/from the airport / hotel. We've had luggage picked up at our hotel and put on the wrong plane; we've had a "scheduled and confirmed" shuttle totally blow off our pickup so that we had to catch a taxi and rush to the gate (pre 9/11, never would have made it now.a.days). And even when things ran smoothly, there were often 3 or 4 hotels serviced by one shuttle; once we arrived at our hotel over 2 hours after boarding, as we were the last hotel on the line.

Might work out for some, just not right for us.

IMHO - YMMV

 

[FLYNZ4]

I think we might use the service... as long as we do not have to ride on the bus. It would be nice to have them deliver our luggage to the resort while we pick up the rental car and drive there.

Possibly, we would take the bus ride and then rent a car at the resort rather than at the airport. We might save a day of rental that way in some situations. I think there is Hertz service (my prefered car rental company) at the Swan or Dolphin.

Finally, on our next trip in August, we are going to have people arriving mid-stay, and joining us in our condo. It would be great for them to take the free shuttle to the resort... without requiring us to drive out to the airport to pick them up.

In any case... if we use the service, we would still have a rental car.

/Jim

 

[lat]

I would use the service, especially if it is free and if I were travelling alone with the kids. It at least provides more flexibility and options. I can always get a cab to go to the grocery store. It is amazing to see all these changes starting from tickets, early entries, etc.

 

[Doctor P]

I also think that this is a tradeoff for the apparent reduction in the discounts available for onsite accomodations. I think they are going for a strategy of "pay more, get more" and making sure that people who stay onsite get clear benefits for the money they spend. This appears to be very consistent with the ticket changes, extra magical hours, etc. that have been announced.