Disney's Magical Express - do we get charged in the end?

[lehrsj]

I've been wondering that if DVC'ers can use Disney's Magical Express will DVC dues get charged for it? I mean I don't see the incentive for Disney to pay for that for DVC's.

I've wondered if other perks are really perks. I mean, there is free valet parking but do our dues pay something for that. There is "pool hopping" but do our dues kick in something for maintenance at other resort pools?

 

[CDSTapisRouge]

DME is free to everyone for the first 18 months (I believe...could be 12 months). I don't think that it will affect anything in that time frame as it is a service being offered to everyone at no charge. To say that DVC'ers would be charged for it in the end wouldn't make sense since it is free to all guests. Once the "free trial" is over there will be a fee to anyone booking it.

 

[lehrsj]

Well that would make sense then if there is going to be a fee after 12 or 18 months. The incentive would be to get you to use it while it is free so you will want to pay for it later.

 

[Alexander]

I was browsing the other boards this morning and came across one where someone used a travel agent to book their vacation, and when she tried to add the express service Disney said you have to book a MYW package to get the service. Is this true? Has anyone booked who's staying on points or room only?

 

[CarolMN]

...(snip)....I've wondered if other perks are really perks. I mean, there is free valet parking but do our dues pay something for that.

Yes, if your DVC resort offers valet service, your dues support a portion of it - a portion is also paid by the attached hotel (BC, WL or BWI).

.... There is "pool hopping" but do our dues kick in something for maintenance at other resort pools?

AFAIK, our DVC dues do not pay for any pool maintenance at other resorts. For example, if you pay OKW dues, you are ony paying for maintenance of the OKW pools. OKW dues do not support anything at any other resort, including the other DVC resorts.

Best wishes -

 

[CDSTapisRouge]

I was browsing the other boards this morning and came across one where someone used a travel agent to book their vacation, and when she tried to add the express service Disney said you have to book a MYW package to get the service. Is this true? Has anyone booked who's staying on points or room only?

I saw that post too, but it was determined in later threads in that post that the CM was confused and that after calling back it was determined that it was misinformation.

DME is open to anyone staying at a WDW property hotel... Traveling on any airline. The airlines that are listed as "official DME airlines" are only in regards to the return trip luggage. If you are not flying one of the "listed airlines" you will not be able to pre-check in at the hotel, meaning you will have to check your luggage and get your boarding passes at the airport (with the listed ones that can be done at the hotel). People are perceiving that as you have to fly one of those airlines to use DME which is NOT true. It is like the cruise line, anyone and everyone can use the transfer service, but only certain airlines are represented at the port for check in and luggage check, doesn't mean you can't use the transfer just means you have to check in at the airport.

 

[CapeCodFam]

I think magical expre$$ i$ al$o intended to keep all guest$ on WDW property. If there were a fee, we may just rent a car and feel inclined to go off property.

 

[tjkraz]

Well that would make sense then if there is going to be a fee after 12 or 18 months. The incentive would be to get you to use it while it is free so you will want to pay for it later.

I don't think it's a given that they will start charging for it after the first few months. As CapeCodFam said, the idea is to keep guests on Disney property and spending their money exclusively at WDW.

It's a partnership between Mears and Disney, and a fleet of new busses (excuse me, "motor coaches") have been ordered just for this program. And you can bet they'll be decked out with video monitors spewing Disney propaganda from MCO right up to your resort door.

Anyway, it remains to be seen how they might fund the program after the first 18 months...for both cash guests and DVC alike.

 

[athenna]

I don't think it would be in their best interest to start charging for it after the 18 months. Someone else said, and I agree, others may be inclined to stay off property and get a car. But on the flip side of that, this is a new thing and we have been going to WDW without it for all these years. So who knows, we'll have to see how the whole thing plays out.

 

[offtheice]

I've been wondering that if DVC'ers can use Disney's Magical Express will DVC dues get charged for it? I mean I don't see the incentive for Disney to pay for that for DVC's.

I've wondered if other perks are really perks. I mean, there is free valet parking but do our dues pay something for that. There is "pool hopping" but do our dues kick in something for maintenance at other resort pools?

If I remember correctly ,didnt disney offer free transp back in the 80s?

 

[Alexander]

I saw that post too, but it was determined in later threads in that post that the CM was confused and that after calling back it was determined that it was misinformation.

Okay! Thanks! I was reading the thread early and was quite surprised!

 

[rigsby25]

Where can I find out more about the Magical Express? I'm thinking of going alone with the kids for a few days because I have more vacation time than DH. I don't like to drive!

 

[DebbieB]

Where can I find out more about the Magical Express? I'm thinking of going alone with the kids for a few days because I have more vacation time than DH. I don't like to drive!

http://www.mousesavers.com/magicalexpress.html

 

[eileenfk]

I don't think it would be in their best interest to start charging for it after the 18 months. Someone else said, and I agree, others may be inclined to stay off property and get a car. But on the flip side of that, this is a new thing and we have been going to WDW without it for all these years. So who knows, we'll have to see how the whole thing plays out.

Somehow, it has to be paid for.
For those paying cash for the hotel, it is easy to hide the cost inside the room cost.
However, in the case of DVC, we are paying with points, and they can not so easily "hide" anything inside our room cost. Perhaps it can be combined with the transportation cost already included in our fees.

If providing this service really does cause people to spend more money on site, this could cover the cost. I am certain that someone will be evaluating this.


- Eileen

 

[CapeCodFam]

Between admission media sales, finger scans, DDE, restaurant revenue, etc. I'll bet WDW will be able to tell if investing $$ into magical express will yield a great ROI. If it does, we'll not likely see a charge back anywhere. If it doesn't, I suspect it would be a pay-as-you-go option.

Like most post perks, it will be a freebie to some and an incentive or others. as long as the reviews are better then current Mears, we'll use it to save a few $$ on limo service.

It definately has the possbility of minimizing the parking woes in the world.

 

[DrTomorrow]

IMHO, ME is trying to keep more folks on-site without a car, to capture more guest $$$. By offering it "free" for a while, they have the best chance of changing habits that have developed over years (decades?) of WDW visits. Once folks see how convenient it can be (assuming a minimum number of "My luggage didn't show up in my room until midnight" - or "my luggage didn't show up at all" - problems) I believe that Disney could easily offer it as low-cost option ($10/person) - although if they capture enough $$$, it could easily be "free" forever. I'm quite curious to see how many folks actually use ME over the next year or so; will it become the de facto "standard", or something only a few use.

Time, as they say, will tell....