Disney's Magical Express thriving at OIA; rivals cry foul

[MassJester]

Stick it out.

A lot of people don't want to have their faith in all the "magic" questioned, despite the real world that Disney operates in. But it's the real world that drives Disney's actions, that creates everything people pay all that money too see. Some prefer to believe it's all just magically magical magic, but there are a lot of people here too that want to really understand.

And, in fairness, there are others with smog colored glasses.

 

[Another Voice]

The smog, naturally, coming from all those busses running all over WDW.

 

[CanadianGuy]

And the rental SUV's.. dont' forget those!

 

[Another Voice]

All those rentals caused, naturally, by all those people that no longer can rely on Disney's busses.

That's the funny bit about the whole Magical Express bit. Disney cons people into overpaying (through their hotel bill) for a cheap airport transfer on the belief that holding guests hostage makes them spend more money on Disney. But once the guests arrive on property, it's impossible to get anywhere because the busses are hideous cattle cars, they take forever to get someplace and don't actually go anywhere to spend all that additional money (try, for example, to get from one resort to another for breakfast before the parks open).

Last time I asked about how do that, the Disney hotel cast member told me to either get a cab or to rent a car!

Magical Express is typical Disney shortsighted thinking. In their panicy lust to grab pennies, they don't think about the effects of their actions.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Stick it out.

A lot of people don't want to have their faith in all the "magic" questioned, despite the real world that Disney operates in. But it's the real world that drives Disney's actions, that creates everything people pay all that money too see. Some prefer to believe it's all just magically magical magic, but there are a lot of people here too that want to really understand.

Thank you AV. My husband and I have discussed this very point before. Nice to know we are allowed to accept reality and STILL love our Disney moments and Pixie Dust.

Thanks!

 

[JLKennedy]

Okay, so here's my take on DME:

People (generalizing) will book a vacation on property and utilize the DME because let's really gaze into the mirror, we all know right where to go and we don't have to get our luggage.

People (generalizing) have gotten sick and tired of looking for their "limo" or "shuttle" by "XY" company and tired of the prices.

Granted, while it may not be "free" (the DME), it is automatically "pre-calculated" into your vacation price, you're not shelling out any additional money, not panicking over a barely English speaking driver having your credit card information and seriously, most of all....you bypass the luggage. I would pay for the ME, and avoid the "lesser knowns".

We need to remember we all live in the same self-gratifying world, where not too long ago everyone was screaming about losing their appy on the DDP and not saving anything but a dollar.

Where am I going with this? Disney is doing the same thing other resorts have always offered, and they're doing it better than most. Plain and simple.

 

[CanadianGuy]

All those rentals caused, naturally, by all those people that no longer can rely on Disney's busses.

Right.. so before the DME buses those people you reference who have switched back to the rentals cars today were.. where?

In the rental cars of yesteryear..

You'll have to explain to me again how DME made that worse.

The buses are far from perfect but they've eliminated my need for a rental car on most trips. Mind you, I'm not one to swap resorts for breakfast ... but I guess if that were important to me - I *would* rent a car or take a cab.

Knox

 

[MassJester]

Right.. so before the DME buses those people you reference who have switched back to the rentals cars today were.. where?

In the rental cars of yesteryear..

You'll have to explain to me again how DME made that worse.

The buses are far from perfect but they've eliminated my need for a rental car on most trips. Mind you, I'm not one to swap resorts for breakfast ... but I guess if that were important to me - I *would* rent a car or take a cab.

Knox

Knox!

What? You do not meander over my way to have breakfast at Spoodles? No Chef Mickey's for you? And the buffet at Boma holds no interest?

My friend you must get out more often.

Come down with me some time and I will show you how to manage your dining options.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Knox!

What? You do not meander over my way to have breakfast at Spoodles? No Chef Mickey's for you? And the buffet at Boma holds no interest?

My friend you must get out more often.

Come down with me some time and I will show you how to manage your dining options.

Clearly my limited transportation options have closed my eyes to the breakfast smörgåsbord that IS ... le petit dejeuner a Walt Disney World.



Knox

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Knox!

What? You do not meander over my way to have breakfast at Spoodles? No Chef Mickey's for you? And the buffet at Boma holds no interest?

My friend you must get out more often.

Come down with me some time and I will show you how to manage your dining options.

Heck yea - I concur 100,000 %



I've said it her before - we are no longer commandos while at WDW - we wander off any laugh until our sides ache at Fantasia Gardens - scoot to the Wilderness Lodge to catch a quick meal at "Why do they call it WHISPERING Canyon Cafe"....or drive to the transportation and Ticket center to ride the Ferry to the Magic Kingdom on a lovely, warm late afternoon.

All this said.....I find the convenience of a rental car absolutely fabulous now. Our quick inbound visit to the grocery store is convenient, neither of us are fans of waiting in line for a DME bus - hoping our luggage will catch up with us quickly. Even if we didn't have the coupons for the car rentals....we would arrange for a Town Car to and from WDW....it gives us the freedom we enjoy.


I have found the bus service at the EPCOT resorts simply miserable. Occassionally we will wait for a bus ---- it often arrives already full --- and we remember why we like our rental cars!

Bottom line for us is convenience.....Hertz gold - absolutely no lines...I'm driving toward WDW moments after arrival there...bags in the trunk....."Now is the Time" (from carosel of progress) on the Stereo!

For some, that comfort is just not important or perhaps not even in the vacaton budget and I can understand and respect.that completely. I am happy there is an option that works well for so many.

We all have our preferred choices - I personally prefer skipping the WDW bus system all together.

Hey - we are leaving two seats available for everyone who DOES ride the bus!!

 

[DancingBear]

MJ, you left out the corned beef hash at the Grand Floridian Cafe.

 

[MassJester]

MJ, you left out the corned beef hash at the Grand Floridian Cafe.

I admit it. I'm in a rut. I've not been there yet :: Perhaps when Know shows up for his breakfast tutorial, you can come in as a guest Breakfast Lecturer.



Ok, before we get called to order...back to the evils of having your luggage sent right to your room.

 

[Another Voice]

Nah - the best is grabbing stuff from Captain Cook's and eating breakfest on the beach at the Polynesian.

The thing for me is that Disney is spending millions of dollars to force people to stay on property at the same time they are making getting around property even more difficult and less appealing. Disney is spending millions to lock people on to property so they spend more money, yet Disney isn't willing to move those people to places where they want to spend that money! All of the resorts have more dining then they need just to service their own guests, but it's impossible to actually get to any of the resorts now.

Disney is defeating their own plan.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Nah - the best is grabbing stuff from Captain Cook's and eating breakfest on the beach at the Polynesian.

The thing for me is that Disney is spending millions of dollars to force people to stay on property at the same time they are making getting around property even more difficult and less appealing. Disney is spending millions to lock people on to property so they spend more money, yet Disney isn't willing to move those people to places where they want to spend that money! All of the resorts have more dining then they need just to service their own guests, but it's impossible to actually get to any of the resorts now.

Disney is defeating their own plan.

I agree that DME has always been a thinly veiled power play to prevent as many guests from leaving property as possible - and it worked! Ok, this could be good for EVERYBODY - now take some of that increased revenue and pay enough bus drivers so we have a more efficient system on property.


I am soooo very curious to see what happens when REAL Delux resorts open on property in a few years. What will the management of those resorts do when their high-paying customers complain?

 

[ColleenG]

From the Orlando Sentinel:

I'm sure Disney has worked in some plan to cover the cost of running so many buses, be it through added cost to vaccation packages or increased revenue of guests not leaving WDW property and therefore spending more of their money at Disney stores and restuarants. But for those of us who are DVC members and can still use DME, it's still a free service in my book. Prior to DME we used a car service that included a grocery store stop. Now we use a shopping service to get our groceries. Their shopping fee is still far less than paying for a car service large van to accomodate our large family that travels with car seats and a double stroller in addition to all our luggage. We've used DME twice now and love it. It starts the magic before we even get to our resort and gives us that last little dose before getting on the plane to go home. However, I don't doubt that DME is killing the smaller car services. As long as it's there we'll still use DME.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

What a crazy lawsuit. Why in the world should I pay someone else to take me to my Disney resort when I can ride ME for free.

 

[global-mouse]

Isn't this all about Free Enterprise? Isn't that what makes America such a great place. Everyone knows the fable about building a better mouse trap (no pun intended) and that is what Disney did with ME. Yes, the intention is to keep people on proporty, but why shouldn't Disney want to do that?

Walt himself wanted to create a better amusement park (now known as a theme park.) Why are we not all crying for the old amusement parks that have gone bust because Disney ended up doing it better?

How many hotels have "Free Shuttle Service" to lure in customers? Granted that expense is just folded into their operating budget and hence into the room prices. All of a sudden, Disney does it and everyone cries foul.

I do realize that it is a big deal since Disney is why the majority of people are coming to Orlando, and is the 300 lb gorilla there, but it is not as though they ave gone to OIA and said "we will be the exclusive transportation service to WDW" and not allow anyone else to offer a service.

They came up with a good business idea, and one that is working. Good for them!

 

[Another Voice]

Because, frankly, I'd rather see Disney take all the money they are spending giving people free bus trips and do something that adds value to WDW - like open up 'Wonders of Life', expand park hours, improve the quality of food.

I go to WDW to be entertained, not for public transportation. Plenty of people can run a bus, let them do what they do best and let Disney focus on what we are paying them for.

 

[larry_poppins]

You can win, save money, and leave property too!

Simply use Magical Express to get to the resort!

Rent a car, I prefer the WDW Dolphin Alamo office, for your days at Discovery Cove or Universal.

Return card when u no longer need it.

Finish vacation with a ME ride to the airport!

 

[PinCrazed]

I love the Magical Express. I have two small children and not having to worry about our luggage on the way there and back is a dream come true. Having someone come to you room and get your luggage and the next time you see it is when you get home...come on youcan not beat that.

Transportation inside the park is another story. Disney really needs to improve their methods of moving people around. The bus lines are miserable as well as when you have switch busses to get to your final destination. I always prefer to rent a car to give us the freedom that Disney can not provide.

As for the money... if they keep you on property you are limited to where you can go to eat. Without a car you have to eat at Disney restaurants. That has to be a factor in their plan, especially for what they charge for a cheeseburger and fries.