Disney's Magical Express to End in 2022, Extra Magic Hours to be Replaced with Early Theme Park Entry Later This Year

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

So one less benefit to the $190 "in addition to the exchange fee"? Wonder if they'll decrease it then?

????

 

[snoopboop]

Yes, the no DME stinks, but Lyft is super easy to use to get to and from MCO - and then just use Disney busses on property.

This absolutely is NOT true for many WDW guests. It is not easy to use Lyft when you've got several kiddos who need car seats, for example. Or when you have multiple pieces of luggage for each member of your party which may or may not fit comfortably in a ride share vehicle. Or when you come from a small town where ride share apps aren't even available, and now you have to download a new app, set up an account, link a credit card, and learn to use the app just to get from the airport to your resort. And I'm sure there are infinitely many other situations that could also be listed.

It just feels insincere and entitled to say that all WDW travelers should just happily get a Lyft as a simple alternative to DME.

 

[Dug720]

This absolutely is NOT true for many WDW guests. It is not easy to use Lyft when you've got several kiddos who need car seats, for example. Or when you have multiple pieces of luggage for each member of your party which may or may not fit comfortably in a ride share vehicle. Or when you come from a small town where ride share apps aren't even available, and now you have to download a new app, set up an account, link a credit card, and learn to use the app just to get from the airport to your resort. And I'm sure there are infinitely many other situations that could also be listed.

It just feels insincere and entitled to say that all WDW travelers should just happily get a Lyft as a simple alternative to DME.

I was specifically referring to being solo - as in the post I quoted.

The more I see the bag complaint, the more I'm glad that my parents always from the time I was 5 instilled "You bring it, you carry it" in me.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I suspect Disney needed to get this out there so they can open 2022 for booking here at some point - it provides a nice clean-cut off point in the booking/expectation cycle.

Over the long term, I don't see Disney fully conceding the market for paid transportation to/from property to the rental car companies, taxis, ride-share services, etc. To me there has to be something coming down the road... a paid DME alternative, enhanced ways to promote Disney’s relationship with Lyft, some sort of return of the Minnie Van airport service (which had a totally obnoxious cost but was a fantastic guest experience, in my humble opinion), variations of all of the above, etc.

Just seems to me there’s a part 2 to this story... somewhere.

 

[WickstarRunner]

Just seems to me there’s a part 2 to this story... somewhere.

The Part 2 has got to involve the Brightline system.Wouldn't surprise me if Disney is subsidizing it in some way. Also wouldn't surprise me if there is language in that contract that says that the Brightline becomes the official transportation partner for WDW.

Thats probably why the ME is being ended next year. Need to get out of the Mears deal BEFORE the train opens. If theres a space of time where the train isn't open but ME isn't available either.....they're ok with that.

 

[Tom_E_D]

I wonder if it has anything to do with the train linking MCO w/ Disney Springs?
https://www.fodors.com/world/north-...ay-easier-to-get-to-walt-disney-world-in-2022

Despite the headline in that Fodors story, the timeline to expand to Disney Springs is indefinite. The stories I've seen elsewhere say the line from South Florida to MCO may not be completed until late 2022. The extension to Disney Springs comes later. DME ends January 1, 2022. I very much doubt the Brightline train from MCO to Disney Springs is running by then. Perhaps the coming of that train line is part of Disney's long-term planning concerning the need for DME. But they're discontinuing the bus service a year or more too early if that's their reason (excuse) for ending DME.

 

[WickstarRunner]

But they're discontinuing the bus service a year or more too early if that's their reason (excuse) for ending DME.

Depends what Mears was requiring in re-negotiation. If Mears refused a one-year extension probably better to end it early than be obligated to stay in business with them longer than necessary.

 

[Tom_E_D]

Depends what Mears was requiring in re-negotiation. If Mears refused a one-year extension probably better to end it early than be obligated to stay in business with them longer than necessary.

Perhaps, but if Mears turned down a shorter-term extension, someone made a mistake in the negotiations.

 

[Forevermarypoppins]

But by 2022, the social distancing on the buses should be a thing of the past. The buses were crowded enough to justify the expense pre-Covid.

We can HOPE! Pyschologically just how long before we all want to be crowded together again? That's not going to just happen easily.
Did I think last year a few months into this crisis, it'd be this BAD, still in Jan 2021, . No, I did not.

 

[closetmickey]

AP holders and day guests get the worst of it.... I think people are missing the bigger point here.....The Early Hours completely eliminates rope dropping for all non resort guests. Disney attendance has been hampered during the pandemic and the AP holders and day guests have kept them afloat and this is how they thank them? "Sorry, every park every day now has a 60+ min line for its headliner attraction and you can't get a head start".......Thanks for nothing

So maybe you just found the answer. They will try to encourage people to stay onsite with less perks by making rope drop impossible for offsite guests. So the ability to “rope drop” becomes the on-site perk.

 

[Kbrb]

This kills international customers like me. 9 hour flight baggage for 2weeks for the family, the ME took all the stress away.

Added loss of emh magic bands ddp

No reason to stay onsite

 

[old feller]

Wonder what words Disney will use Now in their advertisements to show why it is worth it to stay on-site ????

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

30 minutes? How many more times can you smack me in the face Disney

 

[Dean Marino]

Deleted.

 

[Joe Brig]

Did they say the luggage transport is going away?

I'm okay with he other changes especially if there is going to be a train from MCO to Disney. Also, the extra hours always guaranteed a crowded park that day.

 

[Dug720]

Did they say the luggage transport is going away?

I'm okay with he other changes especially if there is going to be a train from MCO to Disney. Also, the extra hours always guaranteed a crowded park that day.

Luggage transport has been gone since reopening.

 

[WawaCoffee]

There MAY be an incentive - if one reads the Press Release literally....

"complimentary transportation options – such as buses, monorails and Disney Skyliner – will continue to be available within Walt Disney World Resort for Disney Resort hotel guests "

Notice the kicker.... Disney Resort hotel guests . Not Disney Resort Guests. I'm concerned that having removed Carrots? WDW is now going to use the Stick. With WIFI enabled transport, they now have the practical technology required to lock down local transport to Disney Resort hotel guests.

Gee, I hope I'm totally wrong .

Yikes. I sincerely hope you're wrong.

 

[jlmarr]

I'll be referring to 2020 onward as "The Chapek Years".

Yeah, I suspect this came from Chapek and not D'Amaro. Has that Bean Counter stink on it.

 

[VandVsmama]

This absolutely is NOT true for many WDW guests. It is not easy to use Lyft when you've got several kiddos who need car seats, for example. Or when you have multiple pieces of luggage for each member of your party which may or may not fit comfortably in a ride share vehicle. Or when you come from a small town where ride share apps aren't even available, and now you have to download a new app, set up an account, link a credit card, and learn to use the app just to get from the airport to your resort. And I'm sure there are infinitely many other situations that could also be listed.

It just feels insincere and entitled to say that all WDW travelers should just happily get a Lyft as a simple alternative to DME.

People with a lot of luggage, car seats, etc. could consider using a town car or limo service. Many of them can/will include a short stop at a grocery store along the way, which can make it easier to offset the cost.

 

[VandVsmama]

There MAY be an incentive - if one reads the Press Release literally....

"complimentary transportation options – such as buses, monorails and Disney Skyliner – will continue to be available within Walt Disney World Resort for Disney Resort hotel guests "

Notice the kicker.... Disney Resort hotel guests . Not Disney Resort Guests. I'm concerned that having removed Carrots? WDW is now going to use the Stick. With WIFI enabled transport, they now have the practical technology required to lock down local transport to Disney Resort hotel guests.

Gee, I hope I'm totally wrong .

Well THAT would definitely be interesting!