DVC Should Pay for Mears Transportation

[Sandisw]

Umm, there is always the option of a traditional taxi as well.

That is true though I would have been surprised if that would have been much cheaper.

It was really more to see if it made sense not to wait. It just goes to show that using the new Mears Connect may not always be a bad deal compared to other options.

In the end, DME worked fine!

 

[keishashadow]

There’s many reports of uber/lyft rates to WDW rising. Not unexpected as the rental fleets are currently running on dramatically reduced inventory.

If not for fudging my DH’s corporate rate for our leisure travel plans this year, would be looking for nine day rentals close to $600. At the point anything under $250 is a rare bargain for a midsize.

Expecting that it’s only going to get worse in 2022 with MDE for fee unless the rental inventory is dramatically increased.

 

[Chuck S]

So I guess I have a question about who owns the DME buses? Since the service and drivers are technically operated by Mears, does Mears also own the rolling stock? I assume Mears does own the buses, as they are not your standard Disney style bus, more like a regular charter bus. If so, it should be pretty easy for Mears to just basically take over the system, and then have a website set up for booking the service similar to what is done now, including check-in at the current site at the airport....just not linked to the Disney reservation/MDE system, so show paperwork instead of scanning Magic Bands They could even leave it linked enough to inform the resort that the guests are o their way...as I think that would be advantageous to Disney.

 

[E2ME2]

It’s about $600 each way, every year, but can be less if you get a fill rate. I’ve paid as little as $350 for my compact hatchback. That’s 1200 miles from New England to south Florida.

Thanks for the info.
Our 2021 journey, with car, cost us about $1,400 round trip. We have a full size SUV. If your $600 each way is an accurate estimate, for an additional $200, we got 2 R/T Tickets, meals, & a sleeper car,( = 2 nights lodging).
So, at those price comparisons, I think I would prefer to stick with the AutoTrain and bypass the busy airports and additional coordination with the automobile delivery.

 

[Sandisw]

So I guess I have a question about who owns the DME buses? Since the service and drivers are technically operated by Mears, does Mears also own the rolling stock? I assume Mears does own the buses, as they are not your standard Disney style bus, more like a regular charter bus. If so, it should be pretty easy for Mears to just basically take over the system, and then have a website set up for booking the service similar to what is done now, including check-in at the current site at the airport....just not linked to the Disney reservation/MDE system, so show paperwork instead of scanning Magic Bands They could even leave it linked enough to inform the resort that the guests are o their way...as I think that would be advantageous to Disney.

When I was there in January, the bus driver said that yes, all the buses were owned by Mears. It is why he said that the plan was to continue the service because they will still have everything...just have to take off Mickey and the words Magical Express.

I think it is going to be pretty decent transition. The real question will be the level of service for getting to/from resorts. It would be silly, IMO, for them not to keep it to the level it was for DME since that is what will earn them the most!

 

[OKW Lover]

So I guess I have a question about who owns the DME buses?

Mears owned the buses.

 

[GinaLuvsWDW]

I was told that a primary reason for the creation of DME in 2005 was to keep you in the Disney bubble and capture a bigger chunk of your vacation dollars.

People still use DMW today but Uber/Lyft/etc. make it much easier to leave the Disney bubble now, meaning Disney is no longer getting all of your vacation dollars like they once did, meaning DME is no longer as financially successful as it once was.

I can’t speak for everyone but I can say that it’s not true for me. Three things kept me staying in Disney resorts; DME, DDP and EMH. In 2022 there won’t be a reason to stay in a Disney resort (except AKL because I’d have to go to Africa to find that anywhere else). If I pay for Mears I can get a Disney Dining card or gift cards and stay at Swan or Dolphin or a Disney Springs resort, much cheaper.

 

[cruisin5]

Some of us long-timers remember DVC before DME and DDP. We survived. I remember thinking "why would we take a bus when we can just rent a car"?

 

[crisi]

That is true though I would have been surprised if that would have been much cheaper.

It was really more to see if it made sense not to wait. It just goes to show that using the new Mears Connect may not always be a bad deal compared to other options.

In the end, DME worked fine!

A taxi is about $40 one way according to the internet now a days. Again, if you have two of you, a bus might turn out to be more economical. But if you are moving a family, a taxi will work. Even before ME and Ride Sharing, getting a taxi at MCO never had a wait. And more than half of them are minivans.

If Mears can do the luggage delivery thing Disney had arranged, that's a value add you don't get from a Ride Share or Taxi. That is going to be something that won't be simple to arrange though, since Disney would have to take on some burden.

 

[Chuck S]

I can’t speak for everyone but I can say that it’s not true for me. Three things kept me staying in Disney resorts; DME, DDP and EMH. In 2022 there won’t be a reason to stay in a Disney resort (except AKL because I’d have to go to Africa to find that anywhere else). If I pay for Mears I can get a Disney Dining card or gift cards and stay at Swan or Dolphin or a Disney Springs resort, much cheaper.

Yes, but since this is a DVC thread, wouldn't you be using your points to stay on site at a DVC resort?

 

[WilsonFlyer]

I think this all brings up a much broader question I have been asking for years. Why do we have to pay for any of the transportation?

We don't use it, other than to take the monorail to MK. I drive everywhere.

The "parks" are not part and parcel to my timeshare ownership. You guys say that all the time. "They're not guaranteed." "They could go away."

Transportation to and from the parks is solely a benefit to the parks division. Those transportation options benefit Parks directly. Financially and otherwise. Nice gig if you can get somebody else to pay for it for you.

I think there is a legitimate argument to be made for DVC members not having to pay for a transportation line item in their dues. It's promoted all the time as "free." It's either free or it's not. For us, it is not.

And don't even get me started about the cost of DME for those of us that drive and pay for it.

 

[Chuck S]

I think this all brings up a much broader question I have been asking for years. Why do we have to pay for any of the transportation?

We don't use it, other than to take the monorail to MK. I drive everywhere.

The "parks" are not part and parcel to my timeshare ownership. You guys say that all the time. "They're not guaranteed." "They could go away."

Transportation to and from the parks is solely a benefit to the parks division. Those transportation options benefit Parks directly. Financially and otherwise. Nice gig if you can get somebody else to pay for it for you.

I think there is a legitimate argument to be made for DVC members not having to pay for a transportation line item in their dues. It's promoted all the time as "free." It's either free or it's not. For us, it is not.

And don't even get me started about the cost of DME for those of us that drive and pay for it.

Many members, myself included, certainly consider the transportation a benefit. And when we purchased, it was presented to us as like staying at a regular Disney resort, with all the benefits thereof. Managed by Disney, and onsite perks like whatever was offered to any onsite cash guest, contracted through Disney and DVC Management. You knew (or should have known) when you purchased that paying for those contracted onsite benefits through dues is to be expected. You had a chance to look over the paperwork and budgets during the rescission timeframe, did you question it then?

 

[Leight19]

I think this all brings up a much broader question I have been asking for years. Why do we have to pay for any of the transportation?

We don't use it, other than to take the monorail to MK. I drive everywhere.

The "parks" are not part and parcel to my timeshare ownership. You guys say that all the time. "They're not guaranteed." "They could go away."

Transportation to and from the parks is solely a benefit to the parks division. Those transportation options benefit Parks directly. Financially and otherwise. Nice gig if you can get somebody else to pay for it for you.

I think there is a legitimate argument to be made for DVC members not having to pay for a transportation line item in their dues. It's promoted all the time as "free." It's either free or it's not. For us, it is not.

And don't even get me started about the cost of DME for those of us that drive and pay for it.

I understand what you’re saying but people who use magical express could counter and say why do we pay maintenance fees for you to park when resort guests pay for parking? I think with any of these systems some people will want fees to cover things and others will want to make user pay for it. Dvc should work to balance what they feel collectively is in best interest for membership.

I obviously would prefer if Disney would eat cost of transport to parks since it’s offered to anyone who wants to use it (e.g non dvc owners can take buses to Saratoga) but this is never going to happen. My hope at least is dvc and Disney work to establish fair price based on what benefits dvc vs Disney.

 

[Heather07438]

Trip habits have changed since DME rolled out in 2005. Rideshare and grocery delivery has become less expensive and more familiar to the average guest. WDW does not have the captive audience it one enjoyed to help offset the cost.

Patterns have changed too. Multiple shorter trips over different seasons have become increasingly common, especially in DVC. Take a 225 point contract. If used for one trip, that’s just one round trip in DME. What if it’s broken into 3 trips instead? Triple the cost to operate DME but no increase in profit elsewhere. Add-on-itis is popular. Many of those are small contracts used to get a short stay at a specific resort & season. Popping in for F&W, marathon, holiday, etc.

It must’ve gotten out of whack with WDW making less captive profits while cost broken down by guest/night increasing. On the hotel side I could see them offering ‘complimentary’ vouchers with certain vacation packages. Maybe they’ll swing a discount for DVC. Otherwise it’ll be pay to use it. And why shouldn’t it be? DVC owners won’t want to foot an ever escalating DME tab.

ps- For the parking issues, with all the new in-park tech I wouldn’t be surprised to see resort ‘day guests’ needing to check in thru WDW system at the gate and be blocked from park entry until their car leaves that resort. WDW doesn’t have to seem like a bad guy if it becomes known the lots are already struggling to hold staying guests. Win/win for WDW. No more freebie theme park parking and not much backlash.

 

[Chuck S]

Take a 225 point contract. If used for one trip, that’s just one round trip in DME. What if it’s broken into 3 trips instead?

Breaking 225 points into two or three day trips just won't work for many people.

I'm not sure people that regularly fly into MCO take shorter trips. In most areas, it costs too much to fly cross country for 2 or 3 days, especially for a family.

 

[New Mouse]

Breaking 225 points into two of three day trips just wont work for many people.

I'm not sure people that regularly fly into MCO take shorter trips. In most areas, it costs too much to fly cross country for 2 or 3 days, especially for a family.

Not to menton DME dues are per point and dues generally speaking arent meant to be for profit.

 

[Yinn]

Another item that makes our AutoTrain decision look even better for next year.
We tried it for the 1st time, Jan-Feb 2021, and it was better for Social-Distancing than flying, saved us a ton vs. renting a car for 7 weeks, and it was great being able to spread out and relax during the trip and not have white-knuckles from driving I-95. I also look at it as saving me 2 Nights worth of Points/$$, as the overnights spent onboard the train are relaxing & refreshing and, if we drove we would waste at least one of those nights recuperating in our room to catch up on lost sleep.
For those DVC members that are a reasonable drive from Lorton VA, I would recommend giving it a try.

How is that train? Do you get a cabin or just regular seats? It's still quite a bit of time.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

Speaking purely for myself and my family, since COVID, I have stopped using DME and have been using a private transport company (not Uber - I have been using Luxury Orlando). I would not go back to DME. I used to enjoy the baggage service, but it would take a good 1.5 hours to get to my resort. On the way back I would be stuck sitting in the airport for hours. Instead, I am loving - LOVING the personal service when they pick me up, the beautiful, clear cars, the help with my luggage, and the quick (half the time) transportation time to get to my resort. it's much less stressful.

So, put me in the group of DVC owners who would rather it not come out of our dues. I know the pennies per point won't make a huge difference. But I would rather those pennies go towards perks that we use - like lounges. Keep in mind I am not pounding my fists about them either. If it's something we pay for, then it's something we pay for. But given a voting choice, I would rather it go elsewhere.

 

[heynowirv]

Owners would pay for it, not Disney, We cover it now as part of dues. I would bet the majority of DVC owners would choose not to see an increase in dues to cover it for all.

We are no longer guests of Disney so anything is covered by us, it is why we don’t get daily housekeeping. Owners who want it pay for it on their own,

I think the same for transportation to/from the airport. Now, it would be great for DVCM to try and work a discount via Mears for DVC owners as a special benefit.

I'm confused as to why we are paying for it . I get it that we're owner's but the service is available to anyone staying onsite not just DVC.As a caveat to all this I can't remember the last time we used DME.

 

[Sandisw]

I'm confused as to why we are paying for it . I get it that we're owner's but the service is available to anyone staying onsite not just DVC.As a caveat to all this I can't remember the last time we used DME.

We pay a share of all the costs associated with transportation. On-site guests pay for it as well..it’s just embedded in the cost of the room.

The only plus is that our operating expenses must be adjusted while cash guests have no say.

Now, that’s not to say that we will actual notice it as a decrease but it will help to offset any increase in that line item for 2022 and beyond.