DVC Should Pay for Mears Transportation

[Sandisw]

That $15-$20 per person for Mears is the same number I came to for all the reasons you mentioned, only I think that would be round trip instead of one way. Think about your average family of four. If it was $20 each way per person, the total for the round trip would be $160. That is for a bus that you have to wait in line for and that hits multiple resorts before yours. Or you can hire a private 10 person van (like my family just did last week) for $140-$160 round trip. And the private van whisks you away immediately to your resort...and it takes you to a grocery store on the way if you would like. No crowds. No strangers. How in the heck could Mears justify charging more for a service that is not as good? It wouldn’t take consumers long to figure out there are much better options. Mears would need to be more in the ballpark of around half the price of the private services, which is why I would think $20 round trip per person makes more sense. And that still represents more than they were probably getting from Disney.

The only thing I will add is that not all private car services are the same price

So, the company you used has a great price but not as well known given no website so when people are looking, and get higher prices, Mears may indeed be competitive.

Honestly, other than last October, we have never had a service that was bad with DME. Never waited more than 10 minutes for the bus, and 10 minutes to leave. So, not a tremendous amount more.

I just don’t see Mears not coming up with a really great price if they want to keep the business. From my chats with drivers, they definitely do!

 

[DVCSunDevil]

The only thing I will add is that not all private car services are the same price

So, the company you used has a great price but not as well known given no website so when people are looking, and get higher prices, Mears may indeed be competitive.

Honestly, other than last October, we have never had a service that was bad with DME. Never waited more than 10 minutes for the bus, and 10 minutes to leave. So, not a tremendous amount more.

I just don’t see Mears not coming up with a really great price if they want to keep the business. From my chats with drivers, they definitely do!

Good point, and I understand that not all car services are the same price. We have used others that are $160 round trip and my in-laws used one that was $180 round trip. If Mears was $20 per person each way, that family of four price would be $160. Even if a private service was $180 ($20 more compared to Mears), wouldn’t that be worth it for the quicker pick up and faster resort arrival, private van, and grocery stop? If that group becomes 6 people or even 8 people then it would become an absolute no brainer ($180 for private 10 person van compared to $320 Mears service).

One of my friends (who utilizes DME routinely) made a good point on Sunday about DME and the switch to Mears. Similar to your comment about not really having a bad experience on DME (other than that one time), he said that he mostly had good experiences on DME as well (except for a couple nightmare trips...he now calls it the Tragic Express which makes me laugh). But he also conceded that he probably felt the “good” experiences were good because it was a free service, so he was willing to put up with some of the little annoying things. He said if DME was suddenly as expensive as other private options his expectations would be greatly raised...suddenly having to wait for 15 minutes and stop at 2 other resorts first while a strange baby cries in you ear isn’t as acceptable. Mears has to understand that their service is essentially a shuttle bus and price it accordingly. That’s just my opinion. I’m sure as things get going Mears will figure out that sweet spot for pricing.

 

[808blessing]

$15 one way or $25 round trip sounds doable to me. Anything more is no go. Maybe coupon codes and DVC perks are in order for the first year! $10 would keep an audience and buses full.

a few years ago I paid $22 one way on a bus from LAX to DL with one kid free. That’s 33 miles compared to 18 miles.

 

[DVCSunDevil]

$15 one way or $25 round trip sounds doable to me. Anything more is no go. Maybe coupon codes and DVC perks are in order for the first year! $10 would keep an audience and buses full.

a few years ago I paid $22 one way on a bus from LAX to DL with one kid free. That’s 33 miles compared to 18 miles.

That sounds about right! Something in that neighborhood would make sense. As Sandisw said, Mears wants to keep the business so I could definitely see them with pricing similar to what you mentioned.

 

[mlayman7]

The only thing I will add is that not all private car services are the same price

So, the company you used has a great price but not as well known given no website so when people are looking, and get higher prices, Mears may indeed be competitive.

Honestly, other than last October, we have never had a service that was bad with DME. Never waited more than 10 minutes for the bus, and 10 minutes to leave. So, not a tremendous amount more.

I just don’t see Mears not coming up with a really great price if they want to keep the business. From my chats with drivers, they definitely do!

The company he mentioned, Tony Hinds, is well known. He may not have a website but we started using him because of the boards, every good review of a delivery service, his name was at the top of the list. We have been using him every trip since. We usually do 7 to 8 nights at Disney followed by a few nights at Universal. We usually take DME to Disney then have a pick up at Disney scheduled to Universal and return trip to from Universal to MCO followed. The service is great, no waiting, safe driving, perfect communication. We plan on using his service exclusively from MCO to Disney from here on out because of DME going away. Also use his service for cruises!

 

[Sandisw]

The company he mentioned, Tony Hinds, is well known. He may not have a website but we started using him because of the boards, every good review of a delivery service, his name was at the top of the list. We have been using him every trip since. We usually do 7 to 8 nights at Disney followed by a few nights at Universal. We usually take DME to Disney then have a pick up at Disney scheduled to Universal and return trip to from Universal to MCO followed. The service is great, no waiting, safe driving, perfect communication. We plan on using his service exclusively from MCO to Disney from here on out because of DME going away. Also use his service for cruises!

He is well known here. But those that don’t frequent boards who simply Google and go with a company that comes up with a website

I only know about him because of it being posted here. Prior to reading it in the past 6 months, I had no idea.

I am certainly going to check for my June, July abs October trips.

 

[crisi]

I will say that you need to be careful with towncars - in the years before ME we took towncars and then switched to cabs when the towncar failed to pick us up from the resort in time to catch our plane. We grabbed a cab and made it at a run. But every time I called we got "oh, he should be there in a minute." For forty minutes. That's one of the reasons I really like cabs for airport travel - the cab stand is right there and you can grab one. (Even rideshare drivers sometimes flake out - had one of those that was looking for us - in the town over)

 

[Bobb_o]

I will say that you need to be careful with towncars - in the years before ME we took towncars and then switched to cabs when the towncar failed to pick us up from the resort in time to catch our plane. We grabbed a cab and made it at a run. But every time I called we got "oh, he should be there in a minute." For forty minutes. That's one of the reasons I really like cabs for airport travel - the cab stand is right there and you can grab one. (Even rideshare drivers sometimes flake out - had one of those that was looking for us - in the town over)

I hate any car service that doesn't have GPS at this point. Uber/Lyft has spoiled me but if I'm waiting for a pick up a call and schedule isn't good enough anymore.

 

[DVCSunDevil]

He is well known here. But those that don’t frequent boards who simply Google and go with a company that comes up with a website

I only know about him because of it being posted here. Prior to reading it in the past 6 months, I had no idea.

I am certainly going to check for my June, July abs October trips.

That's probably good that he doesn't have a website and that he is really only talked about on these boards. With DME going away, services like his will start filing up. Hey, is it possible to go back and delete all my posts in which I mentioned his name? LOL. You're a moderator...you can do it! We need to keep it a secret. LOL

 

[Husurdady]

And does Disney figure in how much they will $$$ lose with more with more people going off property to eat and buy things
because of their freedom of having a car. I always had a rental car. I always thought DISNEY had complete control of the [ pocket book wise]
people who took the magical express.

 

[HookdonWDW]

I'd rather save the money. We rent a car and never use ME. I'd be fine if it never came back.

 

[Leight19]

And does Disney figure in how much they will $$$ lose with more with more people going off property to eat and buy things
because of their freedom of having a car. I always had a rental car. I always thought DISNEY had complete control of the [ pocket book wise]
people who took the magical express.

I think the main issue is with adoption of uber/Lyft, offering free transport to discourage use of cars is no longer a good return on investment since so many still use these services for off site dining/shopping. This is extra true if you add in options for food delivery services.

 

[GinaLuvsWDW]

I always used ME and purchased the DDP. These and EMH kept me at Disney resorts. Since I will now have to find other transportation I plan to stay other places and go to Universal for the first time. Margaritaville is looking perfect!

 

[Chuck S]

I think the main issue is with adoption of uber/Lyft, offering free transport to discourage use of cars is no longer a good return on investment since so many still use these services for off site dining/shopping. This is extra true if you add in options for food delivery services.

I'm not sure grocery & food delivery like like uber eats or pizza has much of an impact on Disney as a whole. We either drove from Texas, or rented a car when we flew in, until DME became available, We used the car to grocery shop, then we started using grocery services...so that was a wash as far as $$ for Disney. Went to Universal twice in 20 years, didn't really care for it...although I would like to see Harry Potter. We did occasionally eat offsite, but not all the time. In room meals were pretty much breakfast and sandwiches, with table service lunch in a park. I really don't see that pattern changing for my visits, with or without a car. One thing that is nice with a car, when I went with a larger group, was for resort to resort, like for the Luau. But it is do-able with Disney transport...just be sure to take a bus to MK and don't listen to the CMs when they tell you to transfer at Disney Springs.

When it is a solo trip or maybe a two person trip, if we fly in, will still use Mears, it will be cheaper than a car rental. Those $120 per week rates for a rental car are long gone.

 

[howardlee2]

we never used magical express, always had a rental car. however, I have had numerous renters use it and I think it is/was a valuable perk for many people. really wish they would have kept it!

 

[Bearval]

we never used magical express, always had a rental car. however, I have had numerous renters use it and I think it is/was a valuable perk for many people. really wish they would have kept it!

Any expense that is not generating revenue that Disney feels will not impact attendance or room occupancy rates is and will be getting cut. They obviously feel without magical express people will either rent a car or take an ride share.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Any expense that is not generating revenue that Disney feels will not impact attendance or room occupancy rates is and will be getting cut. They obviously feel without magical express people will either rent a car or take an ride share.

And then they'll see if they can keep the same number captive onsite or if people will leave Disney property and branch out to more or Orlando on some days of their trip. DME wasn't really about offering a service but rather about getting people to remain onsite spending all their vacation time and money with Disney.

 

[Bearval]

And does Disney figure in how much they will $$$ lose with more with more people going off property to eat and buy things
because of their freedom of having a car. I always had a rental car. I always thought DISNEY had complete control of the [ pocket book wise]
people who took the magical express.

I would be willing to bet most people will not rent a car but will use Uber, Lyft or the " new " bus service since cash paying guests will still have to pay for parking that rental car in addition to the expense to rent it.

 

[Bearval]

And then they'll see if they can keep the same number captive onsite or if people will leave Disney property and branch out to more or Orlando on some days of their trip. DME wasn't really about offering a service but rather about getting people to remain onsite spending all their vacation time and money with Disney.

I am sure they are betting most with use a ride share service or the "new" bus service since this would still be cheaper that a car rental and paying for parking if they are a cash guest. If they see a drop in revenue because people are leaving the Disney bubble they will just bring it back as " a new and improved" perk.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I am sure they are betting most with use a ride share service or the "new" bus service since this would still be cheaper that a car rental and paying for parking if they are a cash guest. If they see a drop in revenue because people are leaving the Disney bubble they will just bring it back as " a new and improved" perk.

True that about rental cars now being a revenue generator with cash guests.