free shuttle from airport to hotel ??

[crazyaboutdisney]

Is it true that there are buses to transport guests from the airport to disney hotel for free?

 

[RobDoc]

Yes, beginning on May 5, 2005 - as part of the 50th DL Celebration, Magic Express buses will transport WDW Resort guests and their luggage from MCO to the resort and back for departure. There are some restrictions, as only certain airlines are included at this time (this would affect the return trip).

DVC doesn't have much information available at this time about how to arrange the service for DVC stays, but members reportedly will be included in the service.

Enjoy!

 

[crazyaboutdisney]

Thanks Doc, you always have the answers. The okw pictures look great. The slide is a great addition to a beautiful resort. We have only stayed there once but look forward to going back. First we must try vwl and ss.

 

[skelooch]

Doc,
You say in your post that "as part of the 50th DL celebration", that seems to suggest that Magic Express may only be a temporary thing, I'm sure their not going to be celebrating the 50th anniversary for ever. What do you think?

 

[Candace]

I, too, have wondered if the Magic Express "free" ride will be temporary. Also, if you are not flying one of the included airlines, does that mean you cannot use the service? I wouldn't mind retrieving my own luggage from baggage claim if I could have the free transport to the resort. I usually fly NWA since it's the only direct flight from Memphis to Orlando, and it's not one of the airlines listed. Anyone know?

 

[skelooch]

That's a good question, I wouldn't see why they should care whether if you pick up some or all of your bags. Suppose you don't want them to take all you bags, I would think you just wouldn't put the tags on those and pick them up yourself. I could see myself doing that at times.

 

[RobDoc]

The 50th Celebration is scheduled to run for 18 months (I think thru the end of 2006), so the service will certainly be available for awhile. As with most things, Disney hasn't made any announcement (and probably no decision either) about continuing the service. I'm sure they will evaluate guest response to this and make any future decisions based on the next few months. I would think, if it's a popular service for guests, it would be continued (possibly with minimal charge) in the future. It has certainly worked well for their cruise business and that is a pay-as-you-go service.

I'm not sure of the details of how it may work for guests using airlines not partnered with Disney on this (or for those who have only carry-on bags with no checked luggage).

Stay tuned!

 

[skelooch]

I hear that DOC,
I'm sure if it turns out to be a big success, they'll probably start charging for it, guess it will depend on how much they decide to charge if people will still use it. Personally I would, and I'm especially looking forward to being able to check your bags at the resort for your trip home, that's even better than the inbound. I always rent a car anyway so I don't care about the bus ride, but I'll be able to rent a smaller car not having to carry so much luggage.

 

[RobDoc]

My understanding is that if you want Disney to transport your bags, you will have to be on the bus.

I expect that, except for Mears, this program will put some pressure on the other transportation providers. "Free" is pretty tough to compete with.

 

[skelooch]

How would they ever keep track of who got on the bus and who didn't after they have already picked up my bags from the plane. Do you really think they are going to bring all the bags to the bus to make sure everyone got on that they have a bag for.A bigger concern would be what if people don't want their bags picked up, but would rather keep them with them, will they then make you pay for the bus. I would assume you would get some sort of voucher for the free bus ride, or will they not let you on the bus if you have bags.
Maybe people will scalp the free bus ride to those people who didn't sign up for the Magic Express.
How could they ever tell you that you can't rent a car if you use Magic Express, That won't make National/Alamo the official rental car company of WDW very happy.

 

[Tinkrbell]

What if your bag(s) (I hope you can check more than 1) don't make it through or on the flight?

Would they just go to the resort without them? Probably unaware that your bag is missing. It sounds like a nice perk, not having to "worry" about your bags, but I would be nervous until I saw them for myself.

As for the FREE shuttle, Its about time!! I can't believe it, this perk will definitly be a bonus. Families could knock about $700 off their trip to not have to get the rental car for a week.

 

[FLYNZ4]

As for the FREE shuttle, Its about time!! I can't believe it, this perk will definitly be a bonus. Families could knock about $700 off their trip to not have to get the rental car for a week.

That sounds like an outrageous weekly price for a car. I cannot remember paying more than about $200/week. I rented a full size last month and it was $114 for the week... but ended up really costing about $150 after taxes.

If you are really paying $700, I would suggest finding a new way of reserving cars.

/Jim

 

[DebbieB]

I usually get a rental car for under $120 for a week including tax (intermediate, National Emerald Aisle). We use the car alot during our stay, so we will not be using magical express.

From what I've heard, they are not going to load the tagged luggage onto the busses. They are going to have trucks pick them up from the airport and then I guess sort them somewhere by resort. They hold the tagged luggage behind the scenes in baggage claim, they don't send them out to the carousel. I too would be nervous that my luggage would somehow be lost.

 

[dbond]

Yikes! You don't get to see if your bags come off the plane? We have always rented a car, on cruises or going to the resorts. It's a control thing with us. We occasionally use the Disney buses, but only to certain parks from certain resorts. We just need to be flexible. I was thinking maybe we should try the FREE shuttle for a change next trip, and save a few bucks! But if I don't see my bags coming off that plane, I think that would totally freak me out. It makes me nervous to turn my bags over to the guys at the cruise terminal and trust them to arrive to my room on time. I can't imagine giving my bags to the airport check-in at departure and not seeing them again until they show up in my room, who knows when later!!!! I guess we'll just keep renting our car, no Magical Express for us.

 

[gazeborob]

Does anyone have a link to a website with more info about this?

Thanks,

 

[disney queen]

"only w/airlines partnered w/disney" the only one i can think of is delta out of houston(we fly out of houston). we usually fly continental or southwest. wonder if these are considered partners. as doc said, stay tuned!!! just read on "the thread" link that continental is included!! woohoo!!!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Does anyone have a link to a website with more info about this?

http://www.wdwinfo.com/Transportation/magical-express.htm

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=703882

 

[dallastxcpa]

I can honestly say that unless we rent a car we will continue to use Tiffany Towncar. I have no desire to use mass transportation to get to Dinsey. I am not even that thrilled with the Disney busses that get you to the parks.

In response to the $700 car rental price we traveled during the week before Christmas and I did find that if you tried to use certain coupon codes to book with any Orlando car rental the price for a midsize went up to $350 a week. I had to completely erase my cookies in order to get the correct price quote of $120. Just an FYI for those booking in the future.

 

[DrTomorrow]

It seems to me that one of the benefits Disney is getting (and justifying the cost) is keeping folks and their $$$ on-site by making a rental car an "unnecessary" expense. Capturing the purchase of meals, snacks, bottled water / coffee / adult beverages & souvenirs in Disney-run establishments probably more than compensates for the cost of a shuttle. IMHO, this is what they will be looking at during ME's trial run....

 

[MrsG]

I am assuming they will shuttle the luggage the same way they do for the Disney Cruises. You get special luggage tags that you put on before you leave home. You check your luggage at the airport and don't see it again until it is outside your stateroom. You board the mears busses but your luggage is trucked separately.

I am guessing that they will have different buses for the different resorts or maybe put a few together, BC, BW, Dolphin/Swan, similar to the way Disney bunches them. That is probably why you have to register ahead of time. This way they know exactly how many buses and which resort.

We loved the convenience for the cruise. The only concern I have is checkin. The lines will be as if "the bus pulled up". But I am sure they will know when the buses will arrive and will have extra castmembers on hand. I also wonder how it will affect room ready availability. Will you have the advantage of getting the room first if you arrive on your own?

Also, will this increase the need for food delivery to the Villas? Will Disney institute their own food delivery service? After all, the idea is to keep you on the property.

Glad we're not going until July. Hopefully they will work out the kinks by then.