How much longer will DME be free?

[CTillberg]

Since DME started when the DisneyLand 50th Anniversary Celebration started, has anyone heard if/when they will start charging for or even discontinue DME?

 

[Lewisc]

It's free through 12/31/2006. Disney hasn't announced what will happen to DME in 2007. Most people think it'll still be around, possibly no longer free.

DME works well because it's free. Free means a lot of passengers which means very little waiting for a bus to be full enough to be dispatched. Charge too much and the passenger load may go down. Longer waits for buses that might have to make more stops.

At a minimum I think DME will start charging for remote resort checkin of luggage.

 

[safetymom]

The airport authority has not made a decision on certain things pertaining to DME. When they make up their minds then Disney can announce their plans beyond 2006. I doubt it will be discontinued. Universal has been toying with the idea of starting the same type of program. Disney has too much invested to just quit the program.

 

[Poohbear123]

It will cost though? Will it be added on to your ressie or will you pay seperate? Hope its not too much, as I love to fly there now.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

It will cost though? Will it be added on to your ressie or will you pay seperate? Hope its not too much, as I love to fly there now.

So far, Disney isn't saying whether there will be a charge or not for DME after the end of 2006.

There has been plenty of speculation that Disney will impose a fee, because people don't see how Disney can offer this service "for free" when it must cost millions per year to operate.

In reality, DME is not free today, even though there's no direct charge for the service. DME allows Disney to charge more for rooms, to have higher occupancy, and, most importantly, to keep guests (and their wallets) on-site because most DME guests don't have rental cars.

I called DME yesterday about my January 2006 reservation. The CM said they expected to know more by the end of this month (March 2006).