If and when ME starts charging... what do you think it will cost? What would you pay?

[Jen D]

So this free service can't last forever.... although the benefit of keeping all these people onsite might make it worthwhile. What do you think it will cost when they do charge? Comparable to the old Mears rates? Can't remember what those were-- never used them-- but I seem to think it was in the neighborhood of $20/person.

I've never used ME.... haven't been since it started and this next trip since part of our stay is offsite we will have a car. But it sounds like a great service, if only to completely avoid dealing with luggage. That part is very appealing. On the other hand, I would miss the grocery stop. If the service is free it is worth missing the stop but if they charge too much.. it has to be a towncar.

I think I *might* pay for ME but if it was anymore than $60 for our family of 4 we would probably use a towncar.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

There is probably no amount that I would pay. I've never used Mears--had no desire to ride a bus with other people, stopping at other resorts.

We've always either rented a car or taken a towncar. When my DD and I go in January we are trying ME, so maybe my opinion will change after that. What's pushing us over the edge is the fact that we won't have to transport our luggage. I'll use curbside check-in at our local airport and won't have to see our bags until we are at the hotel. And returning home I will check them at the resort and won't see them again until I'm at baggage claim. I'll probably let my DD round up the bags while I go get the car or we'll carry them onto the airport bus.

 

[mbb]

Once was all it took!

...and honestly, even if we were just staying onsite, not renting a car, and DME was still free... we would still use a towncar service.

Why?
That grocery stop makes all the difference in how much $$$ we spend in the parks! The $100 towncar is peanuts compared to how much water we all drink!! LOL

...and the great service we've received from FLTours just made our vacation that much more magical

 

[Lewisc]

The "market" price for remote luggage check in is $10/bag. It's been reported that Disney is paying Mears $25/passenger.

 

[tjmw2727]

Since ME is contracted from Mears and Mears is running $29a/#21c without luggage delivery I would use that as a minimum price. Once you have 2a/1c you are about at the cost of a town car, personal service and the option of a grocery stop.

Personally, I would not pay for this service and after our first and only experience with DME I won't use it again even for free. Next trip we will rent when DH is with us and use a towncar when its just me and my dd's.

TJ

 

[deltachi8]

We loved ME and was certainly part of our decision to stay onsite again next August. How much would I pay for it? $20 PP probably. Since there is just two of us, $40 is fine. Beyond that, depending on the length os stay, I would probably rent a car.

That was the only thing I missed was being able to go off property to eat, etc. easily.

 

[DW mouser]

I haven't used it yet and I hope Disney doesn't spring this on 2006 customers too!!! I think it would just be too much after all the other changes with CRT dining!! I would not pay for it however because we always did the grocery stop. This year we are going to have groceries delivered by wegoshop.com. My son has to have his beer and we always get water. I'm sure we'll have some snacky stuff delivered as well. Don't know what it will cost but have to have water and beer!!!

 

[goofy4tink]

Well, out of two requested grocery stops, one with FL Tours and one with TT, and one of them (TT) ended up being a 10 min stop at a convenience store and the one with FL Tours never happened (turns out nothing is open on Thanksgiving day, although I was repeatedly told by FL Tours that something would be), a grocery stop is no longer the big deal it was. I'll use wegoshop.com or netgrocer.com and have my groceries delivered and use DME. As long as the cost was less than a towncar then it would be fine for me. I've used it twice now and loved it both times. I would pay $20 pp. But once it got to around $80, I would start looking elsewhere. But since there are only 3 of us in my family it shouldn't be an issue.

 

[tmt martins]

I think it will continue to be free ( they will build it into the room charges) This way it will be a nice offer and they will still make the money on the people that don't use it.

 

[DW mouser]

goofy4tink, wegoshop.com will deliver alcohol and I don't think the other one does, does it? It may not be important to you but thought I'd mention it just in case.

 

[DisneyConvert]

It was called Mears Bus Transportation, and obviously not enough folks were using it for Disney's taste.

I have two thoughts on this:

1) It is well known that Disney wants you/us to stay "on property". No side trips to Sea World. No visits to the more reasonable, and less magical, restaurants on World Center Dr. No Walmart, etc.

Obviating the car rental decision "locks" you/us in to the complete Disney experience. Not that it's bad; it's just more revenue for the Mouse.

2) Have you ever examined a satellite image of the Disney Resorts and Parks? Unlike the maps that one gets for free, the satellite images illustrate the huge amount of land that is set aside for (peak) parking. The ratio of developed land (vs. swamp, forest, etc.) dedicated to parking lots is astounding.

Limiting the number of cars, especially the ones of resort guests that can park everwhere for free, seems like a reasonable goal to minimize the sprawl. Especially, when Disney spends so much on a pretty good transportation system.


And yes, we usually rent a car.