Interesting Article: Decline in Magical Express Riders

[WaltD4Me]

Pretty interesting article by Jason Garcia of the Orlando Sentinal. Magical Express ridership down 10%.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/the-daily-disney/os-disney-magical-express-20101112,0,2565241.story

 

[Becx N Gav]

I hope this doesn't mean they will stop doing it, maybe they will improve the service It's been a few years since we used it (2005) but we're doing it this year as we don't need groceries before the cruise. I do enjoy getting a towncar though it's so convenient.

 

[Golf4food]

It doesn't take an MBA to figure this one out - overpriced hotels on property, more people staying off property, fewer ME users. (Says he who has only spent one night in an off-site hotel in over 15 years... but also drives, so...)

 

[WaltD4Me]

I hope this doesn't mean they will stop doing it, maybe they will improve the service It's been a few years since we used it (2005) but we're doing it this year as we don't need groceries before the cruise. I do enjoy getting a towncar though it's so convenient.

I highly doubt they would stop doing ME. It is still serving it's purpose for the people who are using it.

I much prefer a towncar too. To me it's just worth the cost to get off the plane and go right to my resort with my luggage.

 

[jpeka65844]

I highly doubt they would stop doing ME. It is still serving it's purpose for the people who are using it.

I much prefer a towncar too. To me it's just worth the cost to get off the plane and go right to my resort with my luggage.

Amen to that. I can't imagine waiting for a bus, then waiting on the bus to be dropped off, then waiting for our luggage. We prefer to just grab our stuff and go!!!

 

[darrengs]

I agree that ME is serving its purpose, but its purpose is to keep guests on site and that is working extremely well.

 

[gr8leg8]

My first thought was "I wonder if the few transportation accidents in the news are making people feel unsafe on Disney transport."
(the monorail crash, the crazy bus driver strangler, the little boy on the bike)

but I had to remind myself that most travels do no research before their trip.

 

[WaltD4Me]

My first thought was "I wonder if the few transportation accidents in the news are making people feel unsafe on Disney transport."
(the monorail crash, the crazy bus driver strangler, the little boy on the bike)

but I had to remind myself that most travels do no research before their trip.

True, the majority of people don't know about this stuff. Maybe the monorail crash. My sister loves going to Disney, but she isn't on the boards here and doesn't keep with Disney news. She knows about the monorail crash, but none of the others.

 

[BriarRosie]

If Disney doesn't extend the DME contract, I'll go back to doing what I used to do. Rent a car for one day on each end of my trip, using the Dolphin hotel as my drop-off/pick-up point.

I'll continue to take advantage of DME as long as it's still free to resort guests.

 

[medicjch]

I really like DME as I simply hate to deal with my bags. It really doesn't matter if it is just a couple of adults or if I have the kids with me, I like not messing with my luggage. That is the biggest selling point for me. Do I wish the bus got there a little faster......sure, but that is the price I'm willing to pay.

 

[HawkeyeThad]

Has there been a decrease in Disney resort guests over the same time period? If so, that would help explain the decrease. If not, then the decline doesn't bode well for Magical Express. I've only used it on 2 trips, and didn't really care for it. I had to wait for over an hour at MCO to get on my bus the last time I did it.

I just rent a car now, so that way I have some freedom. I also quit using the buses on property. I'd much rather drive to the parks than wait for a crowded bus.

 

[Gigi22]

We have never used DME.
After getting up early to catch our flight, going through the fun that air travel has become, and arriving tired and rumpled at MCO, the absolute last thing we want is to wait around for a bus.
When we were young and foolish, before DME, we once took a Mears Shuttle from MCO to our hotel--DH was so tired and angry by the time we got to our hotel, I was afraid of an explosion.
Never, ever will we take a shuttle to our hotel. We don't care who runs it!

 

[Stacy's a freak]

The article sounds pretty common sensical to me. I am living proof of that - due to Universal, I will not be using DME this trip. Since I am starting at a Universal area hotel and then transferring to a WDW resort after a few days, I needed to hire a towncar service. So I'm not using DME back to the airport since it is just a smidge more and much more efficient to use that same towncar back to MCO.

I doubt that ME will go away completely because it is serving a purpose. But imagine that if numbers continue to decline, Disney will start having fewer DME buses and longer transport times (if not already). They will have to tread carefully with that, though, because shoddy service will have people seeking other transportation options. Slippery slope.

 

[brergnat]

Maybe it's because more people are renting cars so they don't have to deal with the awful bus transport on property.

Why don't they try surveying guests to see how many picked up rental cars at the airport.

Come on Disney...think here...

 

[AJRitz]

The article sounds pretty common sensical to me. I am living proof of that - due to Universal, I will not be using DME this trip. Since I am starting at a Universal area hotel and then transferring to a WDW resort after a few days, I needed to hire a towncar service. So I'm not using DME back to the airport since it is just a smidge more and much more efficient to use that same towncar back to MCO.

I doubt that ME will go away completely because it is serving a purpose. But imagine that if numbers continue to decline, Disney will start having fewer DME buses and longer transport times (if not already). They will have to tread carefully with that, though, because shoddy service will have people seeking other transportation options. Slippery slope.

This.
Had we done Disney-only on our trip, we could've saved the $250 we spent on a rental car. But DME wasn't an option, because we started our trip at Universal and ended at The Dolphin. I guess I could've tried putting the Universal portion of the trip in the middle of our vacation, but we still would've had to deal with transportation between the resort areas. If it weren't for WWoHP, we would've been ME riders.

 

[Golf4food]

Maybe Disney should start offering a shuttle thar runs from DTD to the other theme parks in town for WDW Resort guests... that would be radical... even for a small fee, perhaps...

 

[FireDancer]

Unless I am staying off-site or at the Swan/Dolphin I always use DME. I get my luggage myself and it rides under the bus with me but I'm really not in a hurry so don't mind taking the bus.

I've yet to have a bad experience.

 

[DISNUT21]

I agree... Everytime I travel to WDW I always use ME, in fact, it is one of my main reasons for staying on site.

In my opinion, I think the decline in ridership is based off of many different factors, not just those listed by the Orlando Sentinel in the article... it could be a mix of WWoHP, recent ticket specials at both Universal and SeaWorld, as well as sales available through rental car companies.

If the average family can find a great deal on a rental car, they will be more than happy to rent a car (if budgetary constraints permit), in fact, it will incline them to travel, shop and dine off site, as well as give them the opportunity to stock up with basic needs prior to their arrival. However, its just my 2sense.

 

[Sweettears]

It doesn't take an MBA to figure this one out - overpriced hotels on property, more people staying off property, fewer ME users. (Says he who has only spent one night in an off-site hotel in over 15 years... but also drives, so...)

I'm not sure about that but even more simplistic. WDW attendance down=less ME usuage. Duh.

 

[Disney Dad Canada]

Personally I think many of those that complain about the Disney bus service never taske a bus except at Disney. I find it no different than taking a regular city bus service. You may have to wait a few mibutes but to me it's no big deal.