Interesting read about Disney here! I gotta agree!

[3DisneyFanz]

Yep. I think Universal is getting a service soon, I got a huge survey about it about a few months ago. Sounded like a done deal, they were just looking for opinions on what the name of it should be and things like that.

That along with the new water park is really going to be interesting to watch. But even if you're a WDW fan, competition is always a good thing.

I also remember hearing at one point that they do a tremendous business with their service shuttling people back and forth to Disney so ME doesn't keep everyone on property.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I also remember hearing at one point that they do a tremendous business with their service shuttling people back and forth to Disney so ME doesn't keep everyone on property.

That's right, they do.

They do need to add a streamlined airport service though.

 

[jade1]

Isn't the reason Magical Express exists because the resorts are miles away from the parks and require commuting?

Not at all. Your thinking of the buses and boats-and the ability to walk to the parks from some resorts except AK-which we do one day at and take the bus. We split stays with BLT for MK, and BCV (sometimes BWV) for EPCOT and DHS, love the area as well.

ME means we can tag our bags curbside in MPLS and they show up in our room that evening after our FP+ selections that eve. We also get our groceries, drinks and alcohol delivered as well. The whole trip down is bag free, then we have no car needed to rent and get driven to our resort.

On the return we leave our bags at the resort lobby and they show up back in MPLS when we arrive there. They also give us our boarding passes so we are set to go straight to security after our last FP+s. That also gives us our last day with no bags to haul around or worry about.

Very hassle free and relaxing.

 

[gdrj]

The article is fine, but is it anything that we don't already know? Also while I think Disney has done a horrible job with HS and EPCOT over the past decade there finally is investment in the parks. I would have preferred an interview with Disney Mgt ask them why did you let your parks get so run down, and close attractions and leave so many things empty, or not update attractions. From Horizons to Innoventions, to most attractions in Future World. The simple answer IMO is that any investment in the parks would not have resulted in any financial growth. Attendance continued to grow and they were able to maximize profit by not investing.

As a WDW fan I get that there are great things to do at Disney World, and our visits over the past few years have increased, but Future World should be more than Soaring, Test Track and Mission to Mars. The Imagination pavilion is lacking umm......imagination! For us EPCOT has become DTD Disney a place to eat and drink, while I enjoy that, it is disappointing.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

For us, the onsite experience at WDW is better than the onsite experience at Universal. The hotels are better IMO, as is the food, add free Magical Express along with not having to commute miles and miles and no bags plus food/alcohol delivery (and having a kitchen) and you have a pretty great and easy vacation. Of course, we split stays with BLT and BCV so we can walk to parks-and the value (and SAB) is amazing. But I think the onsite experience as a whole is where WDW really wins, esp with AP and FP+ each evening and Great night shows.

Food/alcohol delivery is available at both locations, so I'm not sure why that is factor. I can see how ME would be an advantage if you are flying and like using Disney transportation. We plan on taking our first Universal trip in October. I have a hard time seeing how FP+ with its limitations is better having Express Pass included if you stay onsite at a deluxe hotel.

My understanding is that the size of Universal is more on par with DL and some people like that.

 

[Planogirl]

Food/alcohol delivery is available at both locations, so I'm not sure why that is factor. I can see how ME would be an advantage if you are flying and like using Disney transportation. We plan on taking our first Universal trip in October. I have a hard time seeing how FP+ with its limitations is better having Express Pass included if you stay onsite at a deluxe hotel.

My understanding is that the size of Universal is more on par with DL and some people like that.

Plus it's way easier to walk or ride a boat or take a bus from the Universal resorts than from most Disney resorts. Sure you can walk from the Epcot resorts to two parks but there is that pesky MK and AK to consider not to mention Disney Springs which is always a chore to get to.

I've heard that Universal might be considering more transportation. I hope that they do so!

 

[jade1]

Food/alcohol delivery is available at both locations, so I'm not sure why that is factor. I can see how ME would be an advantage if you are flying and like using Disney transportation. We plan on taking our first Universal trip in October. I have a hard time seeing how FP+ with its limitations is better having Express Pass included if you stay onsite at a deluxe hotel.

My understanding is that the size of Universal is more on par with DL and some people like that.

Food not really-just talking of relaxing vacations and having DVC kitchens etc.

ME-to me is almost as much about not touching the bags (and getting boarding passes at the resort) the whole trip either direction as the ride over.

Express Pass is available to everyone at US-not just onsite guests.

Indeed 2 parks can be easier to navigate, but I prefer 4 to spread out crowds and get a different atmosphere. If AK was connected as a land to MK I would not like that as much, and if DHS was connected as a land to EPCOT, I would not like that either. DL works but is an odd mix IMO. I would prefer HP was its own separate park far more than crammed in 2 corners. Likewise I am happy the may be adding a 3rd park even if a bit away-be interesting if the "2 parks is better" crowd will still say that if it happens.

 

[jade1]

Plus it's way easier to walk or ride a boat or take a bus from the Universal resorts than from most Disney resorts. Sure you can walk from the Epcot resorts to two parks but there is that pesky MK and AK to consider not to mention Disney Springs which is always a chore to get to.!

That's why we split stays with EPCOT resorts and BLT. We do bus one day each stay to AK but that's it....for now.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

Food not really-just talking of relaxing vacations and having DVC kitchens etc.

ME-to me is almost as much about not touching the bags (and getting boarding passes at the resort) the whole trip either direction as the ride over.

Express Pass is available to everyone at US-not just onsite guests.

Indeed 2 parks can be easier to navigate, but I prefer 4 to spread out crowds and get a different atmosphere. If AK was connected as a land to MK I would not like that as much, and if DHS was connected as a land to EPCOT, I would not like that either. DL works but is an odd mix IMO. I would prefer HP was its own separate park far more than crammed in 2 corners. Likewise I am happy the may be adding a 3rd park even if a bit away-be interesting if the "2 parks is better" crowd will still say that if it happens.

I understand about ME, but if you drive like we do, then it's not part of the equation. I know Express Pass can be used by offsite guests, but then you have to purchase it. If you are an offsite visitor or day guest to either WDW or Uni,you might think FP+ is better since it is included in the ticket cost. I didn't mention it before, because we're talking about onsite stays.

We aren't DVC, but I don't know how much use I would get out of a kitchen at WDW. We usually have free dining and I don't think I would want to cook there anyway. Then again, based on your posts, you and I have completely different vacation styles. While we do enjoy spending some time at the pool, we mainly go to WDW to be at the parks. If I want to relax, we can go to the beach for 1/4 of the cost.

 

[jade1]

I understand about ME, but if you drive like we do, then it's not part of the equation. I know Express Pass can be used by offsite guests, but then you have to purchase it. If you are an offsite visitor or day guest to either WDW or Uni,you might think FP+ is better since it is included in the ticket cost. I didn't mention it before, because we're talking about onsite stays.

We aren't DVC, but I don't know how much use I would get out of a kitchen at WDW. We usually have free dining and I don't think I would want to cook there anyway. Then again, based on your posts, you and I have completely different vacation styles. While we do enjoy spending some time at the pool, we mainly go to WDW to be at the parks. If I want to relax, we can go to the beach for 1/4 of the cost.

Totally can see that, if we drove it (ME) would be pointless.

We do go to the beach every trip-just back for FP+ and night shows. One of our best days each trip. We do rent a car that day. But just a beach vacation only on the week off-nah.

Also-just because we like to walk to parks-many folks still prefer a bus or boat. We just prefer the "control" associated with walking.

We love the WDW night shows, really need to be back each night for those compared to US-FP+ just makes the nights that much better.

A lot of what is discussed is "preference", the good news is there are 2 great theme parks down there to visit.

 

[Kingslayer]

Not at all. Your thinking of the buses and boats-and the ability to walk to the parks from some resorts except AK-which we do one day at and take the bus. We split stays with BLT for MK, and BCV (sometimes BWV) for EPCOT and DHS, love the area as well.

ME means we can tag our bags curbside in MPLS and they show up in our room that evening after our FP+ selections that eve. We also get our groceries, drinks and alcohol delivered as well. The whole trip down is bag free, then we have no car needed to rent and get driven to our resort.

On the return we leave our bags at the resort lobby and they show up back in MPLS when we arrive there. They also give us our boarding passes so we are set to go straight to security after our last FP+s. That also gives us our last day with no bags to haul around or worry about.

Very hassle free and relaxing.

You are correct, I misspoke. Apologies.