Magic Express not going over well...

[WDWBetsy]

I'd heard that they will start charging people for ME in 2006, that it was free this years so they could work out the bugs before hitting people up for money. I don't know how true that is, but if so the livery drivers only need to hang on a few more months.

It has been extended through the end of 2006.

 

[disney4us2002]

Doesn't ME have to be booked in advance? If the white-gloved employees were "soliciting" guests wouldn't it have to be to advise them that NEXT TIME they could use ME for free? Maybe I'm wrong; I haven't paid much attention since we have no trip planned.

 

[twojo21]

i think disney's magic express is a great idea & a value add on to the sometimes expensive packages. we have still use a limo or taxi on property from a resort to another resort, etc. so theyre still getting our money, so its like stop whining its a dog eat dog world.

i hope disney continues with dme its a great program.

 

[Aisling]

I guarantee you the price you ended up paying in your Magical Express package worked out to be WAY MORE than $35!!!

It's not costing me a dime. My family gets off the plane, gets on the free Disney bus, share the excitement with other like-minded folks, have our luggage taken care of, and be brought to the front door of our hotel. If our hotel isn't first, then we get a tour of other WDW hotels. Returning to MCO, same thing.
Disney had a great idea, and if the town car companies don't like it, then they should stop whining and look elsewhere for clients. I know it's been rough for them, but it's part of the world of business.

As for wondering why someone would want to spend a week eating "Disney" food...I think the variety offered at WDW far exceeds what's down the highway.

 

[polyfan]

Here's my two cents.....we take the 7am nonstop flight from PHL to MCO. We hire towncar (altho, DH wants to rent Hummer limo for DS next year! ) and we were at OKW by 10am last trip! I'm not sure what's holding me back from ME...maybe because we only spend a couple of days at "the World" and when my feet touch Florida ground, I want to get there asap!! No waiting around for bus or anything....our driver is there waiting for us! Heck, I can barely stand the time waiting for the luggage (which, MCO is AWESOME at!! We never really wait long...but, when you first arrive on vacation going to WDW, even a 5 minute wait seems like 2 hours!!!) Oh well, call me selfish, I just wanna get there as fast as I can!! (Someday) when we have more time to spend there, we may try the ME, but not in the foreseeable future......FWIW: I've heard of many people using it and liking it....wonder how many will continue to use it if they have to pay for it....cuz we all know it won't be cheap!

We have continued to use the towncar service for these reasons- we go straight to the hotel, check-in with our bags already there and we are set.

 

[RadioNate]

I just got back and used ME. It was fine. I didn't like leaving the hotel 3 hours before the flight but regular Mears or a Towncar service will want you to leave super early too.

We didn't have to wait for a bus at the airport nor did we pick up/drop off people at other Disney hotels.

I do like renting a car but NOT to go off property. I have no desire to 'save money' eating at restaurants I wouldn't set foot in at home. I also have no desire to go anywhere else like the space center or even Universal. I go to FL to visit WDW, period. I've lived in Orlando and seen what 192 and I-Drive have to offer and I'll pass.

We take seperate trips to see my family on the coasts. WDW trips are strictly WDW unless my mom, dad, or grandma drive over to visit us. We just like having the car so we don't have to wait for resort transportation, stand on busses and since we tend to eat at different resorts we like having direct transportation instead of having to go to a central hub like the TTC (or any park, DTD etc).

Last week we talked to the ME people on the 3rd floor. All they did was tell us where the busses were. I didn't hear them 'soliciting' at all. We didn't witness them approach anyone and only saw them acknowledge people who approached them. They also weren't the only service on the 3rd floor. I saw several different people with name signs or clipboards waiting for people.

 

[MagicKingdom05]

Like others have said, this is just sour grapes. I wouldn't say all the people who visit Orlando come to stay at WDW, but I would say atleast half do if not more so I see nothing wrong with it at all.

 

[*Fantasia*]

I have used DME 3X and the service has been great! I think they are doing very well. It is FREE for anyone who are staying on the Disney property, whether it be package or room only.

Even if you didn't make advance reservation. You can easily use DME. You just have to show proof that you are staying on Disney property. The reservation # is enough proof. They look it up on their computer system. They print out a voucher and stamp them to validate it. And then you go to your resort line and then they will take you to the right bus. It's so simple.
DME will not leave you hanging... they will put you on the bus even without advance reservation. They will take care of you.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

i used ME in may--no problems at all, it was actually a lot quicker than i had thought it would be..
im going again in less than 2 weeks, and again using ME...

 

[KingTriton]

We will be using ME in nov(first time). Just wanted to know how long DOES it take to get from MCO to WDW? Thanks for the info.

 

[ChristmasElf]

We will be using ME in nov(first time). Just wanted to know how long DOES it take to get from MCO to WDW? Thanks for the info.

Driving the speed limit on 417 from MCO to WDW property will take approx 20 minutes depending on traffic!