Magical Express is going away on Jan. 1, 2022

[striker1064]

You think Disney is going to just up and close it's theme parks? If that happens, the company will have gone bankrupt.

I just want to point out our timeshare contracts do not guarantee the existence of theme parks. Also, our dues make the timeshare self-sufficient, so even if Disney is in trouble and has to close the parks, we're still on the hook.

 

[Chuck S]

Then their entire marketing strategy needs to change and those that bought before today should be given options. While I am well aware what we bought, the advertising of what I bought was...

Many of us bought before there was any such thing as Magical Express, fast pass, or AP discounts. I remember when DVC got FREE Length of Stay park passes for 1/2 the capacity of the reserved room, studio or 1 bedroom got 2 free park passes, 2 bedrooms got 4 free park passes and GV got 6 free park passes. That went away on Dec 31, 1999. Perks come and go. I'm not so sure the marketing needs to change as much as people really need to read and understand those contracts, and if they see something they don't like, cancel it within the rescission time frame. .

 

[Eric Smith]

When did Disney ever consider selling Disney World or Disneyland?

So then why were they previously looking at selling the parks?

 

[Chuck S]

When did Disney ever consider selling Disney World or Disneyland?

Before Eisner was CEO, and Ron Miller (Diane Disney's Husband) was CEO. So late 70s, early 80s.

 

[Eric Smith]

Before Eisner was CEO, and Ron Miller (Diane Disney's Husband) was CEO. So late 70s, early 80s.

So when they were in huge financial trouble. I can’t see a path to this happening any time soon as the previous poster suggested.

 

[Chuck S]

So when they were in huge financial trouble. I can’t see a path to this happening any time soon as the previous poster suggested.

I don't either, but you did ask when...

 

[New Mouse]

So when they were in huge financial trouble. I can’t see a path to this happening any time soon as the previous poster suggested.

Disney would sell to apple if the price was right. Hell I think Amazon could make an offer and then sell off the pieces while keeping the rights.

 

[LAX]

I am not surprised that some Disney diehards would come to its defense at every turn. But claiming "it's not guaranteed in the contract" is getting old. May I ask those of you that have spent the time to read every single word of the contract what is not EXPLICITLY guaranteed? Does that mean it's okay for Disney/DVD to strip everything down to only what's included in that contract? Many people purchase DVC because of the "magical" Disney experience. That experience is obviously different for everyone. To some, the "magic" begins when one steps off the plane and hops on ME. I honestly am not particularly upset with Disney doing away with ME, but rather its recent trend of watering down its "magical" experience by continually cutting a "little here and a little there."

If we are all honest to ourselves, I bet many bought DVC because we all want to keep getting that "magical" experience over and over again and I would argue that's ultimately what sells DVC. Is that experience "guaranteed" in the contract? Absolutely not, but we still bought because that's the hidden message conveyed by DVC marketing. If we are reminded what is exactly guaranteed in that contract and told not to expect anything more before signing the dotted line, how many would have still bought?

I totally get that perks come and go, but it's no less of a disappointment when perks disappear and not replaced, especially with continually rising prices. Can Disney/DVD not afford to keep the perks? I seriously doubt it, but it makes the business less profitable.

LAX

 

[sethschroeder]

As long as disney brings back luggage service

Not happening likely for free but we will see maybe.

What a nightmare with all your luggage and three car seats...

100%

Luggage moved by truck from the airport to the resort(s). Did I miss something?

Yes luggage is not being moved and I don't see that service being offered for free.

they could have stated they were working on a replacement.

100% and them not saying that is telling me they want to not offer anything. Possibly either no plan to or waiting to see if it impacts their profits.

I've seen cuts over the years but none of it is ever "enough to affect dues."

Except most things are going to be tiny but it still does impact your dues. Disney cuts and does reductions because they pick up the cost across all resorts so it adds up.

$0.01 reduction is like $7m on the line item which multiply by all Disney.

To everyone complaining, how did you get from the airport in 2004?

You mean almost 2 decades ago when total capacity in guests and flights was much smaller and the capacity to get you to Disney had organically grown over time with actual competition meaning who stayed in business to get you to the hotel?

Just saying it's a fairly different work and likely 10/20/30% of people or more in just DVC right now hadn't visited WDW more than the odd time but not yearly.

 

[striker1064]

Does that mean it's okay for Disney/DVD to strip everything down to only what's included in that contract?

Yes. Literally.

I'm sorry that you don't like it but all we get is a room. Everything else is gravy. I'm not rushing to Disney's defense, I'm just realistic about what we bought.

 

[zavandor]

This is a rare example of a discussion where everyone is right.

It is true that what we have bought is a timeshare. A prepaid room for up to 50 years. That's it, everything else could be removed tomorrow and it would still be legal for Disney to do that. Disney might even decide not to give early entry to DVC members staying on points, they don't have to Grant DVC resorts any of the onsite benefits. No FP+, early restaurants reservations, magic band. They might decide not to provide transportation to parks from DVC resorts (given that is removed from dues).

All of this is true.

However it is also true that if it weren't for all those other things very few would have bought DVC. And certainly not at the current price. The lack of success for the offsite resorts sort of demonstrate that.
So it is understandable that people are upset by this change. I am a bit upset myself, and I never used it to the full extension (as an international visitor I cannot use the luggage service which I think is the coolest part).
It's not a dealbreaker for me, but I can see why it could be for others.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Yes. Literally.

I'm sorry that you don't like it but all we get is a room. Everything else is gravy. I'm not rushing to Disney's defense, I'm just realistic about what we bought.

Be careful about falling into the company line indoctrinated here for years. This is not a normal timeshare. It isn't sold or marketed as anything even resembling a normal timeshare. If it was, I wouldn't have purchased it. I would have purchased something else. I would have saved a ton of money. And I would have had, in many cases; hundreds of travel options. That's not what DVC is. I purchased DVC for what it is. When it loses that value, it has lost the only thing that differentiated it and created its value.

 

[DVCSunDevil]

I am not surprised that some Disney diehards would come to its defense at every turn. But claiming "it's not guaranteed in the contract" is getting old. May I ask those of you that have spent the time to read every single word of the contract what is not EXPLICITLY guaranteed? Does that mean it's okay for Disney/DVD to strip everything down to only what's included in that contract? Many people purchase DVC because of the "magical" Disney experience. That experience is obviously different for everyone. To some, the "magic" begins when one steps off the plane and hops on ME. I honestly am not particularly upset with Disney doing away with ME, but rather its recent trend of watering down its "magical" experience by continually cutting a "little here and a little there."

If we are all honest to ourselves, I bet many bought DVC because we all want to keep getting that "magical" experience over and over again and I would argue that's ultimately what sells DVC. Is that experience "guaranteed" in the contract? Absolutely not, but we still bought because that's the hidden message conveyed by DVC marketing. If we are reminded what is exactly guaranteed in that contract and told not to expect anything more before signing the dotted line, how many would have still bought?

I totally get that perks come and go, but it's no less of a disappointment when perks disappear and not replaced, especially with continually rising prices. Can Disney/DVD not afford to keep the perks? I seriously doubt it, but it makes the business less profitable.

LAX

I am more on the other side of things, but your comment is a fair one. Technically, yes, all DVC/Disney is required to provide is what is listed in the contract. But if they did that it would really, really suck.

In this situation, no one is wrong. It's just that everyone has different tolerance levels. Every Disney enthusiast has their own level of what they will tolerate from a "reduction of perks" standpoint. For some, DME was so important to their Disney experience that the elimination of it was the final straw. For others, losing DME isn't great but it wasn't enough to make them overly upset. Those people will tolerate more reductions until, at one point, they will experience the final straw as well.

I fully agree with you sentiment that perks weren't written into our DVC contract but they are most definitely implied. That is why so many people buy into DVC. They want the guarantee of the "Magic" into the future. For me, my family didn't buy into DVC for all of the "perks" that were currently available. We live in NY so I couldn't care less about AP discounts or events that cater to DVC "locals". For me, the magic lives in the parks themselves, resorts and DS. I would start considering selling my DVC contract if reductions that affect the level of service, amenities, or attractions at the resorts/parks started being taken away. That would be my final straw. Eliminating the shuttle from the airport to the resort doesn't rise to that level. But that's just me.

 

[Chuck S]

When I purchased, there was a "Product Understanding Checklist" we had to sign or initial that pretty much spelled everything out. It stated the parks may not always be available, that discounts and perks were just that, and could change of be eliminated, that point charts could change, there was even a "maximum reallocation" listed showing what 230 points (the minimum at the time) would be able to book if all resort booking seasons were eliminated, and that all we were basically buying was a prepaid vacation plan. Was there pixie dust in the marketing, you bet, a lot of it. But then contract signing time came around, everything was pretty clearly spelled out., the purchase incentive of the free park entry ticket was explained, including the fact that it would end December 31, 1999. Someone, who is best described as a sales manager was called in. But, unlike most timeshares that were a hard sell, they wanted to make sure we were comfortable with what we were buying and asked if there were any questions. For years after the free passes expired we got APs, without a discount, and not at "Florida Resident" prices. Any perks and discounts were pretty minor, 10% for most items that even offered a discount. Even then, it was obvious some people thought they were buying more than what they actually were being offered. This was clearly demonstrated during our first trip to DVC in 1993, a year after the purchase, by some guy having a full blown meltdown because they didn't get the exact room number his wife requested at the DVC (OKW) front desk. Saying things like "I own this resort, do you know how much I paid for this? You work for me!" He was escorted away by security, after being told DVC would be in touch with him regarding the status of his ownership.

 

[New Mouse]

There is a fine balance where the marketing will supercede even the most iron clad contract. For example, if Disney were to ever remove the parks, they would likely lose to DVC owners in court, regardless of the contract.

People love to quote contracts and understanding what you paid for, but the burden is on the operator in a case like that.

 

[Chuck S]

There is a fine balance where the marketing will supercede even the most iron clad contract. For example, if Disney were to ever remove the parks, they would likely lose to DVC owners in court, regardless of the contract.

People love to quote contracts and understanding what you paid for, but the burden is on the operator in a case like that.

Hence the acknowledged Product Understanding Checklist.

 

[New Mouse]

Hence the acknowledged Product Understanding Checklist.

Understood, but again if you use something as Disney does to heavily market their product they are selling...aka parks... it doesnt matter what some employee has you sign.

 

[a742246]

In the 13 years we have owned DVC we have not yet gone to Universal or Sea World. We almost always eat one table service meal a day and we never rented a car. We go twice a year for 7-10 days each visit. ME kept us in their bubble, Our new plans are slowly evolving, we will probably always rent a car now, we will probably sell some of our points to purchase a beach front timeshare . We will only go to WDW once a year, we no longer will buy an AP, we will go to Sea World and Universal or whatever, some years we will not go to the WDW theme parks at all and if we do it will be for 3-4 day passes.

As for food we will have a car now so going to a supermarket will be an option, which in more than likelihood will cut down on table service meals.

I view this as a new opportunity. I wonder how many others will do the same.

I believe Disney made a mistake.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

In the 13 years we have owned DVC we have not yet gone to Universal or Sea World. We almost always eat one table service meal a day and we never rented a car. We go twice a year for 7-10 days each visit. ME kept us in their bubble, Our new plans are slowly evolving, we will probably always rent a car now, we will probably sell some of our points to purchase a beach front timeshare . We will only go to WDW once a year, we no longer will buy an AP, we will go to Sea World and Universal or whatever, some years we will not go to the WDW theme parks at all and if we do it will be for 3-4 day passes.

As for food we will have a car now so going to a supermarket will be an option, which in more than likelihood will cut down on table service meals.

I view this as a new opportunity. I wonder how many others will do the same.

I believe Disney made a mistake.

I suspect there are a lot of us in pretty much the same mindset as you. And many more so than you will see post here on the DIS.

 

[Chuck S]

Understood, but again if you use something as Disney does to heavily market their product they are selling...aka parks... it doesnt matter what some employee has you sign.

Three offsite resorts put a bit of doubt that the park aspect would fly, if it came to that.