Magical Express is going away on Jan. 1, 2022

[DVCSunDevil]

Why not just charge for ME? I would pay for the convenience and peace of mind.

ME wasn’t run by Disney. It was run by Mears. I am guessing there is probably something going on behind the scenes with Mears. I am reserving judgement until all the details on available services is released.

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

I feel bad for all that use ME. I drive so it doesn't effect me, but the more they take away is just adding to reasons to stop feeding greedy Disney my hard earned money. I have an add-on CCV in ROFR right now and just the fact that I will be fighting for a studio even at the 11 month mark sux. But I knew that going in so it's all on me.

We love the ease of DME and was really looking forward to the service now that we have a little one. Guess I’ll start saving for an annual car service instead! We added at BLT for the walkway to MK so if that gets taken away...I’ll be PO. Now I feel like Disney is going to think of a way to do that now lol.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Well, if I have to rent a car, might as well go to Universal too. Many that took DME to the parks, stayed in the parks their whole trip. This will just give incentive to visit other attractions in Orlando. Not a smart move Disney.

That's why the model was built. There was nothing "kindness" about it to begin with. Idiots (them).

 

[sethschroeder]

Here is what I emailed to DVC after my phone call to the regular Disney Member Services.

I am going to send something as well.

On the positive side we should see a reduction in MFs right?

 

[BillPA]

Just remember if you do end up renting a car to replace DME, you are now free to go off site and save 40-60% on meals.

 

[Matty B13]

On the positive side we should see a reduction in MFs right?

Maybe DVC owners should start Demanding lower MFs with all the reductions in service.........

 

[sethschroeder]

ME wasn’t run by Disney. It was run by Mears. I am guessing there is probably something going on behind the scenes with Mears. I am reserving judgement until all the details on available services is released.

So I have a couple thoughts to your observation then:

• Disney could have said ME might change in the future but working to keep the magic (or some other marketing saying)
• Disney might be using this as a test and if enough people complain they bring it back "we listen"
• Disney might see how bookings go for 2022 and then if its impacted enough then change

 

[famgel]

I am hoping that the luggage delivery service will not be affected.

That stopped a long time ago supposedly because of covid pertaining to MCO to your resort! U have to pick up your bags yourself then go down to first floor for checkin to ME! I’m thinking Uber would be a better option at this point! At least I don’t have to possibly wait hrs to get to my resort after making all stops involved in their route now! Your resort baggage service is still available once u arrive at resort to your room!

 

[sethschroeder]

Maybe DVC owners should start Demanding lower MFs with all the reductions in service.........

So there are a couple fees that we could ask for a reduction on but everything else is money actually spent from what I understand and read.

 

[sethschroeder]

Question: How many bloggers are planning on leaving from WDW to MCO on Dec 31st? lol

 

[Matty B13]

Well, if I have to rent a car, might as well go to Universal too. Many that took DME to the parks, stayed in the parks their whole trip. This will just give incentive to visit other attractions in Orlando. Not a smart move Disney.

My girls have just started reading the Harry Potter Books, so maybe we will have to take our rental car over there.... for our whole stay.

 

[JGINPL]

My girls have just started reading the Harry Potter Books, so maybe we will have to take our rental car over there.... for our whole stay.

Just wait till the Nintendo World opens over there too!!

 

[castle1]

That stopped a long time ago supposedly because of covid pertaining to MCO to your resort! U have to pick up your bags yourself then go down to first floor for checkin to ME! I’m thinking Uber would be a better option at this point! At least I don’t have to possibly wait hrs to get to my resort after making all stops involved in their route now! Your resort baggage service is still available once u arrive at resort to your room!

The Uber/Lyft pickup area at MCO now will be packed.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Question: How many bloggers are planning on leaving from WDW to MCO on Dec 31st? lol

Hope the ones that use it to get to WDW on NYE have a plan to get back to the airport!

 

[sethschroeder]

Hope the ones that use it to get to WDW on NYE have a plan to get back to the airport!

Sorry my joke was about the fact all these bloggers will be on DME the last day with fake plane tickets and then uber back just for YouTube content about "the last DME ride".

 

[DVCSunDevil]

I'll believe that train when I see it roll into a terminal. What you say makes a lot of sense, and yes, I had thought of that. All of it, but it's just a pipe dream until tracks are laid and trains are moving people on them.

I hear what you are saying. And I typically am a “believe it when I see it” person. But in this specific circumstance, I would have to think the decision to move away from ME has a lot to do with the progress of the train system.

The histrionics in these comments reminds me a lot of when the parks first shut down due to COVID and everyone on here was ripping Disney/DVC because everyone thought their points were going to get flushed down the toilet. I commented at that time to just take a deep breath. Disney is not out to s*rew everybody. And then Disney/DVC released policies to help make everyone “whole”. I thought DVC did a great job trying to manage that situation, while also saving everyone’s points. Kind of the same thing in this situation. I don’t think Disney is going to leave people hanging. Again, they know the value of getting people to the resorts and keeping them on property. Mears has laid off a lot of people and has also faced litigation numerous times. How do any of us know that there isn’t something behind the scenes that could not get rectified between Disney and Mears?

 

[CarolMN]

I will definitely miss DME. But we got to and from MCO for many years without it.

DVC members do not pay for overnight parking at the resorts, but hotel guests do. In many cases the car rental plus parking will be more expensive than RT transport to the airport, so I am not sure hotel parking will be a huge issue. If it is, Disney can up the cost of parking until it isn't.

It very well could be an issue at some of the DVC resorts. I fully expect it to exacerbate the problem at the BWV and the other near park resorts. I'm glad they at least made the announcement a year in advance. We have time to prepare.

 

[DVCKing]

Uggh not happy I have to pack 4 car seats or be forced to rent gross ones from a rental car company

 

[Luvears]

If Brightline will have dedicated Disney guests express route and will care for all luggage to/from MCO, I'm down. If Disney had their own transfer shuttles out of Disney Springs it will likely get you more time back. It would be one extra step to get from train to shuttle but as long as luggage is cared for swiftly, should be pretty smooth. Revenue bonus for Disney is keeping guests maybe an extra hour (get to MCO 2 hours before flight instead of 3)... use that extra hour at Disney Springs- ups the exposure for merchants and restaurants- ups the revenue and brand.

 

[Splashboat]

I will definitely miss DME. But we got to and from MCO for many years without it.

Except the Disney crowds were lower pre2005 when ME began. Not to mention the price to rent cars has increased significantly.