Magical Express is going away on Jan. 1, 2022

[Sandisw]

Why does everyone think this decision has nothing to do with dvc? Did dvc make the decision? No, but were they likely involved in the conversation? (Id hope so for the sake of the company)

Disney and dvc are under the same corporate umbrella

Sorry, but it does not. I went in knowing the difference. We began Disney trips prior to DME and didn’t use them for years after they started.

And, no, DVCM or DVD are most likely not involved in these decisions. They run completely separate of each other.

With all due respect, anyone who bought DVC expecting things clearly expressed as coming and going, or not part of the program, did not do their homework.

Again, we bought for a less expensive way to be onsite guests. Nothing more. The only thing we expected was that whatever onsite perks were included, we would be ensured to be part of them.

As I said in my other posts, expressing frustration and disappointment to WDW as an onsite guest...plenty of cash guests sending emails...makes perfect sense.

People vote with their wallets and I agree that more often than not, DME isn’t part of the decision to buy DVC. If WDPR finds less people staying onsite because DME is gone, they will find a way to add something to increase that.

 

[DVCSunDevil]

That is correct. Odd as it may be, most consumers dont actually calculate what something will cost them in total, which is part of why consumers have so much debt!

Well, that and the fact that DME was never part of the DVC contract. I, like many others on here, calculated exactly what DVC would cost me. I did my homework and then made a decision accordingly. I calculated those costs based on what was expressly included in the DVC contract. DME was not part of that equation because it isn't guaranteed. We didn't utilize DME prior to DVC because we prefer to arrange our own transportation. I would prefer to pay for a service and get to the resort in a fraction of the time is takes when utilizing DME. Because of this, I wasn't too disappointed to learn that DME was being discontinued because I had appropriate expections.

However, I am also newer to DVC. I think part of the problem is that many people are long time DVCers and are very used to DME. Many of those people may have forgotten it wasn't part of the contract and could be eliminated at any time. Those people have probably grown to expect DME as a given. I completely understand that. Humans are creatures of habit. But disappointment come from unrealistic expectations.

 

[New Mouse]

Well, that and the fact that DME was never part of the DVC contract. I, like many others on here, calculated exactly what DVC would cost me. I did my homework and then made a decision accordingly. I calculated those costs based on what was expressly included in the DVC contract. DME was not part of that equation because it isn't guaranteed. We didn't utilize DME prior to DVC because we prefer to arrange our own transportation. I would prefer to pay for a service and get to the resort in a fraction of the time is takes when utilizing DME. Because of this, I wasn't too disappointed to learn that DME was being discontinued because I had appropriate expections.

However, I am also newer to DVC. I think part of the problem is that many people are long time DVCers and are very used to DME. Many of those people may have forgotten it wasn't part of the contract and could be eliminated at any time. Those people have probably grown to expect DME as a given. I completely understand that. Humans are creatures of habit. But disappointment come from unrealistic expectations.

Its honestly what the sales people advertise as well. Its not about forgetting whats in the contract, so much as it is the sales team relying heavily on things that are not guaranteed to close the deal.

 

[striker1064]

Its honestly what the sales people advertise as well. Its not about forgetting whats in the contract, so much as it is the sales team relying heavily on things that are not guaranteed to close the deal.

Guides absolutely bend the truth to close a sale. That's why it's important to read and understand everything being signed before signing it.

 

[Sandisw]

Its honestly what the sales people advertise as well. Its not about forgetting whats in the contract, so much as it is the sales team relying heavily on things that are not guaranteed to close the deal.

I never once in all my conversations with DVC did they state anything about DME or other perks Matter of fact, when they shared aspects of the program, and I asked questions, they were honest that perks can come and go.

Yes, they discuss how being an owner helps to save on being an onsite guests..but again, it’s silly to say benefits WDW has in effect when you buy can’t ever change, when it’s clear they can.

 

[Matty B13]

I'm not saying that we are "owed" the DME or that DVC made any guarantee that the DME would be around for my entire contract, I'm just saying it really changes the way we will be doing Disney as a family of 5, and I think this affects any large family with young children. It really changes the "calculus" of our Disney trips, and probably adds an extra $500 to $1000 to come up with for a trip that was already the most expensive trip we take. This will cause us to rethink where we spend our vacation dollars moving forward, if I had a crystal ball back in 2015 and knew that Disney was going to discontinue so many services in the next 5 years we probably wouldn't have bought in, or just enough for trips every other year instead of every year trips.

 

[Chuck S]

I'm not saying that we are "owed" the DME or that DVC made any guarantee that the DME would be around for my entire contract, I'm just saying it really changes the way we will be doing Disney as a family of 5, and I think this affects any large family with young children. It really changes the "calculus" of our Disney trips, and probably adds an extra $500 to $1000 to come up with for a trip that was already the most expensive trip we take. This will cause us to rethink where we spend our vacation dollars moving forward, if I had a crystal ball back in 2015 and knew that Disney was going to discontinue so many services in the next 5 years we probably wouldn't have bought in, or just enough for trips every other year instead of every year trips.

Are you saying it's going to cost $100 to $200 to go to/from the airport PER PERSON?

 

[LAX]

I'm not saying that we are "owed" the DME or that DVC made any guarantee that the DME would be around for my entire contract, I'm just saying it really changes the way we will be doing Disney as a family of 5, and I think this affects any large family with young children. It really changes the "calculus" of our Disney trips, and probably adds an extra $500 to $1000 to come up with for a trip that was already the most expensive trip we take. This will cause us to rethink where we spend our vacation dollars moving forward, if I had a crystal ball back in 2015 and knew that Disney was going to discontinue so many services in the next 5 years we probably wouldn't have bought in, or just enough for trips every other year instead of every year trips.

The bolded part is essentially what I have alluded to. It's really not just about dropping ME. For those of you that have been going to WDW much longer than I have, I would imagine the experiences back then were much more "magical" than what it is now (pre-COVID, of course). It's the trend of cuts that upsets me most. The experience will continue to get less "magical" the more amenities/perks get axed and not replaced. I realize some of these moves are not unique to DVC, but they actually impact DVC owners more as we are essentially "captive" for many more years to come. If I were a cash customer, I can vote with my wallet and spend my vacation dollars else where. With DVC, unless I sell (which I am contemplating), I will continue to get shafted with each additional cut like this.

Yes, I know exactly what I signed up for and should not have expected anything more. But the Disney brand should be regarded better than some used car lots preying on the next victim. Perhaps it was unrealistic expectation on my part and shame on me.

LAX

 

[Matty B13]

Are you saying it's going to cost $100 to $200 to go to/from the airport PER PERSON?

Sorry, I was doing my new research on ways to get from MCO to WDW, and looking at minivans which run from $500 to at least $700 right now for a week after taxes. I'm guessing this will increase, especially during school vacation weeks because that is when most families travel that have school age kids, which is also some of the most expensive points wise for DVC resorts.

Yes, right now Mears offers roundtrip for $40-$50 person, so say an extra $200 a trip for MCO to WDW right now minimum increase, but I'm guessing this will be going up as well. I'm not sure how much a cab or Uber will cost, because most don't have car seats for kids, much less 3 car seats so we don't take them. We also the last 2 trips took my parents on our points, and my father needed a scooter, so I wouldn't even know how to factor that in now moving forward.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

We purchased in 2002. Yes, there was a product understanding checklist, and obviously the contract itself, but....

I distinctly remember our guide verbally emphasizing that perks can come and go at anytime. I also remember him specifically emphasizing the parks were not even guaranteed. It was to the point where I thought he was actually trying to talk us OUT of buying. He also explained that DVC may not be the management company in the future.

It was the most honest sales pitch I’ve ever heard.

 

[New Mouse]

I never once in all my conversations with DVC did they state anything about DME or other perks Matter of fact, when they shared aspects of the program, and I asked questions, they were honest that perks can come and go.

Yes, they discuss how being an owner helps to save on being an onsite guests..but again, it’s silly to say benefits WDW has in effect when you buy can’t ever change, when it’s clear they can.

Congrats, you are likely one of the few who havent experienced that.

 

[DougEMG]

Arriving at 1am after spending 12-15 hours on planes and in airports to get to MCO, it was very relaxing to not have to deal with luggage and just walk down and board ME. This was a WDW perk I took advantage of even before owning DVC. I am surprised it is going away as it certainly kept me in the WDW bubble for my entire trip. So having it be removed now makes it just as easy to go to Universal as to go to WDW.

 

[AZMermaid]

We bought bubble bum inflatable boosters when we went to NYC when our kids were 4 and 5. They worked great and fold down to the size of a loaf of bread. Obviously this isn’t going to work for babies/toddlers, but for older kids it’s a great, reusable, option.

 

[Matty B13]

We bought bubble bum inflatable boosters when we went to NYC when our kids were 4 and 5. They worked great and fold down to the size of a loaf of bread. Obviously this isn’t going to work for babies/toddlers, but for older kids it’s a great, reusable, option.

Thanks for the tip, might have to invest in one of these for my youngest.

 

[Sandisw]

Congrats, you are likely one of the few who havent experienced that.

Well, I have had 2 guides and several conversations with DVC reps in parks and hotels. So, I doubt I am the only one in which no promises were made that DME was part of the program.

 

[Anal Annie]

In light of all of the changes over the past year and no indication in sight of IF or WHEN new AP's will be available again we'll likely cut back from 3 trips per year to just one trip. We've got enough points to do multiple trips in studios so I imagine we'll probably cut back to one trip in a larger unit (and maybe a shorter trip at that). Another thought is that maybe if travel ever normalizes again we'll try to go to Aulani more often where we won't need to spend money on park passes. We can look at the savings from wasting it on regular park tix for each individual trip as extra money towards the flights.... If they keep up these cuts I'm seriously over trying to go to WDW without any incentives at all. Shorter hours, no DME, fewer restaurants with limited menus, no AP's...the value isn't there for us right now. I don't want to budget in a car rental or a car service on top of everything else. Very sad times indeed.

 

[DVCSunDevil]

The bolded part is essentially what I have alluded to. It's really not just about dropping ME. For those of you that have been going to WDW much longer than I have, I would imagine the experiences back then were much more "magical" than what it is now (pre-COVID, of course). It's the trend of cuts that upsets me most. The experience will continue to get less "magical" the more amenities/perks get axed and not replaced. I realize some of these moves are not unique to DVC, but they actually impact DVC owners more as we are essentially "captive" for many more years to come. If I were a cash customer, I can vote with my wallet and spend my vacation dollars else where. With DVC, unless I sell (which I am contemplating), I will continue to get shafted with each additional cut like this.

Yes, I know exactly what I signed up for and should not have expected anything more. But the Disney brand should be regarded better than some used car lots preying on the next victim. Perhaps it was unrealistic expectation on my part and shame on me.

LAX

I don’t agree that WDW will continue to get “less magical”. Ratatouille, Tron, and Star Wars hotel are all new attractions that are imminently on the way. I think too many people confuse change with getting “less magical”. As I said on another comment, it is a constant ebb and flow. Disney constantly keeps things changing. And it’s understandable when something that many guests love gets changed out it causes them to be upset. But those things typically get replaced by something new. Disney changing is part of the natural process of staying relevant.

 

[DVCSunDevil]

In light of all of the changes over the past year and no indication in sight of IF or WHEN new AP's will be available again we'll likely cut back from 3 trips per year to just one trip. We've got enough points to do multiple trips in studios so I imagine we'll probably cut back to one trip in a larger unit (and maybe a shorter trip at that). Another thought is that maybe if travel ever normalizes again we'll try to go to Aulani more often where we won't need to spend money on park passes. We can look at the savings from wasting it on regular park tix for each individual trip as extra money towards the flights.... If they keep up these cuts I'm seriously over trying to go to WDW without any incentives at all. Shorter hours, no DME, fewer restaurants with limited menus, no AP's...the value isn't there for us right now. I don't want to budget in a car rental or a car service on top of everything else. Very sad times indeed.

Almost all of the cuts you mentioned will be coming back. Longer hours will return, restaurants will expand their menus, and AP's will return. These things all had to be reduced because of Covid. But yes, DME is going away for good.

 

[DougEMG]

Almost all of the cuts you mentioned will be coming back. Longer hours will return, restaurants will expand their menus, and AP's will return. These things all had to be reduced because of Covid. But yes, DME is going away for good.

Is live music and bands coming back to EPCOT?

 

[DL1WDW2]

Is live music and bands coming back to EPCOT?

I don’t think a half hour is defined as longer hours... trying to remain positive ...
I expect Epcot will be open long enough to experience HarmoniUS in the evening...