Magical Express - Limited Time Only OR...

[CheapMom]

Is the Magical Express only for 2005 (during the DL 50th Annv. celebration) or is this lovely new perk something we can expect from now on? Anyone know?

 

[Lewisc]

How can anyone know when the service hasn't even started yet Disney doesn't even know.

I think they've said they'll evaluate the program, I suspect it will be continued. What isn't clear is if it will continue for free.

 

[LovePug]

I believe it will continue because Mears bought something like 37 new buses. That's a ton of money to spend if it was only going to last through the celebration. I think what Disney will evaluate is not whether it'll continue, but if it'll continue for FREE.

 

[Savin4Disney]

I am using the express when we go in Nov.

 

[n2mm]

My feeling is that it will be complimentary during the beginning, the 50th celebration. Once they get folks hooked, then they will charge for it after the celebration ends. Probably will be part of your booking package costs. I think this is a smart strategy on Disney's part. Pick up the guest and bring them here. They are working hard at keeping you on property, eating on property and playing on property. I'm really surprised the Universal and Seaworld are not offering any deals or special perks. We often stay at US before moving to disney, but there are no great rates on their hotels. So if we don't get a good deal there, yes, we will stay at Disney for the entire 16 day stay, because I have a great rate there--(married to a CM).

 

[safetymom]

I read where it will be free during the 50th celebration but they will charge after that.

 

[riu girl]

I have read that the service will be complimentary until the end of 2006, but please correct me if I have provided misinformation.

Suzy V.

 

[CheapMom]

I love the idea of it. I don't even care if I have to pay. I have had one too many experiences lugging 3 kids, 8 suitcases, and a car seat through MCO- Then trying to squeeze it all in a standard size rental car, and starting my vacation like a sardine packed into a can! It takes hours to get from the plane to the resort. This is going to be sweet!

 

[NMW]

I bet if Disney finds that more people are willing to stay onsite because of this service, it will stay a free "perk" (like EE, EMH). Also, people who stay onsite but rent cars at the airport, may not do this anymore. Why pay for a car when Disney takes you "home" for free and then you can use their transportation? This would probably stop people from eating offsite, going to offsite locations like SeaWorld, etc. This combined with the "longer you stay less you pay" MYW tickets may stop some families from leaving Disney World for ANYTHING.
We have freinds going in June, staying onsite, who were planning on doing Universal 2 days. They scratched that idea when they found out how cheap it is to change a MYW ticket from a 5 day to a 7 day and about the Magical Express. She said it just doesn't pay to rent a car or buy tickets to Universal when they are already at Disney. I bet Disney thought about this too!

 

[WDWorBUST]

Hey - just a quick related question - we will still want to rent a car (most likely) will the magical express still take your luggage for you even if they don't take you?

 

[CheapMom]

That is a good question- I don't know the answer but- you could just let the Express take you and your luggage and then you could rent a car at WDW. Maybe you could rent a car for fewer days that way and save some $$.

 

[ktglads]

Don't remember where I read this but they said on the way BACK to the airport that the luggage will travel directly with you on the bus so I would say no to that leg of the trip.

I would bet that Disney would just do a sweep of those with the luggage tags at the Orlando airport so they would get your bags to the resort for you. Thinking there may be some sort of color combination according to the resort area to put the luggage on different trucks.

There are times where the bags beat you to the airport, when you miss a tight connection, but the bags make it. If that were the case, I would not think that they would leave the bags until they made sure you were on a bus on your way to the resort, which could be hours away. Instead, I would think your bags would be waiting for you. Of course this may be different, but that is how I would think that it would work. We really won't know until someone tries it once the system is up and running. You could try emailing or calling Disney directly to see what their stance on the situation is.

 

[NMW]

I believe that I have read that you can not rent a car at the airport and still have your bags taken to the resort. It's an all or nothing thing. You could always rent a car in Disney. I know the Swan does it.