Magical Express May No Longer be Free

[tiffany123]

There are rumors circulating that one of the 2009 changes at WDW will be a charge for using Magical Express. No offical word yet but if this is the case, seems to be this would be a perfect perk for DVC members----free Magical Express. What does everyone else think? By the way, rumors say that the charge may be substantial---up to $25 per person for a round trip to and from the airport to resort.

 

[Ms. WDW]

That would be nice; free ME for DVC Members. But personally speaking, if they'll still handle my luggage and deliver it to my resort, I'd pay the fee.

 

[mom2mizmous]

I I hope they don't do this! We enjoy the baggage handling(although we can only use it one- way since we fly SW). Unfortunately, if they do begin to charge (esp $25+pp) , we may again look into car rental ; and therefore Disney will lose more money from our group as we would then "venture off-property" more often for meals , entertainment, and shopping!

 

[Doug7856]

I I hope they don't do this! We enjoy the baggage handling(although we can only use it one- way since we fly SW). Unfortunately, if they do begin to charge (esp $25+pp) , we may again look into car rental ; and therefore Disney will lose more money from our group as we would then "venture off-property" more often for meals , entertainment, and shopping!

Us too! There is always that conflict of the convenience opposed to the lack of ability/freedom to shop off site. If this change is indeed true my dilemma will be solved, we'll rent a car and venture off site more often!

 

[Deb & Bill]

I have no use for ME since we always drive. No perk for me.

 

[Luv2trav]

Us too! There is always that conflict of the convenience opposed to the lack of ability/freedom to shop off site. If this change is indeed true my dilemma will be solved, we'll rent a car and venture off site more often!

I agree... We just tried ME for the first time this past June. While it was nice we were nervous. We definately would rent a car if they start charging for this service. There were many times we missed having a car but it was tolerable because of the savings.

 

[mmcguire]

There are rumors circulating that one of the 2009 changes at WDW will be a charge for using Magical Express. No offical word yet but if this is the case, seems to be this would be a perfect perk for DVC members----free Magical Express. What does everyone else think? By the way, rumors say that the charge may be substantial---up to $25 per person for a round trip to and from the airport to resort.

I would be fine with this since we always drive. "Free" ME is actually being passed on to all WDW visitors via higher prices, regardless of whether they take advantage of it or not. I say let those who use it foot the bill -- probably still cheaper than an airport shuttle or taxi.

 

[MrsNick]

I'm not surprised. I was wondering when this would happen. With the price of diesel at what, $4.75/gal, I didn't think ME would stay free for long. $25 pp RT is actually not expensive, considering that they also handle your luggage for you. That's $12.50 in each direction for ground transfer. Seems reasonable to me.

 

[wildernessDad]

If 'free' ME is being discontinued, I doubt that DVC members would be able to continue to get it as a perk.

 

[dvcdisney]

When ME started, my husband and I were wondering when they would start charging. Once the guests are used to convenience, I think many would pay for the service.

We wouldn't because it would cost us $100. We'd just rent a car. That way, we don't have to wait a long time for our luggage (a few times we actually waited 6 hours for it - when my husband called, they said that it was on the next bus but 10 minutes later, they came knocking on the door - we think it's because they want to make sure someone is there - better chance for a tip - which is kind of funny because I always leave a tip in a thank you envelope.)

 

[lugnut33]

I have no use for ME since we always drive. No perk for me.

We are renting a car for an upcoming trip and I have a feeling I'll never go back to ME. However, we'll see what happens.

 

[smjj]

I would be fine with this since we always drive. "Free" ME is actually being passed on to all WDW visitors via higher prices, regardless of whether they take advantage of it or not. I say let those who use it foot the bill -- probably still cheaper than an airport shuttle or taxi.

Yeah, I would aggree but I doubt Disney would lower their prices if they started charging for ME. To go from zero to $25.00 per person is rather extreme I would think. To us it would be back to renting a car. That was the one point I did not care for, If you used ME you were stuck on property. We usually went off property when we had a car. I guess this is a option we now have back if we start renting cars again....smjj

 

[locodemickey]

Last month we had to wait about an hour in line just to get ON one! The other lines just kept on movin' and movin' BTW we were going to AKV and it's funny that when we finally got on a bus, it went to Pop Century and Coronado Springs - those lines had moved several times each before ours had. A frustrating way to start your vacation - especially when we are the deluxe resort and, in addition to not moving our line, were the last ones to be dropped off (and 1st ones to be picked up). I would prefer to rent a van if they charged, at least someone would be there waiting for us and not us waiting endlessly when we want to get to the World

 

[the who #3]

i have used me several times and find it very helpful. i drive to disney at times and seldom get the car out of the parking lot. when i fly in i love having someone else drive and fight the traffic for me. i really would not mind paying. beats the price of a rental car or a cab.

i also find pleasure in tipping the bus driver and the bellmen who deliver my luggage. i don't like to work for free myself. i am too old to tug that stuff around. if you are younger and stronger and have not yet learned to enjoy the luxury, wait until you get older and you will be happy to tip and let someone take care of things for you.

 

[chalee94]

If 'free' ME is being discontinued, I doubt that DVC members would be able to continue to get it as a perk.

even if we got it as a "perk" it would still be charged through the annual MFs - spreading the cost to DVCers who don't use it.

thank you, no.

(and it's amazing that some people still think you can really get something like that for "free"...)

 

[dwelty]

I may be in the minority, but I think this rumor is false. The whole reason for ME is to keep people from renting cars so that they stay on property for their entire visit. Since it has been implemented, per visitor spending has increased dramatically. charging $25.00 per person for this service will just drive people to rent a car (a family of 5 for instance would pay $125.00) for a little more than that you can get a rental car for a week. And the whole "keep them on property" advantage goes out the window.

I don't think it will happen, and if it does, it will not be $25.00 per person.

JMHO.

By the way, where are these rumors circulating?

 

[COACHSTING]

The wife and I would have no issue with it so long as the price was right AND they could somehow cut down on the number of multiple stops, particularly on the arrival side of vacation.....

 

[minnierealtor]

If they start charging for ME per person I think larger families would have to determine if the cost would be equal to a rental car or not. We do like the freedom of having a car but I don't want the hassle and/or cost of getting one. ME has been wonderful everytime I have used it. Yes, I have had to wait to get on the bus but I find everyone is so excited about getting to Disney you can strike up a conversation with other people in line and make the time go by. I think of it as the first Disney line I will be waiting in for my trip because ME lines don't begin to compare to the ride lines in the parks. I don't mind tipping for the service because I don't have to lug bags everywhere and since I always overpack that is saying something. ME has been a wonderful addition to my Disney vacation because they have made my life less stressful during a time that is supposed to be stress free.

 

[Chuck S]

I thought their agreement with the airport authority called for free service through 2010, or 2011?

I think we'll see a parking charge for DtD before we see a charge for ME. Charging for parking at DtD won't impact onsite guests, but will be a cash cow. And it will solve a few problems.

 

[AnnaS]

We have used ME a couple of times and had no problems. I also hope they do not start charging a fee - even though I have said, it will only be a matter of time.

I second that if we use ME and it's free, we will not get a rental and have groceries delivered. We stay onsite the whole time (no shopping or dining off-site) - therefore, more money for Disney.