Magical Express May No Longer be Free

[hakepb]

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"...)

We know it is not "free" It is more like the DVC dining discounts (which are now mostly lunch) Disney would rather us spend 90% of a lunch tab at their places than give us the incentive to make our own lunch in our kitchens. If Disney thought they could make more total money by charging us full price, they would. Instead Disney thinks they make more money by bringing in more discounted customers.

As mentioned, If Disney continues free ME it is because they have #'s that show we spend more $ by offering "free" ME and staying "stuck" onsite vs us renting cars and wandering

 

[moredisneyplease]

I would definately rent a car because

1) with 4-5 of us it would easily cost us $100
2) we could do our own grocery shopping and not have to pay the delivery fee
3) we could eat off site
4) easier to get around WDW!

Sure its nice to have someone handle your luggage but not THAT nice!

 

[JenSop]

Gee... I hope this rumor is false. I really don't want to pay the extra transportation fee. Having ME ensures Disney that more people will spend their whole trip on site - that's what we've been doing. I really think that charging for ME will drive more families to rent cars, and therefore spend more time and money off property. How can Disney not see this?

 

[mla973]

While I completely agree with your post (that Disney has just "hidden" the cost of DME into the room price), I'm sure they're not going to bring the cost back down to match the $25 charge.

IIRC, when I last used Mears shuttles (in 2001 or 2002), the cost was $60 R/T plus tip. I still think $25 is a bargain.

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.

 

[paults]

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.

I'm with Chuck , I thought it was free till 2011

 

[La2kw]

I think it's understandable considering the price of fuel. We always rent a car, so we rarely use ME. Our last experience with it was less than stellar anyway.

 

[Laneychris]

$25.00 PP seems like a huge jump from free. I can't see it happening like that.

 

[Brian Noble]

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.

ditto. If WDW needs to recoup costs from ME, they'll do it in other ways. The last think WDW wants is for you to have any extra reasons to rent a car.

I'd sooner expect on-site guests to no longer have free theme park parking (for the same reason).

 

[Deb & Bill]

ditto. If WDW needs to recoup costs from ME, they'll do it in other ways. The last think WDW wants is for you to have any extra reasons to rent a car.

I'd sooner expect on-site guests to no longer have free theme park parking (for the same reason).

No, that would give people a reason to stay offsite.

 

[PSC]

Even though it is usually just DW and myself, I'd begin to think about renting a car, buying groceries off site and spending more time away from WDW. Magical Express is a huge convenience that encourages us to spend more time & money inside Disney proper. I suspect that by saving the $50 ME fee, and doing things off site (groceries, dinners) I could still save enough money elsewhere to break even on the car.

I hope the Disney accountants are just floating a trial balloon to see what peoples reactions would be.

 

[El&Asmom]

To me the biggest benefit of ME is not having to lug all of the carseats. I think even if they charged, not having to bring along 3 carseats, wait for our luggage with 3 kids, wait in line for the car, and then install all of the seats makes the $25 worth it. We'll see, maybe by the time they instill this two of the kids can go in boosters.

 

[AKV707]

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?

Joining you in the minority. I think this rumor has no basis. ME, is part of Disney's "Destination Disney" (thanks Dis unplugged podcast team). This is Disney's whole idea of keeping guests on property by making it attractive to do so and less attractive to stray off property.

There is no reason why Disney would charge for this. As has been said, we are all paying for it, so what incentive does Disney have to charge for it. They could raise rack rates to cover it.

I am also curious as to the source of this rumor.

 

[TenThousandVolts]

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 think ME has kept guests captive at WDW just as TPTB had hoped. I think they will at least continue to offer it for free on MYW packages or something like that.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Well since I'm still up in the air about renting a car, it would make my decision easier! I am still uneasy about reports of bus service at SSR--not in general, but the first-thing-in-the-morning-rope-drop busses. If ME was not free I would get a car for sure.
Robin M.

 

[DeeCee735]

Car service for RT for up to 5 people is about the same. It's private, quicker and comfy. Works for me!

 

[keishashadow]

same rumour kicked around the end of last year too

i could care less, tried it once & just too much of a type A person to sit thru multiple stops & offloading of luggage that was drug along for the ride

the best way to get peeps hooked on something is to give it away "free", to encourage the habit, then start charging for it once it becomes ingrained.

 

[TDC Nala]

I just took Mears to the Swan over the July 4th weekend and it was $32 round trip, not $60.

 

[AKV707]

ME is not for everyone. We always used a car service, but now we are ME people. We don't mind the brief stops, we think that it is efficiently run, and you can't beat the price, which as I have stated will imho stay free.

Once again, I ask: where did this story come from?

 

[Starr W.]

I am also curious as to the source of this rumor.

Alamo, Hertz,Budget, Avis to name a few.


I love ME, when we stay at SSR we are the 1st or 2nd stop. It' was a bummer when we stayed at BCV(CBR,BWV then BCV).

 

[ebenmax]

I feel certain that we would start renting a car every time we go. Right now, we only rent when all of the kids are with us or if we go for longer than 4 days. We personally like the freedom of our "own" car, but take the "free" ride for shorter trips. Guess we will have to wait and see. . .