Magical Express - Money Express?

[bytheblood]

I previously heard rumor that Magical Express is to end in 2008 as a free offering and in order to use it, you will be required to purchase transfers for $45 each way.

Has anybody else heard this?


I understand with the airlines requiring a luggage fee that this is hard for ME/Disney and they will have to do something to make it work.

Anybody have any thoughts or word on what you have heard?

 

[jfinke]

I thought that that was part of the original plan. Get people hooked on it and then charge for it.

Personally, we use it because we are already paying for it somehow. We accept that we have been trapped onsite.

However, if they are going to start charging for it, it makes it no different than the original option of using Mears. At that point, we would just rent a car or get a limo.

 

[SheilaHeartsDisney]

I thought that it would stay fee till 2011

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

$45 each way seems a bit steep considering they are charging $68 return to the cruise port.
I think if/when they do charge, it will be a nominal $10-15 each way.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

In reality, DME is not free today, even though there's no direct charge for the service. DME allows Disney to charge more for rooms, to have higher occupancy, and, most importantly, to keep guests (and their wallets) on-site because most DME guests don't have rental cars.

The rumors that Disney will charge for Magical Express are speculation by people who haven't thought about why DME has been free since it was launched in May 2005.

 

[WDSearcher]

I could see $45 round-trip ... maybe. But not each way. That would put ME on par with cabs and car services. Any car service could boost its business significantly by simply undercutting the Disney price. I agree with the PP who said that IF they charge, it will be a nominal fee -- designed mostly to cover airline luggage charges and increases in fuel costs, rather than the service itself.

 

[SteveS]

Personally I find ME to be convienient and efficient. If I were to be charged for that service, I would revert back to getting a rental car and not be limited in dinning and recreation opportunities.

Disney would be far better served to keep this service free and keep me on site for the entire trip.

 

[bytheblood]

I did also think $45 each way is awfully high.

If they do start charging anything for it, especially considering how much they are charging for everything else, I will pay a town car service to take me to and from my resort.

 

[Lewisc]

Charge $45 and a group of 3-4 will find a car service cheaper. Even a couple may decide a car service is worth the extra few dollars. Others may find the extra money for a rental car worth it.

Charging that much will reduce ridership. Lower ridership may result in increased wait times before a bus is dispatched and more stops per bus. It's been posted that the average time from landing to arrival is 70 minutes. Increase that to 90 minutes and another group of potential passengers will bail.

I'll speculate Disney will start charging guests for resort parking before (or at the same time) they start charging for DME. Many hotels in the Orlando area now charge for guest parking. On-site SoG, Swan and Dolphin all charge for guest parking. Off-site the Universal hotels, Gaylord Palms, Mariott (convention hotel) and other hotels charge for guest parking.

 

[raidermatt]

In reality, DME is not free today, even though there's no direct charge for the service. DME allows Disney to charge more for rooms, to have higher occupancy, and, most importantly, to keep guests (and their wallets) on-site because most DME guests don't have rental cars.

The rumors that Disney will charge for Magical Express are speculation by people who haven't thought about why DME has been free since it was launched in May 2005.

Good points, though the tempatation is always going to be there to put a fee on it. True, it is not truly free now, but all it takes is for an executive to be convinced that they can get away with the fee without affecting room rates much.

Certainly that temptation grows greater in an environment like the one Disney finds itself in today, as we are finding out in other areas.

 

[nless_dream]

i hope they don't start charing $45 one-way for the service. I stay on-site just because of the DME so i don't have to rent a car or taxi.

 

[vDunninger]

Disney already has ME costs built into their room pricing. Rather than try and get even more money from charging for ME (big drop in ridership would result as it becomes more cost efficient for families to take cabs or similar means), they'd be better off pushing ME as the 'green' alternative, reducing vehicle emissions by using their 'magical' public transit. Ridership could very likely increase with that kind of campaign, making the world a better place for all of us! (except maybe the cab and car rental companies at MCO).

 

[paulh]

In reality, DME is not free today, even though there's no direct charge for the service. DME allows Disney to charge more for rooms, to have higher occupancy, and, most importantly, to keep guests (and their wallets) on-site because most DME guests don't have rental cars.

The rumors that Disney will charge for Magical Express are speculation by people who haven't thought about why DME has been free since it was launched in May 2005.

agree completley and if the downtunin bookings happens, and they chrge for it.it will send the bookings down further still.
Think the would alter the DDP, to days you want rather than all your stay,before they charge for ME

 

[Jetsong]

didnt I read awhile back that Disney was thinking about running train service from the airport to WDW ?

 

[jfinke]

didnt I read awhile back that Disney was thinking about running train service from the airport to WDW ?

I believe that they wanted to do a deal with the City to run light rail.

It was highly protested for a couple of reasons. Taxes and taxies.

So, they went with ME and basically thumbed their noses at everyone.

 

[disney1990]

Charge $45 and a group of 3-4 will find a car service cheaper. Even a couple may decide a car service is worth the extra few dollars. Others may find the extra money for a rental car worth it.

Charging that much will reduce ridership. Lower ridership may result in increased wait times before a bus is dispatched and more stops per bus. It's been posted that the average time from landing to arrival is 70 minutes. Increase that to 90 minutes and another group of potential passengers will bail.

I'll speculate Disney will start charging guests for resort parking before (or at the same time) they start charging for DME. Many hotels in the Orlando area now charge for guest parking. On-site SoG, Swan and Dolphin all charge for guest parking. Off-site the Universal hotels, Gaylord Palms, Mariott (convention hotel) and other hotels charge for guest parking.

Yes, you and a lot of other people will decide to rent a car. Then instead of spending your entire vacation (and all your money) at Disney, you will be free to visit other Orlando attractions. In the long run, charging for Magical Express will cost Disney money (your money).

 

[Chuck S]

I think we'll see parking charges at DtD before we see them at resorts or a charge for DME.

 

[georgemoe]

I personally do not see them charging for DME. I do see an increase in room rates which would accomplish pretty much the same thing.

 

[mitros]

I thought that that was part of the original plan. Get people hooked on it and then charge for it.

Personally, we use it because we are already paying for it somehow. We accept that we have been trapped onsite.

However, if they are going to start charging for it, it makes it no different than the original option of using Mears. At that point, we would just rent a car or get a limo.

Funny situation, when my wife worked for a bank many years ago when they first started distributing ATM cards, they were touted as free, free, free, Not free anymore, they get everyone used to having one, then down comes the second hammer. Now it's fees, fees, fees!

 

[dhluvsDisney]

They start charging.. I stop using..... It would definately be back to a towncar for us!