Magical Express opinion from Happy Limo

[crazyboutWDW]

**Please be advised that Disney’s Magical express while free will waste 2-3 hours of your time, you will be transported in a 57 passenger bus with several stops along the way to your hotel, and you will have to leave your hotel 3 hours prior to your flight departure. Is it worth your time?**

This is a quote from Happy Limo when I was checking transportation options.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Maybe they will have some buses running to MK resorts only, AK resorts only, DD resorts only, Epcot resorts only. This way the bus will not be running everywhere. I think it is too early to tell how this Magical Express bus will work.

Happy Limo wants business. They would probably try to discourage guests to use the Disney bus. That's my opinion.

 

[OKSTATE99]

**Please be advised that Disney’s Magical express while free will waste 2-3 hours of your time, you will be transported in a 57 passenger bus with several stops along the way to your hotel, and you will have to leave your hotel 3 hours prior to your flight departure. Is it worth your time?**

This is a quote from Happy Limo when I was checking transportation options.

On the way to your resort at the most it will take you an extra hour. At pick up any towncar service asks you to be ready for pick up 2 hour before departure time. So your wasting 2 hours of your vacation. Cost of that time? Most towncar services charge about $90.00 so is your time worth $45.00 a hour is the question? And that doesnt include tips for the driver. Plus you dont have to mess with your luggage till you get to your room.

If Magical Express didnt offer the luggage service I would probly do towncar. Since I just go welcome area then on to my resort, that makes a difference to me. Each to their own.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I'm looking forward to using ME this October and again in July 2006. It may take more time than a town car, but it's FREE.

 

[Lewisc]

That notice isn't on their site now, not sure if they took it off or if I'm looking at an older cached version of their site.

It's already been posted that the buses will all leave from one location in the airport, Mears has 4 spots, and the bus routes will stop at 3 or 4 resorts. You're not waiting for luggage and a lot of people will be using ME so I'm not so sure a towncar will save you much time. THEY REALLY SHOULD BE PROMOTING A GROCERY STOP.

Since you're supposed to be in the airport 1.5 - 2 hours before your flight you really have to leave 2 3/4 hours before your flight. People taking a towncar or rental car have the option of cutting it closer but Disney has to adhere to those guidelines.

 

[SB in KY]

Well....did we really think ANY limo service was going to say "WOW, check out the great free service Disney will be offering...."??

Most of these smaller car services will be out of business within 90 days if Magic Express is a success....

btw, they are planning on 6 different ME routes with 3 to 4 stops max per route, and since no one needs to wait for their baggage to come through the carousel or to unload luggage at stops because it is transported seperately....so unless the driver has to push the bus himself I can't see how it could possibly take 3 hours to get to any hotel!!

I think these limo services WISH it would take 3 hours!!

 

[inkkognito]

I do indeed know that Mears added a couple of hours to my trips in the past. It's the main reason that I use a towncar; money isn't worth the wasted vacation time to me. The way it came to two hours was first waiting for a bus or van going to the proper destination to fill up (seats are money, and they're not going to send it empty) and then waiting for the endless parade of other hotel stops before my own. People who have never been to Disney World don't realize just how large the property is and how far the hotels are located from each other. I also dislike the "cattle call." Even if it went fast, I don't want to spend a 30 to 45 minute drive with my seat being kicked the whole way, or worse, with the kids in front of me playing with the "recline" button the whole time (happened the last time I took the cruise line bus). I don't think the towncar companies will go out of business because there will always be people who value comfort and convenience over free but inconvenient.
Barb

 

[shatzjsl]

**Please be advised that Disney’s Magical express while free will waste 2-3 hours of your time, you will be transported in a 57 passenger bus with several stops along the way to your hotel, and you will have to leave your hotel 3 hours prior to your flight departure. Is it worth your time?**

This is a quote from Happy Limo when I was checking transportation options.

Even if it is true, it is tacky on the part of Happy Limo.

 

[Brian Noble]

THEY REALLY SHOULD BE PROMOTING A GROCERY STOP

That, and just the personalized service in general. I know many people don't mind the whole bus thing, but even when I stay on property, I drive many places---it's usually not much longer, it often can be much shorter (except when going to/from the MK), and there is less of an opportunity to sit and cool your heels somewhere. Somehow, waiting a few minutes for a tram doesn't bug me, but 10 minutes for a bus does.

FWIW, I'll continue to rent cars. Neither of my "direct flight" airlines (Spirit and NWA) participate in the direct luggage transfer on the return trip. If one of them does participate, I might rethink that decision. Hard to say.

 

[treehugger]

I don't think this will be the same as the old Mears runs, even though I did at first. I think Disney has really planned this one out with arriving/departing flights and resort stops. I will however continue to use a town car for the personalized service and grocery stops, but if I was traveling with a large family or on a budget I would definitely give Magical Express a try. Time will tell.

 

[quicksilver]

Well....did we really think ANY limo service was going to say "WOW, check out the great free service Disney will be offering...."??

Most of these smaller car services will be out of business within 90 days if Magic Express is a success....

btw, they are planning on 6 different ME routes with 3 to 4 stops max per route, and since no one needs to wait for their baggage to come through the carousel or to unload luggage at stops because it is transported seperately....so unless the driver has to push the bus himself I can't see how it could possibly take 3 hours to get to any hotel!!

I think these limo services WISH it would take 3 hours!!

After leaving the aircraft, everyone on this program will be taken to a central place for the shuttle check-in. Imagine hundreds of people at the same time in a line (or many) to be separated in groups to fill out a 57 passenger bus. How long that will take? Plus the 3 to 4 stops, and don't forget, every hotel drop off will have dozens of people coming out in the same time for check-in at the resorts (you might be the first, but...).

And don't forget your luggage. Where is it? In your room already? What if the airline lost it? Who is to blame? What if it is too early for check-in and you need something out of it? What if, what if, what if... I guess only time will tell. All I can truly say for the moment is you will lose the 3 hours Happy Limo mentioned, and sorry if I also am being "tacky"...

ME is only going to be a success for the first 18 month when is free. After that everyone trying to save will come back to use private services (at least the ones only using ME to save $). Many companies will indeed suffer, loose many possible clients, but in the long run I'm pretty sure who wants a private service, save time, and of course have the free stop for groceries, will still use us.

 

[Bill From PA]

For a party that views the first and last days as 'travel days', lost as far as experiencing WDW is concerned, this new service is very worthwhile, I'd use it myself under those circumstances. I've always contrived to capture the first day by arriving at MCO early and scooting directly to a park via a fast rental service or a TownCar and milking the last day by storing our bags at the resort after check-out and touring the parks until closing and staying at the MCO Hyatt for an early flight home. Folks like me won't see much value in this this service unless we can use it to get our bags to our resort, get to a park on our own, then check in later. I know Disney discourages this, but they have their plans and I have mine, and time will tell. I can't fault other transportation companies for pointing out the obvious lack of speed, but I do agree that selling a grocery stop along with curb to curb convienience might sell more TC rides.

Bill From PA

 

[Lewisc]

Bill--Suppose ME had an option to drop you off at a theme park? Add a checkin desk at the airport so you could get your resort id/passes? Some of the Vegas hotels have airport checkin.

QS--It been posted that the resorts will be notified as to the number of guests that will be dropped off so they can add extra CM's if necessary. I don't think it'll take very long to direct you to the bus route for your resort. Not that different than the theme parks. I agree they'll lose business when/if Disney starts charging.

 

[quicksilver]

Bill--Suppose ME had an option to drop you off at a theme park? Add a checkin desk at the airport so you could get your resort id/passes? Some of the Vegas hotels have airport checkin.

QS--It been posted that the resorts will be notified as to the number of guests that will be dropped off so they can add extra CM's if necessary. I don't think it'll take very long to direct you to the bus route for your resort. Not that different than the theme parks. I agree they'll lose business when/if Disney starts charging.

Hello Lewisc,

Agreed in part... The only thing I have to add is I'm actually comparing the time lost to get everyone in their buses (up to 57 passengers) with the actual Mears shuttle (up to 10 passengers). The shuttles today might take up to 1 hour just to get going from the airport, imagine 57....
I understand there is no luggage involved, but there are 5 times more people.
Remember folks, it is still a Mears shuttle bus, not Disney taking care of the transportation.

But all in all, I do believe it will be a great add on for many people going on a budget to WDW. Honestly, I could be one of their "victims" if I did not live here...

Regards to all,

Gregory.

 

[CarolA]

Well this is interesting.

Happy Limo thinks it is bad and so does Quicksilver (who seems to own a limo company)

Those are NOT what I would call unbiased opions. If Disney makes this work they could be in BIG trouble.

I suggest that we wait and not make our decisions based on feedback from folks who have a financial stake in those decisions.

 

[Lewisc]

Hello Lewisc,


Remember folks, it is still a Mears shuttle bus, not Disney taking care of the transportation.



Gregory.

Not completely true, Disney is taking care of the arrangements, they've contracted out to Mears the job of getting the buses and drivers but it's DINSEY'S SHOW.

Let's see it's free, no waiting for luggage, only one airport location, FREE. I'd think Disney will be able to load the buses pretty fast. I wouldn't be surprised if the bus leaves faster than the time it'll take for you to to meet your customer, assist with their luggage and take them to where you limo is parked. Now if Disney starts losing their luggage or makes customers wait an hour if they land at a less popular time you'll start to get some customers back.

I think a lot of the towncar companies will be downsizing as long as the service is free.

 

[quicksilver]

Not completely true, Disney is taking care of the arrangements, they've contracted out to Mears the job of getting the buses and drivers but it's DINSEY'S SHOW.

Let's see it's free, no waiting for luggage, only one airport location, FREE. I'd think Disney will be able to load the buses pretty fast. I wouldn't be surprised if the bus leaves faster than the time it'll take for you to to meet your customer, assist with their luggage and take them to where you limo is parked. Now if Disney starts losing their luggage or makes customers wait an hour if they land at a less popular time you'll start to get some customers back.

I think a lot of the towncar companies will be downsizing as long as the service is free.

Luggage is the only issue where we might slow down, but in general luggage comes out about 5 minutes after people arrive at their carrousel, then another 10 minutes to retrieve it. Now imagine 3 flights arriving at about the same time, each with 1/3 of their passengers using ME, there will be about 300 customers to be placed in buses. I can hardly see that being faster than any car service (I'm saying 3 planes, but in summer there is 1 flight arriving every 10 minutes!!!). Remember it is free now, the number of people using it will be ovewelmingly bigger than the shuttle service today. Please don't take me wrong, but the service might be good, organized and etc.., but I doubt they will ever beat a private chauffeured service (other than the "free" part of course...LOL). Oh, and the grocery store stop...

I might seem to be protecting my trade, but honestly, I'm positive I will survive, as will most of the good towncar services around. I'm really seeing all that with the eyes of who works in this businees for a long time, know Mears for a long time (worked there... ), and has the whole timing in a better perspective than most of WDW travelers/visitors.

 

[localdriver]

Remember folks, it is still a Mears shuttle bus, not Disney taking care of the transportation.


Regards to all,

Gregory.

Mears bus and driver, yes.
But dispatched to and released from airport/resorts to their destination by Disney on demand. Just like DCL.

 

[Gary M]

Many on these boards complain about the transportation on WDW property, so do those that dislike WDW transportation think the ME will be better since it will be "supervised" by WDW. I will try ME and hope it is better than Mears has been in the past.

I can't see how the WDW guests that don't have the patience for the WDW buses, monorails and boats be happy with a large bus that may make many stops and not leave the airport immediately.

 

[treehugger]

sorry if I also am being "tacky"...
:

No, not tacky but you do have a vested interest. Until Magical Express is operational it is unfair to make predictions on how bad the service will be. Don't forget that Limo/Town Car companies are also not immune to service problems. The fact is that this service will save families (many of who save for a long time) upwards of $100. These doomsday scenarios that many are throwing around may cause needless anxiety. As I stated before, I am fortunate enough to have the means for a town car, but I know that alot of families do not.

*Edited to add: For those thinking about Magical Express but who need a grocery order, an alternative could be to use a grocery delivery service. The link below is to wegoshop, which gets great reviews on the DVC Boards. Their fees seem reasonable and they do the shopping and deliver directly to your resort at a mutual agreed upon time.

http://www.wegoshop.com/location/wgs-location15.htm