Magical Express opinion from Happy Limo

[Okiemom]

I am curious how the volume of people, I can just see hundreds, all getting to the spot to be put on buses. I hope it runs smooth, but it seems like alot of the buses will already be out making the stops, so will there be enough to pick up the rest of the people?
Time will tell. I can't wait to see the reviews. I think it is a great option though, especially those on a buget. Free is Free!!

 

[disneyjunkie]

I am curious how the volume of people, I can just see hundreds, all getting to the spot to be put on buses. I hope it runs smooth, but it seems like alot of the buses will already be out making the stops, so will there be enough to pick up the rest of the people?
Time will tell. I can't wait to see the reviews. I think it is a great option though, especially those on a buget. Free is Free!!

I don't think it will be a problem.

Disney has been providing this same service for the cruise line. I haven't anyone on the cruise line board complaining about long waits and MANY drop offs.

Since you have to sign up for the service in advance, Disney will know how to people to expect.

My son and I will use a town car in April, but our next trips will be with ME. The money we save on transportation may go to a dinner show or Cirque.

 

[seashoreCM]

you will have to leave your hotel 3 hours prior to your flight departure. Is it worth your time?**

It is actually a good idea to be ready to return to the airport 3 hours in advance of flight time even when using a limo service. Should a problem occur you want to have time to make an emergency alternative.

For recent trips I have had a rental car and I aim (don't always succeed) to have the car in gear and out of the parking space (usually at a theme park) 3 hours before flight time. Rental cars are a different animal, they need to be checked in and it is a good idea to have an agent formally check for damage as well as print the receipt with his little hand held machine.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[Luckymommyx2]

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

ITA!

 

[bballmom56]

Hey quicksilver (Gregory) ~ we'll still be with you if we are able to do the trip I am trying to arrange for June!

We are by no means wealthy, and if we are going to splurge to go to WDW, I have to maximize our time. And with all the savings from the other tips I've learned on these boards, I can afford to budget the money for a little extra convenience. It cost about the same as renting a car and was a lot less hassle (didn't have to stand in line to get rental car, didn't have to worry about having enough time to return it). By using the grocery stop, we saved a lot on breakfast. It's all a balancing act!

It will be interesting to see how ME works out. At least Disney is trying to offer more to their guests.

 

[quicksilver]

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.

I haven't in any moment said the service will be bad or that it will not work. I'm just letting people know, from my point of view, how it will probably go, how long it will take, and etc. Sorry if it creates anxiety to some people. Definetely not my intention...

 

[Lewisc]

I STILL CAN'T FIND THAT SECTION ON HAPPY LIMO'S website. Am I looking in the wrong place or have they removed it?


Guests who take towncars because it winds up being cheaper than Mears for 3 or 4 guests will probably go to ME. Guests who rent a car because it isn't much more expensive than Mears or a towncar for a family of 4 might take ME. Remember the new pass pricing will discourage side trips to Universal and SW and the new meal plan may reduce some of the pressure to eat offsite.

You'll have to cater the guests who are willing to pay a little extra for the convenience, privacy and grocery stop a towncar provides.

I draw an opposite conclusion. There may be a vast number of guests BUT DISNEY will know the number of guests, their resorts and their arrival times well in advance. The vast number of guests should allow them to fill and dispatch the buses rather quickly. Sounds like there be 6 bus routes. Get in the line for your resort and you're good to go. I'd be more concerned how it would operate if the number of guests drops if Disney charges and guests have to wait too long for a bus. It's been posted that the resort will be notified as to the number of guests that are in route so they can add extra CM's at the front desk.

The next logical step is to bypass resort check-in. Either have a desk in the airport or mail the guests their resort cards and have the guests call call a number that will give them their room number when it's ready. If necessary have a kiosh where the guests swipe the card so the computer knows the guest has arrived. Bus the guests directly to a park. Disney might have to add some larger lockers at the park entrances so guests can check their carry on stuff.

(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 overwhelmingly 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 business 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.

 

[inkkognito]

I agree that it's most likely not going to be a matter of "bad" service vs. "good" service. Time is going to be the critical factor (and grocery stops will play a big role too). For me, vacation time is precious, and I can't stand cattle call-type situations. Therefore, I would pay to have my own towncar, knowing it will just be my party and that we can leave immediately. But for those on a very tight budget, those who are first-timers and don't know the lay of the land, or those who consider the first day a waste anyway, ME might be fine. We took Mears for a long time and never realized how much time we were wasting before we learned that there was an alternative.

It will be interesting to see how the chips fall.

Barb

 

[quicksilver]

I agree that it's most likely not going to be a matter of "bad" service vs. "good" service. Time is going to be the critical factor (and grocery stops will play a big role too). For me, vacation time is precious, and I can't stand cattle call-type situations. Therefore, I would pay to have my own towncar, knowing it will just be my party and that we can leave immediately. But for those on a very tight budget, those who are first-timers and don't know the lay of the land, or those who consider the first day a waste anyway, ME might be fine. We took Mears for a long time and never realized how much time we were wasting before we learned that there was an alternative.

It will be interesting to see how the chips fall.

Barb

Agreed, agreed, and agreed.

 

[sgause]

We used Mears once (never again) and then switched to limo service when we realized that saved us lots of time and hassle and the price was reasonable. We are trying ME in August because we have waited up to an HOUR for our luggage to come out at baggage claim (obviously not under the control of the limo service). If ME gets us to our hotel in a reasonable amount of time and the lines for check-in are within reason, then I've saved money and not dealt with my luggage. For us the value add is the luggage service. I'll be back to limo service in a heartbeat if I find that I didn't save any time\hassle.

 

[madonna31]

ROTFLMBO...how can Happy Limo (or anybody else for that matter) REALLY comment on a service that doesn't even exist until after May 5th?!?

Disney has been providing this same service for the cruise line. I haven't anyone on the cruise line board complaining about long waits and MANY drop offs.

EXACTLY!!

Walt Disney World's transportation network is among the most efficient, easy to use, and convenient of any mass transit system in the world, moving guests too and from any location within the 47 square mile area of the complex.

I'm thinking that these guys know a thing or two about a one-way transfer of an airport to a resort or vice-versa.

 

[CarolA]

My thoughts are that there may very well be issues. However, everything we seen now is speculation since not one of us has boarded bus one yet.

I just find it entertaining that the "doom and gloom" scenarios come from limo companies. I saw another Limo vendor with a doom and gloom on thier site also. Guess they are getting nervous. (Attacking The competetion is usually a sign of fear of it) Pretty much what you would expect. I tend to rent a car. I leave Disney 1.5 hours before my plane, drop the car at Hertz and head to the airport check luggage and wander thur security sometimes with a stop at the Lush store. So far I have not even come CLOSE to missing a plane. I will have to adjust that if I take ME, but I might have more time at the Lush store.

I find that Limos want me to leave earlier then I do on my own so if maximizing my time is the issue, then I will probably stay with the rental car.

 

[quicksilver]

I just find it entertaining that the "doom and gloom" scenarios come from limo companies. I saw another Limo vendor with a doom and gloom on thier site also. Guess they are getting nervous. (Attacking The competetion is usually a sign of fear of it) Pretty much what you would expect.

Please read carefully. No one here is attacking the competition. In no instance I (or any one for that matter) attacked ME. I only pointed out what will possibly happen. I think I said that before in another post I wrote.

Protecting our business and pointing out ME will not only be flowers, definetely. This is not fear, is pure competition. The only thing we are afraid for the moment is that Disney/Mears is offering this for free. Many will call this "move" dumping, some call it an attempt to monopolize the transportation business by eliminating the competion. But I guess this is another issue all in all. Believe me, this free (for 18 month!) transportation will hurt our economy much more than any one could imagine.

 

[Lewisc]

Many will call this "move" dumping, some call it an attempt to monopolize the transportation business by eliminating the competion. But I guess this is another issue all in all. Believe me, this free (for 18 month!) transportation will hurt our economy much more than any one could imagine.

I don't really think it's so much an attempt to monopolize the transportation business as a way to motivate guests on the fence to stay on site and to discourage guests from leaving property.

Stay offsite you have to pay for your car rental and theme park parking, stay on site and your transfers are included. I wonder how many of the people who normally rent a car will just use ME.

You'll lose families of 3+ who did the math and discovered a towncar is cheaper than Mears. People who want to splurge on vacation, need a grocery stop or just like the convenience will be still be customers. You might not lose as many customers as you fear.

The disaster would be if some of the slimier towncar companies try to slash their price to compete with ME. Considering the cost of airport fees, gas and insurance I wouldn't think you could lower your costs very much and still make money.

 

[Fire14]

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

I know I still plan on using town car. I used Mears on my honeymoon and I set foot on Disney property with attitude and I still hated that 3.5 hours of my trip was wasted waiting on a bus. granted i paid back than so there's a differance.

 

[quicksilver]

Stay offsite you have to pay for your car rental and theme park parking, stay on site and your transfers are included. I wonder how many of the people who normally rent a car will just use ME.

You'll lose families of 3+ who did the math and discovered a towncar is cheaper than Mears. People who want to splurge on vacation, need a grocery stop or just like the convenience will be still be customers. You might not lose as many customers as you fear.

For sure the smaller companies will be the ones really hurt, and I agree who wants to splurge on vacation (and grocery shop) will still use a towncar service. But what I really want everyone to see is that the transfers are not included per say. It is free for now, not forever. If Disney decided to include the transfers in their packages (hiding the costs or not) I would be the first to believe they are doing this to attract more customers, and above all, do something nice to all WDW guests. But no, it is only free for 1 1/2 years. I could bet 1,000,000.00 it will not come cheap to have that service after this 1 1/2 years. If a regular shuttle is now about $29.00 per person, imagine with all the extra service (luggage, and etc...).
Again, many of you are right, we need to wait and see.

 

[mommyzone59]

I'm new to this whole thing and am looking for a good transportation service. I have two DS and one needs a car seat the other need a boster. I want to stop at the store and will be traveling before ME so any suggestions???

 

[WDWBetsy]

I'm honestly not surprised that the towncar/limo companies are doing this.

On our last trip we used Happy Limo. After waiting a huge amount of time for our bags to come out at baggage claim, we called to let the dispatcher know we were ready for our pickup. I had even reserved a stretch limo. It took us forever to find our limo driver, then we had to haul all of our luggage down to the spot where he parked. He wasn't very nice when we were trying to understand where to go - and we had to make a couple of cell phone calls to find the spot. Our driver was not the friendliest, so to us it was not worth the anxiety in that particular case. Sure, the limo itself was a nice touch, but we were both kinda stressed until we got in the limo.

Now for the return, it wasn't that bad - much more relaxing. We did leave 3 hours prior to our flight. So if I have to leave our resort 3 hours prior with ME, it's not a big deal. I always like being at the airport at least 2 hours prior anyway...

I'm all for giving ME a chance.

 

[Northern Lights]

Do you think Disney would allow one person from each party to watch them load the luggage to make sure your bags are underneath the bus? This would be reassuring. That is really my only concern.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Do you think Disney would allow one person from each party to watch them load the luggage to make sure your bags are underneath the bus? This would be reassuring. That is really my only concern.

No.

The luggage will be handled "behind the scenes." Any luggage with Magical Express luggage bags, regardless of the airline, will never go to baggage claim. Instead, the luggage will be sorted out of public view. It will be put onto trucks to the Disney resorts, not into the Magical Express motor coaches.

Yes, I'm sure there will sometimes be luggage handling errors. But I'd be much more concerned about the airline than about Magical Express. If your bags don't make it onto your plane or if your bags are misdirected at a connecting airport, it can take many hours to correct the problem; it can even take until the next day. But in the unlikely case that your bags initially go to the wrong Disney resort, I'm sure the situation can be fixed quickly.

If there is a situation with missing bags, I'd rather deal with Disney and let them sort things out with the airline, instead of having to deal directly with the airline.