Magical Express-Think about it!!

[goofy4tink]

You know, whenever we talk about anything here on these boards, someone always reminds us that 'Disers' are a very small percentage of WDW travelers. I have to say that it took me several trips to WDW before I found this wonderful site and several others. So, I wonder, how many 'normal, typical travelers to WDW actually use the towncar services? I know I never thought they were an option. I used one out of neccesity when we had to fly into Sanford and needed to get to WDW. So, I would think that there would be a ton of people who normally would have taken Mears, that will now take DME for free. Or maybe those that rent cars. Sure, we have taken towncars for the last 3-4 trips. But we will be giving ME a shot in June. But, we were considering doing Mears again anyway since we weren't stopping for groceries this time.

I know that Disney is hoping to keep us 'trapped' on-site. But, we all realize that the towncars are out there. We will keep calling them to get us to US or SW. Will the towncars raise those prices? Maybe...most likely. I realize that DME will have glitches for a bit yet. But, for people to get all upset with those that choose a different mode of transport to WDW is just nutty. If someone wants to give DME a try, since it is free at the moment and save themselves $140, then what's the big deal? THose of you that are saying the towncar drivers have families and such...well, so do those that are trying to save a little money by using DME. There will always be those that do not wish to ride on a bus, with the masses of travelers. They will continue to use towncars. Or there will be those that really want to be able to come and go as they wish and they will continue to rent cars.

I really don't see why everyone is getting 'in a twist' about what somebody else is doing!!! Now, if I were to tell you that you HAVE to take DME rather than a towncar...well, then I could see it. Can we each do what we feel to be the best thing for our own family and let others do the best for their family? Could we just get 'the facts, ma'm, only the facts' rather than the heated debate about gettting what you pay for or some such argument? Now, I will hop on down off my box and get on with my life, which will include both DME and using towncar services in the future.

 

[BuckNaked]

Well said, goofy4tink.

 

[debster812]

Well said, goofy4tink.

I agree. Very well said.

 

[disneygirl46]

Go to www.Mousesavers.com, and make your decision from their reviews to the New Free Magical Express Service.......

 

[zurgswife]

I'm planning on using it in Oct. but only because it is FREE...I usually rent a car but it has gotten very expensive to rent a minivan...over $400 for our Easter trip.(we decided to only rent for 2days instead..$150 to get us to and from the airport)

When we take the entire family back in March 2006 for spring break we will have tried it in Oct then will evaluate.

I feel bad for those that used it instead of a rental, or limo during the start up days that cost them time arriving at there hotel. But it seems to me that everybody was free to choose or not to choose to use the service. I was supposed to use it tomorrow for a quick trip I had to cancel...with all this debate I would have loved to try it myself the first few days to get a first hand experience.

 

[safetymom]

I don't think just because some people posted their reviews that is all there is to know. You are more likely to post a review when you don't get what you thought you should. If you have a great experience most people won't post about it.

 

[bytheblood]

I'm not saying ME should be working perfectly since day one, but the problems are too many for a company that invested so much into a new project where WDW's reputation was at risk. When you have that kind of money, work on a project and all the logistics involved for a year or so, practice for a month to see all the problem that may occur, and still are having so many unhappy customers for 3 whole days.

I could not agree more. I have said that all along while others were defending that ME just launched. Seems like a company as big as Disney could have prepared better. This is a real Mickey Mouse operation.

 

[bytheblood]

Go to www.Mousesavers.com, and make your decision from their reviews to the New Free Magical Express Service.......

That is one review. That is like asking one person if they like Pizza and when they tell you how all the grease from the pizza from XYZ pizza company made them sick, you decide all Pizza is bad.

I do think Disney could have done a better job in planning, but they will get their crap together.

 

[bytheblood]

No, I still don't understand why you are sickened by the thought of using ME.

Well, don't feel bad...cuz I don't get it either.
The thought of a parent murdering their child sickens me.
The thought of a man killing his wife because she did not want to be with him sickens me.
The thought of people washed away in the water to their death sickens me.
The thought of racists beating somebody to death sickens me.
The thought of a free transportation service, good or bad as it may be, does not sicken me.

 

[Lewisc]

Certainly the thought of using ME doesn't sicken me either.

Not really sure what Doris meant BUT ME is only scheduled to be free through the end of next year. Probably long enough to drive a number of towncar drivers out of business. Long enough to give Disney less competition when/if they start charging for ME.

Disney's ME, ticket pricing discounts and MYW dining is going to keep guests on site for more, if not all, of their trip. I can certainly understand other Orlando business not being happy. Some of those business have gone so far as to post untruths and half truths regarding ME.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Certainly the thought of using ME doesn't sicken me either.

Not really sure what Doris meant BUT ME is only scheduled to be free through the end of next year. Probably long enough to drive a number of towncar drivers out of business. Long enough to give Disney less competition when/if they start charging for ME.

Disney's ME, ticket pricing discounts and MYW dining is going to keep guests on site for more, if not all, of their trip. I can certainly understand other Orlando business not being happy. Some of those business have gone so far as to post untruths and half truths regarding ME.

Good points.

It's true that ME is currently only scheduled to be free through the end of next year. But that doesn't mean Disney has said it will be a paid service after the end of 2006. Disney hasn't said one way or the other. In 2007 and beyond, ME is likely to remain a complimentary service if the business benefits to Disney outweigh the substantial cost of providing the MS service on a complimentary basis.

I'm not sure what DorisAnn meant either, but I imagine that DorisAnn is "sickened" at the thought that some of the towncar drivers who have given her such good service will need to seek other employment as the overall demand for MCO-to-WDW towncar services goes down based on the actions of a huge corporation -- not that DorisAnn finds the concept of complimentary transportation and baggage handling itself sickening.

 

[BuckNaked]

BINGO, Horace!
You're certainly the brightest of this bunch!

If you're sickened by the thought of people losing their jobs, then you should say so, rather than come out with the notion that you're sickened by the thought of using ME.

Speaking for myself, I'm not interested in having a conversation with a driver ger on the way from the airport to the resort, nor do I feel any obligation to help support anyone else's family. I'm looking for transporation from MCO to WDW, and if ME does that, I'll be happy.

 

[mckay15]

We're taking a group of 22 there next week. I don't care how long ME takes, since it saved us almost $600 by not paying for transportation. It has taken our group of students 4 years to raise the money and by saving their transportation costs, that enables them to do something additional while they are there.

 

[bytheblood]

BINGO, Horace!
You're certainly the brightest of this bunch!

And that would place you as the rudest.

 

[bytheblood]

I only have 24 days til I go to WDW.

 

[bytheblood]

 

[amwhitaker]

OK, I've read this whole thread and it's a hoot!! Controversy is so entertaining to me. There are some valid points and stuff that just makes me roll my eyes. My first thought was why is the banker hanging out at the airport? With all the high security these days because of terrorism, I'm surprised he's allowed to just hang out and watch the Disney travelers. Does he have a special observer pass? I love to people watch, can I get one of those? If you have ever been to the Pittsburgh Airport, you have a lot of interesting people to watch, believe me! Yunz gotta see if fer yerselves!

Also, come on now, did you think Disney would forever let outside vendors make money off of Disney vacationers for something that they themselves could be making? That's why they have their own resorts and restaurants and shopping areas. They are a huge corporation and I'm sure someone finally said "let's go after transporation from the airport". I'm just surprised they don't build their own airport! They've got just about everything else covered now. I do feel sorry for those that might lose their jobs over the new ME though. If you live and work in the Orlando area, I guess your safest bet is to be employeed by Disney.

Thanks for entertaining me!

 

[chipscinderelly]

Very interesting thread! We did not take ME this weekend however we did see tons of ME buses and extra buses with ME in the window. National Car rental was a nightmare at the return area last night - makes me wonder if ME would have been a bit better.

One thing the town cars cannot offer that will cause me to consider ME in the future is that I won't have to wait for my luggage. If we arrive at 9 am and are checking in by 10:30 am then we are off to the parks and can get our bags later - no waiting for 1 hour or more at MCO for bags and no hauling them up to the room. I'd consider a town car if they'd offer that service, but in the end we'll probably rent a car for convience or use ME

 

[ksoehrlein]

I just wanted to point out that for a small number of people, DME is not replacing rental cars or towncar service. It is tipping the balance in favor of flying for those who normally drive.

DME -- coupled with amazingly low SWA airfare -- is enabling me to fly to Orlando and get to Pop Century for about the same amount I would have spent in gas if we had driven instead. Our use of DME is not going to take any money from the pockets of the towncar owners and drivers. Since we usually drive down, they will not be losing our business; they never had it to begin with. I guess the only businesses that are losing money because of my use of DME is a handful of gas stations located on our normal route.

Nope, not gonna feel guilty about this one! (I'm a mom; there's plenty of other stuff to feel guilty about.)

 

[hojo]

What kid of cost is everyone talking about?

ME = free

Taxi = ??

Limo = ??

I think I will use ME from the airport but look to something else for teh trip back to spend a little more time at WDW. Any suggestions on teh cheapest, most reliable way to get back?? Thanks!!