Magical Express to end in 2022

[skeeter31]

Okay... so I'm not sure now, I knew that there was talk about the Brightline going from the airport to Disney...and the Crossing area was going to be like the hub for it, or something like that... I thought that was squashed, not enough interest or anyone wanting to pony up for the cost of it.. and I was under the impression that the Crossing area actual belongs to Disney's, that's why they offered all the restaurants there a place at Flamingo Bay?

So now I wonder what in the heck they are doing or what they are building down the side of the 528, everyone calls it the Disney Road... ? It looks like a road, from the 528, not a train track, and the equipment out there is for road building, as well there was a trailer out there with the Mouse logo on it, there was a tarp over it, and I guess one of the storms blew it off and you could see it plain as day... it was in one of the staging areas with equipment, and machinery, and the sections, and rebar... they use to lay down for roads... ... and if you follow it it goes from the the last bridge leaving the cruise port to, down the 528 - right to the airport and picks up on the other side heading towards Disney... you do lose sight of it, yet in some other places around Orlando you can see construction happening... Not on I-4 - that work has been going on for 10+ years with no end in sight... LOL... so now I'm just confused...

On a side note about 1-4 We move to Georgia for almost 5 1/2 years, and and moved back almost almost 6 years ago... and the road is in worse shape, and still on end in sight... LOL

This explains what’s going on at the Crossroads area. It’s the FDOT that’s doing the work for the new cloverleaf. Disney didn’t own that land previously, they probably just realized they can get the rent money by offering those tenants spots in Flamingo.

As for by the terminals, I know Disney is going to start using a second cruise terminal at the port, so maybe they’re going to be adding a new exit from the road to the terminals? But not a dedicated road from WDW to the port.

https://thedisneyblog.com/2018/04/0...-crossroads-lake-buena-vista-shopping-center/

 

[SaintsManiac]

From a purely cost perspective and for those who are able to use Uber - this morning if you were to take Uber to Jambo House (first hotel that popped up!)

regular that seats 3 people - about $32 one way
One that seats 6 people - about $47 one way
Comfort ? - about $38 one way

$10 extra for requested car seat, which you do on app.

I know it's not ideal for everyone, but thought seeing the prices may help. Of course they could go up by 2022, but they won't be at surge price all the time like everyone is guessing.

Now renting a car service, that's pricey!

Not bad really. We hired a car service last time because we went to Universal first. $60 for a big van and the driver helped us with our bags and had a super awesome parking space steps away from the baggage carousel. It was worth every penny. We took a Lyft from Uni to WDW and it was about $20 or so.

 

[Farro]

Not bad really. We hired a car service last time because we went to Universal first. $60 for a big van and the driver helped us with our bags and had a super awesome parking space steps away from the baggage carousel. It was worth every penny. We took a Lyft from Uni to WDW and it was about $20 or so.

Yeah. I think I was looking at some kind of super-duper package!

 

[LovesTimone]

This bucks the trend of what I've seen in Las Vegas for decades; get us onsite at the hotel/resort as that is where the largest share of our money (losses) will go. The offsite hotels often gave free shuttles to their establishment with this business model in mind. So I am a little bit dumbfounded at this move, but am confident there is/will be a stop-gap measure until when (or if) the rail project comes to fruition (not happening anytime soon).

Local here... I know that there has been talk of the Brightline connecting Orlando International to Disney, with some type of station located around Disney Springs...from what I remember, Disney and Brightline were in talks, I thought that nothing came of it... not enough interest or people wanting to pony up cash for it... I haven't seen anything on the news... that might be because I stopped watching the news... months ago... DH reads the Orlando Business Journal faithfully which seem to have a honest and true articles on what is happening and possibly happening around here... he would mention if something had come up like this, for sure... I know that they are trying to get the Brightline from Tampa to OIA.. and again I think its just talks...

 

[MarBee]

Can I ask why everyone who uses ME would go straight to renting a car? Wouldn't it be cheaper to just take an Uber or book a car for trip to/from hotel and then use Disney transportation as you normally would?

I truly don't know as I've never rented a car.

Depending on the size of your family and how much luggage you bring, plus factoring in car seats, etc- sometimes it’s easier and cheaper to rent a car.
Even for my family of 4, a typical Uber/Lyft doesn’t work for us with our luggage. We wind up having to pay extra for an UberXL, and we have waited for a really long time to get one of those before.
Just my two cents.

I’m also going to try renting a car so I can stay off-site now. We’ve always been “Disney Bubble” people but I just can’t justify paying double (or more) to stay in the bubble any more. The only extra perk we would take advantage of would be the internal transportation. Just hard to justify doubling the price of my vacation for that.
To each his own though.

 

[skeeter31]

Local here... I know that there has been talk of the Brightline connecting Orlando International to Disney, with some type of station located around Disney Springs...from what I remember, Disney and Brightline were in talks, I thought that nothing came of it... not enough interest or people wanting to pony up cash for it... I haven't seen anything on the news... that might be because I stopped watching the news... months ago... DH reads the Orlando Business Journal faithfully which seem to have a honest and true articles on what is happening and possibly happening around here... he would mention if something had come up like this, for sure... I know that they are trying to get the Brightline from Tampa to OIA.. and again I think its just talks...

Theres a thread on this board about it. They will be building a train station near Disney Springs, but it won’t be for a while.
https://www.disboards.com/threads/train-could-pass-though-disney-world.3722014/

 

[mattpeto]

FWIW, this is from a reputable poster at another forum, Magic Feather.

I seem to recall hinting at this possibility in the Brightline thread.

That said, Disney has a plan to offer a premium airport transfer ala the Minnie Van airport service. It is expected to be at a generally inaccessible price point for most. Whether a luggage transfer/airline check-in will still be included appears to be TBD.

Brightline to Disney won’t be online until 2023 at earliest (looking iffy). Plan is to advertise train to bus from the Springs hub. Train expected to run between airport and Springs every 30 min to 1 hr.

Mears, as a company, is in a really rough spot. They are losing a lot of their major contracts at the moment, and will effectively be reduced to a cab company that also charters buses instead of a major transportation operator.

 

[71 Truck]

Before Magical Express was around Mears ran, for a fee to the guest, buses to the resorts from the airport. They ran the buses a round the clock for the most part.
They also ran buses to the other parks and shopping off property on a regular schedule.
This is what could probably return.
The buses may return however you the guest, not Disney will be paying for the service if you choose to use it.

 

[skeeter31]

FWIW, this is from a reputable poster at another forum, Magic Feather.

I seem to recall hinting at this possibility in the Brightline thread.

That said, Disney has a plan to offer a premium airport transfer ala the Minnie Van airport service. It is expected to be at a generally inaccessible price point for most. Whether a luggage transfer/airline check-in will still be included appears to be TBD.

Brightline to Disney won’t be online until 2023 at earliest (looking iffy). Plan is to advertise train to bus from the Springs hub. Train expected to run between airport and Springs every 30 min to 1 hr.

Mears, as a company, is in a really rough spot. They are losing a lot of their major contracts at the moment, and will effectively be reduced to a cab company that also charters buses instead of a major transportation operator.

I don’t think there’s any way to know how often the train would run at this point, as it’s still all in planning stages now. Hoping for every 30-60 minutes is one thing. But I doubt Disney is planning on that at this point.

 

[Farro]

Depending on the size of your family and how much luggage you bring, plus factoring in car seats, etc- sometimes it’s easier and cheaper to rent a car.
Even for my family of 4, a typical Uber/Lyft doesn’t work for us with our luggage. We wind up having to pay extra for an UberXL, and we have waited for a really long time to get one of those before.
Just my two cents.

I’m also going to try renting a car so I can stay off-site now. We’ve always been “Disney Bubble” people but I just can’t justify paying double (or more) to stay in the bubble any more. The only extra perk we would take advantage of would be the internal transportation. Just hard to justify doubling the price of my vacation for that.
To each his own though.

It is definitely easier for us as a couple, that's for sure!

(although I probably rival a small family with the amount of luggage I bring )

 

[hertamaniac]

Local here... I know that there has been talk of the Brightline connecting Orlando International to Disney, with some type of station located around Disney Springs...from what I remember, Disney and Brightline were in talks, I thought that nothing came of it... not enough interest or people wanting to pony up cash for it... I haven't seen anything on the news... that might be because I stopped watching the news... months ago... DH reads the Orlando Business Journal faithfully which seem to have a honest and true articles on what is happening and possibly happening around here... he would mention if something had come up like this, for sure... I know that they are trying to get the Brightline from Tampa to OIA.. and again I think its just talks...

We live in central Florida as well for almost 2 decades. You're right, I haven't seen anything on our local television news since the most recent plans announcement, but wouldn't expect any updates until a significant presser was forthcoming.

 

[LovesTimone]

This explains what’s going on at the Crossroads area. It’s the FDOT that’s doing the work for the new cloverleaf. Disney didn’t own that land previously, they probably just realized they can get the rent money by offering those tenants spots in Flamingo.

As for by the terminals, I know Disney is going to start using a second cruise terminal at the port, so maybe they’re going to be adding a new exit from the road to the terminals? But not a dedicated road from WDW to the port.

https://thedisneyblog.com/2018/04/0...-crossroads-lake-buena-vista-shopping-center/

If you get a chance take a ride down the 528, and you will see what I mean... it is a full scale road, that they are marching along the highway, through pasture land, swamps, over waters, heck they even had a thing that they set up to move dirt across the road, a conveyor system... from what I can tell at this point, it doesn't look like it you can access the 528 from it... Gosh I wish I would have taken some pictures..

 

[MickeyWaffles]

From a purely cost perspective and for those who are able to use Uber - this morning if you were to take Uber to Jambo House (first hotel that popped up!)

regular that seats 3 people - about $32 one way
One that seats 6 people - about $47 one way
Comfort ? - about $38 one way

$10 extra for requested car seat, which you do on app.

I know it's not ideal for everyone, but thought seeing the prices may help. Of course they could go up by 2022, but they won't be at surge price all the time like everyone is guessing.

Now renting a car service for drop off/pick up, that's pricey!

The pricing isn’t the issue for families, the logistics are. You can request a car seat but in reality there are very very few drivers with car seats, and you’ll never find one with more than one. And since it’s a car seat that you’re unfamiliar with that you have to trust your driver to install it properly.

If you bring your own car seats to install in ride share yourself you have to install them in the ride share pickup area (taking that much time is usually frowned upon). Car seat installation isn’t a quick jump in and go type of thing. Ride share is a really good option for people who can just throw bags in the car and go.

Many Ubers/Lyfts can’t fit 2 car seats side by side in the backseat with a 3rd passenger, so a family of 4 would have to get Uber XL, which aren’t always easy to get. And then you’d have to store your car seats that are just used to and from the airport in your hotel room, or beg bell services to hold them for your whole trip

It just adds a whole level of complication that DME made so so easy.

 

[rstevens333]

I tend to use DME alone because my wife has motion sickness issues. (we rent a car when traveling together.) I really like the "getting lost in a crowd" element of it. You get in line, you find a seat, you just zone out and don't have to talk to anyone. If you wanna hop off at AOA and walk to Pop, it's all good. And that was included in the cost of the room. Heck yeah.

I hate renting a car due to the stress of directions and insurance. I would definitely take a train ride whenever that happens. It might make me more likely to stay somewhere near Disney Springs.

What an annoying year in general, though!

 

[Farro]

FWIW, this is from a reputable poster at another forum, Magic Feather.

I seem to recall hinting at this possibility in the Brightline thread.

That said, Disney has a plan to offer a premium airport transfer ala the Minnie Van airport service. It is expected to be at a generally inaccessible price point for most. Whether a luggage transfer/airline check-in will still be included appears to be TBD.

Brightline to Disney won’t be online until 2023 at earliest (looking iffy). Plan is to advertise train to bus from the Springs hub. Train expected to run between airport and Springs every 30 min to 1 hr.

Mears, as a company, is in a really rough spot. They are losing a lot of their major contracts at the moment, and will effectively be reduced to a cab company that also charters buses instead of a major transportation operator.

Would this really be attractive to people though?
I'd rather just arrange something from airport straight to hotel, rather than getting luggage, getting on train, getting luggage, getting on bus...

 

[Farro]

The pricing isn’t the issue for families, the logistics are. You can request a car seat but in reality there are very very few drivers with car seats, and you’ll never find one with more than one. And since it’s a car seat that you’re unfamiliar with that you have to trust your driver to install it properly.

If you bring your own car seats to install in ride share yourself you have to install them in the ride share pickup area (taking that much time is usually frowned upon). Car seat installation isn’t a quick jump in and go type of thing. Ride share is a really good option for people who can just throw bags in the car and go.

Many Ubers/Lyfts can’t fit 2 car seats side by side in the backseat with a 3rd passenger, so you’d have to get Uber XL, which aren’t always easy to get. And then you’d have to store your car seats that are just used to and from the airport in your hotel room, or beg bell services to hold them for your whole trip

It just adds a whole level of complication that DME made so so easy.

I understand that, that's why I said for those who Uber would be an option.

 

[skeeter31]

If you get a chance take a ride down the 528, and you will see what I mean... it is a full scale road, that they are marching along the highway, through pasture land, swamps, over waters, heck they even had a thing that they set up to move dirt across the road, a conveyor system... from what I can tell at this point, it doesn't look like it you can access the 528 from it... Gosh I wish I would have taken some pictures..

I remember all the construction last time I cruised last December. I looked it up, it’s an expansion of the road and a multi-use trail system they’re adding alongside the road. So not a Disney funded project.
https://spacecoasttpo.com/projects-and-studies/active-projects/sr-528-i95-to-port/

 

[SaintsManiac]

Would this really be attractive to people though?
I'd rather just arrange something from airport straight to hotel, rather than getting luggage, getting on train, getting luggage, getting on bus...

I feel like if they do this train situation that there would be luggage transfer from MCO to WDW. I can't see people dragging luggage all over Orlando. Who knows, though.

 

[tup1830]

While i can attest to the challenges of a family with young kids, this will affect my parents trips' forever.

My parents bring their own ECVs and before it would be easy as i would help them check in their luggage and they did not have to worry as the luggage would come to the room.

Now, they would have to get their own luggage at the airport, then rent a car?!? (How can they pick up the ecv and put it into a car) or get a pair of ubers (because there aren't any cars that hold two ecvs) and then at the hotel manage to coordinate everything on the return.

Personally, i would be okay with the changes (while unhappy), but this would be a total turnoff for my parents who would just rather say, we cannot handle it, we're done with disney.

 

[Moliphino]

Can I ask why everyone who uses ME would go straight to renting a car? Wouldn't it be cheaper to just take an Uber or book a car for trip to/from hotel and then use Disney transportation as you normally would?

I truly don't know as I've never rented a car.

I wouldn't rent a car, but I'm usually just traveling with my sister. Then you get hit with the parking fees on top of rental car costs.