Magical Express

[kathrynmtague]

I just read about the new magical express program. It sounds great!

We used to use MEARS but now that the kids are older, and we have to pay for their seats, it seems that renting a small car is more cost effective. And, of course, the car would have been nice when my youngest (when he was two years old) threw HIS ONLY SHOES in the boardwalk lake and the only shoes on propery that would fit him were infant soft shoes!!! Believe me, those pictures are priceless! People must have thought we were crazy...an active walking toddler running around the park in infant shoes!

Sorry for the tangent....For the last few years we've rented a car....but now...if I'm reading this thing right and the MEARS is free...I may reconsider.

So here's my question....Does this free service apply to us DVC members staying at DVC resorts using points? Or, is it only available if I have a room-only or package deal?

 

[Helene4]

So where did you hear about this magical express? and how can I get more info?

 

[kathrynmtague]

it's posted right on the home page of www.wdwinfo.com

BTW, I spoke to member services later today. She told me that DVC members will have access to this program, but no details on how it will work as they haven't received any training yet. I assume, like magical gatherings, we will have to call member services to get a reservation, since we won't have a reservation through the regular hotel system.

 

[DVCTiff]

I'm interested too since we'll be at VWL that first week in May. I'm not reading anything about being able to book it one way only though. We're meeting my mom at the airport with a rental car but then she's leaving a day before us. Aren't I an evil daughter for thinking of sending her back on a shuttle ALONE during its first week of operation - bwah hah hah.

 

[kathrynmtague]

I wouldn't worry about the service being new...it's actually the same MEARS service that was always available, it's just that now it's FREE!!!

 

[tjkraz]

I wouldn't worry about the service being new...it's actually the same MEARS service that was always available, it's just that now it's FREE!!!

Not really. As I understand it, guests are supposed to be able to specially-tag their luggage before they leave home, and the bags should be delivered right to your resort room without any other intervention. That's quite a bit different than the standard Mears service.

You've also got the likelihood that passenger loads will increase significantly due to this free service. They will certainly draw people who would have otherwise paid to rent a car or used a towncar service.

We're visiting WDW about a week before this goes into effect, so for us it's a non-issue. But I'd have been very wary of trying it within a couple weeks of start-up. I wouldn't be surprised to find glitches to be worked out of the system.

 

[Mickeygolf]

I just spoke with Member Services this morning. They confirmed for me that it will be offered to DVC members. The lady I spoke to said they won't start booking Magical Express for DVC members until March. They have to do it on a different system. Her best advice was to monitor the DVC web site for information, supposedly that will be the first place they post it.

We usually rent a car to have for grocery runs or other errands while we're at the World. But this is an amazing offer for my family. We'll have 12 people with us on our trip the first weekend in May and I'll take all the help I can get keeping this crew together. We will all be happy to endure a few extra stops at other resorts for the convenience of not having to drive. If there are a couple of glitches, so what, we'll be at Disney World, and there's no better place to just let things slide than there.

We're still planning on renting one car to make the grocery stops, but we'll return that before we have to leave so we can all ride the buses back to MCO together.

My family thinks this is a great idea!!!

 

[dvc guy]

This may seen to be a dumb question but here goes, can you use Magical Express to have you bags sent to your room without riding the shuttle.
My point is this land in MCO, get the rental car and head to the park. Come back to the hotel and bags are there.

Am I hopeing for to much

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

This may seen to be a dumb question but here goes, can you use Magical Express to have you bags sent to your room without riding the shuttle.
My point is this land in MCO, get the rental car and head to the park. Come back to the hotel and bags are there.

From the Magical Express FAQ for Travel Agents in the thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=703882

Can a Guest book a one-way airport transfer (to or from)
Yes.

Can a Guest book return transportation to the airport while on property?
Yes; guests can book return transportation to the airport by calling Disney’s Magical Express Guest Service. The Resort Front Desks will have a communication card with the phone number to hand to the Guest.

Can a Guest book a “luggage only” transfer?
No.​

 

[tjkraz]

If there is more than one adult in your party, you could probably send one person on the bus with all of the luggage, while the other grabs a rental car.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

If there is more than one adult in your party, you could probably send one person on the bus with all of the luggage, while the other grabs a rental car.

I wouldn't be so sure. The usual rule on airlines is two pieces of checked luggage per person. If only one person signs up for Magical Express, chances are that Disney will only send two luggage tags.

Yes, I'm sure some people will try to figure out ways to beat the system, but keep in mind that the service is designed to produce a population of WDW guests who are more-or-less a captive audience -- for whom it will be difficult to spend any money off-site, so they'll spend their money on-site.

 

[tjkraz]

Yes, I'm sure some people will try to figure out ways to beat the system, but keep in mind that the service is designed to produce a population of WDW guests who are more-or-less a captive audience -- for whom it will be difficult to spend any money off-site, so they'll spend their money on-site.

While I don't doubt that is Disney's true motivation, I think it's a bit harsh to accuse people of trying to "beat the system." By-and-large, people who are inclined to take advantage of this perk will love it and will stay on site. But there's nothing Disney can do to prevent people from taking a cab. They can't stop people from renting a car at the Dolphin.

You're right--they may find a way to limit the amount of luggage that one person can store on the bus. But until Disney starts requiring people to sign a waiver indicating that they won't step foot off of Disney property in exchange for the free airport transportation, there's no reason people should feel obligated to stay put.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

While I don't doubt that is Disney's true motivation, I think it's a bit harsh to accuse people of trying to "beat the system." By-and-large, people who are inclined to take advantage of this perk will love it and will stay on site. But there's nothing Disney can do to prevent people from taking a cab. They can't stop people from renting a car at the Dolphin.

You're right--they may find a way to limit the amount of luggage that one person can store on the bus. But until Disney starts requiring people to sign a waiver indicating that they won't step foot off of Disney property in exchange for the free airport transportation, there's no reason people should feel obligated to stay put.

I agree with you -- including that my line that "people will try to figure out ways to beat the system" was too harsh. When I wrote it, I was thinking of a small percentage of people who might figure out some way to cheat -- for example, to falsify what they tell Disney to get something that they're not entitled to. But I didn't say that, so my line came across as a criticism of anyone who legitimately maximizes the value of Magical Express for their family. I apologize.