ME elimination affect on rental cars and parking

[irazabul]

Sounds like a good time to start looking at alternative airports. We almost did this last year. Tickets to Tampa were much cheaper, but we decided the hassle of getting to the hotel made MCO worth it. Now, not so much. I bet getting a rental will be easier elsewhere too.

We sometimes flew into Tampa also. Car rentals much cheaper and it's only about an hour away.

One of those trips stuck in my mind, but not for good reasons. Several years ago we landed in Tampa, rented a car, and drove to I think SSR that time. As we approached the first Disney exit, Epcot Drive, IIRC, I noticed that cars were beginning to back up in traffic - unusual because it was around midnight or slightly after. Luckily, I decided to go ahead and exit early not knowing what was ahead - we barely caught the exit as another few hundred feet, there was no turning back. As we drove further along the exit ramp, we saw a helicopter parked in the middle of the highway...accident had happened. We learned the next day that those cars sat in traffic for another 2 hours - there was a death involved in the accident. Very sad, and that memory of the split second decision to exit due to a weird feeling in my gut sticks with me.

 

[Memorymakerfor4]

We sometimes flew into Tampa also. Car rentals much cheaper and it's only about an hour away.

One of those trips stuck in my mind, but not for good reasons. Several years ago we landed in Tampa, rented a car, and drove to I think SSR that time. As we approached the first Disney exit, Epcot Drive, IIRC, I noticed that cars were beginning to back up in traffic - unusual because it was around midnight or slightly after. Luckily, I decided to go ahead and exit early not knowing what was ahead - we barely caught the exit as another few hundred feet, there was no turning back. As we drove further along the exit ramp, we saw a helicopter parked in the middle of the highway...accident had happened. We learned the next day that those cars sat in traffic for another 2 hours - there was a death involved in the accident. Very sad, and that memory of the split second decision to exit due to a weird feeling in my gut sticks with me.

I hope it wasn't someone on their way to Disney. Tragic either way of course.

We stood in the ME line for over an hour on this particular trip and all I could think about was how much this was not worth the ride. I've personally never been wowed by ME and we were already considering a rental so we could come a few days early and explore Florida.

 

[irazabul]

I hope it wasn't someone on their way to Disney. Tragic either way of course.

We stood in the ME line for over an hour on this particular trip and all I could think about was how much this was not worth the ride. I've personally never been wowed by ME and we were already considering a rental so we could come a few days early and explore Florida.

I hear you. One time, we stayed at the SSR Treehouse Villas, and we were the third stop. We were on a bus with a couple of wheelchairs - at the first stop, the wheelchair lift malfunctioned - Disney sent a repairman to the bus - it took an hour and a half before we were off to the second stop, where there was another wheelchair to offload and the lift again malfunctioned and it took another hour. Total time from leaving MCO to our villa was over 3 hours.

 

[Shellyred8]

We will most likely go back to booking a town car/limo service for RT airport transportation, at least until we see how the parking goes at the BWV. As an added bonus, it will probably be quicker than using DME, even if we make a stop for groceries.

Parking at the BWV has been an issue for sometime - it's been very easy to see for those of us who stay in standard view villas. The lots empty after EPCOT closes. (This may have changed during the pandemic). It''s been OK when Disney monitors the lots and turns away guess not registered at BWV/BWI. This usually only happens during F&W, though. Instead of charging for overnight parking, I wish they would charge non-registered BWV/BWI guests for parking on an hourly basis.

We can live with the change, but are disappointed to lose the "free" option.

We rented a town car once when we did a trip that started at Universal. I felt so fancy!

That's probably the route we will go after DME goes away. We have had mixed results with Uber to and from the airport, so I'm not super keen on using them again. I just feel like the Town Car services will offer a more consistent experience.

 

[AdamsMum]

Do those town car companies still offer a 30 minute grocery stop? I always use ME, but the grocery stop could work. Last time I had a town car booked was the year ME started, and as soon as it came out I changed to ME. I imagine the cost of the town car service has increased substantially since then.

 

[CarolMN]

Do those town car companies still offer a 30 minute grocery stop? I always use ME, but the grocery stop could work. Last time I had a town car booked was the year ME started, and as soon as it came out I changed to ME. I imagine the cost of the town car service has increased substantially since then.

I have no idea what the current cost or perks are. Like you, we haven't booked one since before DME began.

You will probably have to check each provider's website to know for sure. I believe many of the services went out of business when DME became available. It may take awhile for them to ramp up again, and the grocery store perk will happen only if the competitive market requires it.

 

[CarolynFH]

Do those town car companies still offer a 30 minute grocery stop? I always use ME, but the grocery stop could work. Last time I had a town car booked was the year ME started, and as soon as it came out I changed to ME. I imagine the cost of the town car service has increased substantially since then.

FL Tours Transportation is a sponsor of the Transportation board here, and there are other limo services with good reports there. Tony Hines is a name that pops up frequently. You can probably get multiple recommendations if you post there https://www.disboards.com/forums/transportation.16/. It also sounds like they still do grocery stops on the way but again you can confirm via the Transportation board.

 

[Donna M]

Before ME there were the Mears buses that ran just like ME does now but charged for their service. When ME ends then Mears will continue operating the buses, which they actually own anyway. It will probably be seamless. The train should be running in 2023, or so, and will help, but luggage will be an issue unless Disney brings back the luggage service.

We use rental cars so we have the freedom to do what we want when we want.

 

[JimMIA]

However, realistically I'm a believer in the high speed rail - as long as they still take luggage. At 80mph it should be about a 15 minute ride to Disney Springs from MCO.

I wouldn't bet the farm on either of two components of this strategy:

• I really doubt if Brightline is going to delay their trains at MCO long enough to pick up dozens (or hundreds) of passengers with vacation luggage for that short ride.
  • As Joel posted in another thread, Brightline has offered their right of way to the local local transit line, and that tells me they don't want the MCO-DS business.
• Also, Brightline will not be ready in Jan 2022. Maybe Jan 2023...maybe not.

 

[seashoreCM]

I would say that the biggest deterrent to Disney guests taking Brightline (before the local commuter rail started sharing the tracks) would be working around the schedule -- likely one train every two hours most of the day and having to wait for that train. Then have to connect to a ride from the Disney Springs station to their resorts.

It would be foolish to arbitrarily turn down all the ticket sales revenue for travel between MCO and Lake Buena Vista (Disney Springs) to save a little boarding time.

By leasing track usage to the local transit line, Brightline could get yet a little more revenue and/or more favorable reaction to the whole rail project, by having more passengers as a whole carried on those tracks. Also there would be a wider selection of train departure times to choose from altogether.

Going home, from resorts back to the airport, arranging and then taking the trip via train remains somewhat more complex than taking a private car. Guest may well need to plan four hours. But Mears' regular shuttle from bygone days used to require planning 4 hours and its reincarnation (if that occurs) will require the same..

 

[JimMIA]

We drive up from Miami, so we don't face this problem. But if I were flying in, and trying to figure out how to get from MCO to DS -- so I could catch a bus to my resort -- that would be needlessly complicated, extremely inconvenient, and would be a deal breaker.

I'd just Uber from the airport to my resort and be there in 30-40 minutes.

Long-term, I think the effect of the elimination of DME will be several things:

• Increased car rental prices
• Increased parking fees at both Disney resorts and theme parks
• probably elimination of free theme park parking for resort guests
• And of course theme park admission and resort rates will continue to increase, despite the inconvenience.

 

[DebbieB]

I used to rent a car all the time before DME. In the early/mid 2000’s it was around $120 for the week with National Emerald Aisle. It was after DME started that prices increased dramatically. With increased competition, they may come down again.

 

[Upatnoon]

I would say that the biggest deterrent to Disney guests taking Brightline (before the local commuter rail started sharing the tracks) would be working around the schedule -- likely one train every two hours most of the day and having to wait for that train. Then have to connect to a ride from the Disney Springs station to their resorts.

It would be foolish to arbitrarily turn down all the ticket sales revenue for travel between MCO and Lake Buena Vista (Disney Springs) to save a little boarding time.

By leasing track usage to the local transit line, Brightline could get yet a little more revenue and/or more favorable reaction to the whole rail project, by having more passengers as a whole carried on those tracks. Also there would be a wider selection of train departure times to choose from altogether.

Going home, from resorts back to the airport, arranging and then taking the trip via train remains somewhat more complex than taking a private car. Guest may well need to plan four hours. But Mears' regular shuttle from bygone days used to require planning 4 hours and its reincarnation (if that occurs) will require the same..

If there is a track between Disney and the airport you could run trains continuously back and forth. However, you still have to get people from the Disney train station, and their luggage, to their resort. Perhaps they will expand the Skyliner for that.

Because Disney's resorts are spread all over, there is no great low-labor solution. I think most people want to get off the plane and go directly to their resort with no waiting, so the train system may not be as big a draw as some think.

In the end, I think some kind of driverless car system is coming. You get off your flight, walk to a boarding area and hop in a driverless car that takes you directly to your resort. Different cars would be available for different family sizes and needs. The question is how long the gap will be between this and where we are now.

The advantage Disney has here is that they control their own property, there are few pedestrians on the roads around Disney and they have the money and political clout to get it going.

 

[Cheburashka]

We drive up from Miami, so we don't face this problem. But if I were flying in, and trying to figure out how to get from MCO to DS -- so I could catch a bus to my resort -- that would be needlessly complicated, extremely inconvenient, and would be a deal breaker.

I'd just Uber from the airport to my resort and be there in 30-40 minutes.

Long-term, I think the effect of the elimination of DME will be several things:

• Increased car rental prices
• Increased parking fees at both Disney resorts and theme parks
• probably elimination of free theme park parking for resort guests
• And of course theme park admission and resort rates will continue to increase, despite the inconvenience.

Yes, I agree that higher rental car prices will be an inevitable result of this. Just thinking about the hassle of using Brightline is unappealing to me, and I have an able-bodied teen to help out. No way would I have considered it when he was little.

I'd never say Disney wouldn't, but it would be awful for them to eliminate complimentary (I won't call it "free") theme park parking for resort guests. That would be beyond the pale in terms of services reduction.

 

[Cheburashka]

I used to rent a car all the time before DME. In the early/mid 2000’s it was around $120 for the week with National Emerald Aisle. It was after DME started that prices increased dramatically. With increased competition, they may come down again.

I'm doubtful about that. You could be right, but I also remember that in the early 2000's there was less discretionary airline travel due to 9/11. And with fewer people flying in, there would have been less demand for rental cars.

 

[DebbieB]

Brightline currently runs Miami to West Palm, one train an hour each way. The extension they are working on now is to MCO. Then the proposed extension to Tampa with a stop at DS. I don’t see them running continuously back and forth between MCO and DS. Trains are huge, wouldn’t make sense. Plus I don’t see it being cheap.

 

[DebbieB]

I'm doubtful about that. You could be right, but I also remember that in the early 2000's there was less discretionary airline travel due to 9/11. And with fewer people flying in, there would have been less demand for rental cars.

I don’t know how much higher they could push it. Last time I priced it, a mid size was $250-$300 for a week. Too much when you can grab an Uber to most places on property under $15. I don’t know how much Mears will charge, but probably more reasonable than a rental car.

 

[Upatnoon]

Brightline currently runs Miami to West Palm, one train an hour each way. The extension they are working on now is to MCO. Then the proposed extension to Tampa with a stop at DS. I don’t see them running continuously back and forth between MCO and DS. Trains are huge, wouldn’t make sense. Plus I don’t see it being cheap.

You don't need a huge train to run back and forth, it can be a small commuter-type train similar to what used in many cities for public transit. The question about cost is valid. Would the train be cheaper than running a fleet of busses? Could Disney get the federal, state or city government to subsidize it to reduce the cost?

There are a lot of possibilities to speculate about, until someone offers up a vision for the future of Disney transportation, speculation is about all we can do.

 

[Cheburashka]

I don’t know how much higher they could push it. Last time I priced it, a mid size was $250-$300 for a week. Too much when you can grab an Uber to most places on property under $15. I don’t know how much Mears will charge, but probably more reasonable than a rental car.

I paid $400 for a full-size sedan for 12/18 - 12/24 out of MCO, and that was only after working it down from $500 via stalking. Just like the Disney resorts, the rental car companies will charge as much as demand allows, and when demand is high enough, the prices can get very high.

 

[DebbieB]

You don't need a huge train to run back and forth, it can be a small commuter-type train similar to what used in many cities for public transit. The question about cost is valid. Would the train be cheaper than running a fleet of busses? Could Disney get the federal, state or city government to subsidize it to reduce the cost?

There are a lot of possibilities to speculate about, until someone offers up a vision for the future of Disney transportation, speculation is about all we can do.

I don't see that happening. The plan of the Brightline is to run from Miami all the way to Tampa eventually. I think it was designed for people traveling within Florida. I don't think their plan was to have hundreds going from MCO to DS. They may have planned people going from Miami or West Palm to DS, then how much more room would they have at MCO?

I don't see the government subsidizing Disney transportation. Plus busses can take you all the way to the resort. The train seems like a hassle.