ME to begin charging soon???

[boomhauer]

When I made my resort reservation yesterday on the phone, the CM I spoke with recommended that I reserve ME now, as opposed to waiting until I booked my flights, as the service will not be free much longer. I could swear I read it would be free and available until the end of this year, but apparently, this may not be the case.

I was thinking about it last night, and here's what I think:

If you're only staying at Disney for say, 3 nights, then maybe the ME free doesn't make alot of financial sense for Disney. I think they should base the price of ME, based on how many nights you are staying at a Disney Resort. After all, the entire point of ME was to get people to stay on Disney Property, correct?

They could break it up into different categories, but for example, if you stay 7 or more nights on Disney property, ME will be free. 6 nights, $10 per person. 5 nights, $15 per person. So on and so forth. What does everyone else think?

 

[safetymom]

I think Disney will try to keep it free for as long as possible. Like everything else at WDW it probably depends on who you talk to what story you receive.

 

[keishashadow]

When ME was 1st rolled out last year it was touted as being "free" thru-out the 50 year Happiest Celebration (18 month period) until the end of 2006.

I made res. thru DVC for Jan. '07, & was asked if I was ready to make the corresponding ME reservations. I didn't have flight info, so I declined but, it was never mentioned as a fee being charged.

We haven't used it thus far in 3 trips...figure if I can get a rental car for under $150 for 8 or 9 days it's worth the extra expense to us; especially since we switch hotels @ least once on each trip.

We do want to just try it out in October - was assumming it'd be available - gratis.

Interesting note, in the Disney annual report the transportation line item has increased dramatically - not sure if it's reflecting overall increase in gas prices or the ME service.

I just hope if they plan on re-couping the cost(s) of ME, that they do charge for the service and don't do a large across the board rate increase @ the resorts.

 

[waltdisneyworlddreamer]

We used ME in Nov. It is a wonderful service. It was our first time flying so we were pretty clueless at the airport anyway. It was nice knowing Disney was waiting there to take care of us. I would definitely use this service again, I hope they keep it a free service, though.

 

[goofy4tink]

Most of us have been told that DME will remain free until the end of '06. After that...who knows. I'm booked for late Oct and there is no charge for that trip, and I'll be booking my Dec air, then DME, in the near future.

 

[Allison]

I don't put much weight into what cm's say.

 

[seashoreCM]

ME will be free for trips taken in 2006 and free for trips booked prior to any announced changes.

Only if you book now for a 2007 trip do you need to be conscious of adding your ME reservation soon because a price announcement of a "we cannot promise it would be free then" announcement could come at any time.

(AFAIK)

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