No More Magical Express?

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Monday afternoon I was taking a taxi from WDW to the airport & we had a lovely "chatty" driver that had much to say about the future of ME.

First of all he told me all 4 cab companies are owned by Mears including the Disney cruise buses. Secondly there is a "rumor" that Disney is considering doing away with the ME 100% or at the very least charging each way just as Mears did years ago.

I apologize if this has been chatted about but wanted to pass on the "rumor".

 

[jfinke]

Doubt it. They will just raise prices to cover the cost of running the buses.

ME keeps guests onsite.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

First of all he told me all 4 cab companies are owned by Mears including the Disney cruise buses. Secondly there is a "rumor" that Disney is considering doing away with the ME 100% or at the very least charging each way just as Mears did years ago.

In the Orlando area, Mears Transportation owns Yellow Cab, Checker Cab, Safety Cab, and City Cab. However, there are other taxi brands in Orlando, such as Ace Metro Cab, Luxury Cab, and Diamond Cab.

The taxi company authorized by Disney to pick up within WDW is Checker Cab.

The Magical Express and Disney Cruise Line motorcoaches are licensed, maintained, and driven by Mears Transportation.

The rumors that Magical Express was temporary, or at least that the free service was temporary, started even before Magical Express began operations in May 2005.

Disney provides the free Magical Express service because it's good business. It increases the perceived value of Disney resorts, which improves RevPAR (revenue per available room), while also increasing the percentage of guests who are are "captive" on Disney property.

When guests use Magical Express, Disney owns their wallets from arrival day though departure day. Sure, some guests rent cars for a few days once they arrive at WDW, but most Magical Express users (including me) allow themselves to be a captive audience.

 

[skier_pete]

PP is right - why would Disney charge for this-which would lead to people renting cars and going off site? As long as they keep it "free", whether by raising hotel rates or elsewise, they keep people pinned on property. Anyone that thinks ME is "free" is kidding themselves, you pay for it as part of your hotel room...but since you pay for it whether you use it or not, people use it, and it keeps them on-site. Genuis.

SkierPete

 

[randomDisneyFan3000]

Also, Cab drivers are less reliable then the WDW bus drivers.

 

[Padrepride]

We've seen Disney take a lot of measures to try to keep trips to WDW more affordable. Like the "go on your birthday for free" promotion and they brought back the "Salute to the Military" promotion. Why would they take the Magical Express away?

 

[thefirebuilds]

When guests use Magical Express, Disney owns their wallets from arrival day though departure day. Sure, some guests rent cars for a few days once they arrive at WDW, but most Magical Express users (including me) allow themselves to be a captive audience.

I just wish they'd build an airport at WDW and do away with the Orlando "experience" entirely.

 

[Allison]

Also, Cab drivers are less reliable then the WDW bus drivers.

I wouldn't rely on any information relayed from a bus or cab driver. I've heard some real whoppers shared here that come from these guys.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

We've seen Disney take a lot of measures to try to keep trips to WDW more affordable. Like the "go on your birthday for free" promotion and they brought back the "Salute to the Military" promotion. Why would they take the Magical Express away?

Don't kid yuourself. Disney does NOTHING with the primary thought of helping guests. It's all about $$$ for Disney....especially in 2009.

I doubt DME is on an immediate chopping block.....it's a fabulous experience that worked perfectly for WDW. Fewer people rent cars now that there is free transport available. How many DME people find their way off property to eat, shop or visit Seaworld or US.

It's all beancounter magic to keep our tourist dollars on property.

As a friend said to me last year after his first trip to WDW...."they sure do know how to separate you from your money"!!! Amen to that.

 

[crazytp93]

I doubt it.
ME is one of the "priveleges" Disney touts as a reason for staying onsite.

 

[dalt01]

Also, Cab drivers are less reliable then the WDW bus drivers.

or the castmembers at the pin kiosks, or for that matter the poor folks who follow the horses in the parade with the shovels, they all deal in the same product.

 

[CanadianGuy]

or the castmembers at the pin kiosks, or for that matter the poor folks who follow the horses in the parade with the shovels, they all deal in the same product.

Hilarious. Great line.

 

[mitros]

Free transportation, free or reduced priced meals, free resort stays ( buy 4, get 3} it's all to get people to stay on property. Belly-to-back, sardine can mentality, and loooong lines for meals and attractions. It's the new Disney. Get many many to stay on property, whether it's a comfortable situation for the guests or not {Disney does not care, by the way,} It's as simple as that.
Ever notice how fewer people have smiles on their faces at Disney these days?

 

[paulh]

in reality its not free as its factored into the room price.it make you think your getting somthing for nothing
Paulh

 

[CanadianGuy]

Yeah.. looks REALLY packed.. -- Like sardines.. (see pictures in thread below)

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2059991

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

in reality its not free as its factored into the room price.it make you think your getting somthing for nothing

The interesting thing about Magical Express is that room prices did not go up at the launch of Magical Express. Also, guests pay the same for rooms regardless of whether they use Magical Express.

But Disney clearly recovers the cost of providing Magical Express -- and more -- through higher RevPAR (revenue per available room), which is a combination of occupancy percentage and room rates. By increasing the perceived value of WDW resort rooms, Disney can fill more rooms, can raise rates over time, and can do so with less discounting.

On top of that, guests without rental cars will spend their vacation money on-site at WDW, rather than sometimes driving to off-site restaurants, shops, and attractions.

In other words, Magical Express guests pay for the service through higher average spending at WDW than if they had rented a car.

Also, Magical Express raises the perceived value of WDW as a vacation destination -- with relatively inexpensive flights from most of the country (because of competition for price-sensitive leisure travelers) and no need to spend money on a car (because of Magical Express).

 

[PixyDusted]

I'm fairly certain DME renewed their contract, not too long ago, into 2011.

 

[paulh]

The interesting thing about Magical Express is that room prices did not go up at the launch of Magical Express. Also, guests pay the same for rooms regardless of whether they use Magical Express.

But Disney clearly recovers the cost of providing Magical Express -- and more -- through higher RevPAR (revenue per available room), which is a combination of occupancy percentage and room rates. By increasing the perceived value of WDW resort rooms, Disney can fill more rooms, can raise rates over time, and can do so with less discounting.

On top of that, guests without rental cars will spend their vacation money on-site at WDW, rather than sometimes driving to off-site restaurants, shops, and attractions.

In other words, Magical Express guests pay for the service through higher average spending at WDW than if they had rented a car.

Also, Magical Express raises the perceived value of WDW as a vacation destination -- with relatively inexpensive flights from most of the country (because of competition for price-sensitive leisure travelers) and no need to spend money on a car (because of Magical Express).

like they say "there`s no such thing as a free lunch"
Paulh

 

[seashoreCM]

The arrangements with the airport are in place for several years. I would expect DME to be around for a long time although it would not necessarily be free all that time.

DME was patterned after the Disney Cruise Line ground transportation between WDW, MCO, and the port. This service was and is not free.

As far as Disney operating its own airport* for guests, providing connecting flights from MCO would increase the travel time compared with DME.

* It's located between Epcot and Magic Kingdom just to the east of World Drive.

 

[mooneyda]

I agree in my opinion I think DME will be around for a long time I suspect if they charge it might be very minimal .If they can get you to the world you probably spend all your time there.All your time there means more money spent there.