Orlando Airport Extends Disney's Magic Express Deal

[yo-ho-yo-ho]

Walt Disney World's express shuttle that takes visitors directly to the resort from the Orlando International Airport without having to wait for luggage will be around for another five years.

Limousine operators, taxi drivers and rental car companies complained that the airport's agreement Wednesday with Disney has caused them to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars in business.

"This meeting today was a big slap in the face, an insult," said Greater Orlando Limousine Association president Mike McKenzie . "It showed that there was no care given to any other entity other than Disney Magic Express."

McKenzie said small transportation businesses had no say in the matter and were not informed of discussions leading up to the decision.

"The good old boy network and back room dealings should be a thing of the past," he said.

But airport executives said Wednesday that the deal provided a "huge benefit" to the airport by bringing in visitors from all over the world.

Under the new terms, the fee that Disney pays the airport per passenger will increase from 50 cents to 75 cents next year, with an option to increase it again in 2010.

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

I am so happy about this!

Limousine operators, taxi drivers and rental car companies complained that the airport's agreement Wednesday with Disney has caused them to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars in business.

Good! That's hundreds of thousands of dollars that we can spent at WDW not trying to get there!

"This meeting today was a big slap in the face, an insult," said Greater Orlando Limousine Association president Mike McKenzie . "It showed that there was no care given to any other entity other than Disney Magic Express."
McKenzie said small transportation businesses had no say in the matter and were not informed of discussions leading up to the decision.

Why should they care? Is the Greater Orlando Limousine Association willing to pay MCO over $0.75 per passenger to get the business?
The ones that should be really upset is off-property hotels and rental car companies. The two factors that convinced us to stay in the World again were the dining plan & Magical Express.

 

[pouncingpluto]

Again, I have to say that MANY hotels offer free airport shuttles, and there's nothing wrong with WDW hotels offering the same thing. I understand it's not good news for taxi drivers, etc., but I can't believe that they think they have any sort of legitimate argument at all.

 

[DisOrBust]

No offense but the Limo buz is a little slimey anyway. to many nasty stories on the DIS for me to feel bad. I personally HATED paying upfront!!

 

[2Xited4Disney]

Way back in January of 05 we took a town car to POP from the airport. Our driver was really nice, So I decided to ask him what he though of the (then proposed) Magical Express. He told me "That will only be for poor people and scum who can't afford to ride in style". That was the moment I decided that from now one we will only take Disney Transportation

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

Way back in January of 05 we took a town car to POP from the airport. Our driver was really nice, So I decided to ask him what he though of the (then proposed) Magical Express. He told me "That will only be for poor people and scum who can't afford to ride in style". That was the moment I decided that from now one we will only take Disney Transportation

What was the town car service? Just in case we ever are in the need of one I will not use them.

 

[2Xited4Disney]

I do not remember the name. I know they used to advertise on wdwinfo.com