Possible Return of DME?

[LoveToDisney]

When did Mears Connect start going to non-Disney resorts? I’ve used them like 8 times in the past year and that was not the case. I agree DME was faster as it left more frequently, but my longest time from arriving at their checkin to arriving at my resort has been an hour and a half. It’s been as short as 40 minutes, but most have been in the hour to hour and fifteen minutes range.

From the very start. Mears Connect does the resorts by location. You may have been going to the value resorts with enough Disney guests to fill the bus. When we go to Saratoga, we usually get a few stops at non-Disney resorts after they have stopped at Port Orleans and Riverside before they ever get to Saratoga. It’s even worse going to Bay Lake.

 

[BrightMorningStar]

When did Mears Connect start going to non-Disney resorts? I’ve used them like 8 times in the past year and that was not the case. I agree DME was faster as it left more frequently, but my longest time from arriving at their checkin to arriving at my resort has been an hour and a half. It’s been as short as 40 minutes, but most have been in the hour to hour and fifteen minutes range.

https://www.mearsconnect.com/hotels-serviced

This has been on their line-up for some time now.

 

[BrightMorningStar]

Perhaps no fee at first..............

That is what I am inclined to believe.

 

[BrightMorningStar]

Did not know this....

Seems to me a great thing Disney could do would be bring back some kind of PAID disney only bus service as a start.... If they're not willing to bring back the FREE bus service that is...

That could have been their plan all along. Just because they SAID it was about Covid, that does not mean they were not already thinking about how to make more money as the requests for DME grow. Guests are now used to paying for Lyft, Uber, towncars, etc....Disney will capitalize on everything they can if it is to their benefit.

 

[kwdw]

From the very start. Mears Connect does the resorts by location. You may have been going to the value resorts with enough Disney guests to fill the bus. When we go to Saratoga, we usually get a few stops at non-Disney resorts after they have stopped at Port Orleans and Riverside before they ever get to Saratoga. It’s even worse going to Bay Lake.

Good to know. Made three trips to Saratoga on Mears in 2024 and each time it was the first stop. Guess I was lucky.

 

[Chuck S]

I wonder why the values first....

More guests? Remember all stars is actually 3 resorts, it is BIG.

 

[Chuck S]

There IS a lot of difference. DME only stopped at maximum 3 Disney resorts so getting to your resort was not a long trip. Mears Connect begins with a long wait because less use it so they wait for a full bus before they load, then travel to C terminal to also load, then travel to 6 resorts—not just Disney—so you could be pulling into a long entrance to Marriott’s World Center and other resorts long before they make it to your Disney resort. We have waited for 1 hour in line inside Mears lines at the airport, then loaded for 15m, drove to C terminal, loaded for 15m and were ON THE BUS for an additional 1-1/2hrs before being dropped off at BayLake Tower/Contemporary. Truly awful. Not every trip is that bad but the “potential” exists because it is no longer Disney only and 3 resorts maximum.

I'm relatively sure any new DME incarnation would include Terminal "C" as well. it's such a low use terminal right now. When I've taken Mears Connect, OKW was always the first or second stop, sometimes it stopped at SSR first, sometimes OKW first, never a non-Disney resort.

 

[LoveToDisney]

I’m guessing the time of day using Mears Connect impacts the volume of riders and which resorts. We usually have lots of little groups/families going to different resorts on our buses. With small volume, it adds resort stops. I do agree that even DME would add Terminal C until that terminal’s volume was stronger for their own bus.

 

[The Prophet]

DME should have resumed a long time ago. They are finding out the hard way that guests who rent cars, can and do leave "The Disney Bubble" for better and cheaper dining options.

 

[Chuck S]

DME should have resumed a long time ago. They are finding out the hard way that guests who rent cars, can and do leave "The Disney Bubble" for better and cheaper dining options.

I'm sure a lot of guests at regular resorts or in studios that have their own transportation leave for dining options. But many DVC units have full kitchens, so people staying there just order in groceries, even if it is just just for breakfast and sandwiches and a frozen pizza, so leaving for dining isn't a main cause for them leaving the bubble. Even so, if we had a car, we usually went offsite for a few during a stay, before the days of grocery delivery.

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

DME should have resumed a long time ago. They are finding out the hard way that guests who rent cars, can and do leave "The Disney Bubble" for better and cheaper dining options.

Have you seen how packed the parks are? Not sure they are that concerned about a handful eating off property. People have always rented cars to do other things in the area. The only difference with no DME is the transfers are paid...based on party size it is still cheaper than car rental and sometimes still way more convenient especially with families that have car seat age kids.

 

[Sparrow'sLady]

Have you seen how packed the parks are? Not sure they are that concerned about a handful eating off property. People have always rented cars to do other things in the area. The only difference with no DME is the transfers are paid...based on party size it is still cheaper than car rental and sometimes still way more convenient especially with families that have car seat age kids.

Packed....yet they are offering more discounts this year than ever and profits are down. Perhaps "packed" is not really based on sheer numbers, but instead the BS replacement for the FP system and how much Genie/LL/ILL has messed up queue flow. This coupled with fewer CMs than 2019... fewer food lines open with the push to mobile ordering, fewer CMs working the registers in the stores, etc.

 

[Narcoossee11]

Packed....yet they are offering more discounts this year than ever and profits are down. Perhaps "packed" is not really based on sheer numbers, but instead the BS replacement for the FP system and how much Genie/LL/ILL has messed up queue flow. This coupled with fewer CMs than 2019... fewer food lines open with the push to mobile ordering, fewer CMs working the registers in the stores, etc.

All the discounts, new events, new attractions , special tickets are because of EPIC UNIVERSAL!!!
This is a huge park . Disney is trying to hold on to families and Disney Adults. That is why no special ticket for Magic Kingdom.

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

Packed....yet they are offering more discounts this year than ever and profits are down. Perhaps "packed" is not really based on sheer numbers, but instead the BS replacement for the FP system and how much Genie/LL/ILL has messed up queue flow. This coupled with fewer CMs than 2019... fewer food lines open with the push to mobile ordering, fewer CMs working the registers in the stores, etc.

You can barely walk around the parks, that is packed and the ride lines are all long. Profits for the parks aren't down, its other areas that are struggling. DME went away because the contract ended and they either didn't feel it was worth it or couldn't negotiate what they wanted with Mears. I don't see it coming back for free anytime soon if ever.

 

[Sparrow'sLady]

All the discounts, new events, new attractions , special tickets are because of EPIC UNIVERSAL!!!
This is a huge park . Disney is trying to hold on to families and Disney Adults. That is why no special ticket for Magic Kingdom.

Your all caps yelling is childish and not necessary. I am capable of reading and comprehending without it.
Just a note, it is called Epic Universe.

 

[Minnie1222]

I don't think Disney is worried about filling the parks. All these discounts are to attract the guests who were coming to Orlando just to see Epic.
They would probably offer DME between Universal and Disney if they could.

 

[reddog21]

Packed....yet they are offering more discounts this year than ever and profits are down. Perhaps "packed" is not really based on sheer numbers, but instead the BS replacement for the FP system and how much Genie/LL/ILL has messed up queue flow. This coupled with fewer CMs than 2019... fewer food lines open with the push to mobile ordering, fewer CMs working the registers in the stores, etc.

Thru 2024 Disney recognized record revenue and profits for there theme park division. Q1 of 2025 revenue was up 3% but operating income was basically flat. Disney is projecting growth of 6-8% in there parks for the remainder of 2025. The themepark division is doing just fine.

 

[hardcorestitch]

I don't think Disney is worried about filling the parks. All these discounts are to attract the guests who were coming to Orlando just to see Epic.
They would probably offer DME between Universal and Disney if they could.

No chance they would ever DME people to Universal

 

[Lewisc]

No chance they would ever DME people to Universal

Obviously you're not going to see bus service to.Universal called Disney Magical Express.

Mears operates Mears Connect to Disney area resorts. Mears operates buses to universal resorts, superstar something.

Assume traffic at MCO gets worse. Would the airport subsidize those buses? Half price or less.

Boston is considering increasing airport Ride share pick up AND drop off fees to $25.

Money could be found to subsidize buses


The current economy and attitude toward foreign visitors should start reducing the number of passengers.

 

[hardcorestitch]

Obviously you're not going to see bus service to.Universal called Disney Magical Express.

Mears operates Mears Connect to Disney area resorts. Mears operates buses to universal resorts, superstar something.

Assume traffic at MCO gets worse. Would the airport subsidize those buses? Half price or less.

Boston is considering increasing airport Ride share pick up AND drop off fees to $25.

Money could be found to subsidize buses


The current economy and attitude toward foreign visitors should start reducing the number of passengers.

That loss of international guests may very well be offset by people from Gainesville (the local university there just won a national title for men’s basketball).