Problems for Disney's Magical Express?

[Sarangel]

From the Orlando Sentinel:

From Orlando Sentinel
Airport urged to halt Disney shuttle

Beth Kassab
Sentinel Staff Writer
Published September 13, 2005

A group of 200 bus, van and luxury-car drivers called on Orlando International Airport on Monday to put an end to Disney Magical Express, the free shuttle to and from Walt Disney World that the group says is killing its members' businesses.

In a letter to OIA Executive Director Bill Jennings, the Greater Orlando Livery Association asserts that the airport is violating its own rules with unfair business practices that benefit Disney World and threaten hundreds of car-for-hire businesses.

"I'm not sure how the aviation authority could not have seen this coming," said Larry Colleton, an attorney for the association. "[Magical Express] has had a direct and negative impact on small businesses that perform ground transportation at the airport."

Jennings did not return calls Monday for comment.

With Magical Express, introduced by Disney in May, tourists with Disney hotel reservations get free rides to and from the resort and the airport.

The service also transfers tourists' luggage from their airplanes and takes it directly to their hotel rooms.

About 5,000 people have used the service daily since it started, a Disney spokesman said.

One of the major points of contention for the livery association is where Magical Express employees are stationed inside the airport terminal. The "greeters," who wear big, white Mickey Mouse gloves, are on the third floor, where they are supposed to direct those with Magical Express reservations to the buses.

But the livery association says those employees are also soliciting Disney-bound tourists who did not reserve the service ahead of time, meaning they have far greater access to potential customers than other transportation services, which are banned from the third floor.

Face-to-face solicitation of travelers by car and bus services is strictly prohibited inside the terminal, Colleton said.

Mike McKenzie, a car-service owner and member of the livery association's board of directors, said the group had several people pose as travelers without Magical Express reservations who then approached the glove-wearing employees.

"We were solicited by the representatives on the third level," McKenzie said. "That's a violation right there."

A Disney spokesman said Magical Express does not violate any airport policies.

"Disney's Magical Express is offered to all of our hotel guests on a complimentary basis and has established a world-class standard of convenience for tourists," spokesman Jacob DiPietre said. "Our arrangement with the airport is not exclusive, and we have not violated any of the terms of our agreement."

Airport officials met twice with livery association members in July to address concerns about the Disney service, but a third meeting in August was canceled. Colleton, the attorney, asked Jennings to reschedule that meeting in the letter.

"There is great concern the subject contract will provide Disney with a monopoly," Colleton stated in his letter. "There will be less and less competition because more and more small businesses who make up GOLA [the livery association] will no longer exist."

McKenzie said four car-for-hire companies have gone out of business since Magical Express began service.

His business, Wheels to Wings, has cut back from six employees to three. "It was a tough summer," he said. "We basically had cars parked for a good part of the summer."

 

[kathrynmtague]

I was just down a few weeks ago and used ME. Had a great conversation with the bus driver about this. He said there have been a lot of articles about this in the local press.

Now, here's the interesting thing...I need to get transportation for my grandmother from MCO to BCV. She CANNOT use ME because she is not on our reservation (which is maxed out at 4 people). I called Mears to make a reservation (which, BTW is the contractor handling ME) and they are NOT allowed to take a reservation for any WDW hotel property from MCO because of ME. But, when I call DVD Member Services, I cannot make a "free" ME reservation because she is not on the reservation. So, ultimately, Mears will lose my business for this trip and my grandmother will have to use another transportation service. So, despite this article, there still is some use for other transportation companies!

 

[rocketriter]

Surprised to hear that Mears wouldn't take a shuttle reservation to a WDW hotel from MCO, I went on their website just now and tried to book one. What came up was a notice turning me down and saying "If you would rather ride in a Mears private chauffeur driven Luxury Sedan with Meet and Greet baggage claim service, please click the button below." Of course, if that's all they'll offer, well, there are plenty of other limo companies (including the sponsors of this board) to choose from.

Unfortunately, faced with the higher cost of a limo compared to the zero cost of ME, most people choose ME and the other companies get screwed.

 

[pouncingpluto]

I'm not sure they really have a leg to stand on. Thousands of hotels around the country offer free airport shuttles. This is really no different than that.

 

[Lewisc]

Although she can't make a reservation with Mears she can just go to the Mears desk, buy a ticket and she will be transported on a ME bus. She won't get luggage tags so you should put your tags on her luggage.

I was just down a few weeks ago and used ME. Had a great conversation with the bus driver about this. He said there have been a lot of articles about this in the local press.

Now, here's the interesting thing...I need to get transportation for my grandmother from MCO to BCV. She CANNOT use ME because she is not on our reservation (which is maxed out at 4 people). I called Mears to make a reservation (which, BTW is the contractor handling ME) and they are NOT allowed to take a reservation for any WDW hotel property from MCO because of ME. But, when I call DVD Member Services, I cannot make a "free" ME reservation because she is not on the reservation. So, ultimately, Mears will lose my business for this trip and my grandmother will have to use another transportation service. So, despite this article, there still is some use for other transportation companies!

 

[2Xited4Disney]

When we were in Orlando in January, I asked our private car driver what he thought about the ME. He told me "that ME would before lower class people who couldn't afford a town car service"... That is when I decided I would ALWAYS ride on ME from now on

 

[Schmeck]

When we were in Orlando in January, I asked our private car driver what he thought about the ME. He told me "that ME would before lower class people who couldn't afford a town car service"... That is when I decided I would ALWAYS ride on ME from now on

ME would before what? I don't understand the statement...

I chose to use a town car service because I didn't want to start my trip on a crowded Disney bus, waiting to get to my resort. I had plenty of time to experience that down side of WDW during the trip, LOL!

 

[psiprez]

2Xited meant to write "...ME would be for lower class people...".

As far as my family goes, WDW is expensive enough - I plan to use ME, and spend the $200 I save on relaxing, sit-down meals. So what if it takes a little longer to get the the resort. That first day is a "travel day" - we don't expect to get to the parks or anything...!

 

[rocketriter]

Another perspective: my family gets totally stressed before a trip, trying to wrap up work and school, get packed, close up the house. We're basket cases by the time we land at MCO. We love seeing somebody from a limo service standing there holding our name on a sign, ready to collect and lug our luggage for us and whisk us away without any fuss. We float into our resort shedding stress like a hound sheds hair in the springtime.

 

[lifeasahampster]

ME has ramifications much worse than we can really understand. The Vallets are now missing out on almost 50% of the tips that they normally got from baggage and vallet people. Other towncar services and taxi companies are really suffering. I know that it has been extended through the end of the year, but I would not be surprised if it is discontinued soon. It is just not running well. Disney is paying tons of money and giving out clothing vouchers now to people with missing luggage. A lady at the front desk at the Beach Club said she gave out 9 clothing vouchers in one day. This was two weeks ago. I think it is a good idea in theory, but a bad idea in practice.

 

[rflorek]

ME has ramifications much worse than we can really understand. The Vallets are now missing out on almost 50% of the tips that they normally got from baggage and vallet people. Other towncar services and taxi companies are really suffering. I know that it has been extended through the end of the year, but I would not be surprised if it is discontinued soon. It is just not running well. Disney is paying tons of money and giving out clothing vouchers now to people with missing luggage. A lady at the front desk at the Beach Club said she gave out 9 clothing vouchers in one day. This was two weeks ago. I think it is a good idea in theory, but a bad idea in practice.

I don't think it will be discontinued anytime soon. They are getting too much traffic, it's too convenient, and I believe that they extended the program to the end of next year because of its popularity.

My cousin (who is a travel agent) said that they are not just giving out clothing vouchers for lost bags. If people who weren't fully aware of the actual program (i.e. - the fact that there bags aren't going to arrive at their resort at exactly the same time as they do), make a large scene and complain that they have nothing to wear since their bags haven't arrived, the CMs have been instructed to give them vouchers towrds clothing in the shops. It doesn't necessarily mean that either the airline or ME has "lost" their bags.

 

[mitros]

Cripes, they better not eliminate it. I am coming back home to Florida from an extended trip to N.J. and will be meeting DW at SSR on the 25th. She will be waiting for me there, and I {hopefully] will be geting there via the ME program!

 

[WDWdad2]

We actually enjoyed Magical Express during our trip this past July. It was great to not have to lug our bags/suitcases to the room: just drop off our carry-on and head to the parks! On the way home, DW stayed in Orlando for business and I had both DDs with me. ME made the return trip easier and less stressful, and we had no problems whatsoever.

What I have come to realize from this thread, though, is that there are "different strokes for different folks," so I don't think the other car/bus services will be completely eliminated. It all depends on what the market will bear. Disney, keep ME (Magical Express, that is....)!

 

[JCTigger]

You have to remember that for right now up until the end of "the happiest celebration" ME is free but after that they are going to be charging for it... once that happens the business that WDW is getting may taper off if the prices they are going to charge do not compare to that of other companies.

 

[southtown]

I feel bad for the people losing money BUT, if it wasnt for Disney they wouldnt have a job doing what they are doing in the first place.
And like the other guy said alot of hotels have free shuttles so they really dont have a leg to stand on.

 

[rocketriter]

You have to remember that for right now up until the end of "the happiest celebration" ME is free but after that they are going to be charging for it... once that happens the business that WDW is getting may taper off if the prices they are going to charge do not compare to that of other companies.

I agree. Some people will pay an additional $20 or so for fast and personal service, but won't pay an additional $90. When the gap narrows, business will pick up for the limo companies. Unfortunately, while the elephant dances around celebrating its 50th birthday, some of the mice will get stomped.

 

[Stacy's a freak]

I feel bad for the people losing money BUT, if it wasnt for Disney they wouldnt have a job doing what they are doing in the first place.
And like the other guy said alot of hotels have free shuttles so they really dont have a leg to stand on.

I agree with this poster. This is a good reason for current limo/transport companies to tweak their services a bit (and perhaps lower their possibly over-the-top prices) to compete. A little competition is a good thing. I know it's hard to compete with FREE, but if you added a complimentary grocery stop or some other service (like maybe an ultra-knowledgable driver who can guide guests around the WDW resort, or give special park touring tips *just brainstorming*), then people might be more inclined to get a limo. When my family and I first went to Aruba 15+ years ago, we had the BEST taxi driver ever, who explained the island, some of its local customs that were important to know, and what things to see and do. He was super friendly and he really enhanced our trip and made us yearly visitors to Aruba.

This is getting too long winded, but the moral is to offer customers something extra (not necessarily something that costs extra) and they will go to you instead of the "other guys".

 

[rocketriter]

When we've taken limos in the past, the grocery stop has always been complementary and the guide has always been knowledgeable about park strategies. In addition, the guide met us at the luggage area, gathered our luggage for us, lugged it outside, got the car, loaded it and so forth. I'm not sure what else the guide could offer except a velvet pillow for my bum.

 

[Luv2Roam]

When we vacationed to WDW we almost always used a town car service, and LOVED it. A town car service really does eliminate a lot of stress and time -- as long as that works properly too. We had good experiences. But we all had read the other end of the spectrum on the Dis too.
I doubt Disney will have to stop ME for any reason -- unless they choose to. Anyone besides Mears was unhappy fom the start. I think they are throwing anything out they can to see if it will stick.
I am sure ME will be free until the celebration ends. Then ME will still be an option, but with a fee incurred, which may be just padded into the cost of a package. They may still say it's "free", but....
Just like the "free" dining. Yes, it's free for those who paid a higher room rate during a certain time frame.
Packages allow a lot of play with figures. And most don't price them out. They just pay and enjoy. (IMHO)

 

[Kimberlyfamilyfv]

to the lady who could not get the extra person on here party on ME just reserve one night in her name. This will give here access to ME and probably be cheaper than a driver. This is just a thought but it would take the stress out of everything

Kimberly