VWL Groupies & Lovers Thread (Special Collectors Edition 2.5) updated 2 February 2025

[jimmytammy]

suse66
We own a few points at BWV and per Granny and his insightful knowledge, he guided us towards where to ask for the 1st time. We prefer the opposite end as far as you can go from the lobby. I know, I know but hear me out. Its a closer walk to HS from this point, though its still a hike, its quicker than waiting for the boat, stopping 2 more stops before HS. Also, its not far from EPCOT to walk as well. We learned some little shortcuts in and out of buildings at BW to shorten the walk to Epcot. Another plus, if you have a car, you are near the little side parking lot. Just some food for thought

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Did everyone see the news that Disney is ending Magical Express as of Jan 1, 2022? Wow.

Extra Magic hours are completely toasted too and replaced by 30 minute early entry. We're west coast and rarely start to get adjusted to the time change until near the end of the trip. Of course as I'm getting older the early hours come more frequently so I guess that'll be a positive on our trips.

ME is a big one for us though as our family tends to arrive at different times and definitely used it. WDW has really changed in size since they first implemented ME. This is going to be an overwhelming change for the airport, car rentals and other car services although I'd have to believe Mears will just switch buses over to a privately booked option. The resorts might not be ready with large enough parking lots either.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Did everyone see the news that Disney is ending Magical Express as of Jan 1, 2022? Wow.

Extra Magic hours are completely toasted too and replaced by 30 minute early entry. We're west coast and rarely start to get adjusted to the time change until near the end of the trip. Of course as I'm getting older the early hours come more frequently so I guess that'll be a positive on our trips.

ME is a big one for us though as our family tends to arrive at different times and definitely used it. WDW has really changed in size since they first implemented ME. This is going to be an overwhelming change for the airport, car rentals and other car services although I'd have to believe Mears will just switch buses over to a privately booked option. The resorts might not be ready with large enough parking lots either.

Wow...we did use ME, but we also rented cars for shopping and church.

 

[twinklebug]

Did everyone see the news that Disney is ending Magical Express as of Jan 1, 2022? Wow.

Extra Magic hours are completely toasted too and replaced by 30 minute early entry. We're west coast and rarely start to get adjusted to the time change until near the end of the trip. Of course as I'm getting older the early hours come more frequently so I guess that'll be a positive on our trips.

ME is a big one for us though as our family tends to arrive at different times and definitely used it. WDW has really changed in size since they first implemented ME. This is going to be an overwhelming change for the airport, car rentals and other car services although I'd have to believe Mears will just switch buses over to a privately booked option. The resorts might not be ready with large enough parking lots either.

I'm very saddened by this announcement. I know the service has dropped in quality over the years and it's become a decision on whether we want to wait forever on a bus as we return to the airport or just have our own car or take a car. Still, to date, I've been using ME more than any other option. I simply hoped they'd address and fix the timing issues.

Since Mears is currently running the buses and Disney's participation in the project is simply to book and pay for the service, as well as rent that large space in MCO (or maybe Mears is paying that too?) There is an excellent chance this will continue but as a third party booking. We may loose the Disney-centric bus wraps everyone loves.

My concern is I've been on Mears transportation without that Disney affiliation, and I felt like I was traveling in a third world country: no A/C, 12 people packed into a tiny van. It was bad. It was also 1990, so I doubt they'd ever be that bad again.

This also means car rental prices will most likely be on the rise in 2022. They're already super expensive.

 

[twinklebug]

I booked my March airfare to/from MCO. Knock on wood this one sticks.
Starting to think I should put a couple of cameras up in the house and pay for year round internet service.
Anyone have a nest cam?

 

[TCRAIG]

I think this STINKS and we don’t even use MDE as we are close enough to drive

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Very disappointed in them ending ME. For me it was the first "Disney ride" of my trip. It was like being at Disney before being on Disney property. I looked forward to skipping the baggage carousel and going downstairs and getting in the line down there. It felt special. Then being on a bus filled with other people who were just as excited as you about where you are going and being able to share that experience with them. And of course the cartoons. I didn't even mind having to stop at other resorts first because it was fun to see the other people be able to get off the bus at their resort. Then you get to see your resort and pull up in front of it and get out and it's magic. There you are. You are at Disney. You are home. For me driving or taking another type of transportation just isn't as charming and magical. I am making myself weepy lol.

 

[twinklebug]

deleted - the info I was reading and sharing here was wrong

 

[sleepydog25]

I've only used ME a couple of times, but I hate that part of Disney is going away. I know for many it was the first "Disney" experience upon landing. I will say, however, that the advent of the train service is likely what Disney is banking on as 2022 approaches. As for ending EMH--it simply stinks. Being on site is getting less and less advantageous, and here's yet another reason not to buy park tickets, rather enjoy a resort only stay. I've heard others advance this theory, but I fully believe Disney is setting up a pay-as-you-go EMH system, so that if you're willing to shell out another $100-$200 per person, you can do a version of the EMH system. I predict it will happen in 2022 as long as the pandemic is under control.

 

[Corinne]

Yep, read about ME earlier today. We have been using it since it’s inception. While I am known to refer to it as the NOTSO (as in not so magical nor express), it was a nice perk, and one less thing to worry about since we typically do not rent cars. That said, if we decide to move forward with our plan to purchase in Sarasota we will likely change how we “do” Disney. At any rate, I am disappointed, another end to an era, and I guess we will have to see what happens with the train.

 

[jimmytammy]

I remember our 1st trip in 99 catching a limo to the resort, ME was just a wish at the time. FF to the future, ME comes along, and it was exciting. FF to now, bummer. We have used ME maybe 5-6 times, and were very much looking forward to continuing to use it in the future as we were beginning flying more often. My how times, politics, pandemics, etc. have changed the course of history. I will not share my political nor pandemic views here, not the place for it, this is our happy place on the net and I wish to keep it that way. But I will say, Disney, like most companies and people in general seem to be using the current climate to opt out of an uncertain future and create their own utopia, not for the good of others, but the good of themselves. I so wish, hope for, long for, the WDW of the past. Please Disney, wake up before its too late. Its the people, not the money, that make the difference. Your CMs and your fans, they make the difference.

 

[Spridell]

If anyone is interested, "SOME" dates have opened up the first 2 weeks of December

 

[bluecastle]

I remember how upset I was when they added resort parking fees. I even got a phone call from management. I was outraged that those of us who drove to Disney were being singled out for this extra fee. And then we started flying because driving so many hours really took its toll on my back. And now, this discontinuation of ME. I am trying not to get too upset, especially since there are far more important things to be upset about right now. (I tried everything I could think of today to get moved up in the vaccination schedule, but no go. VA, unlike some other states, is doing 75 years and older now, together with numerous other groups, and those of us over 65 have to wait until this huge group is finished) Anyhow, we will figure out transportation when our Feb. 2022 trip gets closer.

 

[Granny]

Did everyone see the news that Disney is ending Magical Express as of Jan 1, 2022? Wow.

Extra Magic hours are completely toasted too and replaced by 30 minute early entry. We're west coast and rarely start to get adjusted to the time change until near the end of the trip. Of course as I'm getting older the early hours come more frequently so I guess that'll be a positive on our trips.

ME is a big one for us though as our family tends to arrive at different times and definitely used it. WDW has really changed in size since they first implemented ME. This is going to be an overwhelming change for the airport, car rentals and other car services although I'd have to believe Mears will just switch buses over to a privately booked option. The resorts might not be ready with large enough parking lots either.

It's a shame to see ME going away. I remember our first trip to WDW in 1998 and using the Mears shuttle service...it was not a great experience. We have been using ME for all our trips the past several years, and we will miss the convenience of checking bags at our airport and then seeing them next in our villa.

I can't say that I'm surprised by the announcement. I've often wondered if the cost of running free ME for guests was worth it to Disney. I think this is an opportunity for them to monetize this service, and if they develop an "authorized" third party like Mears they can take their cut of whatever fee is charged. They have all the programming in place to still handle ME requests for the third party so it would be pretty much a win-win for Disney....reduced costs plus a potential income stream.

While many (including Mrs. Granny) will see this as Disney taking away a perk, I guess I don't see it that way as much. Probably because I remember that it hasn't always been around. But we will miss the convenience of it.

As for EMH, I guess that isn't a surprise either. Just another cost cut since crowds are so much smaller, and on-site resort bookings have to be down. So they have been getting less return for their costs of extending the park hours.

It does seem like the two announcements in tandem might act to reduce the benefits of staying on-site. It may be that Disney isn't as worried about capturing every last tourist dollar as they have in the past.

 

[suse66]

suse66
We own a few points at BWV and per Granny and his insightful knowledge, he guided us towards where to ask for the 1st time. We prefer the opposite end as far as you can go from the lobby. I know, I know but hear me out. Its a closer walk to HS from this point, though its still a hike, its quicker than waiting for the boat, stopping 2 more stops before HS. Also, its not far from EPCOT to walk as well. We learned some little shortcuts in and out of buildings at BW to shorten the walk to Epcot. Another plus, if you have a car, you are near the little side parking lot. Just some food for thought

Thanks for the great advice!

Very disappointed in them ending ME. For me it was the first "Disney ride" of my trip. It was like being at Disney before being on Disney property. I looked forward to skipping the baggage carousel and going downstairs and getting in the line down there. It felt special. Then being on a bus filled with other people who were just as excited as you about where you are going and being able to share that experience with them. And of course the cartoons. I didn't even mind having to stop at other resorts first because it was fun to see the other people be able to get off the bus at their resort. Then you get to see your resort and pull up in front of it and get out and it's magic. There you are. You are at Disney. You are home. For me driving or taking another type of transportation just isn't as charming and magical. I am making myself weepy lol.

You pretty much summed up exactly how I feel.

Please Disney, wake up before its too late. Its the people, not the money, that make the difference. Your CMs and your fans, they make the difference.

Perfectly said!

 

[DVC Jen]

.
Anyone have a nest cam?

We have two. One by our front door and another that looks onto our driveway and backyard.

 

[twinklebug]

We have two. One by our front door and another that looks onto our driveway and backyard.

Cool. How do you like them?
Since I'd be putting them on a seasonally occupied house, I'm concerned about them disconnecting from the wifi and not reconnecting without help.

 

[rkstocke5609]

I am also sad about no more Magical Express. We have used it exclusively and have never rented a car. Really don’t like the idea of having to go fetch my luggage. But, I’m not surprised. It’ll just be another expense to add to a trip... I guess it’ll be just like going to VGC from now on - who says Florida can’t be like California?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I am also sad about no more Magical Express. We have used it exclusively and have never rented a car. Really don’t like the idea of having to go fetch my luggage. But, I’m not surprised. It’ll just be another expense to add to a trip... I guess it’ll be just like going to VGC from now on - who says Florida can’t be like California?

And now DL eliminated AP's. Just this past week I was trying to guess when our extension would go to and to try and do some planning for a trip down to DL. It's just a bad Disney Theme Park week.

 

[twinklebug]

And now DL eliminated AP's. Just this past week I was trying to guess when our extension would go to and to try and do some planning for a trip down to DL. It's just a bad Disney Theme Park week.

What?! No. No. No. Disney is shooting themselves in the foot if they do away with their most loyal consumers.