Who else is happy they don't have to......

[alecam]

deal with Magical Express!!!. After reading 75 "I don't have my tags yet" posts, I am so happy to look at my car rental confirmation!!

P.S.:I do feel SO,SO sorry for those of you who have to deal with this, and this is in no way intended to poke fun!! I hope everything goes well and that you all have a great Disney vacation!!!

 

[Pedler]

deal with Magical Express!!!. After reading 75 "I don't have my tags yet" posts, I am so happy to look at my car rental confirmation!!

P.S.:I do feel SO,SO sorry for those of you who have to deal with this, and this is in no way intended to poke fun!! I hope everything goes well and that you all have a great Disney vacation!!!

Nobody has to deal with Magical Express. They can go with the normal options for transportation.

While I understand the stress that people are going through it appears that the absolutely worse case scenario is that you have to wait for your luggage before you get on the free bus to WDW. While this is not as good as not having to wait for you luggage it is the same as you would have to do if you did any of the other options such as renting a car, using a towncar service or whatever. And the transportation is still free.

We are using ME in August and I know its easy for me to say this but even if it was next week I would still be relatively calm about it. If the worse case scenario is waiting an hour for my luggage when I get there to get free transportation I would still be happy. I know its not what they promised but when I first started planning this trip many months ago I fully planned on having to pay for transportation. To me this is found money.

I just think we need to put this in perspective a bit.

 

[CleveRocks]

Don't cry for me, Argentina .. um, Alecam. I went into DME with my eyes wide open. I leave on May 8th and don't have my luggage tags yet and was informed I probably won't get them.

Wheh I booked my WDTC package back in October, my TA automatically booked me on Mears. I canceled that and made a towncar reservation myself, but then I canceled that when DME was announced. Maybe I'm the only one, but I'm still happy with DME. With Mears or a towncar I'd still have to go to baggage claim and schlepp my own luggage if even just for a little bit. Bottom line: I'M STILL GETTING A FREE RIDE FROM (AND TO) THE AIRPORT!!! I'll certainly get to my resort faster than if I was using a regular Mears shuttle (due to a vastly different system of dispatching, routing, and organizing), and maybe about the same speed as if I was using a towncar service (no grocery stop for me, which will make up for my waiting to stop at 0 to 3 nearby resorts before mine). I've never been interested in renting a car, as I like to live totally within the Disney cocoon while I'm there.

I'll enjoy my free ride.

-- Eric

 

[SDFgirl]

Don't cry for me, Argentina .. um, Alecam. I went into DME with my eyes wide open. I leave on May 8th and don't have my luggage tags yet and was informed I probably won't get them.

Wheh I booked my WDTC package back in October, my TA automatically booked me on Mears. I canceled that and made a towncar reservation myself, but then I canceled that when DME was announced. Maybe I'm the only one, but I'm still happy with DME. With Mears or a towncar I'd still have to go to baggage claim and schlepp my own luggage if even just for a little bit. Bottom line: I'M STILL GETTING A FREE RIDE FROM (AND TO) THE AIRPORT!!! I'll certainly get to my resort faster than if I was using a regular Mears shuttle (due to a vastly different system of dispatching, routing, and organizing), and maybe about the same speed as if I was using a towncar service (no grocery stop for me, which will make up for my waiting to stop at 0 to 3 nearby resorts before mine). I've never been interested in renting a car, as I like to live totally within the Disney cocoon while I'm there.

I'll enjoy my free ride.

-- Eric

Amen to that. I honestly don't see what all the fuss is about. I've retrieved my luggage about a billion times from the baggage claim, I think I can do it again!! Sure, I was delighted with the idea of my luggage being "whisked away" to my resort room, but if it's not gonna happen - oh well! The main part that excited me about ME was getting a free ride (saving $60) and it looks like that's still gonna happen, so...yippee!

I just don't see the benefit of getting my panties in a wad over something I can't control.

 

[Tigger By The Tail]

I agree...I leave on May 13 and still no tags. lf I have to go over to baggage claims and lug my own bags...no sweat. Like the previous posts state, I'm still saving $$$ on transportation costs!!!

Why let a little inconvenience ruin a terrific vacation!!!

J

 

[goofy4tink]

Me too. I'm sure that by the time I go in June it won't be an issue anymore but I love not having to spend $130 or so for a towncar. Free is free. If I have to get my own luggage, so be it. I would have had to anyway. We all figured there would be glitches in the beginning. I feel for you guys that aren't going to get the whole 'experience' but it's still free.

Of course, I did just go out and buy some very distinctive ribbon and such to mark my bags really well. Just in case!!!

 

[*Fantasia*]

I'm renting a car as usual. So no ME bus for me. I am very happy with that decision, having a car works better for me!

 

[thedish]

People are upset due to a lack of information.

We do not have our tags and we are leaving in 7 days. I was told today that we might get them. They told me to read the magic express book for more details. But, they are forgetting that since we did not get our tags we also did not get the information book to tell us where to meet and to pack a carry on in case our bags are delayed for 3-4 hours.

We already have our backup plan. We rented a car from National for $28. We will drop it off at the Dolphin the next day. Also, we can shop for water and food without using a service and paying $20.

If we do get our tags we can cancel our car.

 

[dreamingdisney]

I'm one of those who will probably not receive their ME tags in time. I leave on May 7th and I have no problem with retrieving my own luggage and loading (even unloading) them from the bus. My frustration is from the various stories I've been told by CMs - only to discover that no one ever had my information!

When all is said and done, ME problems will not spoil my trip in any way - after all, I'll be at WDW!!

 

[bugsy]

People are upset due to a lack of information.
They told me to read the magic express book for more details. But, they are forgetting that since we did not get our tags we also did not get the information book

It's true..We have retrieved our own baggage for years. There is only myself
and DH so that would not be such a huge deal, I just hope they
have complimentary luggage carts at the baggage claim!! I do however, think
a corporation as large as Disney would have been better prepared. I also feel
for the families who were counting on this service to make travel with small
children and many bags easier to manage. and I REALLY feel sorry for the
non-dis-ers, who have NO idea whatsoever of the problem, and will arrive,
board the bus, while there luggage stays behind unclaimed for hours!!
and yes, you are right..how could you possibly read the ME book..

 

[magsmom]

Did not even consider it. I have a car rental for the next 2 trips for less than $160 for ten days per trip (June and October). The rates had to be in response to ME... I love Disney, but I do like to get offsite. As a result we have great rates that we will take advantage of.

 

[weregoingtodw]

Don't cry for me, Argentina .. um, Alecam.

Too funny!

I'm glad we rented a car, not because of the Magical Express, but because I like going where I want to go, when I want to go!

 

[Daxx]

Be that as it may ... I won't have to wait in long rental car lines at the airport! I hate those lines b/c I am just too excited to get to WDW!

I am using ME out of choice more than anything else. Yes, I don't have my stupid tags yet and we leave in 5 days ... but I know that I can just grab my bags and let a CM carry them to the bus and have my resort deal w/hauling them to my room. Even if I had to wheel my own bags to and from the bus and hotel, that's no biggie. At least the bus is free! Anyway, we'll be there for 4 days and a rental car would be a waste of money as we don't plan on leaving WDW. With that said, if I weren't using ME, I'd be using MEARS for this vaca. The only inconvenience would be having to pay for the bus since WDW is offering it at no cost to me.

 

[seashoreCM]

All that counts is that they actually transport you for free if you attempted a reservation within the deadline (10 days advance notice).

There is a rumor going around that guests have not been able to get a written confirmation of the ME ressie. With that in mind it would appear that if the guest says he has a ressie come arrival in Orlando the guest is right.

At any rate you should at least get the name of the person you talked to and try to get a confirmation number or something if you call to verify ME ressies.

 

[bugsy]

All that counts is that they actually transport you for free if you attempted a reservation within the deadline (10 days advance notice).

There is a rumor going around that guests have not been able to get a written confirmation of the ME ressie. With that in mind it would appear that if the guest says he has a ressie come arrival in Orlando the guest is right.

At any rate you should at least get the name of the person you talked to and try to get a confirmation number or something if you call to verify ME ressies.

Please don't confuse the "free" issue. Make no mistake. Disney knew probably
a full year AT LEAST of the ME planning, issues, costs, etc. before offering it.
This is evidenced by the 35+++ motor coaches they have recently purchased.
I work for "corporate america" do not be confused. This has been a year or
two in the making (did they not know until recently that the 50th was approaching? Think about it.) These costs to recoup THEIR expenses have been incorporated into their costs/YOUR COSTS for quite some time. The public has just been used to subtle price increases "over time" . I can assure you, this is not a "free" service. If it was, wouldn't they offer it to virtually
ANYONE????? It is built into the selling, yes SELLING price of your hotel reservation. You ARE paying for it. They HAD boatloads of planning information and experiance. They ARE NOT doing some big favor for us. Just a little something to think about....BTW, I happen to do my business exclusively with vehicle purchase, retail, commercial, corporate, or otherwise.
I can categorically assure you, no company, I do not care if you are Disney,
Hertz, or Donald Trump, can snap their fingers and 35 + new motor coaches "magically" appear. The typical order wait time for a vehicle of this type is AT LEAST 180 days. They have dropped the ball, and are just shrugging their shoulders. Accept it. It is not even remotely "magical",
and certainly not "free" Sorry to be the bearer of the truth.

 

[PlutoPony]

These costs to recoup THEIR expenses have been incorporated into their costs/YOUR COSTS for quite some time. The public has just been used to subtle price increases "over time" . I can assure you, this is not a "free" service. ... It is not even remotely "magical", and certainly not "free" Sorry to be the bearer of the truth.

Technically then, EVERYONE staying on-site has paid for ME (in your room costs, etc.) and it's up to you to decide if you want to use something you've already paid for. Don't think it matters which way you look at it, it doesn't really change anything does it?

 

[localdriver]

This is evidenced by the 35+++ motor coaches they have recently purchased.

Actually, Mears (owns or leases)? and operates the coaches under a contract, and I'm sure a big one.

I agree, nothing is free except air, and that may change soon!!

When the "FREE" or Complimentary" word shows up I just assume included in the price.

 

[seashoreCM]

The costs of Magical Express don't necessarily have to come from room rate revenue immediately before, during, or immediately after the Disneyland celebration period (mid 2005 to end 2006). If additional spending on ice cream and meals results, some of that revenue could be put towards the ME expenses in an internal financial report, too.

 

[PlutoPony]

The costs of Magical Express don't necessarily have to come from room rate revenue immediately before, during, or immediately after the Disneyland celebration period (mid 2005 to end 2006). If additional spending on ice cream and meals results, some of that revenue could be put towards the ME expenses in an internal financial report, too.

And I suspect they really haven't made a decision yet on whether to "officially" charge for this service down the road - depending on what they see in increased revenue that they can attribute to ME. Antedotal evidence of "success" may come from car rental companies (possibly by dropping rates), or the limo guys by adapting in some way to a changed market.
Anybody know how long the contract with Mears is for? At least the length of time required to depreciate the new busses?

 

[grumpyandbashful]

I always rent a car on trips to WDW - love the convenience, esp. for trips to DTD and water parks, grocery stores, dinner at other resorts, etc. We are arriving on separate days (DH and DD one day ahead of me), and I thought ME would work best for us this trip. Due to the concern that it might be a big mess still by May 31, I went ahead and reserved a car on Emerald Aisle for when I arrive June 1 ($107 for a week - rates have really dropped). I'll cancel it and use the free ME if it seems to be running smoothly by then.