Magical Express to end in 2022

[bookgirl2632]

“We will continue to operate the service for new and existing reservations made at Disney Resort hotels for arrivals throughout 2021”

That is going to be interesting.

My current plan is to activate my previously purchased AP in November and use it throughout 2022. So I'll book my three 2022 trips this year. It seems I'll still be able to use DME even in Nov of '22.

It’s for arrivals throughout 2021, not bookings. It seems it will cease operation 12/31/2022.

 

[BWoody]

the cost to uber/lyft will more than likely double simply due to demand. Same for rental cars. Are there even enough rental cars to cover?

Lets think about this - how many people used DME in one day?

Now all of those people need a different way to get to WDW. It will be surge pricing for everyone.

And if more people snag rental cars - there may not even BE enough to go around - hello Christmas week, Thanksgiving Week, etc.

For the first time ever I just wrote an email complaining to Disney for whatever good that does - I am so angry about this. I have to now take up a carry on with a booster seat - FUN.

I too for the first time ever just contacted Disney to voice my displeasure with this decision. Not happy about having to worry about a car seat now. My understanding is that there may be rideshares where you can request a car seat, but even pre-COVID, we weren't a fan of using a car seat where we don't know if it was installed properly or how clean it is. The convenience of DME, particularly with a child, is what convinced me to leave the darkside (offsite accommodations) and start staying onsite. Or is onsite the darkside now...

 

[Moliphino]

“We will continue to operate the service for new and existing reservations made at Disney Resort hotels for arrivals throughout 2021”

That is going to be interesting.

My current plan is to activate my previously purchased AP in November and use it throughout 2022. So I'll book my three 2022 trips this year. It seems I'll still be able to use DME even in Nov of '22.

Arrivals through 2021, not booked through 2021.

 

[jpeterson]

“We will continue to operate the service for new and existing reservations made at Disney Resort hotels for arrivals throughout 2021”

That is going to be interesting.

My current plan is to activate my previously purchased AP in November and use it throughout 2022. So I'll book my three 2022 trips this year. It seems I'll still be able to use DME even in Nov of '22.

The wording seems pretty clear that it's arrivals in 2021. So if your trip doesn't start in 2021, it won't operate for you. That might mean they continue offering return service throughout January for those that came in December. But hard to say.

 

[skeeter31]

“We will continue to operate the service for new and existing reservations made at Disney Resort hotels for arrivals throughout 2021”

That is going to be interesting.

My current plan is to activate my previously purchased AP in November and use it throughout 2022. So I'll book my three 2022 trips this year. It seems I'll still be able to use DME even in Nov of '22.

Yeah I don’t read it that way. Especially since 2022 bookings aren’t available now. DME will end 12/31/21 and all bookings for 2022 won’t include it. That quote was meaning all bookings for 2021 will continue to use DME. And anyone checking in prior to 1/1/22 and checking out after 1/1/22 will still be able to use DME.

 

[LoveMugsNPins]

It seems silly but this loss is hitting me hard. DME and airline check-in/luggage service was a really big perk for us.

Same here. I feel so sad/bummed about this.

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

I’ve seen this out there on the internet so just want to clarify: BAGS, Inc. (the company that provided luggage delivery and resort airline check in) has not gone out of business. They’re still servicing a number of major Orlando hotels and have even expanded service since the pandemic. While I’m sure they’re hurting like everyone in Orlando, the removal of luggage delivery from DME seems like it was Disney’s decision (and now Mears has confirmed that today’s news was also Disney’s decision).

Since Disney contracts Mears to operate DME as a third party, I have to wonder if Mears will take a (reduced) fleet of the DME busses (which they own), rebrand them as some non-Disney name (like just Magical Express or Magical Shuttle or something) and pay Disney to be the “official” airport shuttle provider for WDW. Much like they do for Alamo rental cars, Walt Disney Travel could even sell this as part of their packages. This way, Disney goes from paying Mears to Mears paying Disney.

Without the added flexibility of doing what you want while someone else deals with your bags, and of course, it being free. ( without the magical feeling =( ) The two main factors

 

[mollmoll4]

I too for the first time ever just contacted Disney to voice my displeasure with this decision. Not happy about having to worry about a car seat now. My understanding is that there may be rideshares where you can request a car seat, but even pre-COVID, we weren't a fan of using a car seat where we don't know if it was installed properly or how clean it is. The convenience of DME, particularly with a child, is what convinced me to leave the darkside (offsite accommodations) and start staying onsite. Or is onsite the darkside now...

Yeah - we have 3 kids that need boosters/car seats and it's too much to travel with them along with all of our other stuff. Uber XL and Minnie Vans only offer 2 car seats (that I have seen). It'll be interesting to see what Mears charges individual families for this service, and what (if anything) Disney "offers" in the future.

 

[mshanson3121]

What the hell is happening to this company?


And besides that, why the hell is Disney stopping caring about the people who made them? Alienating everything we love about the park

The magical express is just a beautiful thing, as you get off that plane and head towards the park. THAT IS DISNEY MAGIC. Something they have no problem getting rid of.


DISNEY MAGIC MAKES THESE TRIPS. Even something like a magical express bus trip. It makes it special. After all the thousands of dollars, they don't care about us.

I don’t personally think any of the recently removed onsite perks justified the massive price increases on their own or even combined, even if all of them were still intact I think it’s hard to justify Disney resorts vs offsite when simply trying to quantify each benefit.

I think the ship sailed ages ago when they made financial sense in many scenarios but that’s JMO.

You know what... this really, REALLY irks me (this move). I mean, I'm downright angry, and honestly a bit heartbroken. Our kids LOVE Disney, admittedly our son more than our daughter. They miss it so much they were in tears over Christmas, missing Disney and wanting to go (because we were supposed to go this summer). Thus, we promised them that when we are able to travel safely again (likely summer 2022) we would take them back to Disney. They wanted to stay on site so their Dad could experience the on site experience that he missed last time. It would be a HUGE sacrifice that will take a lot of saving, but we thought we would try to swing it. But now?? Not a chance. Not only am I sure that the prices will be ridiculously increased by then, there's reason to doubt that FastPass will still be a perk by then, and now they've just increased the cost by $150-200 US at least, by forcing us to find another way to get from the airport to resort there/back. And of course they also took away the free Magic Bands, luggage tags, eliminated EMH? I'm sorry...we can't blame this all on Covid. This has been an ongoing trend for several years now.

There is just absolutely no way we can justify paying the insane prices to stay on site anymore. And that makes me sad, because while I prefer off-site, the kids preferred onsite and we really wanted to give them that experience again. But... at the same time, part of what made that experience were the "little" things like Magical Express and Magic Hours and luggage tags and magic bands... So, the experience will be diminished, all while the price will be much higher.

So... there will be no more on-site for us. That was the nail. Our budget was extremely stretched to even consider on site as it was.

But now it begs the question... will we even return to Disney at all?

At this point, both DH and I are fed up with the price gouging that far exceeds the rate of inflation, all while they keep cutting back on things. They're greedy, and that's all there is to it. Some will try and justify it saying so are others in the industry - but just because everyone else is doing it doesn't make it right. And once upon a time, Disney tried to NOT follow industry standards. So, at this point honestly, I'm ready to vote with my dollar, and say "Buh bye" and travel elsewhere. The ONLY thing that makes me reconsider is my kids, especially my son. The devastation they would feel at never going back. First world problem? Yes. But you know what, my son especially is so passionate about Disney... As an aspiring animator who wants to work at Disney no less, Walt is his hero. Going to Disney is a way of feeding his dream. And not only that, we are one of those families with an emotional attachment to Disney - because, quite frankly, our family has been through a lot, and our daughter especially has suffered a lot. Disney has never been about the rides for us - it was always about the fantasy - the whole feel of the place, the shows, the entertainment, the characters. It was seeing bits of your childhood, your heroes, come to life. When our daughter met Pooh on our last trip, she cried. And she is one of the most stoic children I've ever met who never cries - even when she's in agony. THAT is how much that meant to her. Disney truly was that "break from reality" for us, that place where you stepped in and it really did feel like dreams could come true, it felt magical. So to take that away from them...

So... where is the line? Where is the line between your own personal morals/beliefs and doing what you feel is the right thing to do, and...sacrificing that to please your children? We all say to vote with our dollars. Does that mean we don't give them any dollars at all, or just that we give them less?

I'm so angry at Disney, and so disappointed in them, that they put us in this position - and so many others. Because I'm sure we aren't the only ones that feel this way. They have the financial ability to do better - they just are choosing not to.

 

[mattpeto]

Even though losing DME is a gut punch, just hoping Disney has a plan in it's back pocket and they know it's a very important Bubble Perk. I feel a tad better than Gustin has hinted there's more news coming on this, even if won't be a while.

Maybe this is tied into the train at Disney Springs and that's the long-term replacement. Having all people who would have used DME finish their vacation at a shopping hub, seems like a pretty good strategy for their bottom line.

It's just the gap, is what's concerning. If the train isn't ready until 2023, that's a whole year worth or reservations that have created problems for people.

 

[DougEMG]

This is from the Disney Parks Blog:

Vacationers have more options to choose from than ever for transportation, including ride-share services that save time and offer more flexibility to go where they want, when they want. In light of this shift, when Disney Resort hotel bookings open for stays in 2022, we will no longer offer Disney’s Magical Express service for airport transportation, starting with arrivals Jan. 1, 2022

So - we are taking away Magical Express because there are other ways for you to get here that we don't have to pay for.

wow.

There are other parks like Universal to go to as well, so does that mean they want us to go there!

This is a dumb idea.

 

[Wiltony]

Whats the email address

Does anyone know what email address I should use to send a complaint to Disney?

I left feedback via this form: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/help/email/

 

[MrsBooch]

Yep - I am not comfortable with rideshare services at home, there is no way I'm using it on vacation and with my family.

Right now, the cheapest car that will fit all of us and our things, through Costco rentals for November 2021 during our length of stay is $335.

$335 extra for this vacation just to get us back and forth.

If we weren't staying on our DVC points, factor in parking.

Now - imagine what the price will be like in 2023.

The cheapest shuttle service I found during that time, is around $180 round trip.

Again - what will it be in 2023 when the world is traveling again?

 

[mshanson3121]

Even though losing DME is a gut punch, just hoping Disney has a plan in it's back pocket and they know it's a very important Bubble Perk. I feel a tad better than Gustin has hinted there's more news coming on this, even if won't be a while.

Maybe this is tied into the train at Disney Springs and that's the long-term replacement. Having all people who would have used DME finish their vacation at a shopping hub, seems like a pretty good strategy for their bottom line.

It's just the gap, is what's concerning. If the train isn't ready until 2023, that's a whole year worth or reservations that have created problems for people.

But even that is so inconvenient. Because then you have to turn around and transfer to another bus to try and get to your resort. So not only does your trip take longer, but you're handling luggage more etc...

 

[BrianL]

I never really thought of DME as "free" considering the rates at the on-site resorts. Somehow though I doubt they are going to lower prices across the board. I do understand the very difficult climate at this time, but I think this is pretty short-sighted.

 

[a742246]

I too for the first time ever just contacted Disney to voice my displeasure with this decision. Not happy about having to worry about a car seat now. My understanding is that there may be rideshares where you can request a car seat, but even pre-COVID, we weren't a fan of using a car seat where we don't know if it was installed properly or how clean it is. The convenience of DME, particularly with a child, is what convinced me to leave the darkside (offsite accommodations) and start staying onsite. Or is onsite the darkside now...

How did you contact them and can you give us your contact info as well, I would like to voice my concerns as well.

 

[skeeter31]

Yep - I am not comfortable with rideshare services at home, there is no way I'm using it on vacation and with my family.

Right now, the cheapest car that will fit all of us and our things, through Costco rentals for November 2021 during our length of stay is $335.

$335 extra for this vacation just to get us back and forth.

If we weren't staying on our DVC points, factor in parking.

Now - imagine what the price will be like in 2023.

The cheapest shuttle service I found during that time, is around $180 round trip.

Again - what will it be in 2023 when the world is traveling again?

The rental car companies will love this. Many at DVC have severely reduced their supply at the airport post-2005. The elimination of DME will see them add more cars to the garage and prices will get more competitive.

 

[ElyseInWonderland]

This is very disappointing, and I'll admit that I've been a BIT of a Disney apologist on some of their cost-cutting/revenue-seeking "ideas" (anyone remember the "VIP tents" in Tomorrowland fiasco? )

I'm annoyed, and we all have a right to be upset. But we can keep things in perspective by remembering a few things:
1. Disney HAS shown us that they are willing to back away from bad ideas if they negatively affect guest satisfaction (and bookings).
2. Depending on the vaccine rollout, the world could look a whole lot different in 6-12 months. Economists are predicting a vacation resort boom within 3 months of achieving near-herd immunity status in the US. Things seem bleak now, but it WILL get better. And when it does, Disney will be popular and in the money again.
3. There's a possibility that this is a power move on Disney or Mears' part, in an effort to get a better contract negotiation. One side thinks they've got the upper hand, so they start to play hardball. In the world of large corporations, this happens fairly often.
4. Mears is ONE transportation company among many. Orlando is one of the busiest airports in the world. If Disney and Mears are parting ways, there's an opportunity for another company to step in and provide a better experience.

I REALLY don't see Disney eliminating this service without an alternative in place.

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

I think people really underestimate how convenient it is to have your bags tagged and ready in your room, while your out enjoying the vacation. This is another big problem with them getting rid of DME

 

[mattpeto]

But even that is so inconvenient. Because then you have to turn around and transfer to another bus to try and get to your resort. So not only does your trip take longer, but you're handling luggage more etc...

They could still handle your luggage potentially.

There were rumors that Skyliner was coming to DS, this is probably all part of it the puzzle.