Magical Express to end in 2022

[SaintsManiac]

If it's a paid service, people will be aggravated. And that's fair.

Sure it’s fine to be aggravated, but considering they are hemorrhaging money right now I am not really on board with sending complaint emails and nasty comments on DPB. Just my opinion.

 

[danissmart]

If it's a paid service, people will be aggravated. And that's fair.

Not anymore. 5 years ago you’d have some ground to stand on being aggravated. You(royal you) no longer have that rational ground to stand on. If you’re still going, if you’re still supporting the way they operate the parks, that’s a you problem.

 

[mattpeto]

Sure it’s fine to be aggravated, but considering they are hemorrhaging money right now I am not really on board with sending complaint emails and nasty comments on DPB. Just my opinion.

It's a fair point.

It's really not about missing the perk, it's really for "peace of mind". I stayed offsite in 2018 and it was ridiculously stressful.

If Disney offers a reasonable bolt-on transfer, that will at least solve the "peace of mind" part about it. Maybe the options can include direct transfers to the parks (instead of of your hotel) and luggage transfer to your resort.

 

[SaintsManiac]

It's a fair point.

It's really not about missing the perk, it's really for "peace of mind". I stayed offsite in 2018 and it was ridiculously stressful.

If Disney offers a reasonable bolt-on transfer, that will at least solve the "peace of mind" part about it. Maybe the options can include direct transfers to the parks (instead of of your hotel) and luggage transfer to your resort.

I think when people read these boards it’s easy to forget that there really is still a pandemic happening. DCL and DL are not in operation. No big movie releases. Resorts closed at WDW.

The travel industry is going to have to change and it won’t look like it used to for a long time, if ever.

 

[skeeter31]

I think when people read these boards it’s easy to forget that there really is still a pandemic happening. DCL and DL are not in operation. No big movie releases. Resorts closed at WDW.

The travel industry is going to have to change and it won’t look like it used to for a long time, if ever.

Exactly. I’m sure in a non-pandemic world Disney would have kept DME, but with them hemorrhaging money, the renewal of the contract with Mears was too much for them to do right now.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Exactly. I’m sure in a non-pandemic world Disney would have kept DME, but with them hemorrhaging money, the renewal of the contract with Mears was too much for them to do right now.

And trust me I know it sucks. I used to take DME and I understand the outrage. I just think people need to look at the big picture right now.

At this point I am just glad they are open.

 

[JasonH]

Don't like this at all, and no way I'll rent a car and pay for parking, so it'll be cab/uber for us after this. Despite the extra cost, I don't hate that as Disney is right in saying it's more convenient. I loved having my bags picked up (even though I know they aren't doing it now due to COVID, I'm sure they'll start again before this is done), but going to pick them up myself doesn't waste all that much time, especially if we now can get a ride on demand that will take us straight to our destination without stops (again for a fee though, which stinks).

Now, if they do away with Resort Airline check-in, that will be a tremendous blow for us in terms of convenience and time saving - being able to drop your bags off the morning of departure and also check in for your flight before heading out for that last park day, saving the time of doing both at the airport later was a godsend. If that goes away, it's definitely something that could absolutely drive us to stay offsite.

Highly unlikely that they will remove airline check-in at the resorts. That's pretty standard across the industry. Heck, I can even check in for my flight at a Marriott Courtyard.

Now, that said, I've never used it, because I just use my phone.

 

[Cheburashka]

And trust me I know it sucks. I used to take DME and I understand the outrage. I just think people need to look at the big picture right now.

At this point I am just glad they are open.

Meh. It's not so much about them staying open as about them wanting to show they're making a profit- they want to keep their stock high & one way to increase observable profits is by making cuts. They've already raised prices sky high over the past few years, and can't feasibly go much higher. So cutting services is another way to improve their profit margin.

I've paid Disney waaaay too much money over the years to be satisfied with the crumbs they're leaving on the table now.

 

[Fanofthegame]

Lol WHAT? This seems absurd to me. What's next, elimination of the WDW bus transportation system altogether? They can also justify that one "as consumer needs and preferences change...."

Yeah, my need of getting from the airport to my resort hasn't changed.

Not enough minivans in Orlando. Talk about congestion on the highways. Talk about accidents, which I hope never happens. It's no longer magical.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Meh. It's not so much about them staying open as about them wanting to show they're making a profit- they want to keep their stock high.

I've paid Disney waaaay too much money over the years to be satisfied with the crumbs they're leaving on the table. I'd rather just move on.

Again, they are a business. They had massive layoffs. They probably would like to avoid more of that.

But you do you.

 

[Fanofthegame]

this.

and all of a sudden it will cost $500 round trip for airport transfers.

Maybe not $500 but around $300 isn't out of line. It's going to make a lot of people think long and hard about vacations. Car rental lines are going to crazy. Increased traffic around the airport.... .

 

[Cheburashka]

Again, they are a business. They had massive layoffs. They probably would like to avoid more of that.

But you do you.

It isn't my problem. Everyone already "does" themselves, including you.

 

[Cheburashka]

Car rental lines are going to crazy.

Enterprise & Avis executives must be doing cartwheels in the company hallways right now.

 

[Fanofthegame]

This is a game changer. If I was going later this year, i would cancel.

 

[skeeter31]

This is a game changer. If I was going later this year, i would cancel.

Why? If you’re going later this year, and DME is your final straw, go and enjoy it for the last time. It doesn’t leave until 1/1/22.

 

[New Mouse]

Exactly. I’m sure in a non-pandemic world Disney would have kept DME, but with them hemorrhaging money, the renewal of the contract with Mears was too much for them to do right now.

So raise prices cut services? Seems like that will really work for the bottom line...

 

[New Mouse]

Again, they are a business. They had massive layoffs. They probably would like to avoid more of that.

But you do you.

Its not about being a business. Universal doesnt offer a free shuttle, but their hotels are easily cheaper and of better quality then Universal. Disney does not adjust their consumer pricing accordingly, but its been proven you can do it cheaper.

With 0 perks, why would anyone not choose to stay at a hotel.that is 2 to 3 times more expensive?

 

[Kimrlav]

This may have just destroyed my solo trips.

No baggage service / RAC was already my biggest "deal breaker" - I do not want to have to worry about finding/losing my bag or checking bag and getting boarding pass at MCO.

Scoff if you wish, but I'm a solo older lady who has never done ride share alone, much less a taxi, and I'm nervous/uncomfortable about that. And there is absolutely no way in the world I would ever even try to drive. A Disney-branded (read: "safe") means of group transportation was perfect for me.

It's like oh, forget those cute simple magic bands, just use your phone for everything! Ugh!!!

Also, a female solo traveler (whole heartedly agree with your sentiments about ride share services, especially in an unfamiliar area to me) and felt secure and safe with Disney transportation from/to the airport/resort for my trips. It was great to use for multiple members of your party arriving at different times from different flights. I would travel for a few days before being joined by my mother -- we each had Disney safe transportation. I do not like to take Uber/Lyft as a single female traveling alone.

I did use the Minnie Van service on property and used for airport transfer from the resort (yes, expensive but wanted to do a few more things at the resort with an extra time, instead of arriving at the airport 3 hours before the flight with DME). Minnie Van was driven by cast members, which made me feel safe.

This is a disappointing development in the cost cutting measures -- sure other companies will fill the void, but so appreciated the convenience of these services.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

So raise prices cut services? Seems like that will really work for the bottom line...

Might. They probably know the guests who are willing to come now and in the immediate future are for the most part unshakable and are going to pay what Disney charges for what Disney provides them with.

Two schools of thought, they either need the cuts to stay afloat or are taking advantage of the chance to make cuts without much consequence, but either way I think they know what they’re doing and are going to get their intended result whatever it is.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

Its not about being a business. Universal doesnt offer a free shuttle, but their hotels are easily cheaper and of better quality then Universal. Disney does not adjust their consumer pricing accordingly, but its been proven you can do it cheaper.

With 0 perks, why would anyone not choose to stay at a hotel.that is 2 to 3 times more expensive?

Completely overblown to suggest 0 perks because of the loss of DME. What would you suggest is the reasoning behind all the people with past, current, and future Disney vacations who drive onto property?