Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[WorldOfPooh]

Over the years I’ve read lots of similar complaints about DME. People didn’t like the possible waits for the bus, then the bus to leave, then the many stops, then how long it took the luggage to get to your room, then how early it picks you up to go back to the airport (along with the length of the drive with more possible stops), etc.

Rose coloured glasses. People often spoke of voluntarily skipping it or disliking it but now it was apparently the last thing keeping everybody onsite and their occupancy is going to tank.

Well the thing is that the DME effects almost everyone.

They were able to get away with the parking fees because it only effected a small segment of people who complained vociferously.

Same with taking away alot of other things.

But DME, almost everyone uses that so was the straw that broke the camel's back.

 

[Mit88]

To me, DME was convenient. I don’t often use it anymore, we just rent a car. But it’s helpful when we’re meeting family/friends down there that would ride with us in the car, but arrive and/or depart at a different time than us. My brother and his SO met us fall of 2019, but they got in about 6-7 hours after we did, and we had already gotten to the resort and went to the parks. It would have been a waste of a day to either wait for them to arrive and pick them up, or leave the parks, pick them up and go back to the parks. While Uber/Lyft is probably far easier and more convenient with time management, it’s still pretty expensive for a 20 minute ride.

That being said, I’m not in the group that’s devastated about this. It was a nice perk, and just as beneficial for them to “trap” guests in their bubble as it is for the guests as a convenience. I don’t think this is a “Chapek is cheap” type budget cut. It could just be as easy as them wanting to utilize the train system coming the following (maybe) year, and not wanting to pay Mears what they want in the new contract.

 

[New Mouse]

To me, DME was convenient. I don’t often use it anymore, we just rent a car. But it’s helpful when we’re meeting family/friends down there that would ride with us in the car, but arrive and/or depart at a different time than us. My brother and his SO met us fall of 2019, but they got in about 6-7 hours after we did, and we had already gotten to the resort and went to the parks. It would have been a waste of a day to either wait for them to arrive and pick them up, or leave the parks, pick them up and go back to the parks. While Uber/Lyft is probably far easier and more convenient with time management, it’s still pretty expensive for a 20 minute ride.

That being said, I’m not in the group that’s devastated about this. It was a nice perk, and just as beneficial for them to “trap” guests in their bubble as it is for the guests as a convenience. I don’t think this is a “Chapek is cheap” type budget cut. It could just be as easy as them wanting to utilize the train system coming the following (maybe) year, and not wanting to pay Mears what they want in the new contract.

What makes you think the train is going to be even remotely viable?

 

[andyman8]

. I don’t think this is a “Chapek is cheap” type budget cut. It could just be as easy as them wanting to utilize the train system coming the following (maybe) year, and not wanting to pay Mears what they want in the new contract.

I think this was a “stop the bleeding” type of cutback, much like the removal of free MBs and the layoffs. I don’t think — prior to March — they had any plans or strong desire to cut DME entirely.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

Well the thing is that the DME effects almost everyone.

They were able to get away with the parking fees because it only effected a small segment of people who complained vociferously.

Same with taking away alot of other things.

But DME, almost everyone uses that so was the straw that broke the camel's back.

We’ve used it consistently since its introduction, but we also made plenty of onsite trips before without it.

I’ll miss it, but it was just what people are calling it, a perk. It was a bonus to an onsite stay for us, not the reason for the stay.

 

[WorldOfPooh]

I'm glad I've mastered the LYNX bus system. But DME was still nice to have when your flight came in too late (since DME is 24 hours) and the LYNX bus was done for the night.

 

[Mit88]

What makes you think the train is going to be even remotely viable?

What makes you think it won’t? It’s a train system. It’s not a space shuttle going to the moon. Plenty of cities have trains

 

[WorldOfPooh]

We’ve used it consistently since its introduction, but we also made plenty of onsite trips before without it.

I’ll miss it, but it was just what people are calling it, a perk. It was a bonus to an onsite stay for us, not the reason for the stay.

Before I mastered the LYNX bus, DME was a must for me to get from MCO to the Disney Kingdom. That was a cost saving I could factor in and justify.

 

[Mit88]

I think this was a “stop the bleeding” type of cutback, much like the removal of free MBs and the layoffs. I don’t think — prior to March — they had any plans or strong desire to cut DME entirely.

Which could be directly related to my last sentence. Stop the bleeding or not, if Mears is struggling financially, and the DME contract was up, it seems only natural that they’d try and seek more money in a new deal with Disney and it was a price that Disney just didn’t want to pay.

 

[New Mouse]

What makes you think it won’t? It’s a train system. It’s not a space shuttle going to the moon. Plenty of cities have trains

Because it moves from one mode of transportation(bus) to 2. Train then bus. There is nothing convenient, easier logistics wise or cheaper about it to assume its even a realistic option.

 

[Mit88]

Because it moves from one mode of transportation(bus) to 2. Train then bus. There is nothing convenient, easier logistics wise or cheaper about it to assume its even a realistic option.

So they’re just building a station on Disney property for show, no trains will actually arrive there? Because that’s the only way this isn’t a “realistic” option. If it’s there, people will use it. Disney isn’t allowing something like this be built on their property if they didn’t research prior to the agreement that people would actually utilize it.

 

[New Mouse]

So they’re just building a station on Disney property for show, no trains will actually arrive there? Because that’s the only way this isn’t a “realistic” option. If it’s there, people will use it. Disney isn’t allowing something like this be built on their property if they didn’t research prior to the agreement that people would actually utilize it.

No, there just isnt a viable way to replace magical express with it. I didnt say it didnt serve a purpose I just questioned how you think this will be a viable option for that purpose. Nothing ive seen would lead me to believe this will be a magical express replacement.

 

[Mit88]

No, there just isnt a viable way to replace magical express with it. I didnt say it didnt serve a purpose I just questioned how you think this will be a viable option for that purpose. Nothing ive seen would lead me to believe this will be a magical express replacement.

Its not a direct replacement, but it’s an alternative option. More available options of transportation from the airport to WDW property would be ideal for the guest and Disney, but with the train, it’s still something along with the other current options. And they don’t have to pay for it. They’re not taking away the ability to get to Disney property without renting a car. I’ve heard of people waiting hours between arriving at the DME gate to arriving at their resort. While you could get lucky, get down to the gate, get right on a bus and you’re the first stop on property and it’s a 45-50 minute process, that’s not the case for many people. So I could certainly see the train be a more convenient option. Not to mention, and this could have since changed, you’d need to take the DME to the airport 6-7 hours before your flight took off. That’s time guests could be at the parks, or DS spending money.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Its not a direct replacement, but it’s an alternative option. More available options of transportation from the airport to WDW property would be ideal for the guest and Disney, but with the train, it’s still something along with the other current options. And they don’t have to pay for it. They’re not taking away the ability to get to Disney property without renting a car. I’ve heard of people waiting hours between arriving at the DME gate to arriving at their resort. While you could get lucky, get down to the gate, get right on a bus and you’re the first stop on property and it’s a 45-50 minute process, that’s not the case for many people. So I could certainly see the train be a more convenient option. Not to mention, and this could have since changed, you’d need to take the DME to the airport 6-7 hours before your flight took off. That’s time guests could be at the parks, or DS spending money.

Who the heck takes DME to MCO 6-7 hours before their flight takes off?!!

 

[rosieposie3]

Its not a direct replacement, but it’s an alternative option. More available options of transportation from the airport to WDW property would be ideal for the guest and Disney, but with the train, it’s still something along with the other current options. And they don’t have to pay for it. They’re not taking away the ability to get to Disney property without renting a car. I’ve heard of people waiting hours between arriving at the DME gate to arriving at their resort. While you could get lucky, get down to the gate, get right on a bus and you’re the first stop on property and it’s a 45-50 minute process, that’s not the case for many people. So I could certainly see the train be a more convenient option. Not to mention, and this could have since changed, you’d need to take the DME to the airport 6-7 hours before your flight took off. That’s time guests could be at the parks, or DS spending money.

We for one can't wait for the train option. As Europeans, the lack of really quality public transport options from the airport to the parks is a bummer for us, and the emphasis on driving is bizzare. I assume though that WDW will replace DME with a paid option eventually, like the similar service at Disneyland Paris.

 

[Heather07438]

The cost to support DME made sense for WDW when it helped hold guests captive in the bubble. Now people can Uber around which is much quicker/cheaper than old school taxi, and they can get inexpensive grocery delivery easily.
WDW used to make a ton of money from guests only eating in the bubble and buying over priced staples in the resort. A case of water is almost $20 but people buy it because it costs almost $100 to buy 24 bottles of water in the parks. Now people just get it with grocery delivery.
MDE is no longer profitable from this angle.

 

[Jennasis]

With the train...I'm wondering how that will work? It's not a monorail taking folks back and forth to the airport. It's a train that runs from the airport, to the park, to Miami right? So what happens when your plane lands and the next train isn't for another hour or 2 or 3 or 4?? Plus you then have to transfer (with all your luggage) from the train station at Disney, to a bus to your resort.

 

[Sandiz08]

I’m disappointed. Magical express was convenient and good to us. We never had a bad experience. Always hopped right on the bus at MCO. My kids will miss it.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

So they’re just building a station on Disney property for show, no trains will actually arrive there? Because that’s the only way this isn’t a “realistic” option. If it’s there, people will use it. Disney isn’t allowing something like this be built on their property if they didn’t research prior to the agreement that people would actually utilize it.

People will definitely use it - I think it will be great for folks staying at Disney Springs hotels that currently had to figure out their own transportation anyway.

But still is at least a two step process in you have to take the train to Disney Springs and then a bus to your hotel, potentially while carrying all your luggage.

It's an alternative but not equal replacement

What I could see Disney do overtime is promote this method including "free transfer from the DS station to your resort" and offer an upcharge that is direct transport from the airport to your resort (thinking a Minnie Van type service )

 

[TheMaxRebo]

With the train...I'm wondering how that will work? It's not a monorail taking folks back and forth to the airport. It's a train that runs from the airport, to the park, to Miami right? So what happens when your plane lands and the next train isn't for another hour or 2 or 3 or 4?? Plus you then have to transfer (with all your luggage) from the train station at Disney, to a bus to your resort.

Long term it will connect Miami to MCO to Disney Springs to Tampa and back.

No idea how often they would run - my guess would be fairly often during "peak" times but if your plan arrives at an off time you could have a bit of a wait (though that was true with ME as well)