Disney’s Magical Express shuttle Project ends in December
It is nice when the magic can start after you land in Orlando, you walk to the Disney’s Magical Express welcome desk and you get greeted by cast members wishing you the magical stay you’ve been dreaming of. Some wearing the Mickey gloves, giving you the information and help expecting when going on a Disney vacation. The bus awaiting your arrival to take you to the resort of your choice, and once on the bus the magic starts for real with a nice welcome video about the Walt Disney World Resort. What more can you ask for. I admit, this made my holiday start once I was at the Disney’s Magical Express desk as normally my holiday starts when I am at the hotel. (The travel itself I never consider part of a holiday, it is something that is a necessity to get to your destination, but that is a personal thing)
The Disney’s Magical Express shuttle was a project that started last year in May and would be a test run for 18 months. December will be the end of this project and the future of the Express depends on many factors. Some of those can be found on the Orlando Sentinel site
Threats have loomed for months that Disney could stop the service if the airport makes it too expensive to operate
While Disney pays a $0,50 per person to the airport for its services it looks like the Airport looses the bigger fees from other companies loosing income since the start of the express. The airport costs per person might be higher in the future. The airport might want to see some more money but the airlines are happy about the change
The airlines have largely backed the program because it has reduced their baggage-handling loads and helped shorten ticket-counter lines.
Rental-car companies and taxi and limo services pay a concession fee to the airport each month based on how much business they do. That means the airport can lose money if those businesses experience a downturn.
The magic starts with the Disney’s Magical Express. I experienced it and loved it. I would not like to see this go as it is part of the overall Disney experience. But I am sure that many car, bus and limo companies would be more than happy if this would be the end of the service. It will be interesting to follow this story over the next months. Personally, I do think the service will stay on in the future.
So far 1.1 million people have used this service from and to Walt Disney World. Read the full story with more numbers on OrlandoSentinel.com
March 16th, 2006 at 4:33 am
We expect DME to become a paid-for service from December. It will probably be included for guests at the deluxe resorts, but all other resorts will start to charge for it, which will almost certainly see a significant decrease in the number of people using it. Whether this keeps everyone happy is another thing entirely!
March 16th, 2006 at 9:54 am
we used this service last year in may when we stay for 9 days at wdw, it was a wonderful service.
March 16th, 2006 at 11:27 pm
[...] Wait a minute. Did I not say, one day ago, that the Disney’s Magical Express will end in December and now I’ll say it will not end. Maybe I should have waited a day before writing something about the Service. Only one day later the Orlando Sentinel brings a new story about the express. It will run at least up to 2011, but with some changes. The cost for Disney will increase up to $0,75 per person with an possible increase up to $1,50 later in the project. The Express will be relocated to terminal B. The Disney greeters will be back on the second level to welcome the travelers, but will have to leave their Mickey gloves behind. You can read the full report here [...]
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April 3rd, 2006 at 2:53 am
Can anyone give me their positives and NEGATIVE experience with the Disney Magical Express Service? We will be staying at the Caribbean for 4 days in May. Thanks, Ken & Kathy from Austin Texas
April 3rd, 2006 at 2:39 pm
I don’t believe there are any negatives for guests using DME (unless they happen to send your luggage to the wrong resort!). After some original teething problems, the system seems to work really well for guests and can be a real boon if you have a lot of luggage, as well as saving money. The only downside we can see is that, without a hire car, you are confined to WDW for the duration of your stay. But, for those who like to simplify their travel arrangements, this is a great service.
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