New Transportation Option to/from MCO for Deluxe Resort Guests

[TheMaxRebo]

People in this thread have mentioned getting uber X for that so yes.

that's not a private car/black car that is waiting for you, etc

 

[Touchdown]

that's not a private car/black car that is waiting for you, etc

Define what you mean by private. An Uber XL is a more expensive large car that will only carry your party. Other then the Disney music inside and the driver handling your luggage there is no difference. I stay at deluxues, and will not be paying for that at that price. I’d rather drive myself both for convenience issues (grocery store stop on my way in, never take Disney transport to water parks or the Springs due to it taking too long) and as the ultimate hurricane insurance (anytime I want I can get of Dodge and go north if I can’t secure a flight out.)

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

Except it is 3-4x the market cost. You can rent that same traverse yourself for the entire week for that price.

Leaving aside cheaper options, even if renting a car is around the same price, unless you actually plan on using it, why would I want to get off the plane, pick up my luggage, then go downstairs to have to pick up a rental car. Drive it myself to the resort. Then when I am leaving have to drive myself to airport, leave time to drop it off myself and then get ready for my flight?

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Define what you mean by private. An Uber XL is a more expensive large car that will only carry your party. Other then the Disney music inside and the driver handling your luggage there is no difference. I stay at deluxues, and will not be paying for that at that price. I’d rather drive myself both for convenience issues (grocery store stop on my way in, never take Disney transport to water parks or the Springs due to it taking too long) and as the ultimate hurricane insurance (anytime I want I can get of Dodge and go north if I can’t secure a flight out.)

I am talking like a private car service like Gearfusion, Tiffany town car, etc - where you reserve it ahead of time, they are waiting for you and contact you when you land, etc. will include a stop at a grocery story on the way, have multiple car seats/boosters for you if you need, etc

If that is the type of transport one does, then to me this isn't that much of an increase over that for wanting the "Disney Bubble" extended to the airport for you

but yeah, if you are Uber XL that you request in the app when you land and wait for, etc - this is a big increase (3-4x) over that

 

[Touchdown]

Leaving aside cheaper options, even if renting a car is around the same price, unless you actually plan on using it, why would I want to get off the plane, pick up my luggage, then go downstairs to have to pick up a rental car. Drive it myself to the resort. Then when I am leaving have to drive myself to airport, leave time to drop it off myself and then get ready for my flight?

Besides actually driving it a bit during the vacation, I’ve never waited long to drop off the car at MCO and the garage is across the street from the terminal. Driving isn’t a burden, I do it every day at home, the freedom it gets me is well worth the inconvenience to me. The hurricane thing isn’t a joke either, I go in the fall a bit, I’ve needed that car to get me out of a hurricane’s path twice already (once to Tampa, the other a really early flight out of MCO) and it’s a huge relief when you’re down there with a monster churning in the Atlantic or Gulf that you will not be in its path.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

that's not a private car/black car that is waiting for you, etc

It’s Uber XL which is an SUV. It’s a private ride for 6 people. You may schedule it in advance to arrive whatever time you like. I prefer not to, so I don’t have to worry about what time my flight or train actually arrives vs. when I schedule the car. I call it and it arrives within minutes.

I have no interest in car seats, but you may be able to request them, I don’t remember.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

It’s Uber XL which is an SUV. It’s a private ride for 6 people. You may schedule it in advance to arrive whatever time you like. I prefer not to, so I don’t have to worry about what time my flight or train actually arrives vs. when I schedule the car. I call it and it arrives within minutes.

I have no interest in car seats, but you may be able to request them, I don’t remember.

sounds like this service isn't for you then, which is ok

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Driving isn’t a burden, I do it every day at home,

I think that is exactly why people don't want to ride on vacation

No right or wrong, but I get the idea of not wanting to drive while there

 

[Touchdown]

I think that is exactly why people don't want to ride on vacation

No right or wrong, but I get the idea of not wanting to drive while there

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind not driving, and I always take Disney transport to the theme parks, and I used the ME back in the day if it wasn’t hurricane season, but it has to be a significant cash savings and nearly as convenient else I’m getting my own car.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind not driving, and I always take Disney transport to the theme parks, and I used the ME back in the day if it wasn’t hurricane season, but it has to be a significant cash savings and nearly as convenient else I’m getting my own car.

I get that - we usually weigh the options based on cost and what we are looking to do that specific trip

We just got back from a trip and did rent a car and have one set for our November trip as well. For both there will be benefits to having the car beyond just to/from MCO - we are utilizing the free arrival day Water Park perk, so will use it for that and for the Nov one my daughter's orchestra is playing at Disney Springs, so being able to get over there for a specific time vs relying on transportation is a benefit

Whereas later this month just the wife and I are going down for Destination D23 and staying right where the event is and before that doing 2 days at Universal and saying on site where they charge for parking - so just less need for a car and would carry extra costs, so we are not getting a car that time

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

Besides actually driving it a bit during the vacation, I’ve never waited long to drop off the car at MCO and the garage is across the street from the terminal. Driving isn’t a burden, I do it every day at home, the freedom it gets me is well worth the inconvenience to me. The hurricane thing isn’t a joke either, I go in the fall a bit, I’ve needed that car to get me out of a hurricane’s path twice already (once to Tampa, the other a really early flight out of MCO) and it’s a huge relief when you’re down there with a monster churning in the Atlantic or Gulf that you will not be in its path.

Oh believe me I am not anti-driving. When we go down with between 4-7 people I prefer to drive down from NJ. I enjoy the drive, and it’s a lot cheaper than paying for 7 flights out of NYC.

I just meant if you have no intention of driving off property, the extra steps of a rental vs ride share wouldn’t be worth it, even for the same price. Plus while it sees niether of us have a problem driving, I know a many people that would rather gouge out their eyes than drive in an unfamiliar/busy area that is mco to WDW.

 

[AidenRodriguez731]

It's wild to me that Disney doesn't try to bring back Magical Express with Universal adding more options (aka things to do)

ME does not really change someone going to Disney or not for the most part. (Atleast I'm sure the statistics do)

Disney has still been having solid attendance years without it and their competitors don't really do anything similar.

Plus I'm sure they realize that most families in their target if they are going to Florida, are stopping by Disney usually anyway if not staying on property for the hotel perks. And plenty of people on their "once in a lifetime trips" have no problem going to both sets of parks

 

[Chip Chipperson]

Why would I choose this when I can just get a rental for the same cost, and be able to go to a grocery store/water parks/off site?

That's my thought, too, but I'm also the only one in my usual traveling party that is comfortable driving around there. My wife would absolutely use this service if she went without me, though, and just have any groceries delivered to the resort.

 

[TestTrack]

We stay onsite because we don’t have to worry about transportation. We stay onsite at DVC and deluxe properties for all of the good options that are walkable. We stay onsite so that we can get up early and go for runs around property. We stay onsite to be able to walk to the parks. We stay onsite to watch fireworks from our balcony. We specifically stay at Riviera because of the quiet pool (best on property) and access to the Skyliner. We stayed at the new Poly Tower recently to be able to have coffee every morning with this viewtower.View attachment 876459
I don’t want a functional or utilitarian experience at WDW. We stayed off property or very first trip at a house larger than our own. We won’t ever do that again and have per much stayed on property ever since. For us, it is a better experience and we are willing to pay for it because staying Deluxe level on property is affordable for us.

As an analogy, one could argue that you should never buy a new car. Only purchase cars used and under $20000 because functionally it gets you where you need to go. I could add to that list above of reasons why we stay on property. It might seem silly to some, but these reasons are our own personal reasons. If others don’t agree that is fine too. We are all individuals.

Perhaps the nuance was lost in my post but the person I was responding to was saying that people would only do the Minnie Van from MCO to look “posh”. I asked this question to point out that we each have certain reasons why we pay more for certain luxuries at WDW.

I pay for fireworks dessert parties because trying to posture to defend my fireworks spot stresses me out and this allows me to enjoy my time. I pay for Minnie vans because the cars are super clean, nice and new, the drivers are typically amazing, they play cartoons to entertain the kids and it feels like Disney. All of these are not necessities and I could drop them if I had to because of the money factor. Luckily I budget for it and go in expecting to spend it.

We don’t pay for premier pass. We stay for over a week to take things “slow”. We just take things at our own pace.

 

[mysto]

ME does not really change someone going to Disney or not for the most part. (Atleast I'm sure the statistics do)

I think this new offering underlines how big a perk and discount Magical Express was. Choosing between self-drive vs driver changes significantly when the driver option is free (seems free?). That's a $400 savings in today's world round trip.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I think this new offering underlines how big a perk and discount Magical Express was. Choosing between self-drive vs driver changes significantly when the driver option is free (seems free?). That's a $400 savings in today's world round trip.

Definitely a good perk and one that helped "extend the bubble" - but also one that maybe isn't a deciding factor on whether to book a trip or not

 

[solidyne]

Perhaps the nuance was lost in my post but the person I was responding to was saying that people would only do the Minnie Van from MCO to look “posh”. I asked this question to point out that we each have certain reasons why we pay more for certain luxuries at WDW.

I pay for fireworks dessert parties because trying to posture to defend my fireworks spot stresses me out and this allows me to enjoy my time. I pay for Minnie vans because the cars are super clean, nice and new, the drivers are typically amazing, they play cartoons to entertain the kids and it feels like Disney. All of these are not necessities and I could drop them if I had to because of the money factor. Luckily I budget for it and go in expecting to spend it.

We don’t pay for premier pass. We stay for over a week to take things “slow”. We just take things at our own pace.

Your point had plenty of nuance and was well made. Some folks just don't get rhetorical questions.

 

[Ayla]

Definitely a good perk and one that helped "extend the bubble" - but also one that maybe isn't a deciding factor on whether to book a trip or not

It has been for me. If ME was still an option, I'd have made multiple trips the last few years. I can travel alone and book last minute, but I'm not going to drive alone from MCO to a disney resort (and won't use uber/rideshare alone.)

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

It has been for me. If ME was still an option, I'd have made multiple trips the last few years. I can travel alone and book last minute, but I'm not going to drive alone from MCO to a disney resort (and won't use uber/rideshare alone.)

Mears still operates the same bus service.

 

[Ayla]

Mears still operates the same bus service.

Yes, it does - for a fee and none of the other perks of DME.