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News Disney's Magical Express to end after 2021
- Thread starter WEDway Inc & Company LLC
- Start date
Wendy Pleakley
Well-Known Member
Seeing what "Magical Express" costs as a paid option drives home that Disney fans really react well to things that have minimal value.
We spend hundreds or thousands to stay on site vs. off site, in part because something like Magical Express is included "for free", and it's not anywhere close to being something that justifies Disney prices.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy onsite stays at WDW, but the perception of what one gets for their money doesn't reflect the reality.
We spend hundreds or thousands to stay on site vs. off site, in part because something like Magical Express is included "for free", and it's not anywhere close to being something that justifies Disney prices.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy onsite stays at WDW, but the perception of what one gets for their money doesn't reflect the reality.
kong1802
Well-Known Member
It's really not that bad tbh.
The bad part is that $30-50 pp used to help with the Disney math of paying $180/night for the all stars.
Now that you have to pay both....
But I know we've covered that here.
Dreaming of Disney World
Well-Known Member
Well it's an extra $120 for my family that we didn't have to pay before...
Also the cheaper option says you will get a bus or van. Young kids can go without a car seat in a bus but not on a van. So this presents a problem unless the company guarantees we can ride in a bus.
dolbyman
Well-Known Member
Kids are never part of our trips (knock on wood) and I am sure that has been discussed before, but a family of 4 & luggage would hardly fit into a standard car Uber, or am i mistaken?
A shuttle bus would fit luggage and strollers just fine. (and all busses I have ever seen had kids sit in the seats.... isn't this exactly what magical express is for ?)
In terms of airport to park transport we have done:
Busses (WDW Magical Express, DLRP VEA, TDL Shuttle Bus)
Vans (SuperShuttle DL)
Taxi's (HKDL,SDL)
all in 2019.. So no matter if shuttle,van or taxi we always arrived at our destination (without renting a car)
A shuttle bus would fit luggage and strollers just fine. (and all busses I have ever seen had kids sit in the seats.... isn't this exactly what magical express is for ?)
In terms of airport to park transport we have done:
Busses (WDW Magical Express, DLRP VEA, TDL Shuttle Bus)
Vans (SuperShuttle DL)
Taxi's (HKDL,SDL)
all in 2019.. So no matter if shuttle,van or taxi we always arrived at our destination (without renting a car)
VelocityRaptor
Active Member
I wonder what the limited stops are on the standard plan. Other Disney resorts? Or off property locations?
bcoachable
Well-Known Member
In the past- We were willing to stay on sight for much higher priced hotel rooms, understanding that at least Disney would help with the transportation cost- now they are not… so we won’t be staying on property…
In fact… oh never mind-
Have a magical day!
In fact… oh never mind-
Have a magical day!
FantasiaMickey2000
Well-Known Member
I think this is the big question. How much time are we losing on stops? If it is like 4 stops before my resort then it’s probably worth the upcharge for larger groups to get the premium.
UNCgolf
Well-Known Member
You should be able to get an Uber/Lyft XL for much less than the price of 4 Mears connect tickets, which should have plenty of room for all your luggage (they are large SUVs). And then you're going straight to your resort without having to wait for other guests, other stops, etc.
If Mears is going to handle your luggage for you that would be a different calculation, but I doubt that happens.
Sir_Cliff
Well-Known Member
Indeed, and it shows how cheap it is for Disney to help people justify the huge expense of staying at a Disney resort.
Of course, now they've taken it away they're probably already learning that they were spending too much to convince people. Everyone honestly seems cool with having to pay the extra and hotel prices going up. Who can blame them?
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UNCgolf
Well-Known Member
I just did a quick check -- right now, an UberXL from the Orlando airport to the Grand Floridian is estimated to cost $51.60, so if you had that both ways it would be less than the price of 4 Mears tickets and it's far more convenient.
Because of that convenience factor, I would think the Mears service would need to cost less than an Uber/Lyft to justify using it, not more.
Because of that convenience factor, I would think the Mears service would need to cost less than an Uber/Lyft to justify using it, not more.
dolbyman
Well-Known Member
How many of those are "in the wild" .. if a couple of large vacation planes arrive, will there be enough Uber/Lyft XL to service all families ? Or do they have to wait a couple of hours ?
UNCgolf
Well-Known Member
I have no idea -- I'd expect there to be a ton in Orlando, though, and probably even more now that Magical Express is ending. I doubt you'd have to wait long to get one.
I'd expect there to be a decent wait for a Mears bus anyways.
LittleBuford
Well-Known Member
You can also reserve a vehicle in advance, though I’m not sure how well that would go in the event of flight or airport delays.
DisneyDreamer08
Well-Known Member
I am actually happy with this pricing. I am going solo to Disney in January and I’ve never used Uber or Lyft before and it’s not something I’m comfortable using alone. So $32 round trip for me? Sign me up. We normally travel as a family of 4 and even for the four of us, I don’t think it’s terrible.
skypilot2922
Well-Known Member
Well thats ugly, Figure 200 bucks if you dont want to ride in a overcrowded van.
I never thought it would make more sense to fly the Arrow to MCO and get a black car. but now it does. 1100 air miles (700 miles range) to MCO burning 10GPH figure a fuel stop midway and have black car meet us at the GA terminal at MCO
I never thought it would make more sense to fly the Arrow to MCO and get a black car. but now it does. 1100 air miles (700 miles range) to MCO burning 10GPH figure a fuel stop midway and have black car meet us at the GA terminal at MCO
CastAStone
5th gate? Just build a new resort Bob.
For a larger family, A private car won’t be that much more maybe $15 or $20, and includes car seats, and you get to leave as soon as you get your luggage arrives, and you don’t have to wait for a bus to load, and you go straight to your hotel without stopping at others, and a lot of them will include a free grocery stop if you want
UNCgolf
Well-Known Member
Exactly. This service doesn't make any sense to me at this price point.