is there a chance that the Magical Express will come back?

[DisneyHead123]

If you Google “Mears transportation profit”, it looks like they make around $150 - $200-ish million in profit a year.

Maybe it was worth it for Disney to just let them have that piece of the pie vs taking on the associated startup costs. Staffing may have been an issue as well, with labor shortages. I wouldn’t rule out Disney offering a competing service in the future though, or re-partnering with Mears. It’s still a potential revenue stream for them in a world where Wall Street wants profits growing constantly. And they have better ability to advertise and push the service when people are booking vacation packages, potentially increasing revenue elsewhere by keeping more people onsite.

 

[_caleb]

i disagree.. as the attendance in the park may prove you wrong.. you just don't feel the magic.. and the busses helped you feel the magic..

Oh, I’m in agreement that Disney has greatly diminished the experience by its cost-cutting efforts. In another thread, we’re lamenting Disney’s move to blank paper napkins after years of giving out paper napkins printed with “Walt Disney World” and/or Mickey Mouse.

 

[_caleb]

They weren't Disney's buses and they weren't Disney's staff, first of all. It was an outsourced service.

What does it matter whose busses they were? Mears wasn’t operating the service for free, right?

But yes, the marginal value of a captive guest is higher than the per-passenger cost to Disney of Magical Express, at least since they returned to free parking for resort guests.

Cutting Magical Express made sense financially when they were charging for parking, because then they'd either have parking fee revenue or the parking fee would dissuade enough people from renting a car even without DME that they'd be "captive guests" either way.

But hasn’t the game changer been Uber/Lyft? Those services have made guests far less “captive.” (Which, BTW, doesn’t that very concept sound just gross?)

Either way, even with resort parking fees removed, I still don’t think there’s enough money to be made in a “free” MDE shuttle tour-bus-that-shuttles service.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

But hasn’t the game changer been Uber/Lyft? Those services have made guests far less “captive.”

No. Uber and Lyft are not viable for families with small children, i.e. the core Walt Disney World guest. Large vehicles are difficult to get, and expensive. Car seats are difficult to get, and expensive. Multiple car seats are *impossible* to get at any price.

(Which, BTW, doesn’t that very concept sound just gross?)

No. The idea of a captive audience is literally the core of the theme park business, the live entertainment business, the cinema business, etc. and has been since the beginning. It's the entire purpose of "the Disney bubble."

 

[_caleb]

No. Uber and Lyft are not viable for families with small children, i.e. the core Walt Disney World guest. Large vehicles are difficult to get, and expensive. Car seats are difficult to get, and expensive. Multiple car seats are *impossible* to get at any price.

I know Uber/Lyft has the option to order a car w/car seats, but those can be hard to come by. Most larger families I know order Uber XL or take 2 cars from the airport.

But I was talking about overcoming the “captive” thing by ordering food or having one adult doing the Wal-mart run using a ride share service rather than paying $10 for a banana at the resort.

No. The idea of a captive audience is literally the core of the theme park business, the live entertainment business, the cinema business, etc. and has been since the beginning. It's the entire purpose of "the Disney bubble."

The fact that it’s intended/common doesn’t make me feel any better about it. Many of the businesses you mention are suffering as a result of this practice.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Most larger families I know order Uber XL or take 2 cars from the airport.

That costs more than hiring a private driver and WAY more than it cost Disney to operate DME. Uber XL does not fit "larger families."

 

[jloucks]

That costs more than hiring a private driver and WAY more than it cost Disney to operate DME. Uber XL does not fit "larger families."

We use Mears Black. Big ole fancy black suburban and a professional driver. And yes, less $$ than 2x Uber XLs.

 

[jloucks]

I know Uber/Lyft has the option to order a car w/car seats, but those can be hard to come by. Most larger families I know order Uber XL or take 2 cars from the airport.

Have you noticed they are getting pretty loose with the definition of Uber XL? Tried it going on a cruise and ended up with something like a Santa Fe. Pffft, needless to say not big enough for all the folks and luggage.

IMHO XL means not only the people, but their luggage.

But I get it, it is more for taking 6 inebriated people from one bar to another?

 

[JIMINYCR]

Uber and Lyft are a nightmare for families of 3+. They're also a nightmare for families who need one or more car seats. They're not a viable option for the vast majority of Walt Disney World guests.


That... is not correct. When I rent a car, I go to the grocery store for cases of water and bananas, at a minimum. When I don't rent a car, I buy all of my water and breakfasts from Disney.

No ? Funny how the service works everywhere else where it’s being utilized. Guess it’s just a Disney issue huh?

 

[CaptainAmerica]

No ? Funny how the service works everywhere else where it’s being utilized. Guess it’s just a Disney issue huh?

Absolutely NOWHERE on the planet is Uber used consistently and reliably with families with multiple children of car seat age. Uber Car Seat doesn't even exist in most markets.

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

I agree that Disney is not targeting lifelong fans. In fact, it seems quite the opposite. I suspect lifers just don't spend enough to be a target. Well, most lifers.... I spend a boat load every visit. Spent. I have no return plans atm.

I don't know if its a money spend thing for lifers, I think its more that you don't have to spend as much money, and give as many incentives to lifers. Lifers are already hooked on the Disney experience. You don't need to incentivize them.

I also think in the limited instance of DME (not talking about removing other park perks) that younger generations, who i am putting in the not lifer yet category, don't see DME as much of a perk as older generations. Younger generations are more used to ride share type applications as part of a normal routine, over bus services. I also think as a whole people younger generations prefer individualized services, as opposed to shared services like a bus.

 

[mattpeto]

On the surface, cutting costs was the #1 reason the service was disbanded.

But I'm sure they didn't like dealing with Operation issues that guests would complain about and Disney was on the hook for. It's probably the #1 reason why park reservations are going away mostly, huge issue at the gates and the juice isn't worth the squeeze.

If I had to guess, like some others - Disney will bring back a service at some point to transfer guests to/fro the airport; most likely for a fee.

 

[Disstevefan1]

ME was introduced to keep folks inside the Disney bubble and I think it worked really well. My only guess it that since Uber and Lyft, Disney figured ME would not work to strand folks in the bubble and folks could escape easily, so why should they keep paying for it.

If Disney really cared about the environment, they would have kept ME to reduce the cars on the road. The problem is, Disney only cares about the environment when they can make money, or save money somehow.

 

[m steve]

Pay more, get less. When Disney eliminated DME and FP+, we stopped visiting WDW.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Absolutely NOWHERE on the planet is Uber used consistently and reliably with families with multiple children of car seat age. Uber Car Seat doesn't even exist in most markets.

Uber does provide rides for families with children requiring car seats. Guess youre not savvy enough to look up their site and order a ride with car seats for children.
Heres a travel site that details the process for you.

• ABOUT
• AIR TRAVEL
• TRAVEL GEAR
• CALIFORNIA
• DISNEY
• SKIING
• NATIONAL PARKS
• HAWAII

Uber Car Seat Orlando: Guide for Parents at Disney World​

By: Author Leslie Harvey
Posted on Published: May 18, 2023

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

On the surface, cutting costs was the #1 reason the service was disbanded.

But I'm sure they didn't like dealing with Operation issues that guests would complain about and Disney was on the hook for. It's probably the #1 reason why park reservations are going away mostly, huge issue at the gates and the juice isn't worth the squeeze.

If I had to guess, like some others - Disney will bring back a service at some point to transfer guests to/fro the airport; most likely for a fee.

I agree with the first 2, I just don't know if Disney does bring back some type of service in future. Just seems like more headaches, liability, and administration than it would be worth.

Given the various options of uber/lyft, or private large car services, I don't see how Disney can offer anything similar to DME, at a price point that makes it an attactive alternative to the other methods of transportation. I mean sure, if they just bring it back for free, then fine, people love free stuff.

But if the choice is paying for a shared bus that makes multiple stops and runs on a certain schedule, or paying for a private car that picks you up right when you land, and drives you to exactly where you want to go, it seems like an overall no brainer.

 

[jloucks]

If Disney really cared about the environment, they would have kept ME to reduce the cars on the road. The problem is, Disney only cares about the environment when they can make money, or save money somehow.

Oooo, interesting spin, and I cannot disagree. Sadly.

 

[jloucks]

Uber does provide rides for families with children requiring car seats. Guess youre not savvy enough to look up their site and order a ride with car seats for children.
Heres a travel site that details the process for you.

• ABOUT
• AIR TRAVEL
• TRAVEL GEAR
• CALIFORNIA
• DISNEY
• SKIING
• NATIONAL PARKS
• HAWAII

Uber Car Seat Orlando: Guide for Parents at Disney World​

By: Author Leslie Harvey
Posted on Published: May 18, 2023

As a person with kids, and a person with old people, I can tell you what uber says, and what uber does are a bit misleading.

Take for example, uber with wheelchair accommodations. Sure, they have it. But getting one takes 2x-10x as long to arrive.

Same thing with the child seats. You can request them, but get ready to wait, and wait, and wait. Canceled! Rebook, and wait, and wait, and wait.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Uber does provide rides for families with children requiring car seats. Guess youre not savvy enough to look up their site and order a ride with car seats for children.
Heres a travel site that details the process for you.

• ABOUT
• AIR TRAVEL
• TRAVEL GEAR
• CALIFORNIA
• DISNEY
• SKIING
• NATIONAL PARKS
• HAWAII

Uber Car Seat Orlando: Guide for Parents at Disney World​

By: Author Leslie Harvey
Posted on Published: May 18, 2023

Did you even read what I wrote?

I said "Uber Car Seat doesn't even exist in most markets."

Yes, it exists in Orlando. It also SUCKS, and it tops out at ONE car seat per vehicle, meaning it is not a viable option for families who need MULTIPLE car seats.

 

[_caleb]

That costs more than hiring a private driver and WAY more than it cost Disney to operate DME. Uber XL does not fit "larger families."

6 people isn't "larger?"
I'm not sure how much a private driver costs, but an Uber X from MCO to POR for 6 people was $47.91 in May of this year.