New Transportation Option to/from MCO for Deluxe Resort Guests

[flynnibus]

Uber is a poor comparison though... this is a private car service more in line with Mears ($160), or Tiffany Towncar ($140) (not Mears connect).

Main differences:
-Car will be waiting for you to pick you up
-The driver will be an employee of a company, not a contract worker
-the car is guaranteed to have a certain "standard" of cleanliness, newness, ect.
-This is an SUV, not a sedan
-Car seats available (with the quality of the car seats important)

So you are really looking like an extra $40-$60 for it to be Disney

I'll be surprised if this service operates like a private car who meets you at arrivals, Disney could just as easily do dispatch based on MDE app checkin at terminal and pick you up at ride share or a dedicated curb. Compared to a real car service that will meet you indoors and help with luggage.

SUVs are readily available via uber too
Employee vs Contractor is FUD really.. it's no biggie. You'll likely be more documented and protected in an uber than a Disney Van.. besides Disney wanting to stay out of the press.
Car seats is the only thing I think Disney could offer to be a lot more consistent vs ride shares. But not everyone needs that either.

I think this is just Disney looking to monetize Minnie Vans because the system needs more revenue potentials.

What I see is a Disney branded ride share that if you buy into Disney's brand you believe it will be more reliable/consistent.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

The only times I would consider using Minnie van they don’t apply - Magic Kingdom to Disney Springs area hotels (Hilton etc.) - since they are on property I’m not sure why they don’t serve them.

Oh well…. I need that walk from Saratoga haha

 

[josiah mazelin]

I took Uber XL back in January to accommodate our three car seats and luggage. Was quick and very high quality of service. Only about $70 each way. $199 each way is an absolutely unnecessary price to pay even if you’ve got it like that.

 

[DisneyHead123]

My take - Disney is changing their ways but prone to the occasional relapse. Disney, you just canceled Magic Express. Offering $500 (a guesstimate with fees and tip) van rides like it’s some kind of “perk” is… read the room Disney. Put down the random upcharge lever and go back to announcing shiny but cost-effective-from-your-perspective things, before I regret defending you here!

 

[Tip Top Club Resident]

Even if they hypothetically cut the price in half it'd still be a hard "no" for our family.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

(it's a private pre-booked transfer that takes you directly to your hotel)

So are Uber and Lyft. You can order a private car at a certain time in advance, and they obviously go directly to your hotel.

Zero difference on those counts.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

To me this is something that is an expanded offering that no one is forcing you to use.

For folks that see value in it (even if on a spreadsheet it might not be apparent) is great they can take advantage of it

For everyone else driving or taking Uber everything is unchanged for you

 

[sullyinMT]

I'll be surprised if this service operates like a private car who meets you at arrivals, Disney could just as easily do dispatch based on MDE app checkin at terminal and pick you up at ride share or a dedicated curb. Compared to a real car service that will meet you indoors and help with luggage.

SUVs are readily available via uber too
Employee vs Contractor is FUD really.. it's no biggie. You'll likely be more documented and protected in an uber than a Disney Van.. besides Disney wanting to stay out of the press.
Car seats is the only thing I think Disney could offer to be a lot more consistent vs ride shares. But not everyone needs that either.

I think this is just Disney looking to monetize Minnie Vans because the system needs more revenue potentials.

What I see is a Disney branded ride share that if you buy into Disney's brand you believe it will be more reliable/consistent.

The dispatch could, theoretically be even slower if Disney prioritizes keeping the majority of Minnie Vans on property for park/resort trips. Unless you pre-book the transfer and input flight info to aid in their logistics.

While I generally buy in to Disney consistency, we generally have good luck with central Florida ride shares. This doesn't affect my family either way, but we'll continue to book Uber/Lyft when we return to BCV in November. And I wouldn't be surprised if we follow a few polka-dotted Suburbans there from MCO.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

To me this is something that is an expanded offering that no one is forcing you to use.

For folks that see value in it (even if on a spreadsheet it might not be apparent) is great they can take advantage of it

For everyone else driving or taking Uber everything is unchanged for you

Of course.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Of course.

Well then why is everyone complaining or worrying about where others spend their money?

 

[Gringrinngghost]

I took Uber XL back in January to accommodate our three car seats and luggage. Was quick and very high quality of service. Only about $70 each way. $199 each way is an absolutely unnecessary price to pay even if you’ve got it like that.

I had some flight issues that had me stuck in the NYC Metro last month, I had to ultimately fly out of Philadelphia. Using Lyft XL for 4 people it was for 3 trips about $110 dollars overall. That was 30th Street Station to Philadelphia International Airport for my 2nd attempted flight ($55) and then 2x trips to and from the hotel I had to stay at after my second flight got cancelled ($25 each way). That being said, I can't ever recall using Uber. Thinking back on it, I didn't even spend $199 when I once took Lyft from Penn Station New York to JFK International when I wanted to test the service.

I also just saw a standard Lyft XL from Beach Club to MCO at less then $50 before tip for today.

 

[DisneyHead123]

Well then why is everyone complaining or worrying about where others spend their money?

I think there’s a balance to that argument. Of course I don’t think people should wander around sniping “You paid for mouse ears? Well I wouldn’t pay for mouse ears, I think that’s a waste! You had a Mickey bar? Well I wouldn’t buy a Mickey bar I think…”

But take it to the other extreme. If Disney debuted a $500 cupcake (being absurd to highlight a point) can people not roll their eyes and say they’ve lost the plot?

To me canceling Magic Express and introducing a $400-500 van ride from the airport is a bit much. Said as someone who is sitting here on the sidelines with my pom poms cheering for the new park additions, parade, cruise ships, lounge, heck even the new seasonal snacks.

 

[phillip9698]

Well then why is everyone complaining or worrying about where others spend their money?

Ok so lets say Disney sees that they make more money charging $500 for Minnie vans than they do by bringing back Magical Express.

Thats a benefit the masses would lose forever for the benefit of the few who would never bat an eye at $500.

They already took away the free fast passes because "others" have no issue parting with more money for the same service.

They took away the free parking.

Whose to say they wont put the entire transportation network on a paid fee program because enough "others" would be willing to pay.

At what point would you then start worrying about what "others" are spending their money on?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Wait a minute…what?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Well then why is everyone complaining or worrying about where others spend their money?

Cause it’s stupid…and contrary to board myth…nothing spent in the swamp is spent in a vaccum.

Once one idiot does it…the numbers geeks try to figure out how everyone else can be pressured to do it…

Hell…it’s probably AI now

https://media.tenor.com/DZRx3RAGN6EAAAAM/terminator-terminator-robot.gif

As far as where this goes? Probably no where

Some will pay for…like sailors on shore leave…but not enough to move any needles.

It’s 18 miles…like have some sense

Give the Uber dude a few bucks…don’t give the monolith an extra $150 cause “adulting is hard”

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Ok so lets say Disney sees that they make more money charging $500 for Minnie vans than they do by bringing back Magical Express.

Thats a benefit the masses would lose forever for the benefit of the few who would never bat an eye at $500.

They already took away the free fast passes because "others" have no issue parting with more money for the same service.

They took away the free parking.

Whose to say they wont put the entire transportation network on a paid fee program because enough "others" would be willing to pay.

At what point would you then start worrying about what "others" are spending their money on?

That's a lot of what ifs, and DME has been gone for a long time, not like they took that away and immediately replaced it with this

And this is only for deluxe guests

And they have brought back the bag check at value resorts



This just feels like a premium option for people that want it. Same as concierge rooms, VIPs your, etc

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I think there’s a balance to that argument. Of course I don’t think people should wander around sniping “You paid for mouse ears? Well I wouldn’t pay for mouse ears, I think that’s a waste! You had a Mickey bar? Well I wouldn’t buy a Mickey bar I think…”

But take it to the other extreme. If Disney debuted a $500 cupcake (being absurd to highlight a point) can people not roll their eyes and say they’ve lost the plot?

To me canceling Magic Express and introducing a $400-500 van ride from the airport is a bit much. Said as someone who is sitting here on the sidelines with my pom poms cheering for the new park additions, parade, cruise ships, lounge, heck even the new seasonal snacks.

Why would introducing a $500 cupcake be an issue? You don't have to buy it ... Unless that is now the only food option available or something

And they didn't take away DME and replace it with this DME has been gone for a long time

 

[Tha Realest]

Question: Many have defended Disney doing away with DME by saying, “it was never free, you were paying for it with your hotel fees.” I get it - it’s an under the hood cost not itemized on your resort bill.

But how was that cost passed on to DVC? As someone earlier mentioned, the costs that were hidden to the customer haven’t materialized in lower costs or rates since they did away with if in 2021. Some of that’s inherently opaque.

Does that mean DVC was free-riders on this? I get it if you stayed at cash+DVC resorts like GF or Poly and the like. But those staying at DVC-only resorts (that have a very limited number of cash bookings of DVC inventory) like OKW and SS also got this benefit. Do any DVC members have visibility on the breakdown of annual dues/fees/maintenance to see how or if DVC was ever charged for this service? And has there been a commensurate lowering of dues since it was phased out?

 

[Sir_Cliff]

Well then why is everyone complaining or worrying about where others spend their money?

Personally, I don't care if other people choose to spend their money on this and Disney finds it profitable. Trying to force the masses to force Disney not to do things that will make them more money seems like a road to nowhere. If there is a market for something, they will pursue it and no amount of posting on here is going to destroy that market.

I am kind of curious to see how much uptake they have of the offer as it is hard for me to imagine many people for whom this seems like an appealing option. Who knows, however. I felt a little similarly about the Starcruiser as neither the cost nor the experience seemed remotely appealing to me, so I was genuinely curious if there was a market out there that could keep the thing running day in day out. In that case, there wasn't. In this case, we'll see.

 

[DisneyHead123]

Why would introducing a $500 cupcake be an issue? You don't have to buy it ... Unless that is now the only food option available or something

And they didn't take away DME and replace it with this DME has been gone for a long time

Regarding DME - subjective I guess. Five years feels like an eye blink at my age. It felt like an eternity at 20.

Regarding whether or not a $500 cupcake would be an “issue”, it depends on what you mean by issue. I’m not a Reddit warrior type calling for capitalism to be overturned forever if some people can buy a $500 cupcake. If someone wants to buy a $500 cupcake I am in favor of letting the (regulated) market work that out. But I think it’s another extreme to say that no one can so much as say on a message board “Why the heck is Disney charging $500 for a cupcake? That seems unreasonable.” To flip the framing - why would me having my own opinion be a problem? I’m all for not being toxic online but if it goes too far it’s like saying no one can express any kind of negative opinion about Disney ever.