Resort Airline Check In Service testing a return

[monothingie]

Meanwhile at Spirit Airlines....

 

[monothingie]

Gotta make sure everyone pays those baggage fees!

That's right!

By Disney logic, the poors won't check as many bags as the 1% that stay in the deluxe hotels, so by offering this service, it allows Disney to get these underspending peasants off of their property quicker so that the more affluent money dispensing meat sacks can take their place.

 

[Disney Glimpses]

I think there's significant hope for Disney's Magical Express to make a return.

As I understand it, Bags, Inc. (the company that handles RAC) filed for bankruptcy in 2020 which made contract negotiations with Mears complicated as luggage handlers are paid/insured differently. The service also just wasn't very "magical" when you had to haul your own luggage everywhere. Now that Bags, Inc. is back in play (and they have several job openings listed to specifically service the Walt Disney World Resort), the hard part of restoring this service is presumably over. All that's left is a neat contract with Mears, some bus decals and CM uniforms.

It's also very convenient for Disney as there is some nervousness around folks making their 1 day at Universal a 2 day thing (or more) due to Epic Universe. And recently, Disney leadership discussed the importance of the "Disney Bubble." In any event, I think it's coming back.

It actually gets a bit more interesting than this: the company running the test is called Bag Check which is owned by the former owner of Bags, Inc. who also happens to be a board member on the CTFOD (Disney District). But Bags, Inc. is also hiring (with a 2025 req. date) for Luggage Delivery to WDW.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Magical Express is one of the most lamented cuts in recent history and there is likely a benefit to Disney when they ensure we land in Orlando, go directly to WDW, and go directly back to MCO a week later.

 

[el_super]

The slow erosion of the on-site perks has been a big turnoff and has definitely soured some of my family on Disney.

People misunderstood the complexities of contracts and setups like Magical Express and only saw it as a cost reduction, when so much more was going on. As the post from @Disney Glimpses highlighted, bringing back a service such as this could take years of negotiating and setup.

The real bad news for Disney (and for Bags Inc) in taking the time to spin this back up, is what the travel industry might look like when they finally get it back in place.

 

[Disney Glimpses]

As the post from @Disney Glimpses highlighted, bringing back a service such as this could take years of negotiating and setup.

It could be restored by EOY or even summer, honestly. We only know what we are seeing happening now. This could've been in planning stages for a year (it probably has been, actually). Mears can be swapped back to DME quickly with decals and branding to follow shortly.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

Spoiler: genuinely not trying to offend anyone but I really think the reason they could have done this is becasuse...

its likely less valuable baggage than other resorts in case it gets lost

I sincerely doubt that’s the reason.

 

[Mark48]

They do now.

It starts May 28th 2025

 

[Disney Glimpses]

They most likely picked Southwest because the owner of Bag Check has a strong relationship with them. Either way, it's not like Disney is going to have this long term Southwest perk at value resorts only. This is just step one to get their feet back in the water.

 

[Mark48]

They do now.

Southwest baggage charges begin May 28 2025

 

[Splash4eva]

I don’t think Disney is calling it anything; that language is from BlogMickey, which said the scheme “is only being communicated to guests via word of mouth to keep it manageable”.

Okay fair…thanks for clarifying

 

[Drdcm]

Maybe the “Disney bubble” will return in some capacity.

Will they monetize it? Let’s see

 

[DisneyDreamer08]

I’d even be fine with an option to add Mears when booking a Disney package. Maybe with a discount. Anything to simplify the overall planning process.

 

[Jrb1979]

I’d even be fine with an option to add Mears when booking a Disney package. Maybe with a discount. Anything to simplify the overall planning process.

I'm surprised they don't. Universal does it for their packages.

 

[Jrb1979]

Magical Express is one of the most lamented cuts in recent history and there is likely a benefit to Disney when they ensure we land in Orlando, go directly to WDW, and go directly back to MCO a week later.

From Disney's side it makes total sense. My question is how many people actually do just Disney for a week? I feel many while staying at Disney stil venture off property to visit other attractions

 

[Ayla]

I don’t think Southwest charges for luggage.

They do, starting May 28th.

 

[LittleBuford]

They do, starting May 28th.

Sorry, I didn’t realise that when I responded to you (@Chi84 also corrected me). It’s a great shame they’re giving up on something that made them special.

 

[ToTBellHop]

From Disney's side it makes total sense. My question is how many people actually do just Disney for a week? I feel many while staying at Disney stil venture off property to visit other attractions

Many guests, in surveys, crave the simplicity of a WDW vacation in days of yore. ME, in particular, removes a confusing, “unmagical” portion of any vacation and the opportunity may make some visitors less likely to leave property since doing so will add hassle.

FWIW, I’m told this is being explored as an option for 2026 resort stays. Perhaps in lieu of the water park perk which, as many expected, has not been heavily utilized.

 

[Ayla]

Sorry, I didn’t realise that when I responded to you (@Chi84 also corrected me). It’s a great shame they’re giving up on something that made them special.

Yes, it is. Unfortunately, Elliott "Investment" Firm is running them into the ground. (Not surprisingly).

 

[Comped]

FWIW, I’m told this is being explored as an option for 2026 resort stays. Perhaps in lieu of the water park perk which, as many expected, has not been heavily utilized.

Interestingly, I've heard plenty of people say they've used it (or intend to use it). Biggest issue is that Disney only has 1 water park open at a time, and it closes relatively early. You'd have to arrive quite early to get more than a few hours of use out of the benefit.