Magical express being phased out

[minniemouse]

I just saw they are getting rid of ME. That was such a nice perk and really got us into the Disney spirit. They are building a train track from MCO to Disney Springs, then you would bus to the resort from DS. Hopefully they have a plan for luggage because that sounds miserable.
www.disneyfoodblog.com/2021/01/11/disney-worlds-magical-express-service-will-be-discontinued-in-2022/?fbclid=IwAR0yIHdB3hasoZzvJDqfbHWR5ZDcu4q_U0NUb9ztfSgzVt_K2b9cZK53pc8

[ssmjlm]

I think it's a bad move. Plus, instead of having X people on a bus, now they're all taking separate transportation which increases the carbon footprint.

[nicolewi]

WHAT? That seems crazy. ME really simplified the logistics for us.

[revolution]

This is not a good plan.

[revolution]

This made it so easy! And was one of our favorite parts of the trip - getting on the ME at MCO and we were always like "yes, we have arrived". And so easy! Hop on the bus. Luggage appears in my room at some point. When we go home, it's easy peasy to get back to the airport. The ME and the buses are a huge reason we love the disney bubble. I hope there's a good plan to replace it. I don't want to rent a car. And they've spoiled me by not making me get my own luggage.

[ssmjlm]

Jan 11, 2021 14:38:49 GMT -5 revolution said:

This made it so easy! And was one of our favorite parts of the trip - getting on the ME at MCO and we were always like "yes, we have arrived". And so easy! Hop on the bus. Luggage appears in my room at some point. When we go home, it's easy peasy to get back to the airport. The ME and the buses are a huge reason we love the disney bubble. I hope there's a good plan to replace it. I don't want to rent a car. And they've spoiled me by not making me get my own luggage.

This.  It was just so easy.  I would even pay for it, if they just made it a separate cost like the cruise lines do. 

[mccallister84]

Yea this was a huge plus for staying on site for us with young kids. A train plus transfer sounds like a nightmare.

[krystee]

This seems like a really bad idea. At first I was like, “oh we’ll just take a Lyft when we go next time. Annoying to have another expense, but we’ll deal.” And then I remembered car seats. And making sure the trunk is big enough for stroller plus luggage. And we only have two kids! Imagine how many families will need oversize cars to fit them and their stuff.

[nsl]

This is really shitty. If I have to rent a car just to get to Disney, what incentive do I have to spend extra time/money at Disney restaurants when I'm not at a park?

[gretchenindisguise]

I'm surprised this is getting more bad press than the change to extra magic hours. The extra 30 minutes at each park makes sense for crowd dispersal purposes during covid, but 30 minutes early doesn't seem quite as worth it. We used to like the evening extra magic hours a lot too, but come to think of it - I don't think they had those during our last trip.

We haven't used the magic express in years. We just do Uber. It's cheaper and faster. And we still do the bell check at the hotel to take your luggage to the airport and have them check it in. Maybe that will change too, but we did it without the ME in 2019.

[revolution]

Jan 11, 2021 23:29:06 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

I'm surprised this is getting more bad press than the change to extra magic hours. The extra 30 minutes at each park makes sense for crowd dispersal purposes during covid, but 30 minutes early doesn't seem quite as worth it. We used to like the evening extra magic hours a lot too, but come to think of it - I don't think they had those during our last trip.

We haven't used the magic express in years. We just do Uber. It's cheaper and faster. And we still do the bell check at the hotel to take your luggage to the airport and have them check it in. Maybe that will change too, but we did it without the ME in 2019.

If they still take care of my luggage to and from, I will pay for a lyft or uber and not complain as much.  

[ssmjlm]

Jan 11, 2021 23:29:06 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

I'm surprised this is getting more bad press than the change to extra magic hours. The extra 30 minutes at each park makes sense for crowd dispersal purposes during covid, but 30 minutes early doesn't seem quite as worth it. We used to like the evening extra magic hours a lot too, but come to think of it - I don't think they had those during our last trip.

We haven't used the magic express in years. We just do Uber. It's cheaper and faster. And we still do the bell check at the hotel to take your luggage to the airport and have them check it in. Maybe that will change too, but we did it without the ME in 2019.

I feel like magic hours for us were always good in theory, but it never quite worked out for our schedule.  Also, I live right by a Busch Gardens and they frequently just let people in early, so I guess I just don't have high standards.

I saw on FB that they are also phasing out the luggage services at the resorts. It's apparently all done by the same company and they aren't doing it anymore.  I liked that option as well (if your airline was part of the service).

All that to say, DH kindly reminded me that when we did our (non-Disney) cruise in 2019 we did taxis both times with luggage and were fine, but he did say that getting the luggage was an extra step.

[mccallister84]

Jan 11, 2021 23:29:06 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

I'm surprised this is getting more bad press than the change to extra magic hours. The extra 30 minutes at each park makes sense for crowd dispersal purposes during covid, but 30 minutes early doesn't seem quite as worth it. We used to like the evening extra magic hours a lot too, but come to think of it - I don't think they had those during our last trip.

We haven't used the magic express in years. We just do Uber. It's cheaper and faster. And we still do the bell check at the hotel to take your luggage to the airport and have them check it in. Maybe that will change too, but we did it without the ME in 2019.

How is it cheaper? (Unless you are staying off site). Magical express is (was) free... honestly it was a life saver when we went last year with an almost three year old and 16 month old. Between not having to worry about car seats and not having to haul the luggage....

[Covergirl82]

Jan 11, 2021 21:28:11 GMT -5 nsl said:

This is really shitty. If I have to rent a car just to get to Disney, what incentive do I have to spend extra time/money at Disney restaurants when I'm not at a park?

Not only the cost to rent a car, but then Disney will charge you a daily rate for parking at the resort!  

[abs]

This doesn't take effect until 2022. I bet Disney will announce something to take its place between now and then. Something they will charge for.

We have loved all of our Disney trips but man they are really all about squeezing every dollar they can out of you right now. It's not a good look.

[Covergirl82]

Jan 11, 2021 23:29:06 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

We haven't used the magic express in years. We just do Uber. It's cheaper and faster. And we still do the bell check at the hotel to take your luggage to the airport and have them check it in. Maybe that will change too, but we did it without the ME in 2019.

Unfortunately, Disney in no longer offering luggage check-in at the resort and then taking it to the airport.  We also did this in December 2018, and it was great.  When we went in August 2020, it wasn't offered, and we were told it was because of COVID.

[minniemouse]

Jan 12, 2021 9:11:44 GMT -5 abs said:

This doesn't take effect until 2022. I bet Disney will announce something to take its place between now and then. Something they will charge for.

We have loved all of our Disney trips but man they are really all about squeezing every dollar they can out of you right now. It's not a good look.

I sure hope so. It’s weird to think that 1/1/22 is less than a year away now! I keep forgetting it’s 2021...lol.

[irishbride2]

I think they are banking on the Train that goes from the airport to D.S. being completed on time (2020). Maybe they will have some sort of deal with the train company for Disney guests.

[stephm0188]

Mears will still offer shuttles, it just won't be contracted with Disney and thus not a complimentary service.

We've used Lyft more and more when we visit WDW and budget for it as we do food and merchandise.


I'm more disappointed in the change to EMH. It'll definitely impact park strategy.

[gretchenindisguise]

Jan 12, 2021 9:07:01 GMT -5 mccallister84 said:

Jan 11, 2021 23:29:06 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

I'm surprised this is getting more bad press than the change to extra magic hours. The extra 30 minutes at each park makes sense for crowd dispersal purposes during covid, but 30 minutes early doesn't seem quite as worth it. We used to like the evening extra magic hours a lot too, but come to think of it - I don't think they had those during our last trip.

We haven't used the magic express in years. We just do Uber. It's cheaper and faster. And we still do the bell check at the hotel to take your luggage to the airport and have them check it in. Maybe that will change too, but we did it without the ME in 2019.

How is it cheaper? (Unless you are staying off site). Magical express is (was) free... honestly it was a life saver when we went last year with an almost three year old and 16 month old. Between not having to worry about car seats and not having to haul the luggage....

Huh interesting. I could have sworn it was going to be $10-15/per rider last time I looked into it. 2 times ago I was staying The Swan - so maybe that's why. Last time we were at a dvc on my parents points. It doesn't make sense that dvc would have been excluded from that. I guess my memory is wrong.

That said ubering back and forth was really easy.

[mccallister84]

Jan 12, 2021 17:31:58 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

Jan 12, 2021 9:07:01 GMT -5 mccallister84 said:

How is it cheaper? (Unless you are staying off site). Magical express is (was) free... honestly it was a life saver when we went last year with an almost three year old and 16 month old. Between not having to worry about car seats and not having to haul the luggage....

Huh interesting. I could have sworn it was going to be $10-15/per rider last time I looked into it. 2 times ago I was staying The Swan - so maybe that's why. Last time we were at a dvc on my parents points. It doesn't make sense that dvc would have been excluded from that. I guess my memory is wrong.

That said ubering back and forth was really easy.

I’m not sure about the Swan and Dolphin - and it wouldn’t surprise me if there was a charge for that - it was definitely included when we rented DVC last year. I will admit that we had a pretty idyllic ME experience - we got to the line and I went to use the bathroom and they loaded up the bus while I was gone. I got back, we all got on and the bus left immediately and our hotel was the first stop.

[sent]

Jan 12, 2021 18:36:52 GMT -5 mccallister84 said:

Jan 12, 2021 17:31:58 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

Huh interesting. I could have sworn it was going to be $10-15/per rider last time I looked into it. 2 times ago I was staying The Swan - so maybe that's why. Last time we were at a dvc on my parents points. It doesn't make sense that dvc would have been excluded from that. I guess my memory is wrong.

That said ubering back and forth was really easy.

I’m not sure about the Swan and Dolphin - and it wouldn’t surprise me if there was a charge for that - it was definitely included when we rented DVC last year. I will admit that we had a pretty idyllic ME experience - we got to the line and I went to use the bathroom and they loaded up the bus while I was gone. I got back, we all got on and the bus left immediately and our hotel was the first stop.

If you stayed at the Swan/Dolphin, you could not take Magic Express. I stayed there on 2 of our last 3 trips. I hauled car seats and rented cars for these past 3 trips but I planned it that way because I like having the convenience of the rental car. Though I paid dearly for parking that car each night. I was looking forward to a few trips in 2020 with just the kids and myself and utilizing the ME because DS is still car-seat age and I could do more efficient trips if I didn't have to haul DS and his car seat. But COVID. I don't think realistically we will be flying there this year either so I guess I'll never utilize this service. 

[lucygoosey]

The 2022 change for Magical Express is supposed to coincide with the opening of a train line between MCO and Disney Springs. It still seems like it will be a pain in the ass but good to know there is a plan B option for transportation.

www.wdwinfo.com/news-stories/new-details-on-brightline-train-station-coming-to-disney-springs/

[kittycatlove]

Jan 11, 2021 23:29:06 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

I'm surprised this is getting more bad press than the change to extra magic hours. The extra 30 minutes at each park makes sense for crowd dispersal purposes during covid, but 30 minutes early doesn't seem quite as worth it. We used to like the evening extra magic hours a lot too, but come to think of it - I don't think they had those during our last trip.

We haven't used the magic express in years. We just do Uber. It's cheaper and faster. And we still do the bell check at the hotel to take your luggage to the airport and have them check it in. Maybe that will change too, but we did it without the ME in 2019.

I'm disappointed about the EMH.  We are not morning people, and LOVED late night EMH.  I'm really bummed about this

Though I did really like the convenience of Magical Express and the ease of luggage going right to our rooms, there are many other ways to get to the resorts. Maybe not as seamless, but still doable.

[chocolatepie]

I think Disney will come up with a paid option in the future, though it stinks they didn't have that in place to offer with the announcement.

Magical Express is relatively "new" and only been around since 2005; prior to it, we used a paid Mears bus to get to our hotel or rented a car. With Uber and Lyft, people have even more options even though they are all more stressful when carting young children and luggage. Mears runs Magical Express already so I wouldn't be surprised if they tweak it and repackage it at a cost. Still, the end of a nice perk and one of the last true perks for staying onsite.

You no longer have fastpasses, free Magicbands, Extra Magic Hours (just the new 30 min early perk when it begins), Magical Express, free hotel parking, bag transfer to airport... makes it hard to justify the $$$$ vs the offsite hotels.

[TamiTaylor]

Jan 13, 2021 13:21:57 GMT -5 chocolatepie said:

I think Disney will come up with a paid option in the future, though it stinks they didn't have that in place to offer with the announcement.

Magical Express is relatively "new" and only been around since 2005; prior to it, we used a paid Mears bus to get to our hotel or rented a car. With Uber and Lyft, people have even more options even though they are all more stressful when carting young children and luggage. Mears runs Magical Express already so I wouldn't be surprised if they tweak it and repackage it at a cost. Still, the end of a nice perk and one of the last true perks for staying onsite.

You no longer have fastpasses, free Magicbands, Extra Magic Hours (just the new 30 min early perk when it begins), Magical Express, free hotel parking, bag transfer to airport... makes it hard to justify the $$$$ vs the offsite hotels.

I think you will see a lot of people with with similar thinking. I wouldn’t be surprised if you see more room discount in the future to counteract people staying offsite.

[taratru]

I'm thinking about when we take kids for YES programs...how do we get 25 high school students onto property? eta: I know how, it's just one more expense.

I'm sure it's all to do with money, but this one is going to suck.

[nicolewi]

Jan 13, 2021 13:21:57 GMT -5 chocolatepie said:

You no longer have fastpasses, free Magicbands, Extra Magic Hours (just the new 30 min early perk when it begins), Magical Express, free hotel parking, bag transfer to airport... makes it hard to justify the $$$$ vs the offsite hotels.

Have they really gotten rid of ALL those things? Man, that definitely does pretty much erase the case for staying on-site. Literally...that cancels like every reason I had to justify staying at a Disney property. Do you think they will renew services in a post-Covid-bounce bacK? Or are these permanent changes?

[starryfish]

Jan 15, 2021 13:39:47 GMT -5 nicolewi said:

Jan 13, 2021 13:21:57 GMT -5 chocolatepie said:

You no longer have fastpasses, free Magicbands, Extra Magic Hours (just the new 30 min early perk when it begins), Magical Express, free hotel parking, bag transfer to airport... makes it hard to justify the $$$$ vs the offsite hotels.

Have they really gotten rid of ALL those things? Man, that definitely does pretty much erase the case for staying on-site. Literally...that cancels like every reason I had to justify staying at a Disney property. Do you think they will renew services in a post-Covid-bounce bacK? Or are these permanent changes?

Yes those are all gone now except magic express

[meganew]

Jan 15, 2021 21:43:41 GMT -5 starryfish said:

Jan 15, 2021 13:39:47 GMT -5 nicolewi said:

Have they really gotten rid of ALL those things? Man, that definitely does pretty much erase the case for staying on-site. Literally...that cancels like every reason I had to justify staying at a Disney property. Do you think they will renew services in a post-Covid-bounce bacK? Or are these permanent changes?

Yes those are all gone now except magic express

I assume fastpass will come back when Covid is really done though. I don’t see them giving up that perk forever.