Magical Express Ending Service

[jpeterson]

Apologies if this was mentioned in previous pages. I skimmed but didn't see it.

We are arriving 12/23 and departing on 1/1 2022. We were driving, but have decided to maybe fly instead. Since we'll be arriving on 12/23, the Magical Express will still be in operation. But would it still be running on Jan 1, since we have an existing trip booked? Or would we need to find transportation back to the airport?

Thanks!!!

it seems to read like it will be running for return service for those arriving in 2021. So it SHOULD be fine. But who knows. I suppose you could book it online and see what happens.

 

[mitsukoshi samurai]

I think you will have to Uber it

 

[Summer Starr]

Magical Express will be no longer in service starting 2022

Ugghh, may have to consider universal as an option with all the disney perks gone

 

[terri33inne]

It was ideal when my DD was younger, especially as a single mom, to check our luggage at our home airport and not worry again until baggage claim at our return. I could call bell services and request help in getting our luggage to the resort airline check-in area, check the bags, and go out for some last minute fun. It was my answer to people who would ask me why we were going back to Disney again. Disney made it very easy for me as a single parent with a young child to take a vacation. Now my daughter is older (9), and I think these changes are the push we need to visit Disney less frequently (we’ll still visit, but it won’t be as often) and do more real-world travel.

I am in the exact same situation... I posted almost the exact same thing you said on another board.

Our first trip together she was 5, and I had 2 friends at work that went several times/year & owned DVC so they gave me lots of advice, even with all of that I was nervous traveling as a single Mom... Disney made it soooo easy. That has always been my response when people say 'You're going again?'... Yes, Disney just makes it so easy as a single Mom. To me the luggage service as the biggest perk, so sad that is gone.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Never used it

it’s awesome

 

[chasgeese]

Ugghh, may have to consider universal as an option with all the disney perks gone

Why would this change the calculus for Disney v. Universal? You still have to pay for transportation to US like you always did.

 

[Evita_W]

Why would this change the calculus for Disney v. Universal? You still have to pay for transportation to US like you always did.

US is already less expensive is my guess, but there is far less to do.

 

[chasgeese]

US is already less expensive is my guess, but there is far less to do.

Yah I mean, if you stay on site at US at a resort with an express pass (which are typically cheaper than a moderate and sometimes cheaper than Pop), you can bang it out in a day or two, or three days at the other resorts, depending on how leisurely you want to take it (maybe add another day if you want to do the water park).

For me, the problem is that there’s just not enough to justify flying down to Orlando just to do US (I mean maybe once just to see the HP stuff, but not after). Granted, I usually only go to Disney once every few years and tack on US to those trips when I go, because I have to fly in and like to make the trips special when I go. At the same time, anyone affected by the DME cancellation would also be flying in.

Basically, I see how the DME cancellation could have a big cost impact for a small number of parties, but for most people, it is a convenience that appears to offer more financial value than it does. IMO, the prices charged by Disney hotels were always over the top even when you factored in DME. I just think it’s a little overreaction for many people on here to say they are done with Disney because they are taking it away.

 

[Summer Starr]

Yah I mean, if you stay on site at US at a resort with an express pass (which are typically cheaper than a moderate and sometimes cheaper than Pop), you can bang it out in a day or two, or three days at the other resorts, depending on how leisurely you want to take it (maybe add another day if you want to do the water park).

For me, the problem is that there’s just not enough to justify flying down to Orlando just to do US (I mean maybe once just to see the HP stuff, but not after). Granted, I usually only go to Disney once every few years and tack on US to those trips when I go, because I have to fly in and like to make the trips special when I go. At the same time, anyone affected by the DME cancellation would also be flying in.

Basically, I see how the DME cancellation could have a big cost impact for a small number of parties, but for most people, it is a convenience that appears to offer more financial value than it does. IMO, the prices charged by Disney hotels were always over the top even when you factored in DME. I just think it’s a little overreaction for many people on here to say they are done with Disney because they are taking it away.

I wasn't even talking just about magical Express. I mean all the perks that Disney's taken away like fastpass and free parking at hotels too. Not giving up on Disney I love it too much but universal is a factor now

 

[DebbieB]

I wasn't even talking just about magical Express. I mean all the perks that Disney's taken away like fastpass and free parking at hotels too. Not giving up on Disney I love it too much but universal is a factor now

Doesn’t Universal charge for hotel parking?

 

[ThistleMae]

With more and more being taken away, I'm super discouraged. My kids feel differently (they are grown). They will go no matter the cost or what is taken away. I guess many Disney die hard families might feel the same.

 

[Runnsally]

I wasn't even talking just about magical Express. I mean all the perks that Disney's taken away like fastpass and free parking at hotels too. Not giving up on Disney I love it too much but universal is a factor now

Not a defense of price increases, but one of the reasons WDW did this instead of baking an increase into the room rate is that travel agents and third party booking sites don’t get a cut of the parking fee like they do with the room rate.

 

[SL6827]

I am going to Florida in one more month, but not to Disney. The emerald coast has my attention.

 

[SL6827]

Not a defense of price increases, but one of the reasons WDW did this instead of baking an increase into the room rate is that travel agents and third party booking sites don’t get a cut of the parking fee like they do with the room rate.

Will TA and such get a cut of the resort fee that I believe they will eventually tack on at some point?

 

[ThistleMae]

Wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

Email sent, thank you! Disney needs to know how many of us will alter plans based on this decision.

 

[disneyseniors]

Email sent, thank you! Disney needs to know how many of us will alter plans based on this decision.

Thanks, ThistleMae, for the email address.
I will send WDW an email today.
I hope all the others on this 27 page thread do the same. It might not do any good, but it can't hurt!

 

[Runnsally]

Will TA and such get a cut of the resort fee that I believe they will eventually tack on at some point?

No, the booking site or travel agent typically do not get a cut of the resort fee. This is one of the reasons why resorts have them.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

Will TA and such get a cut of the resort fee that I believe they will eventually tack on at some point?

I hope Disney continues to resist the introduction of resort fees. They add another point of pricing confusion to advertised prices. Many of the places we’ve stayed that do charge them fold in parking and Internet fees as well. I hear people who don’t have a car standing at the front desk complaining about paying for parking they don’t use.

 

[ThistleMae]

Thanks, ThistleMae, for the email address.
I will send WDW an email today.
I hope all the others on this 27 page thread do the same. It might not do any good, but it can't hurt!

I got an email back from Disney thanking me for my email. I would hope multiple emails will at least be a talking point by management.

 

[disneyseniors]

I got an email back from Disney thanking me for my email. I would hope multiple emails will at least be a talking point by management.

I got an email from wdw the same day I sent the email to them! They said due to heavy volume on the site, it might take a while to get back to me.
Like you said, at least they know people are upset.