Possible Return of DME?

[mitsukoshi samurai]

whatever happens DME isn't coming back ever

 

[matt_in_nh]

If they would ever bring it back I could see it to battle the new park down the road. I am curious what this really costs them…seems like a drop in the bucket and they get the benefit of people staying in their bubble.

 

[MPD]

When DME started, ride shares weren't really a thing so if someone didn't have a car on property they were likely to stay "in the bubble". But now that it's so easy to get an Uber or Lyft, I don't think that's a consideration anymore so it doesn't make financial sense for Disney to make DME free. If it comes back, I think it will have a cost.

 

[mrandmrsthomas0618]

I do understand why people are skeptical of them bringing DME back, but I feel like there will be some consideration if MCO is willing to pay them for it. Reduces cost and earns them goodwill.

I know Starbucks has a campaign right now to get back to a more customer service mindset. I'm cautiously optimistic Disney is working towards that with both Water parks opening and this airline baggage pilot.

 

[Chuck S]

While I don't see a lot of difference between Magical Express and Mears Connect, except cost, I do hope they bring back the full luggage service from MCO to WDW and back. If they do rebrand Mears Connect back to Magical Express, I wonder if it will be free?

 

[IDSkinner]

I'd be curious if Universal is going to try the same program. I mean, it would also make sense at MCO to have both of those large resorts have a similar baggage handling system to alleviate the strain in the airport and would help the City with the traffic issue the additional rideshares and car rentals might add. It could be a very smart efficiency move.

 

[Lewisc]

I'm surprised Disney doesn't include (Mears Connect) transfers with vacation packages. Pay Mears a wholesale rate. A perk for higher profit guests. Avoids having to offer free transfers to DVC guests

 

[Chuck S]

I'm surprised Disney doesn't include (Mears Connect) transfers with vacation packages. Pay Mears a wholesale rate. A perk for higher profit guests. Avoids having to offer free transfers to DVC guests

But, on the other hand, DVC has always received the same perks, like DME, if it was offered to Deluxe resort guests. I'm not sure they'd really want to tie DME into a package, like they do with free dining, if their goal is to keep all resort guests from straying outside the Disney Bubble over to Universal. If they make transportation to/from Universal an added cost and inconvenience for all Disney Resort guests they'd be better able to keep them on Disney property. Providing airport transportation is more likely to accomplish that, especially once they see the cost of Uber/Lyft or a Mears shuttle from Disney to Universal for a family of 4, plus the cost of alternative park tickets, assuming they'd go to Universal at least 2 days during a trip instead of Disney, that transportation cost would mount up.

 

[halfpintpeggy]

I'd be curious if Universal is going to try the same program. I mean, it would also make sense at MCO to have both of those large resorts have a similar baggage handling system to alleviate the strain in the airport and would help the City with the traffic issue the additional rideshares and car rentals might add. It could be a very smart efficiency move.

Universal already provides a convenient airport shuttle (for a fee).
I’m unsure if it includes baggage handling or not?

 

[mrandmrsthomas0618]

Airline check in already expanding to all values today, feels like a good sign

 

[Lewisc]

if their goal is to keep all resort guests from straying outside

Ride share, door dash meal delivery, food delivery......The bubble is different then it was when DME was developed.

I'm wondering if a new goal is to offer more reasons for package bookings.

 

[MarkNC2Disney]

Ride share is a pain for families with littles in car seats.

Exciting to see this pilot expand to all values!

 

[Sparrow'sLady]

While I don't see a lot of difference between Magical Express and Mears Connect, except cost, I do hope they bring back the full luggage service from MCO to WDW and back. If they do rebrand Mears Connect back to Magical Express, I wonder if it will be free?

I would expect if it returns, it will be at a fee.

The biggest difference is the Disney bubble. When "Disney" took care of your bags and transportation, it added a different feel, one that repeat guests became accustomed to.

 

[IDSkinner]

Universal already provides a convenient airport shuttle (for a fee).
I’m unsure if it includes baggage handling or not?

The addition of the luggage handling might be a very nice addition there and will likely help MCO immensely especially if Disney also makes the move.

 

[Cfabar1]

I wonder why the values first....

 

[IDSkinner]

I wonder why the values first....

From what I read it’s due to the volume of rooms at the value resorts which will help make this a solid test of the system.

 

[LoveToDisney]

While I don't see a lot of difference between Magical Express and Mears Connect, except cost, I do hope they bring back the full luggage service from MCO to WDW and back. If they do rebrand Mears Connect back to Magical Express, I wonder if it will be free?

There IS a lot of difference. DME only stopped at maximum 3 Disney resorts so getting to your resort was not a long trip. Mears Connect begins with a long wait because less use it so they wait for a full bus before they load, then travel to C terminal to also load, then travel to 6 resorts—not just Disney—so you could be pulling into a long entrance to Marriott’s World Center and other resorts long before they make it to your Disney resort. We have waited for 1 hour in line inside Mears lines at the airport, then loaded for 15m, drove to C terminal, loaded for 15m and were ON THE BUS for an additional 1-1/2hrs before being dropped off at BayLake Tower/Contemporary. Truly awful. Not every trip is that bad but the “potential” exists because it is no longer Disney only and 3 resorts maximum.

 

[Cfabar1]

There IS a lot of difference. DME only stopped at maximum 3 Disney resorts so getting to your resort was not a long trip. Mears Connect begins with a long wait because less use it so they wait for a full bus before they load, then travel to C terminal to also load, then travel to 6 resorts—not just Disney—so you could be pulling into a long entrance to Marriott’s World Center and other resorts long before they make it to your Disney resort. We have waited for 1 hour in line inside Mears lines at the airport, then loaded for 15m, drove to C terminal, loaded for 15m and were ON THE BUS for an additional 1-1/2hrs before being dropped off at BayLake Tower/Contemporary. Truly awful. Not every trip is that bad but the “potential” exists because it is no longer Disney only and 3 resorts maximum.

Did not know this....

Seems to me a great thing Disney could do would be bring back some kind of PAID disney only bus service as a start.... If they're not willing to bring back the FREE bus service that is...

 

[Sparrow'sLady]

I wonder why the values first....

Sheer volume. More guests, better test.

 

[kwdw]

There IS a lot of difference. DME only stopped at maximum 3 Disney resorts so getting to your resort was not a long trip. Mears Connect begins with a long wait because less use it so they wait for a full bus before they load, then travel to C terminal to also load, then travel to 6 resorts—not just Disney—so you could be pulling into a long entrance to Marriott’s World Center and other resorts long before they make it to your Disney resort. We have waited for 1 hour in line inside Mears lines at the airport, then loaded for 15m, drove to C terminal, loaded for 15m and were ON THE BUS for an additional 1-1/2hrs before being dropped off at BayLake Tower/Contemporary. Truly awful. Not every trip is that bad but the “potential” exists because it is no longer Disney only and 3 resorts maximum.

When did Mears Connect start going to non-Disney resorts? I’ve used them like 8 times in the past year and that was not the case. I agree DME was faster as it left more frequently, but my longest time from arriving at their checkin to arriving at my resort has been an hour and a half. It’s been as short as 40 minutes, but most have been in the hour to hour and fifteen minutes range.