Disney's Magical Express extended through 2016

CleveRocks · 03-18-2009

HEADLINE:
Walt Disney World, Orlando International Airport strike deal to extend Disney's Magical Express
The agreement will ensure Disney's Magical Express operates until at least the end of 2016
by Jason Garcia | (Orlando) Sentinel Staff Writer
March 18, 2009

Walt Disney World and Orlando International Airport completed a deal Wednesday to continue the resort's free passenger-and-luggage shuttle until at least the end of 2016.

Under the terms of the deal, the airport agreed not to raise the 75-cent-a-passenger fee it charges the resort for Disney's Magical Express. The previous contract would have allowed the airport to raise the fee to as much as $1.50 a passenger under certain circumstances.

Disney buses ferried just under 2.2 million travelers from OIA to either its resort hotels or cruise ships in 2008, according to airport figures. That works out to about $1.6 million a year in payments to the airport -- compared with about $3.2 million were the per-passenger fee doubled.

The previous agreement had been set to expire at the end of 2011. The new pact also gives Disney the option to extend the agreement by another five years, until 2021.
Airport leaders have been working to cut costs and raise money -- including plans to cut an undisclosed number of jobs -- as passenger traffic and revenue tumble amid the global recession. But Jeff Fuqua, chairman of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, said the agency decided it was better served by not raising Disney's fee, in return for securing a longer commitment from the company to operate Magical Express.

Because Disney's Magical Express luggage is processed in a remote hangar at the airport, the service diverts thousands of bags every day away from OIA's main luggage-sorting systems and claim areas. That eases pressure on the airport to spend money expanding its baggage facilities, Fuqua said.

"What they were looking for was control on costs. What we were looking for was to relieve ourselves of capital costs -- big costs," Fuqua said.

The airport also agreed to raise the threshold under which it could have forced Disney to open a second customer check-in location in the airport's main terminal. Under the previous deal, OIA could have required Disney to rent more counter space once Magical Express reached 2.2 million arriving travelers in any 12-month period; now, it can do so only once the shuttle service reaches 2.5 million arriving passengers

The new agreement continues a provision preventing Disney from establishing another Magical Express at any airport within a 100 mile radius of OIA -- ensuring Disney can't bring the service to Orlando Sanford International Airport.

"We're pleased the contract extension will enable us to continue to operate Disney's Magical Express for many years to come," Disney spokeswoman Kim Prunty said. "We think Disney's Magical Express has proven to be incredibly successful – it has benefited the airport and the Central Florida community, as well as Walt Disney World and millions of visitors to our region."

momofaprincess · 03-19-2009

I'm glad they renewed!! It's a nice service!!

**WishUponAStar** · 03-19-2009

Awesome!! I love Magical Express!! And thank goodness the airport agreed not to raise the charge to Disney 'cause I am hoping it will stay a 'free' service for as long as possible! I mean heck, I would be REALLY annoyed if Disney charged me $20. to ride ME and knew it was only costing them .75 cents (plus gas) to have me on the bus.

It is a GREAT service though!

**DisneyTeacher** · 03-19-2009

That's good news, we love ME and use it every trip.

keljen · 03-19-2009

This is great news as we used it and it was great. This is a great way to start your Disney vacation

M5ward · 03-19-2009

WOW! In this day and age, someone actually didn't raise their rates! Unheard of! We use DME every trip and love the convenience. This is good news.

bransworld · 03-19-2009

I am so glad to hear this. We love ME and will always use it as long as it is available. I would probably even pay for the service if i had to and it was reasonable. The first big trip i took to WDW we got a towne car to drive us and it was the scariest ride ever in my life. I don't think i would do that again.

**WishUponAStar** · 03-19-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by bransworld

We love ME and will always use it as long as it is available. I would probably even pay for the service if i had to and it was reasonable.

I totally agree but SSHHHHH, don't tell Disney that we'd be willing to pay for it.

Just think of it as 'included in the price of our resort stay.'

iluvwdw · 03-19-2009

I have never used the service, but think it's an AMAZING perk to staying onsite!!!!

Justin · 03-19-2009

ME is a great Disney feature. I'm glad their keeping it a little longer.
- Justin

brit · 03-19-2009

You feel like your at Disney as soon as you see the CM directing you to your bus. It is a great perk....

03-18-2009	#1 (permalink)
CleveRocks Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 139	Disney's Magical Express extended through 2016 HEADLINE: Walt Disney World, Orlando International Airport strike deal to extend Disney's Magical Express The agreement will ensure Disney's Magical Express operates until at least the end of 2016 by Jason Garcia \| (Orlando) Sentinel Staff Writer March 18, 2009 Walt Disney World and Orlando International Airport completed a deal Wednesday to continue the resort's free passenger-and-luggage shuttle until at least the end of 2016. Under the terms of the deal, the airport agreed not to raise the 75-cent-a-passenger fee it charges the resort for Disney's Magical Express. The previous contract would have allowed the airport to raise the fee to as much as $1.50 a passenger under certain circumstances. Disney buses ferried just under 2.2 million travelers from OIA to either its resort hotels or cruise ships in 2008, according to airport figures. That works out to about $1.6 million a year in payments to the airport -- compared with about $3.2 million were the per-passenger fee doubled. The previous agreement had been set to expire at the end of 2011. The new pact also gives Disney the option to extend the agreement by another five years, until 2021. Airport leaders have been working to cut costs and raise money -- including plans to cut an undisclosed number of jobs -- as passenger traffic and revenue tumble amid the global recession. But Jeff Fuqua, chairman of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, said the agency decided it was better served by not raising Disney's fee, in return for securing a longer commitment from the company to operate Magical Express. Because Disney's Magical Express luggage is processed in a remote hangar at the airport, the service diverts thousands of bags every day away from OIA's main luggage-sorting systems and claim areas. That eases pressure on the airport to spend money expanding its baggage facilities, Fuqua said. "What they were looking for was control on costs. What we were looking for was to relieve ourselves of capital costs -- big costs," Fuqua said. The airport also agreed to raise the threshold under which it could have forced Disney to open a second customer check-in location in the airport's main terminal. Under the previous deal, OIA could have required Disney to rent more counter space once Magical Express reached 2.2 million arriving travelers in any 12-month period; now, it can do so only once the shuttle service reaches 2.5 million arriving passengers The new agreement continues a provision preventing Disney from establishing another Magical Express at any airport within a 100 mile radius of OIA -- ensuring Disney can't bring the service to Orlando Sanford International Airport. "We're pleased the contract extension will enable us to continue to operate Disney's Magical Express for many years to come," Disney spokeswoman Kim Prunty said. "We think Disney's Magical Express has proven to be incredibly successful – it has benefited the airport and the Central Florida community, as well as Walt Disney World and millions of visitors to our region."

03-19-2009	#2 (permalink)
momofaprincess and a prince too.... Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: 8.6 miles from the mouse! Posts: 1,854	Re: Disney's Magical Express extended through 2016 I'm glad they renewed!! It's a nice service!! __________________ ~Melissa~

03-19-2009	#3 (permalink)
WishUponAStar is the luckiest gal! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: I'm right here! HI! Posts: 13,432	Re: Disney's Magical Express extended through 2016 Awesome!! I love Magical Express!! And thank goodness the airport agreed not to raise the charge to Disney 'cause I am hoping it will stay a 'free' service for as long as possible! I mean heck, I would be REALLY annoyed if Disney charged me $20. to ride ME and knew it was only costing them .75 cents (plus gas) to have me on the bus. It is a GREAT service though! __________________ Disneyland & College Program Moderator Upcoming Trips Feb. 20th-23rd: Wilderness Lodge Villas June 2010: Alaska Cruise Oct 30th-Nov 7th: Spooky Halloween at BLT! "Life without a vacation countdown is like a cupcake with no frosting." Banner by Mickeysgirlz, she's a rockstar! My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Wilderness Lodge Villas BEEP! "Please leave a message, in WDW!"

03-19-2009	#4 (permalink)
DisneyTeacher Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: WDW in my dreams Posts: 18,670	Re: Disney's Magical Express extended through 2016 That's good news, we love ME and use it every trip. __________________ ~Stephanie~ 1993 Caribbean Beach Resort ~ 1996 Caribbean Beach resort ~1997 Caribbean Beach Resort ~2003 Wilderness Lodge ~2004 Beach Club Resort/Shades of Green/Pop Century~ 2005 Wilderness Lodge Resort/Beach Club Villas ~ 2006 Saratoga Springs Resort~2007 Port Orleans French Quarter/Beach Club Villas/Boardwalk Villas ~ 2007 Port Orleans Riverside~ 2008 Wilderness Lodge/Beach Club Villas~2008 Beach Club Villas~2009 Hilton Head Island~ 2009 Beach Club Villas~2010 Beach Club Villas~ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Beach Club here we come 125 days 11 hours 3 minutes

03-19-2009	#5 (permalink)
keljen Mouse Meister Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Too far from Disney Posts: 1,237	Re: Disney's Magical Express extended through 2016 This is great news as we used it and it was great. This is a great way to start your Disney vacation __________________ Walt Disney World - Always on my mind My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Cruise on new NCL ship 232 days 5 hours 3 minutes

		MouseBuzz.com > Walt Disney World > Orlando Transportation
Disney's Magical Express extended through 2016

03-19-2009	#6 (permalink)
M5ward Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: South Jersey Posts: 348	Re: Disney's Magical Express extended through 2016 WOW! In this day and age, someone actually didn't raise their rates! Unheard of! We use DME every trip and love the convenience. This is good news. __________________ ºoº * ~ ** ~ * ºoº Michele Second star to the right and straight on until morning. (Peter Pan) http://www.magicalkingdoms.com/timer...glcvzzwfnm.png November, 1981 (Cont.),November, 1983 (Cont.),December, 1994 (off-site), January, 2005 (BWI), March, 2006 (BWI), January, 2007 (SSR), November, 2007 (SSR), February, 2008 (BWV), October, 2008 (OKW), January, 2009 (BWV),October, 2009 (BCV),January, 2010 (BWV) My Disney Countdown Counting down to: First Disney Vacation With Our Newest Grandchild - name and gender as yet unknown 220 days 11 hours 33 minutes

03-19-2009	#7 (permalink)
bransworld Mouse Meister Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Liberty Township, OH Posts: 1,223	Re: Disney's Magical Express extended through 2016 I am so glad to hear this. We love ME and will always use it as long as it is available. I would probably even pay for the service if i had to and it was reasonable. The first big trip i took to WDW we got a towne car to drive us and it was the scariest ride ever in my life. I don't think i would do that again. __________________ Brandon My Website

03-19-2009	#9 (permalink)
iluvwdw BLT for me! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Floral Park Village (Long Island), NY Posts: 7,428	Re: Disney's Magical Express extended through 2016 I have never used the service, but think it's an AMAZING perk to staying onsite!!!! __________________ Kim LIFE IS JUST BETTER WHEN YOU HAVE A DISNEY TRIP PLANNED! 1997 Double Tree ~ 1998 Vistana ~ 1999 April Vistana ~ 1999 July Vistana ~ 1999 Sept All Star Movies ~ 2000 Vistana ~ 2001 Vistana ~ 2002 Vistana ~ 2003 Aug Vistana ~ 2003 Dec All Star Sports, Polynesian & OKW ~ 2004 Feb Vistana ~ 2004 Dec Vistana ~ 2005 Vistana/All Star Music 2006 SSR and Vistana Villages ~ 2007 Sheraton Safari, Vistana, POP Century ~ 2008 Vistana Villages, Animal Kingdom Villas My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Our First Disney Cruise and BLT stay as DVC Members - President's Week 2010! Loving us some BLT!!!

03-19-2009	#10 (permalink)
Justin Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NY Posts: 372	Re: Disney's Magical Express extended through 2016 ME is a great Disney feature. I'm glad their keeping it a little longer. - Justin __________________ Next Disney Trip: <?Not Sure. Better Be Soon Though! :(?> Disney trips so far: All Star Movies-0 All Star Music-1 All Star Sports-0 Pop Century-0 Coronado Springs-1 Caribbean Beach-0 Port Orleans French Quarter-0 Port Orleans Riverside-1 Contemporary Resort Hotel-5 Animal Kingdom Lodge-0 Disney Boardwalk Inn-0 Grand Floridian-5 Polynesian Hotel-1 Disney Beach Club-0 Disney Yacht Club-1 Disney Swan Hotel-0 Disney Dolphin Hotel-0 •DisneyFunForums.com• My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Driving Permit! :) 213 days 5 hours 3 minutes

03-19-2009	#11 (permalink)
brit Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: New York....A long way from Disney Posts: 378	Re: Disney's Magical Express extended through 2016 You feel like your at Disney as soon as you see the CM directing you to your bus. It is a great perk.... __________________ :Brit JUNE 1973 Off site 2003 Coronado OCT. 2005 Caribbean Beach FEB. 2007 Coronado DEC. 2009 Coronado My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Talking DW into another WDW trip or cruise 281 days 18 hours 3 minutes

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