Di,
To have a say-so doesn't mean they manage it. Mears has proven over the years through many different contracts, with Disney, they manage their transportation in the way that Disney approves. The contract between the two companies governs the actions of the two companies. An official of Disney cannot call Mears and say do this or do that. Mears would point toward the contract.
The incidents you point out do happen whether it is common or not. That is all that counts. Many times a bus does make more stops because there is a reason to fill up the bus; no more busses available, busy day or two families going to two different resorts. Last summer I saw people waiting a total of 30 - 45 minutes. The total means the line to the customer service desk and than getting in line waiting for a bus assignment. I Don't think you wait in the first line that long, even though I know it can get pretty long at times. Late at night, when there are no more busses available, you may have 6 different stops. It is not a common experience, but it does happen. Mistakes are always noted faster than proper routine.
The car sevice did not go dead when the DME started up. Business went down, but it is picking back up. Sure you don't get to hear about the DME complaints, but they are there. The car service, taxi and rental car company businesses are on the rebound.
And believe it or not, I'm thrilled to hear that the car service business is rebounding. I hope that the less than scrupulous companies went out of business, leaving those who run good, decent companies.
Just for the sake of discussion (which happens every time you and I hit on this subject!!)....I have waited in a line, to check in at the DME counter, for 25 mins, but just the one time. That line stretched back past the car rental counters. I have to tell you...when I got off the elevators up there (I use the ones just across from baggage claim, directly in front of the escalators), and saw that line, snaking back towards me, I freaked...seriously freaked. BUT..it only took 25 mins. I can't imagine there being a line much longer than that one.
So.....while I'm sure there are instances of DME buses making 4-5 stops, they are not the norm. The norm is 3 stops. The norm is not to wait for the bus to be full, but to pull away after so many minutes. Yes, I'm sure that if arrive very early in the morning, or late at night, your experiences will be different. They may not have nearly as many CMs working and not as many buses running. If you arrive at off times you are going to have to expect less than normal service.
This constant nit-picking of DME is annoying. I have had issue with car services as well..but I don't denigrate the industry based on some bad experiences. Nor do I tell people that they will get less than wonderful service if they use a car service.
I have been promised my free grocery stop and been denied once I arrived. I have had to go looking for our driver who was supposed to be waiting for us at baggage claim. I have had to go in search of our driver at the resort when he didn't appear at the appointed time..he was way down by the bus stops having a smoke...he drove up to us, after my dh went in search of him, about 20 mins after the appointed p/u time. I have had drivers come to pick me up and tell me 'hop on in'...they never mentioned my name, or who they were supposed to be picking up...they could have been anyone, trying to get me into their car. This driver played mind games with me...'Yes, I'm here for you'..'who are you supposed to be picking up?'...'You, so hop on it.'...'Really, don't you know my name?'...."I dropped you off the other day, so of course I know who you are.' Would that make anyone feel a bit less than comfortable? It did me.
But...even though I have had some less than great car service experiences, I don't tell people not to use them. I have had good experiences as well..some reall extrordinary ones in fact.
So....fair is fair. Let's be honest about what DME can do, and what it can't do.
