Disneys Magical Express

[Sherrypooh]

Sorry if this has been asked before... I will be using ME in december and I thought it was not a tipped job, but I see that others are tipping. Do you tip? and how much? There will be 2 adults and a 4 yo and a 15 mo.

thanks

sherry

 

[disneyaggie]

I oftentimes tip $1 per bag.

 

[dreamergirl78]

I oftentimes tip $1 per bag.

That is what we did on the way to WDW. Going back our bags were already checked, so we didn't. But I think it it totally up to you.

 

[sunking]

Question probably better off in the Transportation forum but....

My daughter and I used Magical Express in January and we did not tip in either direction. Others may feel differently but I did not feel out of place getting off or on the bus. As a matter of fact, I don't recall anyone tipping. Remember, the driver taking you from the airport to your resort does not handle your bags. This is done all behind the scenes for you.

Have a great trip!!!!
Sunking

 

[tmt martins]

Disney already tips bell services for the trip from MCO to your Resort for you.

If you take a bag or stroller on the bus and the driver helps then I would do $1 per item that he/she touched.

On return if you put your bags in holding before boarding then again $1 per bag.

If you have to take your luggage with you on the return bus then $1 per bag

 

[jeepgirl30]

I did not tip the driver from the airport to resort. On the way back I felt guilted into it! Our return driver came on the microphone/speaker to introduce herself and give a background on her. She was saying how she hoped we had a good time on vacation with our loved ones and she had loved ones too and if we felt she kept us safe then she would appreciate us showing our gratitude (paraphrasing) and tip her! I was a bit put off but did it anyway. She talked for awhile and was a bit "hard sell".

The return driver did put our bags on the bus so normally I tip $1 per bag.

 

[ChairborneRangr]

"Disney has contracted with Mears Transportation Group to provide this service. The bus drivers are not Walt Disney World employees and tipping is permitted so you may want to have some small bills available, especially if they have assisted you with luggage. You will not have to tip the Walt Disney World bus drivers who take you to and from the parks. "

Source: www.buildabettermousetrip.com/dme.html

 

[wecroozin]

We are using ME on our trip in December. Is it true that even though we are using ME that we can fetch all our luggage and take it with us on the bus? I am a little in fear of not getting some of the items we may need depending on weather and such until late in the evening. We will be arriving at MCO about 430pm. I experienced ME on our cruise but that was a little different because it was summer weather. We will be travelling from the northeast to sunny Florida and there can be quite a temp change in our travels. I always carry a light change of clothes with us and our personal essentials but I hate carrying much more than a backpack for the flight and hustling around the airports. Any long term experienced users out there have suggestions? I have no problem getting our luggage myself for the bus ride to the resort but can we do this?

 

[Tinkerbellmom33]

We tipped the driver when we were getting picked up at the airport on the way to Disney and then again when we were leaving the resort. We always have so many bags!! I think Dh usually gives them $5.

 

[ChairborneRangr]

Is it true that even though we are using ME that we can fetch all our luggage and take it with us on the bus?

Yes. Don't use the bag tags that they send you. Pick up your own luggage and head to ME checkin.

This is all covered in the article linked above.

 

[goofy4tink]

I have used DME three times now...once the driver had to put our bags underneath. I tipped him $5, total of 3 bags, but he was a terrific driver. Another time our driver was so much fun, that even though he never touched a piece of luggage of ours, I tipped him $5!!! However, the one driver that we got, who did the same 'spiel' about being happy to accept gratuities, got nothing. I will not tip someone if they outright ask for it!!! We had no bags for the driver to get out for us, so I didn't feel too badly about it. But, if they start on about how safely they got us to WDW and hoped our ride was a 'magical' one, and so on, then, no, I don't tip. Do a good job, you'll get tipped..not just because you ask for it.

 

[Boncho]

We don't use the ME tags and just pick up our luggage ourselves and tip the bus driver $1 per bag. Just after ME started, I read that if you use the ME tags you are not expected to tip the bus driver, but if you pick up your luggage yourself (which you are allowed to do) it is nice(but not required) to tip the bus driver $1 per bag.

 

[Sherrypooh]

for everyones input. This is for sure food for thought...

thanks

sherry