I want the Magical Express (Not Mears, Or some other colored bus)

[dudspizza]

I've planned great trips and after coming home, the kids end up talking more about some random, seemingly unimportant thing we did as the highlight of the trip! I think we grownups tend to feel we have to 'do more' to make it magical.

Every time we go to WDW, we wonder when that random thing will happen that is the highlight of the trip. That is the best part of going to WDW, you never know when it will happen....

OP, I understand the "slight" disappointment for the kids. You do realize you are complaining about a FREE bus ride, correct? Best thing to do is prepare the kids for the chance it won't be a DME bus. Before DME the minimum cost was $50 each way for a family to get to WDW.

Don't let the little things get you down... there are too many magical things at WDW!

Duds

 

[Cherinva]

It doesn't matter to me which bus we get on....as long as it can get us to the resort.

 

[rosiep]

Ok, I'm gonna give the OP some tenderness.

I, personally, am just happy that free transportation is provided. I wish Disneyland would follow suit....but...I understand how boarding a Disney painted bus adds to the overall magic and I'm not too grown up to say so.

 

[deedeetoo]

Not only do I not care whether the bus is an official DME bus, but I have never even thought to notice what kind of bus I was getting on.

 

[BBandDisney]

 

[Dacky619]

Last time (early December 2010) we got a Mears bus that played the Incredibles for the whole ride to our resort.

No video with Mickey, Minnie & gang.... no trumpets playing .... no park tips.... nothing to get us hyped up for finally being in Orlando. I must say it was a great disappointment. PLUS we never got to see the end of the movie. It was a small thing, but the ME bus usually sets the tone for the beginning of our trip and we did miss the excitement of that video for the ride.

So there can be a noticeable difference inside the bus too.

But I don't think that is dependant on what bus (ME vs DCL vs Yellow Mears bus) picks you up. We had a DME bus that took us back to the airport in November that didn't play the goodbye video. I don't know if things like that are controlled by the driver, or maybe equipment that wasn't working.

 

[jimmiej]

I'd rather walk out of the airport to a waiting DME bus, but it's not a big deal.

 

[Mkrop]

I could care less what kind of bus is there to take me to my resort.

Although going back to the airport, if they are going to use a bus other DME esp if it is a DCL bus as a substitute, the driver should make a loud announcement or hold a sign or something.

On our last trip, there was much confusion about if it was truly the DME bus and the driver did not speak English well. We finally figured it out but at every stop it was the same confusion.

The bus can be any kind taking me to or from just get me where I need to go in a timely manner

 

[brockash]

No, OP, you're not alone. I agree. We always hope to get the actual ME bus. Once we got a yellow mears and it didn't show the movie...gotta say, I was pretty disappointed about that. I'm not saying I'd go complain and insist on a ME bus (although I don't think that's what OP was saying either,) but yes I agree, it makes a difference to me.

Also, there is a difference once you get inside too. Yes, all the buses have 2 columns of 2 row seats, but that's about it.

 

[Snickals]

I understand, you want the whole Disney experience and that includes the transport there! Id be bummed too if you go all that way and have to take a different one than the one you had hoped for (yes they all get you there...but the ME does feel special you have to admit!). I was lucky my flight got in after 11pm and I was the only one going to my resort and got dropped off first (the bus wasn't even half full). Being on the ME did feel like the Disney part of my trip had truly started.

 

[TriSeb°o°]

If it were not for the PM giving me support (and indicating fear of the mob retribution, sent PM instead of posting), I would have expected this thread to be relegated to page 22 by now… so I had no idea.

My OP was intended as a lighter/magical side of Disney transportation not commentary on its efficiency, operational impact, or logistics, etc. It was inspired by my 2 boys asking me that day if we could finally ride the actual DME bus and not “the other buses” as the past 2 trips.

My hypersensitive reply reflects this frustration but obviously not indicative of the DIS community as a whole. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and mine are my own.

Back on topic, we received our thick packets yesterday in the mail and all I can say is WOOOT!!! The magic has already started and I truly hope that we get assigned the actual DME bus for our transport into the world. This would make my boys very happy and I live vicariously through them.

Have a magical and blessed Easter day!

 

[supersuperwendy]

Happy Easter OP and I too like the original DME bus! We've taken the DCL bus in the past, but not the yellow thus far.

 

[crashbb]

I understand, you want the whole Disney experience and that includes the transport there! Id be bummed too if you go all that way and have to take a different one than the one you had hoped for (yes they all get you there...but the ME does feel special you have to admit!). I was lucky my flight got in after 11pm and I was the only one going to my resort and got dropped off first (the bus wasn't even half full). Being on the ME did feel like the Disney part of my trip had truly started.

Actually, no, I don't have to admit because I don't find it true.

I honestly don't feel "magic" because of how my bus is decorated. I couldn't tell you what was on the video (I didn't watch it - I chatted with the person sitting beside me, who was also at WDW to run the marathon).

To me (not necessarily for everyone), the DME is just a bus that takes me from the airport to my resort. I couldn't even tell you what kind of bus it was (not sure if it was DME/DCL/Mears).

 

[Swan4Me]

The past two trips my family has ended up on a Yellow Mears and a Cruise line bus to get to our resort.

... my kids have been bummed out (okay me too)

Really? How old are your kids?

I didnt really notice the color of the bus we went on-just thrilled beyond words that we immediately got on a bus!

 

[jimmiej]

Good god! Why are some of you so intent on giving the OP such a hard time? If you feel differently, say so, but there's no need to insinuate she is being ridiculous. For many of us, walking out of the airport to see a Disney bus waiting for us just adds to the magic. OP, I'm with you! I admit to a moment of disappointment at seeing a Mears bus, but it's not a big deal. There's lots of magic ahead!

 

[maxiesmom]

When you put up a post asking for opinions on your point of view, you are sure to get them. Don't ask if you are alone in your opinion if you will get upset if the answer is "No".

I have to say too if that someone can only show support for you via pm, it really isn't very supportive support. Kind of a strange thing to do, imho. While it may sound like some posters bite, I can guarantee you none of them do!

I also have to say I am so thrilled that there is a bus there, waiting for me, that I really don't care what color it is. Much better than having to stand and wait in line for 20 minutes or so, which I have had to do.

 

[morethananyonex]

First off, grateful for free transportation? Does anyone really think Disney is doing us a favour and it has nothing to do with the fact that we are now "trapped" in Disney with our money? I think ME is awesome, but come on lol.

I too am disappointed when we get a plain bus. It's the kind of disappointment I am over in about 3 seconds and it's hardly something that means THAT much but still. I think it's fun to have an ME bus, and it's become sort of a game seeing if we'll FINALLY get one.

 

[maxiesmom]

First off, grateful for free transportation? Does anyone really think Disney is doing us a favour and it has nothing to do with the fact that we are now "trapped" in Disney with our money? I think ME is awesome, but come on lol.

You are not trapped, there are plenty of taxis around. But I do believe that the main reason for DME is to keep people on Disney property as much as possible. But trapped? No you are not.

 

[morethananyonex]

You are not trapped, there are plenty of taxis around. But I do believe that the main reason for DME is to keep people on Disney property as much as possible. But trapped? No you are not.

Trapped was used in quotations, as I know you are not literally trapped. Poor choice of words I guess, but I'm willing to bet you knew I didn't mean it literally as well .

Either way, Disney isn't going to do ANYTHING that isn't going to benefit them more than us. So while I agree this isn't really a big deal, the responses to be grateful make me laugh a little.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

If a family was going on their first trip to Walt Disney World and they were using Magical Express but ended up getting placed on a Mears bus I can see where that might be confusing. Plus I bet they might say something like shouldn't we be on a bus which says Disney's Magical Express? In the recent Disney Parks planning DVD's when you see the section on Magical Express it always shows the buses that the OP is talking about when it passes through the WDW gates, because they never show the Mears or Disney Cruise Line buses. Obviously for advertising purposes they will use the Magical Express buses, so once again I can see where some people might find it weird not going on the Magical Express bus.

Personally if I was to ever use Magical Express I wouldn't care which bus I was on because I have been to WDW a lot of times since July 1996, so I just want to get there and start my vacation.