Magical Express busses starting to appear

[SyracuseWolvrine]

I've started to see Mears busses sporting the custom "Disney's Magical Express" graphics, driving around the WDW area. Haven't been able to get a picture (I was driving at the time I saw them), but they look pretty sharp. Navy blue with light yellow trim.

(Disney has not started the Magical Express service yet, but I'd imagine that Mears is using them for some of their regular business, or trying to get drivers trained on the new equipment or something similar)

 

[cinderkellee]

SyracuseWolvrine sorry for my ignorance, but is "Disney's Magical Express" seperate from Mears? I just recently saw the tale end of a commercial the other day and it said something about getting transportation from the airport to your hotel.
I have always taken mears when I go to WDW. I was just curious.
Thanks.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Eric,

I've seen the buses as well. They're actually running trial runs, to get the timing of the operation just right. (Why they don't know this already is beyond me... Mears has been doing this for how many years?)

Cinderkellee -- DME is a Disney run operation that is completely seperate and different than the Mears Shuttle. Mears just happens to be the company that is physically driving the coaches.

 

[newholidayx2]

thanks for the info

 

[Dan Murphy]

......Haven't been able to get a picture (I was driving at the time I saw them)...

Excuses, excuses, Eric, LOL.

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[localdriver]

I've started to see Mears busses sporting the custom "Disney's Magical Express" graphics, driving around the WDW area. Haven't been able to get a picture (I was driving at the time I saw them), but they look pretty sharp. Navy blue with light yellow trim.

(Disney has not started the Magical Express service yet, but I'd imagine that Mears is using them for some of their regular business, or trying to get drivers trained on the new equipment or something similar)

The transition has started. As May 5th approaches, more and more of these coaches will be used as they are delivered. Replacing older Mears coaches that are being retired, sold, etc. Less and less vans will be used as that fleet is reduced. The coaches, and remaining vans will be used for regular Mears service to Disney until May 5th.

The actual "Magical Express" service is currently scheduled to start May 5th as I understand it.

As I understand it, there will be 6 routes. 5 with 3 stops, 1 with 4, once the "Express" begins on May 5th. With only "carry ons" out the airport, the disembarks at the resorts should be quick and easy.

I have no info as to the timing yet. How long Disney will hold the coaches once loading begins is not known. But if it's like DCL it won't be long, maybe 10-15 mins in my opinion.

How it is all routed is not known to me. I do know there is one, and only one pick up point at OIA, as is true with Disney Cruise Line. (Same location) On Cruise days, DCL guests going to the resorts prior to their cruise will be transported by the "Express" as I understand it.

If you happen to ride a "Magical Express" coach prior to May 5th, it is by chance, and not the Magical Express. It is standard Mears service, as it may include 1 to 4 stops at the airport and is not representative of the actual Magical Express Service slated to start May 5th, so don't consider it as such.

I will update as more info becomes available to me.

 

[cra-z-4-dizney]

The lady at 1-407-wdw-disney told me that disney magical express is NOT mears...was she wrong????????????

 

[localdriver]

The lady at 1-407-wdw-disney told me that disney magical express is NOT mears...was she wrong????????????

Yep , Mears is contracted to operate the Magical Express. Disney will control the process as it does with Disney Cruise Line Transfers. Mears also is contracted to do that as well.

#1..It will not be anything like the current Mears shuttle system. Mears does not have access to the detailed information that Disney will have. That in itself creates inconsistent service due to the inability to schedule the equipment at the right time and place so it is an educated guess at best.

Disney will know exactly who is coming, when you are coming, where you are going, and when you are leaving, and how you intend to get there.

#2..1 pick up point at the airport, not 4. (that's 25 mins right there)

#3..no waits to collect luggage, you will be directed to the loading area from your gate. (another 20 to 30 min)

With that all this info, scheduling busses to meet the need becomes a lot easier.

Those are the major factors that will make this all work so much better. It already works with Disney Cruise Lines. It will work with the Magical Express as well.

Will it be free of problems, probably not. After all, humans are running this.

But I am convinced it will be very well recieved and very successful.

 

[betterlatethannever]

The lady at 1-407-wdw-disney told me that disney magical express is NOT mears...was she wrong????????????

She is right in a way. It is not the current Mears you know now (driving their own fleet of busses and vans). The current Mears will still exist going to off site hotels etc.

The new service will have Mears drivers operating Disney owned busses (just lke DCL).

Ed

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

As I understand it, Mears will own or lease all the busses in their own name, however, they will have custom "Disney's Magical Express" graphics on the bus, and a custom interior, and will be used primarily for DME service only.

(the same applies for DCL busses ... they are owned or leased by Mears, and have custom DCL graphics and interiors)

 

[localdriver]

As I understand it, Mears will own or lease all the busses in their own name, however, they will have custom "Disney's Magical Express" graphics on the bus, and a custom interior, and will be used primarily for DME service only.

(the same applies for DCL busses ...

That is correct as i understand it.

If Disney owned them, I would think they would have their drivers driving them. I'm sure they have several hundred drivers, and would simply hire more. I don't think they want to get in the off property transportation business.

 

[disneyjunkie]

As I understand it, there will be 6 routes. 5 with 3 stops, 1 with 4, once the "Express" begins on May 5th. With only "carry ons" out the airport, the disembarks at the resorts should be quick and easy.

Do you know which resorts will be in each route? I was wondering which resorts Pop Century and POFQ would be grouped with.

 

[Dopey & Grumpy]

MickeyEars provided a link to what the new busses will look like.

Disney's Magical Express Bus

Thank you MickeyEars

 

[bytheblood]

As I understand it, there will be 6 routes. 5 with 3 stops, 1 with 4, once the "Express" begins on May 5th. With only "carry ons" out the airport, the disembarks at the resorts should be quick and easy.

Interesting, I have been told by all Disney CMs (this is about 10 or so by now) that mention Disney's Magical Express that there will be no stops between the airport and your resort. It was explained to us that it was a straight shot.

 

[Tinkim]

I saw one of these buses this past Thursday. I was at Pop waiting for our towncar and the Disney Magical Express bus pulled up. I had put my camera away already so I couldn't take a picture but I did see one. As we were driving away from Pop Century we saw another bus and our towncar driver looked at it and watched it turn the corner and he looked very disgusted and made a "hmmph" kinda noise. I am assuming he thinks the Magical Express will cut into his business. They are definitely there though getting ready.

 

[localdriver]

Do you know which resorts will be in each route? I was wondering which resorts Pop Century and POFQ would be grouped with.

No, but i would assume they will try to group them as close as possible to reduce travel time to a minimum. When you look at all the resorts and try to group them, it is hard to do it without a couple having 1 resort a bit out of the way.

But, with that said, you can travel to/from the 2 resorts the greatest distance apart and still get there in 15 min or less. (at the speed limit)

 

[localdriver]

Interesting, I have been told by all Disney CMs (this is about 10 or so by now) that mention Disney's Magical Express that there will be no stops between the airport and your resort. It was explained to us that it was a straight shot.

Well, I can only tell you what I understand to be what is planned. I think I have reliable info. I do know Disney Cruise Line Busses do 3 to 4 stops with few issues so why would it change. 1 bus per resort would result in a lot of 1/4 full (or less) busses or an awfully long wait at the airport to fill it up. They want to load and go, just like DCL does.

Could they have meant, no stops at the airport other than your boarding point? or maybe no stops outside Disney?

We will see..it will be interesting.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Interesting, I have been told by all Disney CMs (this is about 10 or so by now) that mention Disney's Magical Express that there will be no stops between the airport and your resort. It was explained to us that it was a straight shot.

The CMs were correct. It will be a straight shot from Orlando International Airport to Walt Disney World. Once on property, the bus may have guests on board going to 3 or 4 resorts.

 

[goofy4tink]

It would make sense that if you are going to BC/YC, that you will be on a bus with folks going there and also to BW. Or if you are going to the Polynesian, you would share with GF and maybe CR. And so on.