Magical Express (DME) questions

[seashoreCM]

SeashoreCM, from where are you getting your information? Everything I read in the past said that one day prior to your departure flight your DME return information would be slipped under your hotel room door (on hung on the door knob). ... just like I had read, I got the information in my hotel room. I didn't have to "request" or "reserve" a DME pick up time, it was assigned to me just like I was told it would be; the only thing I did to get my return time was register for DME when I booked my trip, and to check in at the DME counter at MCO when I arrived.

So SeashoreCM, PLEASE, answer my question of where you got the info that one must make a reservation once at the resort and request the"best choice of return times"???

It all comes down to having something in writing. If you got a slip of paper with your return time and return bus tickets at the ME welcoming area at the airport when you just flew in, you don't have to ask at the resort.

People have reported problems with their return reservations on these boards.

1. "I did not receive any return information" (Perhaps a prankster removed it from the doorknob)

2. "The return info slipped under the door gave no confirmed reserved bus time but said that buses leave every half hour." What if you come down 3 hours in advance and so many people are waiting that you can't get on the bus?

3. (before my trip) "I called ME 4 times and each time they said they had no record of my ressie." That would make me suspicious that my return information might get lost too.

4. One Disboards contributor writes that officially "vouchers ("bus tickets") are needed to board the bus".

5. (added 6/6) Disboards contributor wrote some time ago, "The driver didn't have my name on his list but was nice enough to let us on".

(Best choice of return time) There will be if not already have been times when some buses are booked full. If for some reason you did not have a return reservation and waited almost to the last minute you might be assigned a bus say 3-1/2 hours or 4 hours in advance, and isn't that a not-as-good a choice? Flying Southwest, given reports of long airport check in lines, you may want to request an earlier ME resort departure.

If you follow my suggestions, if things start to go wrong you have a strong case to get the resort staff to do a backup plan for you. Otherwise it is a case of he said she said. Treat ME ressies with the same care and seriousness as airplane or hotel or limo ressies.

 

[seashoreCM]

3. I am confused about the process leaving the hotel on check-out day. Our flight doesn't leave till 7:50 pm and I am expecting the hotel to hold our luggage for us. I would again like to take my own luggage on the bus and check it in at the airport once I get there.

Returning home. If your airline is not represented at the resort (Jet Blue is not) you have to manage your own baggage between resort checkout and boarding the bus. Caution: There may be a line waiting for the bellhop to retrieve baggage left with the hotel, plan extra time coming back from the park to allow for this. Some resorts require 45 minutes. You must bring the baggage to the bus and the driver will put it underneath.

Going to Disney. No difference in procedures if your airline is not "participating".

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I am terribly sorry that you experienced that... you are quite correct, no comments should have been uttered by anyone at mears to any customer, as it just so happens i no longer work for mears ( the drivers sign was the last straw), but i thought that id mention that no matter how i was feeling down about my job, i always had a smile on my face and was there (and still am) to answer anyones question

You don't work for Mears? Does this mean you don't drive buses for DME anymore or does this mean you work for Disney now or what??? *confused*

 

[Lewisc]

4. Is Jetblue a participating airline? (incase I decide to not handle my own luggage)

Thanks!

You can still use a ME luggage tag going to Disney. JetBlue is not listed as a participating airline for the resort checkin part of ME. JetBlue is listed on BAGS,Inc website. If you see the checkin desk manned ask if they can check luggage for JetBlue, you might get lucky.

 

[dwmlaf]

I know that the Magical Express did not start as well as planned. Has all the "kinks" been ironed out yet?

When leaving the resort is it still 2 3/4 hours before your flight?

Thanks

 

[dwmlaf]

Have all the "kinks" been ironed out for Magical Express? I have seen quite a few horror stories posted.

 

[disneymom3]

Well, DME driver, I am sad that you are not working for Mears and doing ME anymore but apparantly cranky people like localdriver are. That is disappointing to say the least.

 

[localdriver]

Well, DME driver, I am sad that you are not working for Mears and doing ME anymore but apparantly cranky people like localdriver are. That is disappointing to say the least.

Well, you can say what you wish. And so can I.
I speak the truth, as I see it, like it or not.

The last I heard, I can express that on this board.

There are many good things about working for MEARS.

Mears HAS the best maintained equipment around, an excellent 401K program, and other things I find appealing, that fit my needs.

So it has to all be weighed and balanced.

Many, many good, but young, drivers have left over this issue, some without thinking the matter thru.

I drive motorcoaches because I love it. I don't have to like what Disney and/or Mears does in their business dealings.

If you rode with me, you would never get a hint as to my opinion of this whole deal.

I have continued to provide good info to folks needing directions and other information, and I will continue to do so.

When I get assigned to DME, MY guests get the very best.

I will continue to speak my mind on issues that concern me for guests that use, or may use MEARS and Disney's Magical Express.

"Cranky"......LOL

Have a nice day!

"Localdriver"

 

[disneymom3]

Local Driver--my apologies then. It sounded from your posts as though you were not at all happy in your job, but I am guessing you just don't like the situation with Disney. Glad to hear it does not affect your interaction with your customers as it sounds like some have experienced with other drivers.

And by the way, I always tip drivers and the only way I won't is if the driver refuses the tip.

 

[localdriver]

Local Driver--my apologies then. It sounded from your posts as though you were not at all happy in your job, but I am guessing you just don't like the situation with Disney. Glad to hear it does not affect your interaction with your customers as it sounds like some have experienced with other drivers.

And by the way, I always tip drivers and the only way I won't is if the driver refuses the tip.

TY. Your guess is correct.

The guests (especially, the kids here for their first time) are the most fun part of what I do.

Localdriver.

 

[Mears_Driver]

I am new to this posting stuff but in reading some of the things that have been said by dme drivers I think that I need to weigh in.

First of all, I have a hard time believing that localdriver doesn't show some of this negativity to his/her passengers. Once you get negative about something it pretty much stays with you. Especially, the subject of tips and Disney. I hear what some of these drivers say to each other about Disney and I see their body language while waiting at the airport to load their buses and how they react to passengers coming out of the airport. I am surprised that some drivers get any tips at all.

Second, in my humble opinion, life is too short to work at a job where you are not happy. I truly enjoy driving motor coaches and I enjoy the interaction with other people. Some days the tips are good and some days the tips are bad. It's just the nature of the beast but I enjoy it so much that I am willing to put up with the beast, so far.

 

[bytheblood]

Not that it matters and I am not an example setter, but we tipped the DME drivers as we thanked them for providing the service.

When we were dropped at POFQ (no luggage in tow), we tipped the driver. When we got back to the airport to go home, we tipped the driver, though we put our luggage in the bus and took our own luggage out of the bus. Our driver was very ditzy.

We tipped them because it was a pleasant ride and they got us there safely in the rain, both ways.

 

[bytheblood]

I am new to this posting stuff but in reading some of the things that have been said by dme drivers I think that I need to weigh in.

First of all, I have a hard time believing that localdriver doesn't show some of this negativity to his/her passengers. Once you get negative about something it pretty much stays with you. Especially, the subject of tips and Disney. I hear what some of these drivers say to each other about Disney and I see their body language while waiting at the airport to load their buses and how they react to passengers coming out of the airport. I am surprised that some drivers get any tips at all.

Second, in my humble opinion, life is too short to work at a job where you are not happy. I truly enjoy driving motor coaches and I enjoy the interaction with other people. Some days the tips are good and some days the tips are bad. It's just the nature of the beast but I enjoy it so much that I am willing to put up with the beast, so far.

I could not agree with you more. When I read local driver's posts, the word "bitter" comes to mind.

 

[bytheblood]

SeashoreCM, from where are you getting your information? Everything I read in the past said that one day prior to your departure flight your DME return information would be slipped under your hotel room door (on hung on the door knob). I traveled May 8 - 14. On May 13, just like I had read, I got the information in my hotel room. I didn't have to "request" or "reserve" a DME pick up time, it was assigned to me just like I was told it would be; the only thing I did to get my return time was register for DME when I booked my trip, and to check in at the DME counter at MCO when I arrived.

And just like I was told it would be, my return trip pick up was 2 hours 45 minutes prior to my departure time. The bus showed up exactly on schedule, and the driver was expecting me. The bus showed up empty, was 3/4 full when it left, and went directly to MCO.

So SeashoreCM, PLEASE, answer my question of where you got the info that one must make a reservation once at the resort and request the"best choice of return times"???

-- Eric

You are actually correct. Been there, done that, have the papers to prove it.

 

[paulmc80]

Oh I believe people can be pleasant, but have a strong feeling about something concerning the management of their job. Its called being a "professional." We see it all the time. I don't agree the company I work for and their policies all the time. In fact, I fee quite strongly about some of their policies. But, never ever in the world would I discuss this with any clients.

Just had to put that in, because I do feel a true professional, and anywhere in life for that matter, you separate the good and the bad and behave accordingly.

 

[mommic32]

Well Said!!
I stand beside . What is $3.00, if we can afford a trip to Disney a few times a year or even once a year, we can afford $3.00!
I for one,,, Do NOt want to handle all my bags in the HOT Orlando Heat!! Better yet,, just walking up and down the steps at POR with 5 bags nauseates me.. Those guys deserve all they can get.

I agree on this one. I don't think that would be right for the CM to just aproach a guest and tell them that "that tipping the driver wasn't nnecessary." It's after the fact. It's done... what is the guest suppose to do?...take back the tip from the driver. The CM would make the guest feel unease after she/he handed the tip to the driver, like she/he did something wrong. And what is the driver to do, give back the appreciated tip to the guest?? Yes... I think that would be embarrassing to the guest and very much to the driver since the driver did accepted the tip.

Whatever the Disney policy is... If you feel the DME driver deserves to be tipped to show your appreciation, then do so. If the driver accepts the money fine...if they don't want to take it...that is fine too...at least the driver knows how much you appreciate him/her.

So I say... TIP if you want... DON'T if you feel it is not right or they didn't do their job.

I always always tip the driver that shuttles us from the parking lot to the airport. The shuttle is FREE... but what is $3.00?? It's nothing. He always helps me take my luggages out of my car and he puts them in the bus. Then when we get to the airport, he takes the luggages out for me. Then I tip him the $3.00. Then after our trip... same thing. I tip the driver another $3.00 for helping me with the luggages back to my car.

I say... if I can afford to go to WDW this many times.. I surely can afford $3.00 or $5.00 to give to the DME driver. $5.00 is nothing... but it means a lot to the driver.

So I say... the CM should not worry about the guests if they are tipping. I think it is between the guests and the driver. It is between A and B agreement and not A, B and CM. But who knows... maybe the CM want to get tipped too!!

 

[localdriver]

Oh I believe people can be pleasant, but have a strong feeling about something concerning the management of their job. Its called being a "professional." We see it all the time. I don't agree the company I work for and their policies all the time. In fact, I fee quite strongly about some of their policies. But, never ever in the world would I discuss this with any clients.

Just had to put that in, because I do feel a true professional, and anywhere in life for that matter, you separate the good and the bad and behave accordingly.

Yep, that's it. I don't have to agree with certain things. BUT, it's most certainly not the guests fault who may ride with me.

Its called being a "professional."

Here's a really a simple concept that many have forgotten, or never learned.

Work ethics.

It seems not a popular thing these days.

Don't anyone challenge mine...ever.

 

[Abu1202]

Thanks to all of you who are answering these DME questions!
I'm flying to Ft Lauderdale, renting a car, visiting relatives and then driving to the Pop Century several days later to check in & stay for 5 nights. To save money on the rental car, I was thinking of driving directly to the airport on that 1st day and, if allowed, taking the DME back to my resort. I don't really need to have a car on Disney property.Then, if possible, I'd use the DME service when I check out & fly back home out of MCO on Song.
What do you think? Is this a possibility?
One more thing: I also tip whenever I feel I've received good service. My daughters work long hours at Applebees to help pay for their college education and without tips, they wouldn't even make enough for their books!
These boards are fabulous! Thanks again!

 

[localdriver]

Thanks to all of you who are answering these DME questions!
I'm flying to Ft Lauderdale, renting a car, visiting relatives and then driving to the Pop Century several days later to check in & stay for 5 nights. To save money on the rental car, I was thinking of driving directly to the airport on that 1st day and, if allowed, taking the DME back to my resort. I don't really need to have a car on Disney property.Then, if possible, I'd use the DME service when I check out & fly back home out of MCO on Song.
What do you think? Is this a possibility?
One more thing: I also tip whenever I feel I've received good service. My daughters work long hours at Applebees to help pay for their college education and without tips, they wouldn't even make enough for their books!
These boards are fabulous! Thanks again!

Call DME directly at 866-599-0951.

You have a unique situation. Hopefully, they can help you.