Magical Express (DME) questions

[dme_driver]

well the service will surely be ongoing , they have already placed an order for 23 more coaches to add to the 37 we already have. the big question is will it start to cost, that im not sure, but the service will be going on indefinately

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

My question is this:
Is this service going on indefinitely, through the end of the year, through the end of the celebration or how long? Those of us planning a 2006 trip need to know if this service will be ongoing! Thanks so much!

You can plan on complimentary Magical Express service through 2006. Disney isn't making any promises for 2007 and beyond, but if Disney determines that the business benefits of Magical Express justify the cost, the service is likely to stay around (and remain complimentary) for many years.

According to the Disney Meetings website Disney's Magical Express FAQs:

Q: What is the cost for this service?

A: Disney's Magical Express is a complimentary service for Walt Disney World® Resort Guests only, and will be offered during our Happiest Celebration On Earth event now through 2006.
​

 

[magicmommy]

I used ME last week and those drivers are loading and unloading luggage in the hot Florida weather. We tipped our drivers both ways even though we only had our luggage with us going back to the airport. Again everyone is different but free or not free I feel all those folks in the service industry deserve a round of applause and a nice gratuity for helping make our vacations magical.

 

[Tinkerbell58]

I'm flying on Spirit, which is a non-participating airline. Am I correct in assuming that I would have to retrieve my own luggage and take it to the ME counter? Would my luggage travel with me on the bus or on a separate truck?

Also, I read somewhere that when you use ME you get a coupon for a lanyard and pin. Does this come with the package mailed to your home or at the ME counter at the airport?

Thanks.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I'm flying on Spirit, which is a non-participating airline. Am I correct in assuming that I would have to retrieve my own luggage and take it to the ME counter? Would my luggage travel with me on the bus or on a separate truck?

Your assumption is not correct. You can use the full Magical Express service -- except for the optional Resort Alrline Check-in feature (which only comes into play when you're returning home).

For details, see "Flying Southwest, Can we use ME??" Although the thread asks about Southwest, the answer applies equally to Spirit.

 

[Hugpug]

Dear MME driver I am so pleased to hear from you on the issues already stated. I to have a problem with high steps and ran into this on some of the bues at WDW. but last year the new bues where so much nicer that that bottom step was so easy to step up and down from. I am sure ME will be running very smooth by the time I arrive this Dec. Hope you are my driver would love to say thank you in person.

 

[BettyCv]

Also, I read somewhere that when you use ME you get a coupon for a lanyard and pin. Does this come with the package mailed to your home or at the ME counter at the airport?

Thanks.

We received our coupon with our luggage tags, via fedex. We redeemed them at the resort (POR) gift shop with no problem! (We received two b/c we were a party of five, and they had to mail our luggage tags in two separate mailings!)

Betty

 

[Cplofdisneynutz]

First off a big thanks to dme_driver for giving us his own personal time to help answer our questions
So far I think you have done a fantastic job and have certainly helped clear the air a little, for us anyway.

You mentioned the busses are filled by zone. Do these zones expand as it gets into the later hours (ie; 11:30 pm arrivals and beyond)? Also, if you have any experience with these late night arrivals, what do you think the average time is from MCO until you have emptied the bus?

Thanks so much again.

BTW, you should consider getting a lime green mickey from Home Depot to put somewhere on your bus or uniform so us DISers can recognize you

 

[rav4lcrv]

We will be a group of 14 with just carry on luggage, can we take it on the bus with us so we will have it when we get to POP, than check it in with bell service right away

 

[Trixiezzz]

On another post, someone asked if they should just claim their own bags from the luggage carousel instead of letting the ME do it for them.

Can you do this??

If so...

1) Do you use the special ME luggage tags?

2) After you have your bags with you, how does getting them aboard a ME bus work?

Thanks for helping me understand ME. We're planning on using it in Sept. and I'm just now beginning to research how it works.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I had 5 questions but Trixie already asked one of them. LOL
Thanks also from me for taking time to start this thread to answer questions!

Now my 4 questions:
1.) I'm flying with AA... I've forgotten, is that one of the participating airlines to take advantage of the optional Resort Airline Check-in feature on the return flight?

2.) Can you tell me the normal order of resorts if you are staying at ASM (movies)?

3.) Do you have any idea about how long I can expect to wait for my luggage if our flight arrives at night (specifically our flight is scheduled to arrive at MCO at 10:54pm) Any idea about what time our luggage would make it to the resort? I've seen others mention how long it took for their luggage to arrive but they have all been during the day... for instance making comments about arriving and spending a few hours in the park and then the luggage is there when they return. I haven't seen any posts about what happens or how long the luggage takes if you arrive late at night near midnight (because I imagine it will be after midnight by the time we arrive at the resort).
??

4.) Our trip starts June 13th- no ME tags yet. How do things work if you are using magical express but haven't received your tags? I am asking because it's going to be IMPOSSIBLE for me to claim my own baggage and take it to the DME bus... I'm travelling with just myself and 3 children. It's all I'll be able to do to keep them with me (and I don't have 3 hands to hold them all LOL) along with our carry on luggage. So what do I do if by the time our trip starts we don't have ME tags yet?

 

[localdriver]

According to a post on another board by a CM who works at the Disney Reservation Center, you should NOT tip the driver of the bus, and they should not be soliciting tips in any way. If they do, call DME and report it at 866-599-0951.

Can you direct me to that post, I would like to read it.

The confusion of what "free" includes is the problem.

This is now the agreement as I understand it.

1. Disney CM's asked about this subject should officially be responding:
"Tipping the Driver is at your Discretion" (which it should be)

Any other response is improper and incorrect.

2. Drivers are now being supplied name plates that state:

Their name, and

"Gratitude Permitted"

this was an recent agreement between Mears Mgmt and Disney.

Disney will not permit "Gratuities Appreciated" which is on our normal name plate. (Disney has a problem with "Gratuity" OK????

This agreement was arrived at because Disney "is not" providing anything for the drivers, even though it seems they would like you to believe "ALL" is included.

I personally, don't like signs, I would prefer Disney CM's to just shut up and let us earn our money. Disney CM's should be saying, if, and only when asked, "Tipping the Driver is at your Discretion" but they are not, in many cases. That is an issue. I think some re-training is in order since this new arrangement has been arrived at.

Example: (at airport) A guest brought luggage to the driver, Driver loaded luggage. Guest gave the driver 2 or 3 dollars right then. (Doesn't happen alot but some people will do it like that) A Disney CM who observed this approached the guest and promptly advised him "that tipping the driver wasn't necessary".

Absolutely unacceptable for a CM to do such a thing. Embarrassing for the Guest and the Driver....Nice.

Dear CM's that may be reading, say what you are supposed to say, Mind your own business, hands out of our pocket. Do your job, let us do ours, and all will be fine.

Localdriver.

 

[seashoreCM]

I had 5 questions but Trixie already asked one of them. LOL
Thanks also from me for taking time to start this thread to answer questions!

Now my 4 questions:

3.) Do you have any idea about how long I can expect to wait for my luggage if our flight arrives at night (specifically our flight is scheduled to arrive at MCO at 10:54pm) Any idea about what time our luggage would make it to the resort?

4.) Our trip starts June 13th- no ME tags yet. How do things work if you are using magical express but haven't received your tags? I am asking because it's going to be IMPOSSIBLE for me to claim my own baggage and take it to the DME bus... I'm travelling with just myself and 3 children. It's all I'll be able to do to keep them with me (and I don't have 3 hands to hold them all LOL) along with our carry on luggage. So what do I do if by the time our trip starts we don't have ME tags yet?

Try reporting to the ME welcoming area first after getting off your your plane and asking for luggage assistance, simply explain that the yellow ME tags didn't get to you on time. (Not absolutely positively guaranteed; there have been, reported, a few times where due to short staffing at the ME welcoming area, guests have had to get the baggage themselves.)

Want to rent a "Smarte Carte" (tm) to lug baggage through the airport? Only a coupl'a dollars. Perhaps the kids would have some fun pushing the cart. Prior to the advent of ME there was no way, except perhaps hiring the most expensive limos, you could avoid touching your baggage at Orlando Airport.

Three hours waiting for baggage to get to the resort is considered normal even late at night. Like at the post office or UPS there is a sorting operation after the baggage gets onto WDW property. You may be pleasantly surprised and get the luggage sooner. If you get luggage assistance at the ME welcoming area (or used ME tags) you are subject to this delay.

An aside:

Without ME baggage tags -- You claim your baggage yourself when arriving at Orlando airport but ME reserves the right to "gate check" the bags at the ME welcoming area.

Using ME baggage tags -- It is impossible to claim your own baggage at Orlando.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/magicx.htm

 

[amejr999]

It's the posts by JPVonDrake at http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?p=1053274

 

[Joy]

How much is a good tip??? I worked as a waitress and am happy to tip, sometimes I just don't know how much. Anyone have an anser?

 

[*Fantasia*]

Example: (at airport) A guest brought luggage to the driver, Driver loaded luggage. Guest gave the driver 2 or 3 dollars right then. (Doesn't happen alot but some people will do it like that) A Disney CM who observed this approached the guest and promptly advised him "that tipping the driver wasn't necessary".

Absolutely unacceptable for a CM to do such a thing. Embarrassing for the Guest and the Driver....Nice.

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]

How much is a good tip??? I worked as a waitress and am happy to tip, sometimes I just don't know how much. Anyone have an anser?

There is no real answer. Tipping is truly at your discretion. I have found guests and passengers to be fair unless improperly informed, as Disney and CM's have done and continue to do.

My main issue is not what people tip, it's that they don't, because Disney says no. I, as all DME/Mears drivers, drive for Mears, not Disney. Disney pays DME drivers nothing extra, unlike what they pay for DCL drivers, also MEARS.

And then to top it off Disney, implies to you the guest, they do. The bad part is you the guest becomes confused on how it all works as Disney trys to collect ALL the budgeted vacation dollars with implications and statements that are just not true.

But then they want all the unsurpassed super service from those same folks they are cutting pay by 20 to 30% with their half truths and outright lies.

I hate to be this blunt, but Disney is Greedy to a fault, and they lie like a rug. It will come to bite them in time.

I am hoping this sign change will help, The CM's will deliver the CORRECT info and that MEARS DRIVERS will perform as professionals.

I know I will as I always have.

We will see.

 

[paulmc80]

Oh my gosh. I read that post on the other site from that cast member.

I don't want to continue this, but its every guests right to tip whomever they wish to tip. There is not a thing rude about wanting to tip someone.

 

[Disneynutbsv]

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!!

I totally agree with you
And I also want to say thank you to the driver that started the thread, its very much appreciated!

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

We received our coupon with our luggage tags, via fedex. We redeemed them at the resort (POR) gift shop with no problem! (We received two b/c we were a party of five, and they had to mail our luggage tags in two separate mailings!)

Betty

Hi, Are the pins a Magical Express pin or a random Disney pin?
Thanks,
Tink