Magical Express let us down AGAIN

[goofy4tink]

I had a minor issue with DME. Not to the hotel, but back to the airport.

At first they'd scheduled me for a 11:00 am bus, when my flight out wasn't 'til 4:10. When I went to the front desk, they switched me to a 1:15 coach. The motorcoach showed up 15 mins late, and then took 25 mins to load a wheelchair (it seemed as if he didn't know what he was doing.) As we were on our way to the airport, the video about how convenient DME is, etc. played. The coach driver got multiple calls on the radio asking where he was/why he was running late and was not pleasant about it, basically yelling about how there was a wheelchair and wheelchairs take time to load, etc. As we were pulling up to the airport, he got on the pa system and announced that we would be disembarking soon, and don't forget "TIPS ARE MORE THAN ACCEPTABLE." As we got off the bus, he had his tips in one hand, flipping through them with his thumb, and was holding out his other hand waiting for you to pony up. This seemed not very professional to me.

So, you were put on the 1:15 bus, it showed up around 1:30 and then took another 30 mins to leave???? Darn good thing they allow those 3 hrs...looks like you never left your resort until close to 2, getting you to MCO at 2:30-2:45. That's cutting it a wee bit too close for me...good thing they 'try' to stick to that 3 hr mark.
As for the driver with the hand out...this drives me nuts. I've used DME many times. I have had nothing in my hands (therefor no tip would be expected), I've had a tote bag that I've kept with me, and I've had a carryon bag that was stowed beneath the bus (driver will expect a tip for this). I have tipped every single time, except once. That time? The time that I had a carryon bag underneath the bus!!! That driver never said hello, welcome to Orlando, how ya doing...nothing..the entire ride. But, when we got to that first resort, he announced that tips are gratefully accepted. Are you kidding me???? There is signage right by the door that gives you this info. No way am I tipping someone who comes out and asks for it. He stood there, with his hand out as he handed bags to guests. I took my bag and walked off, with the tip money still in my pocket!!!
On the other hand, I've had drivers who were wonderful...acted like they were really happy to see you, gave little tidbits of info as they drove, were all around pleasant. They got tips from me, even when they never touched a bag for me.

 

[chwgmjay]

So, you were put on the 1:15 bus, it showed up around 1:30 and then took another 30 mins to leave???? Darn good thing they allow those 3 hrs...looks like you never left your resort until close to 2, getting you to MCO at 2:30-2:45. That's cutting it a wee bit too close for me...good thing they 'try' to stick to that 3 hr mark.
As for the driver with the hand out...this drives me nuts. I've used DME many times. I have had nothing in my hands (therefor no tip would be expected), I've had a tote bag that I've kept with me, and I've had a carryon bag that was stowed beneath the bus (driver will expect a tip for this). I have tipped every single time, except once. That time? The time that I had a carryon bag underneath the bus!!! That driver never said hello, welcome to Orlando, how ya doing...nothing..the entire ride. But, when we got to that first resort, he announced that tips are gratefully accepted. Are you kidding me???? There is signage right by the door that gives you this info. No way am I tipping someone who comes out and asks for it. He stood there, with his hand out as he handed bags to guests. I took my bag and walked off, with the tip money still in my pocket!!!
On the other hand, I've had drivers who were wonderful...acted like they were really happy to see you, gave little tidbits of info as they drove, were all around pleasant. They got tips from me, even when they never touched a bag for me.

Ya... I was pretty surprised. I work in a job where we get tips once in a while, usually for lugging someone's baggage or calling them a cab (I work at a limited service hotel), BUT I don't expect it, and sure don't hold my hand out waiting for a tip.

 

[MariDisney]

I know many people love ME. Having never used it, I can't say. I will say that I love renting a car. We used Alamo this trip and it cost $175 for the 8 days, which is about 4% of our overall vacation budget and well worth it IMO. We don't enjoy waiting for or riding buses. So, we don't. This trip, we landed about 9:00 am and were on our way with luggage in hand and the rental car taken care of by 9:30, checked in and into our room at CSR by 10:30. The rest of the trip, save the monorail from TTC we did not use any WDW transport and are happy not to have to. With the AAA parking pass, we are easy walking distance to the entrance to the other 3 parks. We find the convenience of the car far outweighs the price. Not everyone agrees. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[gracie1]

You can't blame me for the wet luggage. How do you know it's because of them? Someone could've packed liquids (water, etc) in their checked in luggage that was on top and broke open.