Magical Express Report 8/21

[twotoohappy]

Our Magical Express rides ran smoothly

got off the plane at 1:08
checked in downstairs at 1:14
got in line for ME to BCV at 1:20
bus came at 1:25
stopped at CB, then BW, then BC (would have stopped at YC, but there was nobody for that stop)
arrived BC 2:20

the ride home....
picked up 11:10
stopped at BWV, CB
arrived MCO at 12:30
had a looooong walk to SWA

everything went well, the drivers both ways were happy to get a tip (some people weren't tipping ) Oh well, that's my dd's favorite part is to tip the drivers

Using ME in Dec. and maybe a quick weekend before!

 

[disneyldwjr]

Thanks for the report, but, since I am talking SWA I am curious about the LONG walk to SWA. Don't they drop you there?

 

[dznyntnh]

If memory serves, where SWA is located, it's always a longer walk. At least we always seem to get the last gate in the terminal.

Why would people be tipping on the trip from MCO? Unless they had the driver handling their luggage there would be no real reason to tip (of course, anyone can that wishes, but the driver is not doing anything 'extra').

 

[disneyldwjr]

If memory serves, where SWA is located, it's always a longer walk. At least we always seem to get the last gate in the terminal.

Why would people be tipping on the trip from MCO? Unless they had the driver handling their luggage there would be no real reason to tip (of course, anyone can that wishes, but the driver is not doing anything 'extra').

My question was actually where does the bus drop you off if you are flying SWA? The OP stated that it was a long walk to SWA, my take on that was that the bus left him off somewhere FAR away from the check in point for SWA. I know that the gates for SWA can be a long walk after the tram, but, then again, the same can happen for any airline, depends on the pecking order for any given branch of the airport.

 

[allaboutmm]

Thanks for the scoop( and reminding me about tipping!). Glad it worked out and that your family had a nice trip! Lets hope we have the same luck in December!

 

[LoveToDisney]

When did your luggage arrive in your room?

 

[CleveRocks]

Why would people be tipping on the trip from MCO? Unless they had the driver handling their luggage there would be no real reason to tip (of course, anyone can that wishes, but the driver is not doing anything 'extra').

You have the option of having the driver stow your carry-ons under the bus, and if he's doing that he's doing something "extra," so that's one possible explanation.

-- Eric

 

[DebbieB]

I think it's customary to tip even if they don't handle luggage. If you take a taxi across town for lunch, they expect a tip. It's nice to show appreciation if they do a good job. A couple bucks isn't that much.

Is there one dropoff at MCO for the return? Is it on level 1 near the rental counters or on level 3 where the airline counters are? The last time I used Mears (2 or 3 years ago), they dropped us off near the rental counters.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

In regards to Southwest, the motorcoach will drop off at the first available parking space on the A-side. Southwest is closer to the far side, so if the first available space is at the front, it would be a longer walk than say if the first available space is in the middle. Sometimes the first available space isn't until the very end where Southwest is located. Because of the way Orlando Int'l is designed, it isn't as if the DME coaches can pick or choose where they drop off... if they pass up the first available space, there might not be another available space, and the coach would then have to exit and loop around.

 

[IlovePiglet]

The buses are supposed to drop near the middle. The very worst case scenario is that we drop in our pick up spots. I've never had to circle the airport again although I did come close one day last week.

 

[zen1]

This is good to hear, as we will be using the Magical Express Bus in 11 more days and we are staying at the Beach Club Villas! Thanks for letting us know!

 

[disneyldwjr]

In regards to Southwest, the motorcoach will drop off at the first available parking space on the A-side. Southwest is closer to the far side, so if the first available space is at the front, it would be a longer walk than say if the first available space is in the middle. Sometimes the first available space isn't until the very end where Southwest is located. Because of the way Orlando Int'l is designed, it isn't as if the DME coaches can pick or choose where they drop off... if they pass up the first available space, there might not be another available space, and the coach would then have to exit and loop around.

Thank you Tyler.

 

[DebbieB]

Tyler, do they dropoff on level 1 or level 3?

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Motorcoaches are not allowed on levels 2 or 3, and are subject to hefty fines if they appear there... so, they must drop off on level 1 only. It's just a quick elevator or escalator ride up.