Magical Express...standing room only?

[amycakes]

On our recent trip we had to stand on the Magical Express from the POR to the Orlando airport. Is this a normal ? or is it because we were not at a deluxe resort?

 

[twinspluscade]

I've never heard of anyone having to stand on ME. I would guess this was highly unusual.

 

[GoofyTraci]

I STAYED AT POP LAST TIME I WENT AND WE DID NOT HAVE TO STAND NOR DID ANYONE ELSE.

 

[briar_rose_59]

I've never heard of anyone having to stand on ME.

Me either. Especially since there isn't really anywhere (other than seat backs) to hold on to help keep your balance.

 

[kirbsam]

i think everyone should be forced to stand on magical express. it gives you the feeling of how it will be at test track when it breaks down and you are in line.

 

[CleveRocks]

Hopefully someone who actually knows something (as opposed to me!) will post here, but I thought it was against the rules for DME drivers to allow standees. Motorcoaches aren't equipped with hand-holds like the Disney Transport buses are, and thus standing on a DME bus is more dangerous compared with standing on a Disney Transport or city transit bus.

And to the OP, the only different treatment that Deluxe resort guests get is within their Deluxe resort itself (the size and appointments of the room, the resort amenities, etc.). There is not one single perk that Deluxe resort guests get that ALL Disney guests don't get. Just no such thing.

 

[seashoreCM]

Someone standing on an ME bus represents a problem that cropped up at the moment within ME.

I, too, read on these boards that standing on ME buses was not permitted. But the alternative may well be pressing a smaller auxiliary vehicle (a taxi) into ME service (called the APL process).

The driver may have taken a chance on letting people stand because it was too cumbersome to get their baggage out from under.

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

 

[Traveliz]

I too don't think its allowable to allow people to stand on "charter" type buses -- pretty sure I would be getting off if it was me.

Liz

 

[TDC Nala]

Has nothing whatsoever to do with the level of resort. Guests at different types of resorts share buses.

I have been on a LOT of ME buses and have NEVER seen anyone standing on any of them.

 

[Captain Jenny]

Two trips ago my husband and son sat on the floor of the bus, not very magical.

 

[kapoof]

actually my brother in law had to stand on the ME

 

[Edd]

Did you get the bus number or the drivers name? If not there is not much you can do about it. If you did contact Mears transportation in Orlando and explain the situation. The bus driver will be reprimanded because everyone is supposed to have a seat going back to the airport. If the bus had wrecked there would have been a definite casualty.

Remember if you think something is not right, first get the drivers name and than the bus number when you get off. The rest you can surely remember, date and time. Contact Mears about the incident. Something will be done.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

The DME motorcoaches are not equipped to handle standees, and thus, they are strictly prohibited.

Most likely the driver just thought the more people on board, the more tips he/she could get. (Uh, yeah, NO.)

In this case, Edd has a good point. Anytime something seems weird, it's a good idea to write down the information just in case it really shouldn't have happened. If you do happen to have the bus and/or driver information (or even just your pickup time and location, they can look the rest up), it would be a good idea to contact Mears to report the situation. Mears cannot fix a problem that they do not know about.

At the very least, they can post signs around thier base saying that standing on the DME coaches is prohibited and will result in disciplinary actions... and at best, they can find the driver who allowed it and take care of the situation.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've been told several times, or overheard it being said, that standing on the DME buses is not allowed. We had a large group behind us a year or so ago. The bus was pretty full and the driver told them they would have to wait for the next bus, and then told the couple behind them to get onboard. Well, there were some in that large group (it was about 13 or so) got a bit miffed and said they were in the line first and they should be allowed on the bus, and that they would stand if need be. Driver told them they were not allowed to stand, the people argued with him but were not allowed on the bus.

I would also suggest that when you see something like that happening (drivers letting people stand) that you get as much info as possible and report it.

 

[helenk]

It certainly would be quite dangerous standing on a bus that was travelling down I4 to get back to the airport. If it were me, I would have demanded another type of transportation back to the airport.

 

[kirbsam]

if it were me, and i had the choice to stand or wait, i would stand. but sounds like i shouldnt have that choice.

 

[TatenEly]

If that truly happened , I am inclined to think that the bus was full to capacity and the person that wound up standing wanted to catch that ME bus so badly (possibly late for a flight and could not wait for the next bus) that he persuaded ($$$$) the driver to bend the rule just this once??

Why else would someone stand that entire trip and not raise a stink?

Just my guess!

 

[Captain Jenny]

YES THIS TRULEY HAPPENED. We had just arrived at the airport and Disney had messed up our DME reservation, had us down for the wrong dates. I had called and verified everything proir to leaving home, no problem, untill we got there. The line was VERY LONG for the next bus. My husband and son sat on the floor. We stayed at wl and had a great time.

 

[Captain Jenny]

Also No extra $$$$$$ for the driver. ONLY A TIP!!!!! Why would you think that??? Not very disney!! I have NEVER payed off anyone. You are WAY out of line.

 

[amycakes]

We were in a little bit of a pickle. We had an international flight and we really did not have time to make a fuss. Luckily a really nice family let my children squeeze in with them and they gave my mom and dad their seat. Otherwise my 5 and 6 yo and my parents 68 and 72 would have been standing. It did not seem right to me. I may mention it to Disney as an FYI. Another funny thing that happened was my son got his finger stuck in the steel benches at the pop. They really should not make those benches with all those little circular holes! Kids love to see if there fingers fit in them!! I almost died when he started yelling he was stuck!! We finally got him free. He said, "I don't know why I did that Mommy!" It was an adventure!! Those were the only weird things I noted on my vacation!! We had such a wonderful time!!! We got several things from the dream team too!! We are thinking about going back in Sept. just me and my husband, for a cheap trip. It really is a magical place.