Magical Express Too Slow?

[Anal Annie]

Just as an FYI for everyone ...

There's no such thing as a resort that always has its own bus. It can happen that way from time to time when it makes sense to do so based on the reservations, but there's no such thing as a resort that generally has its own bus.

SSR isn't even in the top 10 in resort size. SSR has about 825 units, give or take. CBR has over 2,100. POR is about that size, and POFQ has just about 1,000. CSR has over 1,900 rooms. Pop Century has 2,880 rooms. Each of the All-Stars has roughly 1,920 (that's about 5,760 total among the three of them). AKL has just shy of 1,300 rooms. Grand Floridian and Polynesian both have at least some more rooms than SSR. Just trying to say that it's not one of the biggest resorts.

Sorry, my bad...I was just thinking in terms of the DVC resorts...(I think this thread originated over on the DVC boards and has since been moved over here.) I think SSR is currently just about the largest of the DVC resorts that are open now, especially in comparison to BCV or VWL. It is very spread out with a lot of buildings (sections) and internal bus stops etc. so I was just guessing it would have a dedicated DME bus.

 

[Jestocost]

So many issues.

To start with the OP's, we've never taken two hours to get to our resort using DME; although a two hour time certainly would be in the range of normal variances given DME's estimated 60-90 minute time.

Second, the notion that other modes of transport are inherently faster is clearly not the case. Unless you are travelling with only carry on bags and have a driver waiting, I can't see any situation where problems beyond your control couldn't result in an arrival time two hours after you get off of the plane or even later. Even with a town car reservation, there's no guarantee that the driver will be there and I have read several reports of parties arriving to find that there was no car waiting for them. If you are collecting bags, there also can be delays; I've waited as long as 1:45 just for my bags to arrive at the carousel in one extreme case (thunderstorms at the airport meant that all ground personnel, including baggage handlers, were pulled from the tarmac until the storms passed). I've also arrived at a rental car counter to find that no vehicle was available and been forced to wait an hour until they could come up with a car that met our needs. Etcetera, etcetera etcetera.

I certainly can understand those folks for whom that's not acceptable and, if that's the case, the service probably isn't for them. Fortunately, it is an optional service and you can choose to take one of the many other modes of transport available at varying costs to you. I'm not blindly defending DME, merely pointing out that some of the criticisms regularly leveled are somehwat flawed and that any transfer choice you make is subject to delays beyond your control. I am always a bit puzzled as to why some posters for whom DME is not their cup of tea insist on actually being hypercritical of the service, but that's probably more their problem than mine.

One other note on SSR. We've taken DME to POFQ on (I think) three occassions and SSR always has been the second stop after OKW. That's clearly not a guarantee, but if you come during the busier part of the day it's fairly likely that this is the order you will see.

 

[TheWog]

Does Disney or DME say the estimated time is 60-90 minutes or is it an arbitrary number come up with on this board based on previous experiences?

 

[seashoreCM]

The incidents about getting back to the airport late need to be written up (using snail mail in the convenience of your own home).

From some of the accounts here, do we need to start a fad about requesting DME buses back to the airport 3-1/2 hours in advance (request always granted) instead of the normal 3?

Don't tell me you're supposed to form a line by the side of the bus to get your baggage before going in to the terminal as opposed to swoop in from any direction, grab it, and go if things are behind schedule.

 

[Jestocost]

Does Disney or DME say the estimated time is 60-90 minutes or is it an arbitrary number come up with on this board based on previous experiences?

Actually, here's what Disney says in the official DME FAQ:

Q. How long is the travel time from the Orlando International Airport to my Resort hotel?

A. The approximate travel time is 45-75 minutes. The motor coaches may make up to three (3) stops before arriving at your Resort hotel.

What they mean by "travel time" is not clear. If you read it to be from when your bus actually departs until you get to your resort then 60-90 minutes from when you get off the plane would be too short for an expected arrival time at your resort. That's unless you can expect it to take 15 minutes to get from the plane, through the DME check-in line line and the resort bus line, and to include time waiting on the bus. Frankly, however, 45 minutes to the first resort seems to be on the long side for drive time only, so that may not be what they mean.

I'm pretty sure that a few people will know "exactly" what that means, but will have multiple interpretations. Let the "debate" begin.

 

[goofy4tink]

I would hazard a guess that travel time means just that...'travel time'. You are not traveling when you are in line to checkin, you are not traveling when you are waiting to board the bus, nor when you are seated on the bus, waiting to depart. Travel means movement...usually. The time it takes me to get to my resort, from MCO, is on average about 30 mins...but that is leaving MCO and going directly to my resort. If I'm at a slightly further out resort, it will take longer.
So.....here is a listing of my 'approximate' times, as best I can remember...
1. towncar with carron only......45 mins (deplaning to resort checkin)
2. towncar with checked bags......60 mins
3. DME....from 50-85 mins...depending on time of year, time of day and resort stop..average is about 70 mins
4. Mears shuttle bus...80 mins back in '99, didn't know any better!!
5. Mears shuttle van...75 mins (in late Sept, took it in the interest of getting info)

I have used DME about 8 times now....most of my trips have been around 60-70 mins. My best time broke down this way....arrived at MCO at 11:00, got to DME counter at 11:15, no one in line so got checked in with no wait. Got to bus line at 11:18, onto the bus (again, lucky me, no wait) and pulled out within 5 mins...got to POP (first stop) in 28 mins. Total time? 51 mins. And yes, I do time my DME trips!!!
Had one in early Sept that was not so great. We were at POP....and yes, we were the first stop again. But, there were a ton of people in the checkin line at the airport, so that took almost 10 mins, then we were able to get right onto a bus, but that darn thing sat there for close to 30 mins...got to POP about 80 mins after deplaning....I was not a happy camper. That driver stood there, waiting for more guests to come, even though the bus was 3/4 full!! And it was not a steady stream of people arriving at the bus. 5 mins would go by with no one showing up...then a family would come along, get onboard. Then, the driver would wait and see who else was coming along. It was really irritating.
Another trip, to POP again, took 85 mins. That time there was no wait at checkin, got right on the bus, waited about 15 mins for the bus to pull out. There were a fair number of groups that had their luggage with them on this trip...so the driver had a larger than usual number of bags to stow. Then, we stopped at AKL first..lots of bags to be unstowed there. Then, on to CSR, again bags to be unstowed. Finally got to POP.....85 mins after deplaning. All those extra bags took a fair amount of time to get out of the storage area...and that driver stood there, waiting for tips. He kept everyone on the bus until he got the bags all out...then handed them off to each group as they walked up. No one was able to just go and grab their own bags due to the way the driver was postitioned. Not very cool at all.


So...as you can see, there are many variations with DME. Yes, the quickest mode of transport to your WDW resort is with a towncar service and carryon bags only. But, it will cost you for that convenience.

 

[MegaDisney]

OP- what a pain. 2 hours from airport to hotel is crazy, at that hour. We always rent a car (with 3 small kids, it's just easier for us) and we are always out of the airport relatively fast. This is what we do:

DH takes the oldest kid with him to get luggage. At the same time, I take the 2 younger kids in the double stroller to Dollar to get our car. Since we are members of DollarExpress (or whatever it's called), we have never had a line for the rental car. I have the car info within minutes. By then, DH has the luggage (we fly Southwest, and maybe maybe we're lucky but we have never had to wait long for our luggage). We all meet in the parking garage where we get the keys to the rental. A few minutes to install car seats and load luggage and we are off. And we do not fly in off-times- we usually get into Orlando mid-day.

This just seems so simple to me. Of course, we are the types that use the rental a lot- buses are not convenient for us with a double stroller, and we usually go off-site to Seaworld and Universal. When the kids get older, maybe we'll give ME a try. But our vacations are precious to us (as with anyone) and I just do not want to take the chance that we'll be one of the unlucky ones with an extra-long trip to our resort. Free or not.

Just my opinion.

 

[maxiesmom]

I think when it is later at night the buses do wait a little longer but not much. I have used DME about 6 times and will use it next week. The longest time I had from deplaning (you can't count landing cause if there is no gate or there is a problem and the plane has to be towed to the gate that eats time) to arrival is about 1 hour and 20 minutes and that was late at night when the buses do tend, at least to what I have seen, wait a little longs.

I noticed one poster stated the driver decided to "wait for other guests" the drivers don't make that decision and have no control how long they wait at MCO for passengers.

My one late night arrival ended with a not so magical ME experience. We landed around 11pm and did not make it to our resort until 1am. We got to the ME desk and on the bus pretty quickly, but we too had to wait a while before the bus left the airport. Then our resort was the last of 4 stops. Not fun. I have used ME many other times, but that experience put me off ever using ME for another late night flight. And now, with having to stop and get your luggage if your flight arrives after 10pm, I will for sure be using a towncar service if I ever schedule another late night trip to Orlando.

 

[keishashadow]

DH takes the oldest kid with him to get luggage. At the same time, I take the 2 younger kids in the double stroller to Dollar to get our car. Since we are members of DollarExpress (or whatever it's called), we have never had a line for the rental car. I have the car info within minutes.

when did u last use dollar @ MCO?

our only experience was unsettling, arrived on a Saturday around 11 am a year or so ago

there were 2 lines, one for express & one for everybody else, seemed good

problem was despite only having 1 person in front of me, the other line moved faster & actually emptied. I tried to go to one of the other agents but was told only the one agent could process express clients , over 1/2 hour wait, imo just not acceptable

 

[clkelley]

We know that most trips do not have a problem. But we have decided in the future we would either drive (from Atlanta) or hire a town car service. Bus transportation was awesome the entire trip. However, I do know that the same scene that happened on our bus could have happened on any bus anywhere.

Great service for some. Just not for us.
Hope that helps.

I agree from Atlanta would be drive every time for me.

It's what 7 - 8 hours at the most.

Leave at 4 in the morning and get there by noon.

Just think you are spending 3 of those 7 hours just getting to the airport, through security and on the plane, then an hour to 90 minutes in the air, then 70 - 120 minutes on DME.

 

[MegaDisney]

when did u last use dollar @ MCO?

our only experience was unsettling, arrived on a Saturday around 11 am a year or so ago

there were 2 lines, one for express & one for everybody else, seemed good

problem was despite only having 1 person in front of me, the other line moved faster & actually emptied. I tried to go to one of the other agents but was told only the one agent could process express clients , over 1/2 hour wait, imo just not acceptable

That is odd. I used it in December, and there was someone waiting when I got in line. However, when the next teller opened up, they took the Dollar Express member in front of me- and it was NOT the teller that was exclusively for Dollar Express members. I thought they did that all the time? But I guess not.

 

[Humphrey53209]

Left side of brain, meet right side of brain

Regards,
Humphrey53209

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yet, how can u argue with 'free' (albiet factored in the room rates overall operating costs of WDW )

Which means DME users are effectively getting a better deal on their (our) rooms than the other Guests

 

[kaytieeldr]

The driver can't give even one minute of precious time to cleaning up the vomit.

Probably not, if he's not made aware there's a problem. Plus, there are probably no safe places to stop on the highway (plus, really, it's the parents' responsibility, not the bus driver's).

By the way, can the driver hold people on the bus while he unloads the baggage? What keeps people from opening the door themselves and getting out?

A polite request from the driver to "please remain on the bus until luggage for this resort has been unloaded"? I mean, I know the driver didn't do that the last time I was on a DME bus - but then, there were only about eight passengers, total.

The incidents about getting back to the airport late need to be written up (using snail mail in the convenience of your own home).

I think I've only seen one, in this thread? Two? It appears most of the time complaints are based on getting from MCO to Disney. But, yes, WRITE to Disney about any issues. You can even try addressing them while you're at the resort.

Actually, here's what Disney says in the official DME FAQ:

Q. How long is the travel time from the Orlando International Airport to my Resort hotel?

A. The approximate travel time is 45-75 minutes. The motor coaches may make up to three (3) stops before arriving at your Resort hotel.

What they mean by "travel time" is not clear.

You know, it sounds like 'travel time' equates to 'time on bus' (yeah, sorry, even if it's not moving).

 

[keishashadow]

That is odd. I used it in December, and there was someone waiting when I got in line. However, when the next teller opened up, they took the Dollar Express member in front of me- and it was NOT the teller that was exclusively for Dollar Express members. I thought they did that all the time? But I guess not.

that's what we thought ; really glad to hear they now all can process the Express ressies

Which means DME users are effectively getting a better deal on their (our) rooms than the other Guests

as my kids would say true dat

assume it's working out for the mouse too, or it'd have been yanked or surcharged long ago

 

[csbm]

So we are arriving at the end of May.
If we are arriving at MCO at 1.
Could we maybe expect to be at our hotel with-in 1 1/2 hours?
So do we send the luggage or take it with????

CSBM

 

[CleveRocks]

So we are arriving at the end of May.
If we are arriving at MCO at 1.
Could we maybe expect to be at our hotel with-in 1 1/2 hours?
So do we send the luggage or take it with????

CSBM

Yes, you should expect to be at your resort within 90 minutes.

What to do with your luggage is a personal decision. Personally, I think getting to skip baggage claim and having my bags magically appear in your room is one very very great part of Disney's Magical Express.

Each DME luggage tag has a barcode. Barcodes are scanned 5 times between airplane and inside of resort room. The DME luggage delivery trucks are tracked by GPS. In other words, Disney knows where your bags are at all times.

 

[kaytieeldr]

More specific to CleveRocks' response: if csbm (the poster to whom he responds, directly above) allows Magical Express to claim and transport their luggage, yes, they should expect to be at their resort within 90 minutes of stepping into the airport.

Stopping to pick up one's own luggage extends that time frame, as does stopping for an extended period inside the airport for any reason (e.g. restroom = no, lunch = yes).

 

[cloverkat]

Sounds like the same bus I was on, Feb 22, or this maybe becoming a problem. It was sure upsetting to wait over that bridge I just wanted to scream let me out and I will walk.
And it was about 2 1/2 hours to get to BCV.

I may have been on this bus as well.I was staying at the Boardwalk
but got off at the Beach Club and walked.It really didn't save me any
time but at least I got to get off that bus and get a nice bottle of water.
For some reason the bus seemed uncomfortably warm even though
it wasn't terribly hot outside.This is the first time that I have had
the misfortune to be the last of four stops and get delayed by other
buses along the way. Next time I will make sure that I am well hydrated
before getting on the bus.

 

[maccagerl]

How can you say that DME is a very thinly veiled Mears shuttle?

Mears made multiple stops within the airport before leaving (meaning delays at EACH stop were common).
DME has only one origination point.

Mears, as a matter of procedure, usually waited for the bus to fill.
DME, as a matter of procedure, has a maximum wait time and will leave the airport even if almost empty.

Mears had a potentially unlimited number of resort stops.
DME has a maximum of 4 stops.

Mears gave no consideration for geography ... resorts at far corners of the region may have been grouped together.
DME has geographic zones. If the us will make stops in more than one zone, the maximum number of stops reduces to 3, to make up for the extra driving time.

Where's the thin veil? How are DME and the Mears shuttle so alike???

DME is Mears. Disney has a contract with Mears to transport guests via Magical Express. The drivers, although wearing DME patches on their jackets, are Mears drivers, hired by and paid by Mears. The busses are Mears busses, with the DME logo painted on.
So it's not even a thin veil- DME and Mears are one and the same.