My "less than magical" express review

[jenrose66]

Let me start by saying I have used Magical Express in the past. This was my 4th or 5th time using the service. I have always loved it, very convenient, but now I will think twice before using it again.

Getting from the airport to the hotel this time around was great. The bus was waiting for us, we landed at 8:20 and were in the hotel in about an hour.

Getting to the airport was a much different story. We were supposed to catch the 3:45 bus yesterday. We were at the stop by 3:20. We wait and wait and wait....the stop is filling up with people and there is no Magical Express. I go to bell services and they seem oblivious to the fact that there is no bus yet, then they say don't worry, it's only a problem if the bus is over half hour late.

Now it's 4:15, the bus is half an hour late on the dot. Add to that the number of people at the stop has increased to over bus capacity because there is supposed to be a 4pm bus too. As you can imagine, getting on the bus was chaos. There were 4pm people trying to cut in front of 3:45 people and the bus driver was not verifying what time you were supposed to catch the bus. The bus driver then adds to everyone's nervousness by telling everyone that the 4pm bus will be very late too. I had my little son with me (and my mom) and got one of the last seats. You are supposed to be at the airport 2 hours early. We got there about an hour and 20 minutes before our flight. Luckily the security line was short...if it wasn't, I don't know what we would have done.

It was an absolutely HORRID way to end my vacation.

 

[helenk]

This had happened to us once at the Poly, but the driver was very good about checking everyone's letter to ensure the correct people were getting on the bus.
The one good thing about ME picking you up aprox 3 hours before the flight is that if something like this occurs you still have time to get to the airport and get to your flight. It takes about 30 minutes to get to the airport from the last hotel. In our case the Poly was the last hotel and while our bus was just about a 1/2 hour late, we got to the airport about 2 hours before our flight and were fine. Using RAC made it easier since we did not have to check our luggage, we just went right to security.

 

[seashoreCM]

If your Magical Express bus back to the airport does not show up or fills up without you then the resort is supposed to produce another bus or pay for a taxi even if it means just fetching cash from a register till. Immediately get ahold of a concierge or a supervisor.

I read too many tales of people running for their planes. You can request a bus back to the airport more than 3 hours in advance (make the request at least 2 days before checkout). This request is always granted and the earlier bus becomes your one and only.

Whether a post mortem is done and Mears is docked their per capita fees for irregularities their fault is OT for this thread.

 

[jenrose66]

If your Magical Express bus back to the airport does not show up or fills up without you then the resort is supposed to produce another bus or pay for a taxi even if it means just fetching cash from a register till. Immediately get ahold of a concierge or a supervisor.

I read too many tales of people running for their planes. You can request a bus back to the airport more than 3 hours in advance (make the request at least 2 days before checkout). This request is always granted and the earlier bus becomes your one and only.

Whether a post mortem is done and Mears is docked their per capita fees for irregularities their fault is OT for this thread.

The driver was obviously having a bad day. He was asking our airline while getting on the bus and when I told him Southwest he muttered "thank god" under his breath, maybe because of less luggage He was moving super slow and he was not representing Disney. I asked him if I should be ok for my 6:30 flight cause I didn't know how long it was going to take to get to the airport. He said that if I had concerns about my ability to get to my flight ontime to not take the bus and that Disney would deal with my problem. Now I know that Mears operates the magical express, but not everyone knows that. He is acting as an agent of Disney, but he made it sound like any problems on his bus were not really his problems. He didn't mutter one word on the bus either, no hellos or anything...

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

Oh my, that would really stress me out!

 

[mmmbop]

Yikes!

I had a similar thing happen in May.
ME Paperwork stating 4:45am departure (7:30am flight, no resort airline check in for flights before 8am). We were at the stop by 4am (couldn't sleep). Crowds slowly started building. Bus did not arrive until 5:00am. The driver was accepting people who were to depart on the 5:15am bus and did not depart Pop until 5:30am. As we were exiting, we saw another bus pull in.
I don't remember which airline we flew home, but we disembarked at Terminal B. Driver waited until every person was off the bus before getting out and takes out luggage, piece by piece, and waited for someone to claim it - while holding his hand out for tips.
By the time we checked our bags and got to security, we had 15 minutes til our plane was scheduled to leave. Too bad the sign said "15 minutes from this point" We got through security quickly, and ran to the terminal. By some miracle, we actually made the plane with a few minutes to spare.
It's not as if we were just perusing the airport and wasted time. We didn't have any time TO waste. We planned on grabbing a bite at the airport (since food court was still closed). My blood sugar was real low and I've never felt that crummy in my life.

Of course, we had an EXCELLENT trip to the hotel. But coming back was a nightmare. And it was DBF's first time using ME. We're going again at the end of the month, and if it happens again, I don't think I can pass off "I swear, it's just a fluke!" once again

Truly, sorry you had a similar stinky timing experience. If it were me, I'd let Disney know. What an unmagical way to end your vacation. But thank you for posting your experience!

 

[jenrose66]

Yikes!

I had a similar thing happen in May.
ME Paperwork stating 4:45am departure (7:30am flight, no resort airline check in for flights before 8am). We were at the stop by 4am (couldn't sleep). Crowds slowly started building. Bus did not arrive until 5:00am. The driver was accepting people who were to depart on the 5:15am bus and did not depart Pop until 5:30am. As we were exiting, we saw another bus pull in.
I don't remember which airline we flew home, but we disembarked at Terminal B. Driver waited until every person was off the bus before getting out and takes out luggage, piece by piece, and waited for someone to claim it - while [B]holding [/B]his hand out for tips.
By the time we checked our bags and got to security, we had 15 minutes til our plane was scheduled to leave. Too bad the sign said "15 minutes from this point" We got through security quickly, and ran to the terminal. By some miracle, we actually made the plane with a few minutes to spare.
It's not as if we were just perusing the airport and wasted time. We didn't have any time TO waste. We planned on grabbing a bite at the airport (since food court was still closed). My blood sugar was real low and I've never felt that crummy in my life.

Of course, we had an EXCELLENT trip to the hotel. But coming back was a nightmare. And it was DBF's first time using ME. We're going again at the end of the month, and if it happens again, I don't think I can pass off "I swear, it's just a fluke!" once again

Truly, sorry you had a similar stinky timing experience. If it were me, I'd let Disney know. What an unmagical way to end your vacation. But thank you for posting your experience!

I bolded your above statement. I absolutely DID NOT tip! All the driver did was put my stroller under the bus. I usually tip for that, but it says tips are permitted for exceptional service. If I cannot be taken to the airport ontime and I have a slow grumpy driver on top of it, I will not pay for the experience.

 

[seashoreCM]

The driver was accepting people who were to depart on the 5:15am bus and did not depart Pop until 5:30am (ed note: way late)

...juxtaposed with...

Driver waited until every person was off the bus before getting out and takes out luggage, piece by piece, and waited for someone to claim it - while holding his hand out for tips.

Please write a complaint using snail mail.

Hmmm. Would this be good: After receiving you bags, actually say out loud, "Thank you but I would have tipped you if you got us to the airport sooner." No more details.

 

[DanenRox]

Last week, our (young adult) children left Disney a few days before us by way of Magical Express. When they texted me to say the bus still was 40 minutes late I flew to the area, reported to a CM who had a taxi voucher issued. Disaster avoided!

 

[quirty30]

I've had a very similar experience to the OP. We ended up missing the already late bus due to a scenario almost identical. People were just pushing and shoving to get on that bus. I stood back and decided not to stoop to their level. Spoke with a valet and he assured me there was nothing to worry about. When the next bus showed up moments later, it was completely empty and we had no problems getting a seat.

In my mind, I figure worst case scenario is we miss our flight. I would hold Disney/Mears responsible and expect the would accommodate us for the night.

 

[skelooch]

A passenger on my flight home last Friday told me they also had their ME bus not show up at the GF and were given vouchers for a taxi.

 

[LSchrow]

a few years ago (when DME first started), we arrived only about 10 minutes before our (BWV) DME bus was supposed to leave for MCO (there was a problem with check-out - we had someone else's bill).
we waited, and waited for about 25 minutes......finally asked where the bus was. they told us it had already departed, at the time it was supposed to. we knew it had not been there, and eventually they did figure out that it had indeed left about 15 minutes early.
there wasn't going to be another bus for a while, so they did offer to pay for a cab to MCO.
now we make sure we are at the bus stop no less than 30 minutes before departure time

 

[2binak]

We had an experience getting to the airport too, but it wasn't he fault of the bus company or the driver. A family of at least 8 people was holding up the luggage check-in desk because all of their suitcases were over the weight limit and they had every piece of luggage opened on the ground, trying to decide what to put in carry-ons, some of which were already bursting at the seams! This went on for a good 20-30 minutes before another person came out and opened a 2nd check-in desk and the family was finally asked to move out of the way of the line. The line to check-in was taking so long that we were going to miss our bus so we decided to take our luggage on DME & check it ourselves at the airport.

From that trip on, we've rented a car so that the only people responsible for getting us to and from the airport (& the parks) is us!

 

[disneydreamkate]

Maybe once you're checked out of your resort your "WDW Magic" limit has been reached? We have used ME twice...each time we had a good experience to the resort...and on our departure day we have had not-so-good experiences both times. The first time, our driver sat and waited at BC for a family that wasn't ready yet. I know this becasue all the other families from this resort had boarded (our family had gotten on at POR, btw) and the driver told us...plus we watched bell services bring their luggage. Then, on the way to the airport, our driver was driving like a lunatic and almost took out a small car next to us by veering into the right hand lane. In Feb 2011, it wasn't quite that exciting. Our driver was just late and rude. Left a bad taste in my mouth after the wonderful time we had. Ah well. This trip we are driving down! The only person I will have to blame for a less-than-magical transportation experience is my DH!

 

[seashoreCM]

We had an experience getting to the airport too, but it wasn't he fault of the bus company or the driver. A family of at least 8 people was holding up the luggage check-in desk because all of their suitcases were over the weight limit and they had every piece of luggage opened on the ground, trying to decide what to put in carry-ons, some of which were already bursting at the seams! This went on for a good 20-30 minutes before another person came out and opened a 2nd check-in desk and the family was finally asked to move out of the way of the line. The line to check-in was taking so long that we were going to miss our bus so we decided to take our luggage on DME & check it ourselves at the airport.

You did it the right way. Being in the RAC (resort airline check in) line does not count as being punctual for your Magical Express bus back to the airport.

In addition it's a good idea not to have to do all this and check out from the resort so close to DME bus time.

[B[/B]By the way RAC is not part of DME per se.

 

[nkereina]

OP, if you don't mind saying, what hotel were you at? Not sure if it makes a difference but I saw the same thing at POR. Our bus was supposed to pick us up at 2pm. We got to the stop at about 1:45pm and a bus was loading people up. At about 1:55pm, a bus pulled up and us along with a few other families assumed it was the 2pm bus, so we all walked over and handed the driver our vouchers. As I was getting on the bus, I overheard someone ask the driver if that was the 2pm bus and he said "no 1:30, you can get on this one or wait for the 2pm one" - they opted to just get on, as did we. The bus already had about 10 people on it from a prior stop, and now it was about half full with the POR people. The bus then headed over to POFQ where there was a large group of people. Before getting off the bus, the driver counted the number of empty seats and then got off and said he could only take the 1:30 people. By this time it was about 2:10. Several people with 1:45 vouchers got really upset. They clearly should have been on the bus before us and the other 2pm people. When they are running late like that and fill up the buses, I don't know why they don't enforce the times...

 

[jenrose66]

OP, if you don't mind saying, what hotel were you at? Not sure if it makes a difference but I saw the same thing at POR. Our bus was supposed to pick us up at 2pm. We got to the stop at about 1:45pm and a bus was loading people up. At about 1:55pm, a bus pulled up and us along with a few other families assumed it was the 2pm bus, so we all walked over and handed the driver our vouchers. As I was getting on the bus, I overheard someone ask the driver if that was the 2pm bus and he said "no 1:30, you can get on this one or wait for the 2pm one" - they opted to just get on, as did we. The bus already had about 10 people on it from a prior stop, and now it was about half full with the POR people. The bus then headed over to POFQ where there was a large group of people. Before getting off the bus, the driver counted the number of empty seats and then got off and said he could only take the 1:30 people. By this time it was about 2:10. Several people with 1:45 vouchers got really upset. They clearly should have been on the bus before us and the other 2pm people. When they are running late like that and fill up the buses, I don't know why they don't enforce the times...

I was staying at All Star Movies. I guess Mears must have been having an off day.

 

[Elmo007]

I used ME once before. From MCO to POP it took almost 4.5 hrs for my bags to arrive. On the way back to MCO we had an early AM bus so there was no delay yet. On my next trip I am using ME to POP but packing a huge carryon to tide me over for teh 4-5 hours before the bags come. On teh way back i am using RAC and a rental car

 

[sam_gordon]

I used ME once before. From MCO to POP it took almost 4.5 hrs for my bags to arrive. On the way back to MCO we had an early AM bus so there was no delay yet. On my next trip I am using ME to POP but packing a huge carryon to tide me over for teh 4-5 hours before the bags come. On teh way back i am using RAC and a rental car

By your post I'm assuming you didn't utilize a carryon for your past trip. What would you have done if the airlines delayed/lost/misplaced your luggage? Not all luggage issues are ME's fault.

 

[seashoreCM]

Having a carryon with you with stuff for the first 24 hours (toothbrush, swimsuit, etc.) has always been a good idea.

Going to the carousel for gate checked (non-yellow tagged) carryons is optional before 10 PM but at least read the preceding sentence.