My ME experience-Today 5/10/05 with tags

[mrscoobs]

We are just back from a wonderful dinner at the California Grill and sitting in our room in the Contemporary and while finishing up work thought that I would post our magical express experience.

First: We received our tags last friday for todays flight.

Once we arrived in Orlando at 12:45pm(30 min early I might add, fast flight ) we proceeded onto the tram and past security where we saw our first of many CMs blanketing the Terminal. She told us to proceed to baggage claim A and down two Escalators and to the disney desk. There were CMs all over so you never lost your way wearing blue jackets and white mickey mouse gloves.

We got to the Magical Express check in manned by disney workers (ours mentioned how she used to work in the Animal Kingdom). Since we had our tags and the little blue booklet that they come in, they verified our flight info, validated our return tickets, and we proceeded to our resort line (there were a ton of extra waiting lines setup, probably a sign of bad times, but none were being used when we there). We were then ushered to a bus and were off in a few moments. Total Time in airport to check in with disney and for bus to leave: 15min

The show an overview video of the resort on the bus, which the ride seem to take a long time, but maybe that is just because those buses sit so high up. We were the second stop after Wilderness Lodge. Total time spent from landing till at resort for check in: 1 hour 30 min.

Our room was not ready when we checked in, and we had afternoon tea reservations at the GF so we were given a number to call for our room and proceeded to have tea. When we arrived in our room at 5pm our luggage was allready sitting in the room on the luggage racks.

All in all, it was very hassle free and we would use it again. It did not take any longer then when we have used mears, and we didn't have to handle our bags. If you have any Q's I will try to check back tomorrow.

 

[kelscross]

What resorts were on your bus? Just wanted to say Hi..from a fellow Ohioan..Dayton here. Have fun!! Let us know how the return trip was.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

What are the buses like? Are they the "new" buses? Someone reported being in the "mears" bus. Sounds like you had a good experience. Maybe things are coming togther. How long was the line you where in? Did you have to pick out your luggage at all? Sounded like no, just wanted to be sure since you where down by baggage claim.

What airline did you fly?

Are you returning with ME? Are you doing the Pre-boarding thing at the resort? What time are they picking you up? vs. your flight time home? Did you get to pick it Or did they tell you? What time do you have to give them your luggage? Or our you putting outside your room like on the cruise?

Hope your having a great time, and weather! We love the CR. How is your room / location / view. Did you see the remodled room area's on the 6th floor tower yet?

Mky

 

[rsschneck]

We received our luggage tags yesterday. I feel much better having them. We are checking into BWV's but leaving from BCV's. Our return voucher states BWV (we will have to change that).

Sounds like some of the initial bugs are being worked out.

Forgot to add we will arrive on Saturday!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Does it really take an HOUR to drive from the airport to the WDW property? That seems like a long time.

 

[disney queen]

your experience makes me feel a little better. read a thread about the bad experiences. we are gonna try this and make a decision about future use. thanks!

 

[spiceycat]

yes it take anywhere from an hour to 45 minutes (depending upon traffic) to get to WDW from the airport.

 

[BCV23]

Sounds like a very good experience. Thanks for the report.

Did you happen to notice what route the bus took? We make it to WDW from MCO in half an hour using #417. I wonder if ME takes the Beeline and I-4?

Hoping our tags make it by next week. Actually, I'm also hoping Ted is flying next week!

 

[athenna]

Thank you for posting a positive experience regarding ME!
Gives the people with upcoming trips some hope!

 

[addlema]

We leave on the 20th and have not recieved our tags.. I called and a recording said we might not receive anything in the mail, and then I sat on hold for 15 minutes before I had to go.

I am very worried by this. Anyone else in my boat? The Wife wants to just take Mears and not worry about it..


We are arriving at POP and leaving from BWV.

A very worried Hans

 

[cseca]

First: We received our tags last friday for todays flight.

We got to the Magical Express check in manned by disney workers (ours mentioned how she used to work in the Animal Kingdom). Since we had our tags and the little blue booklet that they come in, ..."

If you have any Q's I will try to check back tomorrow.

Glad to hear that someone's having a good experience from this ME. And since you're the first person who posted about the blue booklet, is it true that there is a coupon for a free pin and lanyard?

A CM told me about this but noone I know seemed to be able to verify it.

Thanks soooo much.

cyn

 

[mrscoobs]

Have a little break since there is an afternoon thunderstorm, and right when we were coming back from Epcot anyway. Answering a few questions:

Kelscross: Shout out for us Buckeyes Our waiter at the california grill was originally from Ohio too, as well as all his tables that he was serving. It is a small world. Our bus only had Contemp, Fort Wilderness, and Wilderness lodge from talking to families on the bus. We only went to WL before we got off at the contemp.


mkymouse4ever: The are Mears buses but they are done up all disney and are blue (they were also using some disney cruise line buses as well). We never saw our luggage from the moment we drop it off at Columbus International till they were "Magically" in our room after tea. The line that we stood in to check in was only one family in front of us, and there were about 12 CMs assisting people at the desk. Our line for the Contemporary transport to board the bus was funny since we were the only ones, we thought we may have to wait but were ushered to a bus once the made sure which bus was going where.

We are using the return service. On the video they show on the bus, we are supposed to get a note under our door the evening before telling us when we are to board our bus. Since we are flying on Delta, we are to take our bags to the resort airline check in up to 12 hours in advance of our flight, the Contemporary's resort check in is outside down by the pickup/dropoff for valet etc.

Our room is nice, we are in a Jr Suite in the North Garden wing, the hall looks drab, but the room is still as loud and cheerful as ever. I love the bathroom, and in the junior suite you get a shower bath tub as well as an actual shower which makes it really convient in the morning!

BCV3: I am not good with the roads down here, but we were on the toll road from the airport that runs into disney world because we had to keep slowing down for the EZPass tolls if that helps.

CSECA: Yes, there is a coupon for a free pin and lanyard included in the book.

For those still waiting for tags, ours didn't arrive until four days before our departure, so hang in there and keep knocking on wood that they will arrive.

 

[addlema]

We are going to go ahead and give it a try! Thanks for the detailed report!

 

[Luv2Roam]

Sounds great! I am very happy to read ME seems to be running much smoother now.
Enjoy your stay!
I am anticipating rain any minute. So far none, just north of you. But the sky is getting darker by the second!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

What are the buses like? Are they the "new" buses? Someone reported being in the "mears" bus.

The DME coaches are 2005 VanHool C2045's. Brand new European motorcoaches. They coaches are operated by Mears Transportation, as well as the Disney Cruise Line coaches.

 

[cseca]

Thank you thank you thank you...
I hope you are having a wonderful time down there. Even with the rain.
Thanks again for posting your experience with ME. I am waiting for my tags. Almost cancelling it because of the bad experiences people are having. But so glad that you took the time to post a positive note.

Have a wonderful time!!!!

 

[BCV23]

Thanks for the reply. It does sound as if the coaches use #417.

Maybe it is that the drivers observe the speed limit.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Thanks for the reply. It does sound as if the coaches use #417.

Maybe it is that the drivers observe the speed limit.

Indeed, Mears Transportation is very proactive when it comes to drivers obeying the speed limit. From what I've heard, the supervisor patrol cars have radar guns on them so that they can ensure drivers do the speed limit. When I was driving on property, town cars and taxis would ZOOM by me, meanwhile, Mears buses would keep pace with me, doing the speed limit. My guess is that accounts for a LOT of why the coaches take a bit longer going to/from the airport than a towncar.

 

[BCV23]

Indeed, Mears Transportation is very proactive when it comes to drivers obeying the speed limit. From what I've heard, the supervisor patrol cars have radar guns on them so that they can ensure drivers do the speed limit. When I was driving on property, town cars and taxis would ZOOM by me, meanwhile, Mears buses would keep pace with me, doing the speed limit. My guess is that accounts for a LOT of why the coaches take a bit longer going to/from the airport than a towncar.

Or the typical repeat guest in a rental car.

 

[Lewisc]

Tyler--I don't know if you have any friends or contacts with the Mears people at ME but a number drivers, or maybe the same driver with different posters, seem to get lost going from MCO to the resorts.

Really no excuse.

Indeed, Mears Transportation is very proactive when it comes to drivers obeying the speed limit. From what I've heard, the supervisor patrol cars have radar guns on them so that they can ensure drivers do the speed limit. When I was driving on property, town cars and taxis would ZOOM by me, meanwhile, Mears buses would keep pace with me, doing the speed limit. My guess is that accounts for a LOT of why the coaches take a bit longer going to/from the airport than a towncar.