Now that Ive Calmed Down a Bit--- A DME Rant !!!

[tinkerhon]

I would NEVER recommend anyone to show up at MCO an hour before the flight, ESPECIALLY if they had bags to check AND not knowing if they have pre-check or not. With no bags to check and having Pre-check, maybe (I'd still prefer 90 minutes).

Yea, was going to say the same - an hour before departure out of MCO is pushing it a bit - just my opinion - I’m pretty sure the suggested arrival time is more like 2 hours for domestic flights , but I could be wrong

 

[tinkerhon]

That solves the mystery then. That's probably what happened in the OP's case.

Don’t think that is what happened because the flight had not been delayed yet - it was still scheduled to leave at 4:15pm when we arrived at the airport - once we got to the gate they updated to say it was delayed

 

[tinkerhon]

When they told that particular bus to make 2 additional pick-ups, they were probably aware of the delay & the fact that there was enough time for all of the pick-ups. I've been on airport-bound DME buses up front, and heard the drivers be directed to certain resorts as a last minute change, so every bit of that is not decided in advance.

Flight was still on time when we arrived at the airport - the last few times we took DME back to MCO, they made additional hotel stops - I just think , like a PP said - Disney believes that they will still have you at the airport two hours prior to departure

 

[tinkerhon]

Agreed. Isn't the bus (at least the pickup time) assigned like 24+ hours in advance (you get the assignment the morning before your day of departure- so Tuesday morning for a Wednesday flight)?

We usually have ours on our door the morning of our departure

 

[dreamtripper]

I'm sorry but there is no way that when they assigned the bus, hours in advance, that they knew that the 4:15 flight would be delayed because of weather.

If there is a flight change made PRIOR to your MDE pickup they will adjust your pickup time if it is significant. I've had that happen twice, once it was a weather issue - there were lightning storms in my home area (NY/NJ) and many flights had already been delayed that morning so the official delay was known before my pick-up. They moved my pick-up time to later and notified me by text message. I don't think that was the case with the OP. It seems like the additional hotel stops, (which I have also experienced every time I've taken MDE) and the fact that they ALSO had checked luggage cut it a little too close for comfort for them, which is understandable. I probably would not have been happy if I were them, but it seems they did make their flight, correct? I have had a lot of experience with MDE, if I knew I had a lot of luggage or it was a busy travel day at MCO thus making security lines longer than usual, I would not risk taking MDE and instead call a personal car. A person who doesn't have experience with MDE (and the many stops, and the rush hour traffic on some days, or the longer than normal security lines on other days) may not think of these things having not experienced it.

 

[tinkerhon]

If there is a flight change made PRIOR to your MDE pickup they will adjust your pickup time if it is significant. I've had that happen twice, once it was a weather issue - there were lightning storms in my home area (NY/NJ) and many flights had already been delayed that morning so the official delay was known before my pick-up. They moved my pick-up time to later and notified me by text message. I don't think that was the case with the OP. It seems like the additional hotel stops, (which I have also experienced every time I've taken MDE) and the fact that they ALSO had checked luggage cut it a little too close for comfort for them, which is understandable. I probably would not have been happy if I were them, but it seems they did make their flight, correct? I have had a lot of experience with MDE, if I knew I had a lot of luggage or it was a busy travel day at MCO thus making security lines longer than usual, I would not risk taking MDE and instead call a personal car. A person who doesn't have experience with MDE (and the many stops, and the rush hour traffic on some days, or the longer than normal security lines on other days) may not think of these things having not experienced it.

Yep, we did make the flight, but only because it was delayed until 5:25PM (was supposed to depart at 4:15PM)-

 

[NeedMoreMickey]

In June I gave ME a flight that was around 40 minutes before my actual flight because I wanted to all time to check luggage. It’s been so long since had to check luggage I couldn’t remember how far a walk from the bus to Southwest. Glad I did because they are on opposite sides of the airport.

 

[Blondie58]

We have used the Magic Express numerous times over the last eleven years. Not one problem ever until our trip earlier this month. We were at the Riveria and waited 75 minutes on our airport bus. Thank goodness Matt called a cab and gave us a voucher. Our plane was loading just minutes after our arrival at MCO. I may be wrong but I chalk this us to the organization not caring too much as this service is going away. Just a hunch but no facts to base that on.

 

[AngelsAmongUs]

We’ve used DME for many years too and never had any trouble until our last trip. But something is not ok with DME and/or Mears right now. Im hesitant to share this because it still seems so unreal but here goes….

On the way in to Poly last week, the driver went to the wrong resort (WL.) He realized his mistake when he arrived at the portico and no one got off. Then he drove over to Fort Wilderness where he did some off-roading just before the gate at the entrance to the resort, going over a couple of boulders and digging some deep ruts into the planting beds. (If you've ever ridden on Dinosaur....) He dropped off a family at Fort W and then drove back to WL again and (again) realized his mistake. He left WL and finally got everyone over to Poly.

On the way back to MCO yesterday from Poly, after leaving our lot for GF, the driver missed the turn to get into the GF portico and had to do some backing up and going around to get to the portico. Then when we got to MCO, he couldn't get in the gate into the bus staging area. The gate just would not open. Our driver ran over to someone who was working outside at the bus staging area and got some instructions (I guess? He didn't say anything when he got back, just started backing up.). He backed the bus up to the fork and went left...and anyone who's ever returned a rental car at MCO knows where this story goes next. Obviously, the bus was too tall for the entrance into the parking garage. He waited there for a few minutes and then a super kind passenger offered to pop outside the bus to assist him in backing up. Between the spotter and the driver doing all sorts of short distance maneuvers back-and-forth and over-and-over, he backed up from that downhill curve (not without some light off-roading -- probably impossible to back that monster out of there without doing so...)This time the gate opened and he was able to park the bus.

I know these are flukes, and I really don't fault the drivers. Both these trips were obviously rough on our drivers. But I am concerned that there is not enough training and familiarity being provided with the routes. There are obviously staffing shortages and perhaps people are being pressed into situations unprepared. I know Disney wants to keep wait times to a minimum and maybe there's some pressure there as well. In any case, we’ll probably find an alternative from here on out.

 

[Moneypenny]

We have used the Magic Express numerous times over the last eleven years. Not one problem ever until our trip earlier this month. We were at the Riveria and waited 75 minutes on our airport bus. Thank goodness Matt called a cab and gave us a voucher. Our plane was loading just minutes after our arrival at MCO. I may be wrong but I chalk this us to the organization not caring too much as this service is going away. Just a hunch but no facts to base that on.

I think your point about them not caring much is spot on. We've also used DME many times over many years and have received very good service, up until March 2021. We had a 6 am pickup with 9:00 flight departure. No DME bus arrived by 6:25 so DH and the other family waiting with us start asking Bell Services. We're assured the bus will come, no action needs to be taken. We're looking at Uber and Lyft options, just in case, and the pickup times are in the 30-40 minute range. Still no bus by 6:40 and Bell Services says we're overreacting but they'll try to call Mears even though it won't do any good because the office doesn't open until 7. We head into the lobby to see if they'll call us a cab. The gal at the desk is at least somewhat polite and tries to call, but warns us that the last time they had to call a cab it took well over an hour to arrive, and the office doesn't even open until 7, and even then they haven't been answering the phone. They're flipping through binders trying to find a number someone will answer and warning us that there is likely nothing they can do for us. The other family waiting and I are freaking out now, Uber and Lyft pickup times are 60 minutes out and things are feeling precarious. Long story short, the DME bus finally shows up a 7:15, over an hour late. He stops at 3 more resorts, everyone is nervous and upset at them being so late, and he gives not one flying fig. Their attitude was that as long as they drop you at the curb before your flight time, they've done all they need to do. They did do that, but it's like they completely ignore the fact that getting dropped off outside the airport isn't the same as getting to your gate. You have to check bags, get through security, take the tram and get to your gate before boarding. We didn't even have time to buy a bottle of water, much less the breakfast we'd planned. Luckily I always travel with snacks so we didn't starve, but it was a very stressful end to the trip.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

We've never had a problem with DME but our trip back to the airport in July was a nail biter. We had a 4:15 a.m. pick-up at BWI. The bus showed up at 4:25 and we figured it was running behind due to prior stops but turns out we were the first stop. Proceeded to YC, then BC, then Grand Destino. At this point the driver announced we were on our way to the airport but a few minutes later he announced we needed to add a stop at All Stars. From what I could hear from the back and forth on the radio, it seemed like the dispatcher was trying to get drivers to pick up extra stops where they could. We pulled into the airport around 5:40. Luckily we weren't checking bags so we were able to go straight to security. The board at security said the wait was 30 minutes but just as we came around the second turn in the ropes the agents opened to pre-check lines to all travelers and they moved us into that line with only a couple people in front of us, so again, luck was with us. One of the monorails to the JetBlue terminal was out of service so there was a bit of extra wait time there as well. Not trying to be negative because as I said we've always had a good experience with DME, just wanted to share our experience in case anyone feels they might need extra time.

 

[bumbershoot]

Although I rarely take DME, when I have taken it it's usually good. Except...

A few Princess weekends ago, we were staying at Bay Lake. The bus was late; it had already been at Contemporary. Then it went to Poly. Then it went to...somewhere else that I cannot remember. At Bay Lake and the others the driver waited and waited. And waited. No one was coming, there were no CMs waiting...he just waited. And he was the slowest driver Florida might have ever seen. We got on the highway upwards of an hour after we got on the bus. And then he drove UNDER the speed limit the whole way.

I had precheck and I was barely on time for my flight. And my stop was the SECOND pickup stop. I cannot even imagine how many flights were missed by the Contemporary passengers. It was absolutely unacceptable. My poor cousin was taking DME with me and catching the shuttle bus from MCO to Daytona, and she completely missed the bus. Her family had to drive over and get her, because it was going to be an hour beyond that before another bus was leaving.

most travelers would have been fine, as an hour is usually an early enough arrival time for a domestic flight,

Not sure where you travel through, but...no. Not unless you have all the trust in all the TSA agents, trains, pathways, and other passengers, are are perfectly fine walking to the gate and immediately onto the plane.

I have none of those things, so...no.

That solves the mystery then. That's probably what happened in the OP's case.

You think that 24 hours before, when they gave them the info on their flight, they knew of weather concerns?

 

[brockash]

I blame myself in part because I told myself after our last trip (7/19) that I would request an earlier time for our DME than the one given to us--- for the life of me, I can not understand why Disney continues to leave a 3hr timeframe for departures to MCO-
Especially if the bus is going to make THREE stops before going to the airport -
Yesterday, we had a 4:15PM flt out of MCO---
Assigned a 1:15PM bus--- we were the first pickup--- lot of people, which means a lot a bags/luggage--- we didnt leave the hotel for around 20-30 mins--- next stop was Kidani village--- more ppl --- more baggage --
Next was Coronado Springs---
We didnt arrive at MCO until 2:57--- by the time we were let off the bus, and got our luggage, it was almost 3:15 -
JB terminal is not that close to where we were dropped off--- by the time we arrived at security, we had around 15 to board our flight-
I pleaded with TSA to see if there was anything they could do- Nothing really...other than wait---
We collected our stuff, and I literally went all the way to our gate without putting my sneakers back on-

LUCKILY (and never thought I would say this), our flight was delayed till 5:25PM, due to the inclement weather--

Made me realize (again) why I used to take Florida Town Car !!

Hmmm....odd, I've never seen a ME bus leave more than 5-10 mins. after the "departure" time listed, much less a half hour. Do you mind saying what resort you were staying at?

Is JB not at one of the 4 "winged" locations like all of the other airlines? I always felt at MCO all airlines were relatively the same distance due to MCOs layout.

Glaf you made it!

 

[brockash]

We have used the Magic Express numerous times over the last eleven years. Not one problem ever until our trip earlier this month. We were at the Riveria and waited 75 minutes on our airport bus. Thank goodness Matt called a cab and gave us a voucher. Our plane was loading just minutes after our arrival at MCO. I may be wrong but I chalk this us to the organization not caring too much as this service is going away. Just a hunch but no facts to base that on.

Can you expand on waiting 75 mins. on your airport bus? Do you mean you sat in the lot of Riviera on the ME bus for 75 mins....and then called a cab? Why did they have you all sitting there?
I do agree that I think they just don't really that much now. This past Oct. as we were waiting for our ME to pick us up, we watched a fratic family go back and forth with Disney because their ME bus never showed up...they eventually arranged a cab to get them...20 mins. later and our bus never showed up either. Luckily a ME bus, dropping ppl. off came and I asked him about it...he made some calls and then took us to the airport. From the sounds of his radio; it had been a disorganized mess that day. We also went in Sept. and this past March with no issue though.

 

[Lsdolphin]

I'm confused, are you saying that when they assigned the OP the 1:15 bus that they knew the flight was delayed?

They leave your bus assignment hanging on your door the day before you leave so they wouldn’t know about a flight delay at that point.

 

[seashoreCM]

Your flight was a 4:15. Your Magical Express pickup was 1:15. This is a normal scheduling. DME did not do any second guessing or rescheduling due to flight irregularities they knew about and you perhaps did not.

 

[KPeterso]

Our worst experience with DME was quite a few years ago at Contemporary (BLT). We were out ready and waiting (with a bunch of other people) before our bus time. That time came and went and no bus. A yellow Mears bus comes into the resort area and Bell Services/Valet people all think it is our bus until it drives around the back of the resort and out of site. About 20-25 minutes later (so now very late), that same bus pulls around to pick up everyone waiting. So Bell Services was right about this being our bus. We made it, but I know we stopped at several other resorts too.

Our other bad time was from Wilderness Lodge. Bus was on time and this was the first stop. All fine as we had the time. And I assumed we would pick up in the MK area. But instead, we picked up at one of the Port Orleans, then OKW, then SSR. Seemed a crazy route to us and it was well over an hour after we got on the bus that we ever left Disney property.

Both times we made it just fine to the airport and through security. And now I have pre-check and I get through the airport even quicker.

 

[tinkerhon]

Hmmm....odd, I've never seen a ME bus leave more than 5-10 mins. after the "departure" time listed, much less a half hour. Do you mind saying what resort you were staying at?

Is JB not at one of the 4 "winged" locations like all of the other airlines? I always felt at MCO all airlines were relatively the same distance due to MCOs layout.

Glaf you made it!

We were at the ASM --- by the time everyone got on the bus, the bags were loaded, and the driver mentioned the other 2 stops, it was approx 1:15 PM-
JB was bit of a walk from where we were dropped off

 

[brockash]

We were at the ASM --- by the time everyone got on the bus, the bags were loaded, and the driver mentioned the other 2 stops, it was approx 1:15 PM-
JB was bit of a walk from where we were dropped off

I'm sorry, that had to be stressful. It seems Disney has kinda just washed their hands of the whole getting their guests to the airport on time and stress free which is unfortunate.

 

[tinkerhon]

I'm sorry, that had to be stressful. It seems Disney has kinda just washed their hands of the whole getting their guests to the airport on time and stress free which is unfortunate.

Thanks !! Yea, it was hard --- single dad, and DS10 is on the spectrum, so it was a bit difficult--- I just think it could be a lot easier, if DME just left sooner (or didnt make any other stops)
Im just one of those people that dont want to have to rush in the airport