OIA Pushes Disney's Magical Express Greeters Out of Terminal (3rd floor)

[2angelsinheaven]

Apparently people are complaining that WDW has an unfair advantage over the other transport services and therefore WDW was sent a letter today telling them they were no longer welcome after next month. It does not affect the service being offered it just seems like they will no longer be allowed to be in the terminal to greet passengers.

Disney's Magical Express Greeters Pushed out of OIA

Edited to Add: They will no longer be able to be on the 3rd floor, only in baggage claim.

 

[cleo]

Actually, the Greeters won't be allowed on Level 3, but they will be allowed in the baggage claim area...where all the other transportation companies are allowed. Until now, the Disney Greeters have been standing in locations other companies were barred from 'soliciting', so to speak. I'd call that an unfair advantage. If Disney have such a great service it should do them no harm to follow the rules imposed on everyone else.

 

[grimley1968]

BTW, it's MCO, not IOA.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

We here in Florida call it OIA "Orlando International Airport" as does the news. And your right they will be allowed to still be in the terminal, my mistake just not on the third floor.

 

[cheyita]

Is that after the end of October then?

 

[safetymom]

OIA is the name of the airport. Orlando International Airport. MCO is used by the airlines and some airlines use OIA also.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=917635 is another thread with lots of comments.

 

[PoohHappens]

Could someone clarify for me, I do not see how this is an unfair advantage. This is prearranged transportation. I do not think that someone could see the disney folks and think hey lets use that service. You can only use it if you have a package that includes it. It is not like one cab service being allowed on the third floor and not another. Besides isn't this how business works, I mean it is a big deal where the desk for rental car companies are located, and you always want your company to be the most visible. We have used other transportation companies before, but chose ME because of cost, not location.

 

[PoohHappens]

OK I just read the link and that answered a little bit for me. I do not think their location in the airport has effected the other companies business, I think that its mere existence does. Like I said we have always contracted with a private limo service (not Mears) in the past, but chose ME this time because it saved us money, quite a bit of money to be honest.

 

[All Aboard]

The airline code "MCO" comes from the name of the airforce base (McCoy) that occupied the land where the airport now stands. In fact, I believe the airport was originally called "McCoy Jetport" before renamed "Orlando International Airport."

 

[karensi]

Im sorry to hear that the greeters will no longer be allowed on the 3rd floor. I went to WDW over Labor Day weekend with DD and 18 month old DGS. We arrived at OIA at about 10 PM and it was so reassuring to see those greeters waving their Mickey hands. It felt as if the magic had started already, besides confirming that we were going in the right direction

 

[goofy4tink]

If Disney would prohibit those without reservations from hopping on the buses, that would solve some issues. If you don't have a reservation previously made, then it becomes a Mears shuttle type thing and you should have to pay for it.
As far as those greeters up on the third level goes...I sure hope they are going to put some signage up there now. It can be pretty confusing as to where to go. I know that when I flew SW last August I had some issues finding my way down and then getting back up for my departure was a nightmare. I just couldn't get my bearings.

 

[ladysoleil]

I'm guessing they'll just update the Magical Express booklet to reflect that guests should proceed directly to the lower level and go to the ME counter on Level 3.

While it was pretty handy to have the folks in the Mickey gloves directing traffic, it's not hard to find the Welcome Center once you know where it is, and if you happened to get lost, I'm sure the fine folks at the Disney Store right in the terminal would be pleased to point you in the right direction.

 

[disneyyes]

Geez, I always thought MCO stood for "Mickey and COmpany!"

 

[Poohbear123]

I am confused isn't ME located on the FIRST floor, and I arrive on the 3rd? Don't I have to go down to the first?

 

[mrp4352]

I am confused isn't ME located on the FIRST floor, and I arrive on the 3rd? Don't I have to go down to the first?

You arrive on the 3rd floor, but Disney has been putting greeters on the 3rd floor to help you find your way to the 1st floor.

Hmmm, will the Cruise Line greeters still be allowed on the 3rd floor? When we arrived on a Saturday, the cruise line greeters were doing double duty for both DCL and ME...

 

[seashoreCM]

If Disney would prohibit those without reservations from hopping on the buses, that would solve some issues. If you don't have a reservation previously made, then it becomes a Mears shuttle type thing and you should have to pay for it. .

Disney has been spotty about giving written confirmation for Magical Express, even after requests over the phone by the guest. Therefore it is only fair to take the guest's word upon the guest's arrival.

Putting up signs near the security exits would be disallowed also because other companies are not allowed to do it.

Apparently OIA will not be adopted as the airport code because it is the same as or very close to another airport (outside the U.S.) code.

Some airlines' literature uses NYC for New York City (referring to all three airports JFK, EWR, LGA) and CHI for Chicago (for both ORD and MDW).

 

[TDC Nala]

You don't need a package that includes it. You must be staying at a Disney resort to use it, but you don't need a package.

As far as I know you have to check in and confirm your reservation at a Disney resort before they'll put you on a bus. How are those without reservations getting on the buses?

 

[SnackyStacky]

Geez, I always thought MCO stood for "Mickey and COmpany!"

Naw.

It was:

Mickey
Controls
Orlando

 

[Stacy's a freak]

I have a small concern which was sorta addressed on this thread, but can someone clarify it?

I've heard that there have been glitches with ME reservations (tickets/whatever not getting to the guest before the flight). My concern is that someone might not be able to use the ME bus if they don't have the proper paperwork. That is, unless the ME CM can confirm their reservation? Are the ME CM's linked to CRO? (could I use more abbreviations?!)

 

[SnackyStacky]

I have a small concern which was sorta addressed on this thread, but can someone clarify it?

I've heard that there have been glitches with ME reservations (tickets/whatever not getting to the guest before the flight). My concern is that someone might not be able to use the ME bus if they don't have the proper paperwork. That is, unless the ME CM can confirm their reservation? Are the ME CM's linked to CRO? (could I use more abbreviations?!)

I haven't used ME, so take this for what it's worth.

I have repeatedly been told that if you DON'T have appropriate luggage tags and paperwork, it's not a problem to use the service. I personally would stop at the baggage claim area and retrieve my bags MYSELF, just so as not to risk being seperated from my bags for an inordiante amount of time.

And when you think about it - even if the ME CMs aren't connected to your reservation - if you're staying at the Holiday Inn on I-Drive, would you really be taking the Magical Express bus to Port Orleans?

That's my view of it, but again - I've never used it.