Recent trip ME review

[tinkerbellmagic]

Just got back from Orlando. We flew SWA and used ME for the trip home (from resort to airport). Since we were not going directly to Disney when we landed in Orlando, we did not use ME from airport to resort. We hired a car service.

This is our magical express experience:

We have used ME for about six trips since it's inception, so that is twelve ME bus rides. I have always been extremely pleased with the service. I used to look forward to riding ME and seeing the movie presentation. I especially loved not dealing with our bags until our room was ready.

I remember way back, using a town car or a Mears van was the only option I knew of, if you didn't rent a car. I remember once around 2003 being picked up by a Mears van for transpo from our Disney resort back to the airport. We were crammed into the Mears van with other families packed in real tight. Too many people and far too much luggage. The driver actually placed someone elses luggage under my grandson's legs and we were all blocked in to our seats by everyone's luggage. It was a dangerous situation with loose luggage sardined into every existing space in the van. I felt so boxed in. Then the two children sitting in front of us started fighting, physically (parents chose to be oblivious). It was a nightmare. It was that day I decided never to ride in a Mears van again. This was another reason I was so happy with ME, even if it was Mears. It was "free" and it was an actual bus, not a van.

Well, I am not so fond of ME anymore. Our driver was terrific - kind, courteous, a real gentleman. It was the bus itself and the ME experience I didn't like at all.

The bus: I have never been on a bus with so many seats crammed into a given space, worse than any airplane. It was so tight with seats that it was difficult to get in and out of the seats without leaning back and clutching onto the seat in front of you for dear life, so you could try to stand up and ease yourself out of the window seat. Our knees practically touched the seats in front of us when sitting down and we are average size people. I don't know how taller people fit. It was very uncomfortable and claustrophobic and I don't remember being crammed in so tightly the last time we used ME in 2009. What happened to those old comfy buses they used to have? Do they save them for the cruiselines?

The speakers in the ME bus: If you are looking forward to a relaxing trip back to the airport on ME, just forget it. The last thing I wanted to hear that morning was loud thumping dance party music blaring over my head while we sat and waited for others to get their bags stowed and get on the bus, but I had no choice. There was no button to turn off the music, no button to lower the sound, and no where else to sit that didn't have a speaker directly over your head. I would have given anything for earplugs. The loud thumping music kept on blaring away (this is a Disney presentation, mind you, not the drivers private radio) for several minutes, followed by loud announcements, followed by music, and it went on and on and on. The cartoons were the only brake from this noise. I felt like I was on City Walk at midnight, only it was 10 am!

Lastly, our plane was leaving at 12:45 pm. Our pick up time at WL was 10:00 am. After WL, we also stopped at Poly and GF. You know how some folks take longer to get their luggage stowed and get on the bus? Well, that's what we encountered waiting for the folks at those resorts. It was the first time I ever got worried that I might miss our flight. As it turned out, we had only about 15 minutes free time before boarding.

I am not so sure we will be using ME in the future and that is too bad since I was always such a big fan. With the crammed seats, blaring music, and waiting for so many people to board while the time is ticking away, it felt like I was back on the 2003 Mears van. Not very magical, imo.

 

[kaytieeldr]

So just to be clear - you've had twelve good DME trips and one disappointing one, and you're ready to give up on Magical Express?

 

[MPB82]

So just to be clear - you've had twelve good DME trips and one disappointing one, and you're ready to give up on Magical Express?

I was going to ask the same thing. I couldn't imagine an online board commenting about my company and work. And yes I know we pay thousands for this but as you said, 12 out of 13 is a great percentage.

Oh and FYI volume is controlled by driver, when we went it was low, asked him to turn it up and he did, you should have asked him

 

[sam_gordon]

Just got back from Orlando. We flew SWA and used ME for the trip home (from resort to airport). Since we were not going directly to Disney when we landed in Orlando, we did not use ME from airport to resort. We hired a car service.

This is our magical express experience:

We have used ME for about six trips since it's inception, so that is twelve ME bus rides. I have always been extremely pleased with the service. I used to look forward to riding ME and seeing the movie presentation. I especially loved not dealing with our bags until our room was ready.

I remember way back, using a town car or a Mears van was the only option I knew of, if you didn't rent a car. I remember once around 2003 being picked up by a Mears van for transpo from our Disney resort back to the airport. We were crammed into the Mears van with other families packed in real tight. Too many people and far too much luggage. The driver actually placed someone elses luggage under my grandson's legs and we were all blocked in to our seats by everyone's luggage. It was a dangerous situation with loose luggage sardined into every existing space in the van. I felt so boxed in. Then the two children sitting in front of us started fighting, physically (parents chose to be oblivious). It was a nightmare. It was that day I decided never to ride in a Mears van again. This was another reason I was so happy with ME, even if it was Mears. It was "free" and it was an actual bus, not a van.

Well, I am not so fond of ME anymore. Our driver was terrific - kind, courteous, a real gentleman. It was the bus itself and the ME experience I didn't like at all.

The bus: I have never been on a bus with so many seats crammed into a given space, worse than any airplane. It was so tight with seats that it was difficult to get in and out of the seats without leaning back and clutching onto the seat in front of you for dear life, so you could try to stand up and ease yourself out of the window seat. Our knees practically touched the seats in front of us when sitting down and we are average size people. I don't know how taller people fit. It was very uncomfortable and claustrophobic and I don't remember being crammed in so tightly the last time we used ME in 2009. What happened to those old comfy buses they used to have? Do they save them for the cruiselines?

The speakers in the ME bus: If you are looking forward to a relaxing trip back to the airport on ME, just forget it. The last thing I wanted to hear that morning was loud thumping dance party music blaring over my head while we sat and waited for others to get their bags stowed and get on the bus, but I had no choice. There was no button to turn off the music, no button to lower the sound, and no where else to sit that didn't have a speaker directly over your head. I would have given anything for earplugs. The loud thumping music kept on blaring away (this is a Disney presentation, mind you, not the drivers private radio) for several minutes, followed by loud announcements, followed by music, and it went on and on and on. The cartoons were the only brake from this noise. I felt like I was on City Walk at midnight, only it was 10 am!

Lastly, our plane was leaving at 12:45 pm. Our pick up time at WL was 10:00 am. After WL, we also stopped at Poly and GF. You know how some folks take longer to get their luggage stowed and get on the bus? Well, that's what we encountered waiting for the folks at those resorts. It was the first time I ever got worried that I might miss our flight. As it turned out, we had only about 15 minutes free time before boarding.

I am not so sure we will be using ME in the future and that is too bad since I was always such a big fan. With the crammed seats, blaring music, and waiting for so many people to board while the time is ticking away, it felt like I was back on the 2003 Mears van. Not very magical, imo.

I agree with the others, one bad experience vs. 12 good experiences and you're willing to give up?

I am surprised your pickup time was 2:45 before your flight AND you made other stops after. Personally, I would consider emailing/contacting either Disney or ME and complain about the timing.

 

[goofy4tink]

I don't think the buses have changed much. Yes, there are some newer buses in the fleet, so perhaps you got one of those instead of always getting older buses...don't know. But, my dh, at 6'4'', didn't feel cramped in June, and we were on a new bus. But again, you may have had a different style bus.
We had no music...nothing at all until the 'film bus driver' came on with his safety spiel. Hate that one. Then, the Disney spiel started...much prefer the old one. But, you wouldn't have had that since you were on the return bus.
As far as timing goes, you should have had plenty of time....there must have been a huge issue at one of those two resorts. When my dd and I left last June, we were staying at POR. We were the second bus stop...I believe it went to POFQ first. The bus arrived right on time then went on to OKW...where we sat for 5 mins, waiting for guests to show up...they never did. On to SSR....same thing...waited for close to 10 mins, no one showed up. Then on to MCO. We had plenty of time. You would have had to sit at each of those two resorts for 20+ mins based on your stated timing...and that just isn't right. I can't imagine sitting there for that long. Yes, people have bags, but if there are two parties at each stop, and that would be an average number, and they both had bags, well it doesn't take more than 8 mins to stow bags for two families...if they have bags to begin with! I would have sent an email to Disney about that one!! I have no problem getting to the gate shortly before boarding, but 15 mins is cutting it a bit too close, even for me!

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Thank you for your review, OP.
We had a bus exactly like you described on our last trip to MCO. I'm 5'4" and I was extremely uncomfortable. My husband who's 6' could hardly stand up when the ride was over. You had to be a contortionist to get in the window seat.
One ride like that & I've decided to use other transportation as well. I'd rather pay than sit cramped up like that - even if it is free.
I'll bet the other posters who've chastised you have never ridden on one of the busses in question!

 

[kaytieeldr]

That's right, we apparently haven't ridden on the same design bus the OP described (or we have but didn't get the same impression).

Questioning isn't chastising.

 

[Collette]

Thanks from me, too, for your review OP.

I'm fairly sure I won't be using ME much in the future either. I have always been a big fan, too, until my last two trips in 2012 and 2013. That would be two out of seven ME round trips. I realize that isn't a big percentage either, but it wasn't a here and there thing - it was the last two years in a row.

The buses were fine. It was almost missing my flights going home that wasn't. Both times, like the OP, I was picked up two hours and 45 minutes before the flight. It was close to an hour before we left WDW property after making stops at numerous other resorts. Thirty minute ride to MCO. Forty-five minutes through security. I raced to my gate to get there barely in time for my zone 1 boarding. If I hadn't done the resort bag check, I may have missed my flights.

It happened once and I gave it a second chance. Then it happened again. Also on my 2013 trip, it was about two hours and 15 minutes from landing to arrival at CR. We waited at least a half hour at MCO and were the last of four stops. I would probably overlook the long trip to CR, but not the late arrival at the airport.

I have a question for the OP. Did your say Disney's Magical Express?

My adult kids and I rode ME buses at different times. We had two yellow Mears and one Waterparks. I know they are Mears buses. I want mine to say Disney's Magical Express.

So it appears to save money they are cutting pick up times and adding more resorts to make fewer trips - and adding cramped buses. I just don't feel up to chancing it anymore. It's a great service when it works!

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

So - just wondering: what would happen if you missed your flight home because DME was late getting you to the airport?

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Thanks from me, too, for your review OP.

I'm fairly sure I won't be using ME much in the future either. I have always been a big fan, too, until my last two trips in 2012 and 2013. That would be two out of seven ME round trips. I realize that isn't a big percentage either, but it wasn't a here and there thing - it was the last two years in a row.

The buses were fine. It was almost missing my flights going home that wasn't. Both times, like the OP, I was picked up two hours and 45 minutes before the flight. It was close to an hour before we left WDW property after making stops at numerous other resorts. Thirty minute ride to MCO. Forty-five minutes through security. I raced to my gate to get there barely in time for my zone 1 boarding. If I hadn't done the resort bag check, I may have missed my flights.

It happened once and I gave it a second chance. Then it happened again. Also on my 2013 trip, it was about two hours and 15 minutes from landing to arrival at CR. We waited at least a half hour at MCO and were the last of four stops. I would probably overlook the long trip to CR, but not the late arrival at the airport.

I have a question for the OP. Did your say Disney's Magical Express?

My adult kids and I rode ME buses at different times. We had two yellow Mears and one Waterparks. I know they are Mears buses. I want mine to say Disney's Magical Express.

So it appears to save money they are cutting pick up times and adding more resorts to make fewer trips - and adding cramped buses. I just don't feel up to chancing it anymore. It's a great service when it works!

*post above bolded by me*
THANK YOU for your reply. Yes, it makes a huge difference that your experience wasn't a here or there thing, it was the last two years in a row. Thanks for 'getting it.'

Our bus did say Magical Express.

Thanks also for mentioning that you did resort bag check prior to catching your ME bus. I forgot to point out that we also did resort bag check at our Disney resort and I realize now that there was a good chance that we would have missed our flight home had we checked our bags at the airport.

After this experience, if I were to take the chance and use ME again, it would be from airport to resort only, (with ear plugs if needed ) not resort to airport. I will never take a chance like that again. Not missing my flight home is important to me. I really do appreciate your reply.

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Thank you for your review, OP.
We had a bus exactly like you described on our last trip to MCO. I'm 5'4" and I was extremely uncomfortable. My husband who's 6' could hardly stand up when the ride was over. You had to be a contortionist to get in the window seat.
One ride like that & I've decided to use other transportation as well. I'd rather pay than sit cramped up like that - even if it is free.
I'll bet the other posters who've chastised you have never ridden on one of the busses in question!

*post above bolded by me*
THANK YOU for your reply. I really do appreciate it.
Yes, that's the bus!!! Out of all the buses I have ridden in my life, I have never been on a bus like that before, with so many seats crammed into it.

So - just wondering: what would happen if you missed your flight home because DME was late getting you to the airport?

A very good question!

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

Just for future reference... you can request an earlier pickup time if you are concerned about the time you were given by Disney or need more time than what was allotted.

 

[seashoreCM]

So - just wondering: what would happen if you missed your flight home because DME was late getting you to the airport?

Ya' know? I think this is when the "Magical" in Magical Express really appears! Since Disney accounts for so many folks going through Orlando International Airport I would not be surprised if there are some behind the scenes dealings, maybe holding a plane every once in awhile.

Ya' see? I kinda' doubt that Disney is going to tell everyone to request for next time an earlier bus back to the airport (which request if timely is always granted). But many of us here on The DIS will (and some just did) so now you know the answer on how to avoid anxiety on Magical Express.

Caution: If you don't show up punctually for your assigned bus back to the airport, it's the end of the world.

 

[kaytieeldr]

So it appears to save money they are cutting pick up times and adding more resorts to make fewer trips - and adding cramped buses. I just don't feel up to chancing it anymore. It's a great service when it works!

There's no cutback in pickup times. Pickups are scheduled twice an hour when there are passengers needing axride, and not scheduled when there aren't any. Individual pickup times are about - not exactly - three hours in advance.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Just for future reference... you can request an earlier pickup time if you are concerned about the time you were given by Disney or need more time than what was allotted.

Ya' know? I think this is when the "Magical" in Magical Express really appears! Since Disney accounts for so many folks going through Orlando International Airport I would not be surprised if there are some behind the scenes dealings, maybe holding a plane every once in awhile.

Ya' see? I kinda' doubt that Disney is going to tell everyone to request for next time an earlier bus back to the airport (which request if timely is always granted). But many of us here on The DIS will (and some just did) so now you know the answer on how to avoid anxiety on Magical Express.

Caution: If you don't show up punctually for your assigned bus back to the airport, it's the end of the world.

In the past I've even been a little aggravated at having to sit at the airport for so long waiting for departure. I've never experienced getting there right at the wire. Wow!

 

[goofy4tink]

Thank you for your review, OP.
We had a bus exactly like you described on our last trip to MCO. I'm 5'4" and I was extremely uncomfortable. My husband who's 6' could hardly stand up when the ride was over. You had to be a contortionist to get in the window seat.
One ride like that & I've decided to use other transportation as well. I'd rather pay than sit cramped up like that - even if it is free.
I'll bet the other posters who've chastised you have never ridden on one of the busses in question!

I don't think anyone has chastised anyone else here. Each person is going to have a different experience. There may very possibly be a bus(s) with a different, more cramped configuration...but the vast majority of us have yet to ride on a bus like that. I am 5'8'', dd is 5'10'', dh is 6'4''....none of us have had an issue fitting. Getting to a window seat is always going to be hard when dealing with public transportation. In over 15 rides with DME, I haven't had an issue with the seating.

As for departure times? Buses are scheduled every 30 mins...if there are guests that need the bus. More stops haven't been added....there have always been up to 3, and sometimes 4 if they are close to each other, resort stops. I have never arrived at MCO with less than 2 hrs before my flight..usually earlier than that. Security is a crap shoot....it can be 15 mins, or it can be 45..no way to tell before you get there.

DME is NOT perfect. It is what it is....public transportation. The same goes for resort/park buses. If people don't want to ride buses, then other transportation is going to work better. There is no one size fits all here.

But, it is always good to hear of all experiences. It allows everyone to know what to expect. So thanks for the review.

 

[seashoreCM]

What color was the outside of the bus with the cramped configuration and what company name was printed in small black lettering on the side?

Mears (who operates Magical Express) occasionally leases buses from other companies during peak periods and one may have found its way onto a DME route. Disney occasionally leases buses from other companies during peak periods and guests have in the past reported here a Mears bus running between parks and resorts.

I have ridden the Mears vans before, this was before DME. If the passenger load is quite large for a particular trip out of a particular corner of the airport terminal (A side east, A west, B east, B west), they will run a bus, otherwise they normally run vans. If they run out of luggage space at the extreme rear then all bets are off regarding comfort when bags are stuffed around people's legs.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Okay - I apologize. "Chastised" was way too harsh a word to use.
In my mind, I felt that some replies to the OP were asking her to concentrate on her previous good experiences and chalk up the 1 bad experience to a fluke. I felt that the OP had a valid point and wanted to add my similar experience.
I'm very familiar with public transportation, and can tell you that I have never been so cramped. It felt like a cattle call & the OP was right on when she said it was worse than flying on a cheapo airline & she felt like they were packed in like sardines. Perhaps it's a new style bus??
And as for giving up after one bad experience, I will do so too. You know, the definition of insanity & all...
As you say, one size does not fit all.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

What color was the outside of the bus with the cramped configuration and what company name was printed in small black lettering on the side?

Mears (who operates Magical Express) occasionally leases buses from other companies during peak periods and one may have found its way onto a DME route. Disney occasionally leases buses from other companies during peak periods and guests have in the past reported here a Mears bus running between parks and resorts.

I have ridden the Mears vans before, this was before DME. If the passenger load is quite large for a particular trip out of a particular corner of the airport terminal (A side east, A west, B east, B west), they will run a bus, otherwise they normally run vans. If they run out of luggage space at the extreme rear then all bets are off regarding comfort when bags are stuffed around people's legs.

I'm, not sure about the color or lettering of the bus, SeashoreCM. But I'm pretty sure it was the "regular" ME bus. They did have the movie & all...

 

[ncc1701]

Just for future reference... you can request an earlier pickup time if you are concerned about the time you were given by Disney or need more time than what was allotted.

We had an experience where we were picked up 2:45 before our flight and with the stops / TSA line we had less than 30 minutes before boarding. So much for lunch at Ruby Tuesdays:
Ended up grabbing a bite at Burger King . The next 2trips I have made sure we get picked up 3 hours plus