Standing On The Magical Express Bus

[seashoreCM]

Are there any recorded instances of someone putting luggage under the bus and then boarding and not finding any seats? What, pray, happens then?

Inspired by an incident way back when, before there was a Magic Kingdom, when I observed a Greyhound bus arrive and some passengers missed a connection because their luggage was "on the other bus". You see, Greyhound on that day ran a double section due to demand. (The passengers on the other bus who wanted that connection also missed it. The connection was only a five mile ride and tickets were sold separately on board.)

Also inspired by the nearby thread about kids in their own seats on Disney buses.

Disney hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/magicx.htm

 

[Disneyolic]

I cannot be absolutely positive but I think that the DME busses will not allow standing. I believe that is prevented by:

1. Making your reservations.
2. Checking in at the airport prior to boarding.

The only thing I might foresee if a child under the age of 3 having to seated on a lap of an adult because Disney doesn't recognize anyone under the age of 3.

 

[havencruiser]

I don't think the reservation actually dictates what bus you would be on. You could check-in at the desk and then go to have lunch, shop, etc. in the airport.
If you put your luggage under the bus and there are not any seats, just go down again and ask the driver to take it off. However, if you are using DME, why bother even getting the luggage at all/ Just put on the yellow tags and let them deliver it directly to your door.

 

[canwegosoon]

I have been several times since ME started, and I have to say that the busses to the resorts are usually 1/2 full, but returning to the airport(when you have a specific time assigned to you), it has been 3/4 or perhaps slightly more full. I have never seen anyone denied boarding or standing in either direction.

 

[bgirl29]

When leaving DW in October we did see several people denied boarding because the bus was full. It was at the last hotel we stopped at CBR before heading to the airport. One woman in particular was very unhappy and the bus driver closed the door in her face and kinda made a joke about. The good news is he did at least call and let a dispatcher know that there were a lot of unhappy people waiting for a ride.

 

[Disneyolic]

When leaving DW in October we did see several people denied boarding because the bus was full. It was at the last hotel we stopped at CBR before heading to the airport. One woman in particular was very unhappy and the bus driver closed the door in her face and kinda made a joke about. The good news is he did at least call and let a dispatcher know that there were a lot of unhappy people waiting for a ride.

I would guess that that is another reason why they want to you to be ready for transport back to the airport 3 hours early. It would/should give you enough time for another bus to take you, hopefully.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Standing aboard a Mears coach (DME, DCL, etc) is strictly forbidden. If that ever happened and a Mears supervisor found out, that driver would be in serious trouble and would risk termination.

 

[Ariel Wanna-be]

Standing aboard a Mears coach (DME, DCL, etc) is strictly forbidden. If that ever happened and a Mears supervisor found out, that driver would be in serious trouble and would risk termination.

I've always wondered about that.

On the return portion of our ME trip on 6/04/05, the ME bus picked us up at POR. After everyone had boarded, the bus was about 3/4 full. We then went to POFQ and picked up more passengers. Everyone tried to make as much room as possible by putting their children on their laps, "squishing" together, etc., but I'd say there were approximately 10 people that had to stand up on the entire trip to MCO.

There were many comments about how that wasn't really safe, and wether it was allowed. ME was fairly new at that time, so maybe there were mix-ups.

 

[CleveRocks]

In either direction, no one puts their own luggage under the bus. This is ALWAYS done by the driver. It's not like you put it under there and then hope for the best.

 

[goofy4tink]

We actuall saw a case of some in a party being able to board the bus, while the rest of the party couldn't!!! There must have been about 15 people in the goup and I don't think the CM at the bus line inside MCO got a correct count of the party...I think they misunderstood her. Anyway....we were in front of them, got on the bus and since it was just dd and myself, had no problem sitting together. WEll, that group got on, the first 7 or so found seats but the rest couldn't be let on since the bus had no empty seats!!! Those already boarded hopped off since the driver told them there was absolutely no standing!!

 

[Bam99]

On our return to MCO in September my husband, my brother-in-law and another guy helped load all the luggage becuase we were so late. We barely made it to the airport in time for our flights and were very rushed when we got there. SO...sometimes passengers do help with luggage. The bus that came before was full and this one was also full just seemed very unorganized that particular day.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I don't think the reservation actually dictates what bus you would be on. You could check-in at the desk and then go to have lunch, shop, etc. in the airport.

Mmm,,, I'm not so sure about that. No DME user is expected to check in at a certain time for a certain bus, so Guests can stop for food or facilities or to wait for other Guests, etc, before heading for the Welcome Center. Once checked in for the DME ride, however, you're then sent or sometimes even escorted to a particular line or bus - and expected, I think, to board asap at that point.