Update: Airport to boot Disney greeters

goofy4tink said:
While I can understand the towncar/limo services position..I do have to say that every single time I have been to MCO and gone down that escalator, I have been approached by someone asking me if I need a ride to WDW or anyplace else.

I've been flying in and out of MCO on average 6-8 times a year for teh past five years or more, and I can count on one finger the number of tiems I've been approached by someone looking to pick up a fare.

Anne
 
Lewisc said:
Disney is allowing resort guests to take ME buses even if they didn't sign up in advance. Disney is also sending guests who aren't eligible for DME over to the Mears desk and allowing them to buy a ticket and then transporting them on DME buses.

Other than not making advanced reservations, why would a guest be considered ineligible for DME? Everyone staying on WDW property should be eligible, except for people staying in the hotels not owned by Disney (Swan, Dolphin, Shades of Green, and Downtown Disney area hotels). If it's those people, then I can understand a bit of why the livery companies are concerned. The DME busses should only go to the authorized Disney-owned resorts. However, the greeters should be allowed to refer guests to the Mears counter if a guest inquires about a shuttle to a non-DME resort. Perhaps they should say something like, "There are many transportation options available for your hotel," and then inform them of the locations for all services at once.

I don't like the idea of DME greeters soliciting, but I question how much actual soliciting is going on. If a passenger hasn't reserved in advance and inquires about taking the shuttle, and the greeter says that they can still use the shuttle, that's not solicitation on the part of DME. If a Dolphin guest inquires about DME and learns that the hotel is not included, then asks where they can purchase a shuttle ticket, and the greeter refers them to Mears, it's not solicitation. If that same person just stands there for a moment, pondering their transportation options and the DME greeter says something like, "If you'd like, you can purchase a ticket to the Mears shuttle," that is solicitation. I think people in those kinds of positions tend to offer more information than they probably should, in an effort to be helpful. I know I, myself, would be in big trouble that way (future reference librarian: I need to fill information voids). Maybe part of the greeter training needs to include instructions: "answer, do not ask or offer." :confused3
 
I don't understand why everyone is worried about the reserve in advance part.

There are many hotels in Orlando that provide complimentary transportation to their hotel. Do they make them reserve in advance for this transportation?? Probably not. When they get downstairs they call on a phone

Moving the greeters down to the desk should solve most of the carriers gripes.

Disney has every right to provide free transportation to its resort guests from the airport with or without advanced reservations. It's just that Disney is SO BIG that the little guys are complaining.

Carol
 
ducklite said:
I've been flying in and out of MCO on average 6-8 times a year for teh past five years or more, and I can count on one finger the number of tiems I've been approached by someone looking to pick up a fare.

Anne
Hi Anne, It's probably that I look like I'm lost or confused!!! Even though I consider myself familier with MCO I still get discombobulated at times in there. So, it could be that these drivers think they are being helpful...but I have been approached. Of course there is the one time that we had to go looking for our driver!!!! That took about 10-15 minutes before we found him! That time two different people asked me if I needed a driver or a ride!! I guess I should start looking more 'with-it' and knowledgable!
 

jenelope said:
Other than not making advanced reservations, why would a guest be considered ineligible for DME? Everyone staying on WDW property should be eligible, except for people staying in the hotels not owned by Disney (Swan, Dolphin, Shades of Green, and Downtown Disney area hotels). If it's those people, then I can understand a bit of why the livery companies are concerned. The DME busses should only go to the authorized Disney-owned resorts. However, the greeters should be allowed to refer guests to the Mears counter if a guest inquires about a shuttle to a non-DME resort. Perhaps they should say something like, "There are many transportation options available for your hotel," and then inform them of the locations for all services at once.

I don't like the idea of DME greeters soliciting, but I question how much actual soliciting is going on. If a passenger hasn't reserved in advance and inquires about taking the shuttle, and the greeter says that they can still use the shuttle, that's not solicitation on the part of DME. If a Dolphin guest inquires about DME and learns that the hotel is not included, then asks where they can purchase a shuttle ticket, and the greeter refers them to Mears, it's not solicitation. If that same person just stands there for a moment, pondering their transportation options and the DME greeter says something like, "If you'd like, you can purchase a ticket to the Mears shuttle," that is solicitation. I think people in those kinds of positions tend to offer more information than they probably should, in an effort to be helpful. I know I, myself, would be in big trouble that way (future reference librarian: I need to fill information voids). Maybe part of the greeter training needs to include instructions: "answer, do not ask or offer." :confused3
That's what I was wondering...I was told by cs that anyone staying onsite was able to do ME.
 
Gary M said:
I had read something in the past about Disney thinking about building their own airport. This may be completely unfounded. but who knows.


Do you know what it takes to build a new airport? Come to Illinois and find out. It seems like forever.
 
It wouldn't be practical to build another airport, But if they thought it was worth it they could build one heck of a large convention center. One that would rival the one Orlando has.
 
I asked why he paid Mears to ride ME. He went back to MCO to return a rental car and wanted to ride DME to get back to CSR. Disney told him he only got to ride free the day of his flight and sent him to Mear to buy a ticket.

Other guests may not be on the hotel reservation, not eligible and evidently can pay to ride the bus. This could include parties that are over the occupancy limit, people hoping not to get charged for extra adults or who don't want to pay for an extra guest to have the same package as the rest of the room.





jenelope said:
Other than not making advanced reservations, why would a guest be considered ineligible for DME? Everyone staying on WDW property should be eligible, except for people
 
DME was extended through the end of 2006 wasn't it (the free DME anyway)?

I can see why the limo companies and other transportation providers are upset, Disney is taking away a lot of their revenue. What I don't understand is why they feel Disney shouldn't have this right. I have stayed in many hotels that provide free airport shuttles, why is Disney any different?

I understand that the big complaint is soliciting, and that should be stopped. But it also sounds like many companies don't feel that Disney should be allowed to provide this service at all.
 
Letsbgoofy said:
DME was extended through the end of 2006 wasn't it (the free DME anyway)?

I can see why the limo companies and other transportation providers are upset, Disney is taking away a lot of their revenue. What I don't understand is why they feel Disney shouldn't have this right. I have stayed in many hotels that provide free airport shuttles, why is Disney any different?

I understand that the big complaint is soliciting, and that should be stopped. But it also sounds like many companies don't feel that Disney should be allowed to provide this service at all.

Actually the problem is simply unfair competitive advantage. The car service and cab drivers are not allowed to solicit for business in the terminal, but Disney is. That is what the complaint is about, and it's VERY valid.

Anne
 
manning said:
Do you know what it takes to build a new airport? Come to Illinois and find out. It seems like forever.


I think WDW could build an airport easier than the government of Illinois (Chicago) could build a Walt Disney World. I live in Indiana and have read about the airport situation in Chicago. I know "The Region" has tried to get the airport built in Indiana.
 
ducklite said:
I've been flying in and out of MCO on average 6-8 times a year for teh past five years or more, and I can count on one finger the number of tiems I've been approached by someone looking to pick up a fare.

Anne
I got hit on Friday night. I had to stop just after I got off the escaltor from the arrival level to rearrange my computer case! Two guys with signs asked me if I needed a ride. I wonder if they really had customers or were just trolling and had signs to allow them to stand there.

If I wasn't in a hurry I think I would complain and after this stunt if it happens again I think I will contact the airport and complain. I didn't notice the car service signs this time, but I will make note next time. If these guys want to whine about Disney soliciting then they have to play by the rules they made.
 
pirateofthecarolinas said:
Now the airport employees will be asked 5,000 times a day how to get to DME! :rolleyes:

Lori

Speaking of which... :rolleyes1

Now this thread has me worried that I'll never find the DME location. I've never been to Florida before, so of course, I've never been to MCO before. Can some of you super-veterans offer me some advice on where I need to go when I get off the plane? Should I just head in the direction of baggage claim and the desk will be nearby or something like that?

Thanks in advance!!
 
Yes, the easiest way is to head toward Baggage Claim A, then instead of stopping at baggage claim, head straight for the next set of down escalators to Level 1.

It will be easy to find at that point.

Carol
 
clkelley said:
Yes, the easiest way is to head toward Baggage Claim A, then instead of stopping at baggage claim, head straight for the next set of down escalators to Level 1.

It will be easy to find at that point.

Carol

Thank you!!!!!
 
CarolA said:
I got hit on Friday night. I had to stop just after I got off the escaltor from the arrival level to rearrange my computer case! Two guys with signs asked me if I needed a ride. I wonder if they really had customers or were just trolling and had signs to allow them to stand there.

Probably trolling. But the diference is that they have to stay on that area, even if they are legit, while WDW greeters are allowed right up by security.

BTW--any idea how long it will take me to take MARTA from ATL to the Buckhead station?

Anne
 
ducklite,

I realize that the problem is that Disney is soliciting, and said in my post that it should be stopped.

It looks like many of these other transportation companies don't want Disney to be allowed to run this service at all. That is what I am saying that I don't understand, why Disney wouldn't have the right to provide their guests with free transportation.
 
Letsbgoofy said:
ducklite,

I realize that the problem is that Disney is soliciting, and said in my post that it should be stopped.

It looks like many of these other transportation companies don't want Disney to be allowed to run this service at all. That is what I am saying that I don't understand, why Disney wouldn't have the right to provide their guests with free transportation.

I think they are saying it's unfair trade practices, although I'm not sure I agree with them on that note from a legal aspect.

Anne
 
ducklite said:
Probably trolling. But the diference is that they have to stay on that area, even if they are legit, while WDW greeters are allowed right up by security.

BTW--any idea how long it will take me to take MARTA from ATL to the Buckhead station?

Anne

The train ride is about half an hour. However, depending on the day and time you can have up to a 20 minute wait between trains. It takes me 45 minutes to go to Chamblee and that's the end of my line.
 














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