NEW Changes to Disney's Magical Express

[JPVonDrake]

As of November 1st:

To take advantage of this free service, you must add a reservation for the Magical Express on your room / package reservation PRIOR to your arrival to Florida. The Disney Welcome Center at the Orlando International Airport will no longer be able to provide this service to guest who have not made an advance reservation. It is recommended that you book at the same time you book your room, and provide your flight information at least 30 days (or more) prior to your arrival to ensure the timely arrival of your Travel Documents. Remember you must add Disney's Magical Express through your original booking location only; meaning if you book your room with a travel agency you must contact them to add or change your DME.

Disney will no longer have Magical Express Greeters on the third level of the airport (the level you enter the Main Terminal from your plane.) Our DME Welcome Center is located on level 1, Side A in the main terminal. We will have some Greeters on level 2 on both A and B sides of the airport to help lost Guests.

If you arrive at the airport after 11 PM or before 6 AM (due to a flight delay or it's your originally scheduled arrival time) you will be asked to claim your own luggage and it will travel with you to your Resort to ensure timely delivery. Otherwise the delivery of your luggage to your room is estimated to arrive within 2 hours from your arrival at the airport. You are always advised to pack a day bag with medications and maybe a change of clothes to start your reservation, as you will not have immediate access to your bags.

Hope this helps! :sohappy:

 

[nibblesandbits]

Sorry you didn't take the time to read my previous posts. Disney is sending non-resort guests to the Mears desk to buy vouchers so they can be transported on DME buses. This includes people who live in the Orlando area.
Unethical since other transportation services aren't allowed to solicit in the airport and aren't even allowed on level three.

All articles indicate DME is supposed to be limited to guests who make advance reservations. So it would be unethical to offer free transportation to guests who don't qualify by making advance reservations.

I agree the limo companies can't compete with free but that doesn't change the fact the Disney hasn't been following the rules.

My last post in this thread since it's obvious people have a pre-conceived opinion and aren't taking the time to even read posts that offer facts contrary to said opinions.
:wave:

Sorry about the last post, if it seemed convuluted...and just so everybody's clear, I'm not trying to attack anyone, I'm just trying to see what the big deal is.

I guess then my point is that when you register at a Disney hotel, you should already have that advance reservation available to you because it comes with the package that you book. As it states on the Disney website whenever you are booking a package, DME is included. Go to the Disney website and try it. So these DME CM were only "recruiting" people who should already have the privilege to this service anyway.

Now as to your statement about Disney sending people to Mears...I did read your post and understood what you said, but I guess my message back got mixed up somewhere. While it might not be the best thing for Disney to do, of course they are going to do try and help gain revenue for Mears. Disney is partnered with Mears and if one does well, it helps out the other. And as I stated earlier, I was able to ride a Disney bus on my last trip even though I had paid for Mears. Mears does use the Disney busses sometimes to transport passengers, especially when all the passengers are traveling to Disney anyway.

However, as someone has stated before, Disney only accounts for a small percentage of airport traffic. So my question is, how is the majority traveling? Obviously they wouldn't be taking DME. So wouldn't that mean that they are taking taxis, rental cars and other services to get to their final destinations?

These people are just complaining because Disney created a genius way to keep people involved in the Disney Magic (which in turn allows for more spending on anything Disney) from the moment they touch down until the moment they leave. Is that a bad thing? No, it's just a business oportunity that Disney took hold of. These companies should stop crying over spilled milk and pick up and offer something innovative or new.

 

[Gucci65]

The CM's at level 3 when I returned from a quickie trip to Atlanta said different. But I won't even start this debate.

A quickie in Atlanta :lol: :lol:

On a more serious note: I am one of the people who will not take advantage of this service - it's still a bus. I will continue to take a town car service and by at my resort quicker than the folks on the bus.

 

[MickeyTigg]

And where did you get your information that Disney was doing that. As far as has been reported, Disney has only allowed resort guests to ride DME when the guest approached DME and asked. No reports I have seen have said that Disney has allowed any non-resort guest on, or have they approached anyone about the service.

Then you haven't been paying attention. I have talked to people who have been "recruited" by Disney Greeters at MCO and also people who have been told by resort front desk people to use DME even though they didn't have reservations.

Disney has to play by the same rules and all the other transport people...cabbies and limo/towncar companies couldn't get even close to where DME people were working.

If the cabs and towncar companies are going to survive, they at least need a level playing field.

 

[bob0012]

Yes, it is a violation of airport rules for a limo driver or DME to solicit business. However it's not solicting busness if it's free. If a non-disney guest approaches then and inquires about the service, they can't just say "I'm sorry, I'm not allowed to discuss this with you". However they are not stopping people walking buy "pssst.....wanna buy a bus ticket to disney?" And in fact, this begs the other question, why would someone want a bus ride from the airport to disney, if they're not staying there? It's not like they're running the buses to area hotels or anything.

The problem here is that the cabs, limos, other transport services cant compete with free.

That's a problem for the cabs, limos, and other services.

 

[MickeyTigg]

Also a gratuity IS included for our Bell Service Cast on a per bag bases for delivery of your luggage from the DME transport to your room. The Mear's drivers are not paid a tip wage, and infact most make well over minimum wage. Any request for gratuities by the drivers are a DIRECT violation of Disney's contract with Mears, and should be reported to Disney.

It may be in the agreement...but I personally know a DME driver and the drivers and the bell hops are never seeing the tips. The tips are part of their income...that these people need to live on.

The drivers that weren't resourceful and asked for tips have quit because of the cut in income.

And as far is it being "free"...Disney paid Mears a fee to provide this service...so the money is coming from somewhere at Disney. So everyone is probably paying for it.

 

[wannab@dis]

And as far is it being "free"...Disney paid Mears a fee to provide this service...so the money is coming from somewhere at Disney. So everyone is probably paying for it.

Then how can you say DME is recruiting? By your own admission, they have already paid for it so they are ENTITLED to ride the bus. OMG... I just used the entitled word. :lookaroun

 

[MickeyTigg]

Yes, it is a violation of airport rules for a limo driver or DME to solicit business. However it's not solicting busness if it's free. If a non-disney guest approaches then and inquires about the service, they can't just say "I'm sorry, I'm not allowed to discuss this with you". However they are not stopping people walking buy "pssst.....wanna buy a bus ticket to disney?" And in fact, this begs the other question, why would someone want a bus ride from the airport to disney, if they're not staying there? It's not like they're running the buses to area hotels or anything.

First of all....solicitation for business does not require that it be paid for. If you are asking someone to use your services that wasn't originally planning to do so...it's solicitation.

Who said it was people not staying at Disney that were being solicited? The people they were going after were people who hadn't booked DME.

Like I said, I know a DME driver and she told me that often times (especially on the return trips) she'd have 10-20 more people waiting to get picked up than were on her "reservation list".

 

[MickeyTigg]

Then how can you say DME is recruiting? By your own admission, they have already paid for it so they are ENTITLED to ride the bus. OMG... I just used the entitled word. :lookaroun

You really need to re-read your post...I think you'll find your answer.

 

[wannab@dis]

You really need to re-read your post...I think you'll find your answer.

:veryconfu I guess that's the best you can when you can't argue with logic?

 

[MickeyTigg]

:veryconfu I guess that's the best you can when you can't argue with logic?

Oh my God....get real....that's the equivalent of saying "oh yeah". If you didn't reserve the service, you are not entitled to it...period. If you didnt' reserve the service and are asked to use it by DME or Disney...that's recruitment.

How's that for using logic?

Better yet...look at the dictionary....yeah...it's that big book with all the words in it....

Websters....

- to increase or maintain the number of
- to secure the services of
- to seek to enroll

 

[wannabeBelle]

It may be in the agreement...but I personally know a DME driver and the drivers and the bell hops are never seeing the tips. The tips are part of their income...that these people need to live on.

The drivers that weren't resourceful and asked for tips have quit because of the cut in income.

And as far is it being "free"...Disney paid Mears a fee to provide this service...so the money is coming from somewhere at Disney. So everyone is probably paying for it.

While I am certainly not disagreeing with you as far as if the drivers/bellhops are actually getting the tips that are built in to the DME program, the people who are using the DME program are being told NOT to tip, as it is included. If a driver was "resourceful" and did ask for tips and was reported he would probably not have a job afterwards so I dont know if that is the best idea either. I certainly agree that the workers need to be paid a living wage. I also feel that in a free market economy, if they are unhappy with the compensation offered at one job, they are certainly free to seek out other employment, either in the same field or not. I dont mean to sound cold or cruel about this but it is true. Belle

 

[wannab@dis]

Oh my God....get real....that's the equivalent of saying "oh yeah". If you didn't reserve the service, you are not entitled to it...period. If you didnt' reserve the service and are asked to use it by DME or Disney...that's recruitment.

How's that for using logic?

Better yet...look at the dictionary....yeah...it's that big book with all the words in it....

Websters....

- to increase or maintain the number of
- to secure the services of
- to seek to enroll

But the simple fact here is that you are wrong.

You can cry and whine for the livery groups all you want, but they are wrong also. The airport should not have caved in for the livery groups. This is about capitalism. Look that up in your dictionary. The cost of DME is factored into resort stays for anyone staying on property during HCOE. I sincerely hope they continue to offer it for free after the celebration is over.

Since the cost is factored into your stay, you have already paid for the service, hence you are entitled to ride the bus. Having a reservation shouldn't matter and didn't matter until Disney caved in so they could play nice with the whiners.

 

[lewisc]

SORRY BUT YOU'RE 100% WRONG. You're entitled to your opinion of what the rules SHOULD be; but not to re-write the rules based on your idea of what's fair.

No you're not entitled to ride the DME bus unless you've made a reservation prior to arriving at MCO. Your opinion, and mine, is irrelevant. That's the agreement Disney has with MCO.

If Disney was going to be allowed to solicit business at the airport it's likely MCO would have required Disney have desks and buses at both sides of the airport. The only reason not to is passengers with a prior reservation don't have to get their own luggage. It's also entirely possible MCO would have required a larger payment from Disney if they were going to be signing guests up at the airport.

It's really not about capitalism but about fair competition.

But the simple fact here is that you are wrong.
....
Since the cost is factored into your stay, you have already paid for the service, hence you are entitled to ride the bus. Having a reservation shouldn't matter and didn't matter until Disney caved in so they could play nice with the whiners.

 

[shoppingnut]

But the simple fact here is that you are wrong.

You can cry and whine for the livery groups all you want, but they are wrong also. The airport should not have caved in for the livery groups. This is about capitalism. Look that up in your dictionary. The cost of DME is factored into resort stays for anyone staying on property during HCOE. I sincerely hope they continue to offer it for free after the celebration is over.

Since the cost is factored into your stay, you have already paid for the service, hence you are entitled to ride the bus. Having a reservation shouldn't matter and didn't matter until Disney caved in so they could play nice with the whiners.

The airport didn't cave, all they did was tell a company that was operating in their airport that they were in violation of the airport rules and that they needed to comply with them or face the consequences. Just because something is factored into your resort stay does not give you license to flaunt the rules if you feel like it. So what you are basically saying is that if you purchased the Dining Plan with your stay, while you are entitled to eat in any restaurant you want, you should be entitled to walk up the restaurant without an advanced reservation and they should seat you anyway. This isn't about capitalism, it's about following the airport rules.

Also, disney is making money from this service, albeit indirectly because now when you are on property you will hopefully spend all of your vacation dollars with them and no one else and never go off property, at least that is their plan.

 

[wannab@dis]

SORRY BUT YOU'RE 100% WRONG. You're entitled to your opinion of what the rules SHOULD be; but not to re-write the rules based on your idea of what's fair.

No you're not entitled to ride the DME bus unless you've made a reservation prior to arriving at MCO. Your opinion, and mine, is irrelevent. That's the agreement Disney has with MCO.

If Disney was going to be allowed to solicit business at the airport it's likely MCO would have required Disney have desks and buses at both sides of the airport. The only reason not to is passengers with a prior reservation don't have to get their own luggage. It's also entirely possible MCO would have required a larger payment from Disney if they were going to be signing guests up at the airport.

I've not seen the contract that you have apparently read, but in the beginning, if you arrived at MCO without a reservation, you could pick up your luggage and ride the bus to the resort. It may or may not have been part of the "contract" but it was done and it was publically made known by Disney and by CRO. So, I'm not wrong as far as what WAS done.

Now that policy appears to have been changed to play nice with the whining groups that want to feed off Disney's guests. :wave:

 

[wannab@dis]

The airport didn't cave, all they did was tell a company that was operating in their airport that they were in violation of the airport rules and that they needed to comply with them or face the consequences. Just because something is factored into your resort stay does not give you license to flaunt the rules if you feel like it. So what you are basically saying is that if you purchased the Dining Plan with your stay, while you are entitled to eat in any restaurant you want, you should be entitled to walk up the restaurant without an advanced reservation and they should seat you anyway. This isn't about capitalism, it's about following the airport rules.

Also, disney is making money from this service, albeit indirectly because now when you are on property you will hopefully spend all of your vacation dollars with them and no one else and never go off property, at least that is their plan.

Yes, the airport and disney caved and CHANGED the policy and it's effective at the end of the month if I'm not mistaken. If it hadn't been a change, they would have been told to immediately make the concession.

Try again, because your Dining plan attempt is no where near comparable.

I know Disney is making money indirectly from the service, have stated as much and applaud them for doing what they are in the business to do... make money.

 

[HauntedPirate]

Stop bickering!

This thread is *exactly* why I don't participate much anymore.

[Topic posted]
(Opinion offered)
"No, you're wrong!"
"No, You're wrong!!"
"You're wrong, admit it!"
"No, you're a moron"
"Your argument has no logic!"

Some people in here already know this, but others don't. Pay attention: You, and your opinion, are NOT always right.

*sighs and walks away*

 

[lewisc]

Now that policy appears to have been changed to play nice with the whining groups that want to feed off Disney's guests. :wave:

NO, Now the rules are being enforced in order to prevent Disney from continuing to engage in unfair competition.

The relevant sections of the Disney website always said you needed an advance reservation.

 

[shoppingnut]

Yes, the airport and disney caved and CHANGED the policy and it's effective at the end of the month if I'm not mistaken. If it hadn't been a change, they would have been told to immediately make the concession.

Try again, because your Dining plan attempt is no where near comparable.

I know Disney is making money indirectly from the service, have stated as much and applaud them for doing what they are in the business to do... make money.

Oh, pleeze, nothing is immediate in this country, everything is a negotiation no matter what the original agreement said. And, yes, the dining plan is a similar analogy.

Others (not you) have suggested that disney isn't making money from this venture. They are otherwise they wouldn't be doing it.

 

[wannab@dis]

NO, Now the rules are being enforced in order to prevent Disney from continuing to engage in unfair competition.

The relevant sections of the Disney website always said you needed an advance reservation.

Why is it unfair?

It seems that people love to drop the "it's not fair" statements then never give the reason. It's already been acknowledged that this ONLY affects Disney resort guests, their reservations includes the service, and the number of people showing up at MCO without pre-arranged transportation is minuscule at best.

I'll look for the article, but it appeared based on the quotes from the MCO officials that the rules were changed by the airport. If not, then why allow DME to continue unchanged until the end of the month? If not, then why did JP start this thread and announce it as a CHANGE?