[gatour]

I just wanted clarify the bus transport thing withouth highjacking a thread about the lack of reponse to a complaint letter.

1. WDW has x number of Disney owned and operated buses. I think the number was 350 but now may be as low as 250. These are used excusively on-property. Until several years ago, if you were travelling point to point on property, you would be on one of these Disney owned buses. Several years ago Mears owned buses were added to the fleet. They are painted similiar to the Disney owned buses but there is a Mears label somewhere on the bus, usually down low and near a wheel.

2. The Magical Express buses are owned and operated by Mears under contract to Disney to provide transport between the airport and WDW.

3. The Disney Cruise Line Buses are also owned and operated by Mears under contract to Disney. These actually predated the Magical Express buses. the original agreement with these buses and I assume is still applicable is that Mears can use these buses on the "off" days for their own purposes. I.E. shuttling conventioners around Orlando. Shoot, several years ago I recall seeing a Disney Cruise line bus on I-95 near St Augustine full of people with no cruise ship in port that day.

When the poster referenced a Mear's labeled bus being "hijacked" to provide transport, I am sure it was under a scenerio that Disney preferred a Disney branded bus but if was none available or convient, just give us whatever you have.

[smee57]

Originally Posted by gatour

I just wanted clarify the bus transport thing withouth highjacking a thread about the lack of reponse to a complaint letter.

1. WDW has x number of Disney owned and operated buses. I think the number was 350 but now may be as low as 250. These are used excusively on-property. Until several years ago, if you were travelling point to point on property, you would be on one of these Disney owned buses. Several years ago Mears owned buses were added to the fleet. They are painted similiar to the Disney owned buses but there is a Mears label somewhere on the bus, usually down low and near a wheel.

2. The Magical Express buses are owned and operated by Mears under contract to Disney to provide transport between the airport and WDW.

3. The Disney Cruise Line Buses are also owned and operated by Mears under contract to Disney. These actually predated the Magical Express buses. the original agreement with these buses and I assume is still applicable is that Mears can use these buses on the "off" days for their own purposes. I.E. shuttling conventioners around Orlando. Shoot, several years ago I recall seeing a Disney Cruise line bus on I-95 near St Augustine full of people with no cruise ship in port that day.

When the poster referenced a Mear's labeled bus being "hijacked" to provide transport, I am sure it was under a scenerio that Disney preferred a Disney branded bus but if was none available or convient, just give us whatever you have.

Hmm. Interesting info. Thanks for that.
We actually had a Disney Cruise Line bus take us from Pop to AK for EMH. We were surprised it was that and not a regular Disney bus but we didn't complain. It was cushy!!

[sue299]

Originally Posted by smee57

Hmm. Interesting info. Thanks for that.
We actually had a Disney Cruise Line bus take us from Pop to AK for EMH. We were surprised it was that and not a regular Disney bus but we didn't complain. It was cushy!!

let me just say late night after a day in the park, with a bus packed as full as it could possibly be packed - and don't get me wrong, I don't mind because EVERYBODY wants to get back to the room asap. I don't care if it says Mears or Disney on the side

[lisalovesmickey]

OK so those that are driving a Mears bus are not CMs but Mears employees?

Lisa

[smee57]

Originally Posted by lisalovesmickey

OK so those that are driving a Mears bus are not CMs but Mears employees?

Lisa

The driver of our Cruise Line bus to Animal Kingdom explained to us that he was NOT employed by Disney so was not a CM. They contract with Disney to provide the transportation.

[Soundgod]

I have never noticed a "Mears" label on any Disney Transport bus. Not the old GMC/RTS buses and not the newer buses they've been acquiring since 2004.
I have never been transported on WDW property by anything other than a branded Disney Transport motorcoach. Every bus driver on every Disney Transport bus I've ever ridden on has worn the costume/uniform of Disney Transport.
As for the Magic Express and DCL buses, they are marked as owned and operated by Mears plainly enough.

I'll look for the Mears label in disney Transport buses the next time we're up.

[Dana]

thanks for the clarification on that gatour.

I have to agree with sue...at the end of a long park day, I could care less what name bus takes me back to the resort...I just want to hit my bed..lol

[Cavey]

I agree with Dana.

And the complaint in the other thread was after waiting a long time a charter bus picked them up. My first thought is, "Wow, WDW saw a problem and moved to resolve it with a charter bus rather than make people wait longer."

[15 mins to wdw]

Mears owns 3 buses that have a "disney" logo on them. They do not say "transport" on them. During busier times of the year disney may contract extra buses to help out keeping wait times lower. The 3 they own do not run every day and do sit at the mears lot quite a bit.

[Soundgod]

Originally Posted by 15 mins to wdw

Mears owns 3 buses that have a "disney" logo on them. They do not say "transport" on them. During busier times of the year disney may contract extra buses to help out keeping wait times lower. The 3 they own do not run every day and do sit at the mears lot quite a bit.

I'm glad you presented this factoid. Otherwise, I'd be looking at every single Disney Transport bus for a Mears sticker or logo. Now that I know, I can happily say I've never seen any of these three buses, much less traveled on one.