Another piece of Disney magic is being lost soon, and Disney Guests are still in shock at the retirement of this transportation service.
Disney’s Magical Express takes Disney Resort Guests from Orlando International Airport to their Disney Hotel and offers an all-inclusive feeling to their Walt Disney World experience. The service is completely complimentary for those staying at a hotel owned and operated by Disney, and with Disney music, trivia, and games, the Magical Express often feels like Guests’ first “ride” of the their vacation.
Credit: Disney
The current stress-free experience of arriving at Orlando International Airport — which, pre-pandemic, also offered the benefit of luggage delivery for Guests’ checked bags — will be disappearing in 2022. With the 50th anniversary celebration at Walt Disney World starting months after Disney announced that Magical Express services would be ending, the news came as a shock to many Disney fans.
Here, we have the complete lowdown of what’s happening, along with information on its third-party replacement.
Credit: Inside the Magic Kelly C.
When is the Magical Express ending?
Disney’s Magical Express will end operations on January 1, 2022. On this date, the free Disney-run shuttle will not be offered any longer to Guests of Disney Resort hotels:
Disney’s Magical Express service will no longer be offered starting with arrivals January 1, 2022. The service will continue to operate for new and existing reservations made at Disney Resort hotels for arrivals throughout 2021.
Sadly, it seems the decision has been made to end the complimentary airport transportation service, and no further updates have been released regarding the return of Disney’s Magical Express. Guests, however, are trying get Disney to push that date back and have created a petition on Change.org to save Disney’s Magical Express. The petition now has almost 10,000 signatures and went viral on Twitter.
The petition “Save the Magical Express” reads:
On Jan.1 2022 Disney has announced the end of The Magical Express.
We think this is a massive mistake. We love The Magical Express and consider it an integral part of staying at a Walt Disney World Resort that needs to continue.
Save The Magical Express – Sign the Petition today.
Credit: ITM
The Magical Express, though a Disney service, is actually operated by Mears. There are still a couple of months to go before the end of the service in which Disney theoretically could announce an alternative to the Magical Express, especially with Biden recently announcing the return of international visitors. But at this time, Disney has not shared any updates.
What is the replacement and how much will it cost?
Mears, the company that currently operates Magical Express, revealed that it will be running a new shuttle service beginning January 1, 2022. Note that this is not a service operated by Disney, and instead, if you want to reserve your spot on this shuttle service, you will have to do so through this third party. (Of course, you can also rent a car or use a ride share service.)
Mears Connect, as it will be called, will offer a paid-for service with reservations available now. The shuttle service provides Standard or Express transportation options.
Credit: Screenshot via Mears
The Standard service is a shared-ride service on a bus, van, or small vehicle, similar to the current Magical Express. The Express service is a direct service to your Disney Resort and back to the airport with limited to no wait time.
Round trips will cost adults $32.00 each and children $27.00. One way travel will cost adults $16.00 and kids $13.50. If you want premium direct service, you will have to pay $200.00 for four Guests and an additional $55.00 per extra Guest.
Just input where you are going, your flight information, and details about your party size on their booking page. According to the Mears website, an “arrival souvenir” and “entertainment” are also provided.
Credit: Screenshot via Mears
You will board Mears Connect on level 1, ground transportation level, in terminal B, at Orlando International Airport. On your return trip, you will board Mears Connect at your Disney Resort.
An Uber from the airport to Disney World (not during a busy time of the day) typically costs around $30.00, which would mean around $60.00 for a round trip. If you are a family of four (two adults, two kids), that total cost for a standard round trip is $118.00 on Mears Connect, and you still may be making multiple stops, unlike an Uber.
Credit: Disney
Taxi
When we looked online, one website stated that a taxi service would cost approximately $66.51. Again, keep in mind that this would only be for one way, meaning once you are ready to return to Orlando International Airport, you would need to request another taxi.
Rental Car
Renting a car is also an option for your next Disney vacation. After a quick Expedia search, it appears a 1-week car rental in early January 2021 totals around $300.00 for a regular-sized car, picking up and dropping off at MCO. Keep in mind that parking fees and gas will need to be factored into this rental car cost, but that convenience and freedom to explore Walt Disney World at your pace may outweigh that.