2021 has been a BIG year in Disney World, with lots of major changes.
In addition to changing Disney World Annual Passes, Disney has also discontinued or altered many previously “free” perks, like complimentary MagicBands for Disney World Resort hotel guests and Annual Passholders, as well as replacing Extra Magic Hours with the shorter Early Theme Park Entry and the more selective Extended Evening Hours. And now perhaps one of the BIGGEST free Disney World perks will be gone in a few short weeks, and here’s what you need to know.
Disney’s Magical Express
At the beginning of 2021, Disney announced their plans to discontinue the Magical Express shuttle service, a previously free transportation option for Disney World Resort hotel guests to and from Orlando International Airport (MCO). This service made it super easy to travel to Disney World, as guests (after registering before their trip) would drop off their luggage at their departure airport and Magical Express would not only transport them to their hotel, they’d also grab their bags from baggage claim and deliver them to their room.
Magical Express debuted in 2005 and has been a huge perk for Disney World hotel guests to avoid worrying about OR paying for airport transportation. Although Disney has changed the way Magical Express has operated over the past few years, many guests continued to use this complimentary service.
As of January 1st, 2022, the Magical Express will be officially discontinued and no longer an option for Disney World hotel guests. So what’s next? Guests will have to look into other airport transportation options, and they probably won’t be free.
Read more about Disney discontinuing Magical Express here.
Mears Connect
Mears, the company that operated Magical Express, will be launching Mears Connect in 2022 as a similar (but paid) transportation option for Disney World guests. You can already book your reservations, and the costs depend on a few different factors.
Introductory rates began at $16 per adult for one way and $32 round trip, so your overall cost will depend on how many people are in your group.
A round trip on the express service for up to four people will cost you $250. (Note that the cost was previously $200 for up to 4 guests, but that has since been increased).
For some people, this could be a massive additional financial impact on a Disney World budget, so if you’re visiting in 2022 make sure you plan ahead for this new cost.
Important facts about Mears Connect that you need to know!
Other Transportation Options
Rideshare
Whether you choose to use services like Uber, Lyft, a taxi, a private car, or a shuttle, rideshare is an option to consider for airport transportation. When we’ve looked at prices in the past, for example, an Uber trip at the time would cost $51.77 for a ride from Orlando Airport to Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
Using rideshare services can help prevent you from paying for Disney World parking, which can quickly add up if your hotel also charges for parking!
How the cost of Mears Connect compares to an Uber in Disney World!
Car Rental
Car rental is, of course, another option, but keep in mind that you might end up paying for the car, gas, theme park, AND hotel parking. In the past, we’ve seen an Alamo car rental for up to four people priced at $365.75 for a 7 day Disney World visit. Combine that with $25 theme park parking and hotel parking and you’re looking at some costs that add up quickly.
Still, if you prefer the freedom to travel around as you please, it might be an option worth considering as long as you build in all the extra costs into your budget.
Renting a car could cost more than Disney World tickets — here’s why!
Brightline
Although Brightline is not yet an option, in the future it will be a high-speed train providing service from Orlando International Airport to Disney Springs! This train line is currently scheduled to be completed sometime in 2023, and there are also stops in Miami, West Palm Beach, and Fort Lauderdale, as well as other stops.
Right now, it’s been said that a one-way trip from Miami to the Orlando Airport could cost $100. This train could be a fast and convenient option for many guests who don’t want to worry about car rentals or rideshares!
The train to Disney World could have a dozen different stations!
So after December 31st, 2021, Magical Express will be officially gone, and you’ll need to plan for additional costs now that this complimentary service is discontinued. Make sure you plan ahead for these costs and choose which transportation service works best for you. And keep reading DFB for more Disney World planning tips!
The BEST ways to get to Disney World when the Magical Express is gone!
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Are you upset about losing Magical Express? Tell us in the comments!
Irene Noraas says
The round trip for express service through Mears is $200 so where you have it listed as $400, that’s incorrect.
Lisa says
Our WDW vacation is 12/30/2021 to 1/8/2022. I confirmed with Guest Relations who verified with Magical Express we will be able to take the Magical Express back to MCO on 1/8/2022 since our resort stay will begin before 2021 is over and we will be returning to MCO within the final date of 1/10/2022.
I have found some inconsistencies with information received from Guest Relations. Many of them do not seem to be aware of this unique circumstance, but I did have one who took the time to contact Magical Express while I was on the phone.
Ren says
If you pay parking at the hotel/stay onsite, you don’t pay again at the parks
Also, the train will go from the airport to Disney Springs. From there, you get on your resort bus.
This is gonna be crazy at peak times with people, suitcases/bags, strollers, etc.
Tiffany says
Magical Express kept me from renting a car and made staying at a Disney Resort more attractive. With Disney discontinuing the service, I prefer renting a car – which makes staying at a Disney Resort less attractive. There are more affordable dining, entertainment and resort options available when you have your own transportation and are not “trapped” on Disney property. No long lines and cold Disney buses to wait for when your heading to the parks &/or leaving them – just jump into your car and go. The Magical Express was a major reason for me choosing to stay on Disney property. Now that it’s gone, I have no desire to stay at a Disney Resort.
DFB Sarah says
Lisa, thank you for sharing.
DFB Sarah says
Thanks, Irene. Having an editor fix up that mix up. 🙂
Rob says
The sad (and greedy) thing is that Disney World is sub-contracting to Mears Connect, so Disney is going to get their cut and profit off the shuttle ticket price. Just another way Bob Chapek, Josh D’Amaro, Jeff Vahle, and Maribeth Bisienere are Nickel and Dimming guest by trying squeeze every penny out of everyone and anyone going to Disney World.
Pris says
This whole situation is so irritating!!! Obviously the bean counters with Disney have decided to save a buck at the expense of being shortsighted in the long run. But no one attributed of some execs with Disney of having a brain!!!
Kimberley Fischer says
Yet another reason not to go to WDW at all, let alone stay on-site. Disney Parks are no longer our dream destination.
Margaret Glisson says
We are going to WDW in February 2022 and we are staying at the Polynesian. I’m curious if anyone has an idea about how much time it takes to go from the airport to the resort using Meers Connect Standard service. I’m trying to make a dinner reservation and I don’t want to book it too early. Meers won’t give me an estimated time. Our plane arrives in Orlando at 5:30pm on a Tuesday. I would appreciate any thoughts on this. Thanks!
Cindy says
This is so sad. We bought into the DVC 10 years ago. The very few perks seem to be going away, such as this free transportation from the airport to the resort and back to the airport. The other major perk was being able to borrow 100% of next years’ points which is now reduced to 50%. This has negatively affected our vacation plans for 2022. Very disappointed.
Gary says
I traveled to WDW in November before the Magical express ends its operation. Because of the end of the Magical Express and the other greedy decisions by WDW management I have no plans to travel to WDW again. There are endless travel destinations waiting to be enjoyed that actually want my business
Rebecca says
What was the transportation from the Orlando airport to Disney pre-2005? The first time we went was New Years 2001 and I recall we had easy transportation from the airport to our resort at WDW. We didn’t rent a car or take a taxi and we didn’t pay for it at the time. I think it was already included in our package. My memory is foggy what it was exactly. Can anybody shed some light?
Lacey Ja says
As I’ve said before, this shortsighted, money-grubbbing change will not only force families who save up for years for a Disney vacation to pay another outrageous fee, it will also cause absolute havoc at Orlando International Airport! There is currently very little room for locals to pick up friends and family by car at MCO. Now, you’ll be adding hundreds if not thousands of extra Lyft, Uber, and taxis to the mix. This is a disaster waiting to happen. There will be accidents, fender-benders, and quite probably people injured trying to get to their ride two lanes over. There is simply NO Room for all of the extra cars! I don’t understand why Airport management isn’t pushing back. Again, Disney is doing all it can to anger, disapoint, and turn away customers.
Doug says
Are the trams running at WDW parks?
DFB Sarah says
Doug, still no trams!
DFB Sarah says
Margaret, my guess is that Mears doesn’t want to confirm a time and then not be able to deliver on that timeframe. Since Mears Connect hasn’t started yet, it’s hard to say how long things will take. The MearsConnect site says riders will be on their way within 20 minutes of checking in at the MearsConnect desk, then you’ve got about a 30+ minute drive to the Polynesian. The standard service does not guarantee you’ll be the first dropped off, and there could, of course, be traffic or other delays. So you’ll want to leave yourself plenty of time for an Advance Dining Reservation.
Audrey says
Is this just for busses from the airport to WDW, or are the busses from the hotels to the parks and Disney springs, etc. going too?
David Dominie says
ME is/was a great benefit. Not having to worry about transportation and luggage will be missed. Hopefully Mears will be able to make arrangements for these also. ME will be greatly missed.
DFB Sarah says
Audrey, just Magical Express.
Hooper says
Brightline. Will. Never. Be. A. Replacement. For. Magical. Express.
Why on earth would anyone take this train to get to their resort from MCO? It drops you (and your luggage and your kids) off at Disney Springs. Then you’ve got to get on a Disney bus with everything and eventually get to your resort. Compare that to a simple ride share from MCO direct to your resort.
And yet this concept of Brightline being a substitute for Magical Express keeps getting played.
Larry says
Discontinuing the Magical Express from Orlando Airport to the Disney hotels is a huge disappointment to all of us who enjoyed this special way to begin our Disney experience. Disney management wake up, do the right thing and bring this magical service back.