Transportation is a BIG piece of any Disney World trip, and sometimes that includes getting to and from the airport.
©Brightline
Disney has announced that the Magical Express airport shuttle will be discontinued in 2022 as we get ready for the debut of the train between the airport and Disney Springs in the future. Now, we’re taking a look at just what it might cost to be a passenger on this train and what that means for your vacation!
What is the train to Disney World?
Brightline, a railway company, is actively constructing a new high speed rail line to bring passengers from the Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach stops that already exist on its Florida line to Orlando. And this will include a stop in Disney Springs.
Disney Springs
According to announcements thus far from Disney and Brightline, the connection from West Palm Beach to Orlando’s airport is expected to begin passenger service in 2023 (previously it was set for a 2022 opening).
The expansion from Orlando International Airport to Disney was previously targeting a 2023 opening. But according to The Orlando Sentinel, passenger service from the airport to the Disney Springs station is now slated to start in 5 years. That means guests may not be able to ride on those trains until 2026.
©Brightline
Of course, all of these dates are subject to change. Over the past few months, we’ve gotten a number of updates about the status of this train route. We’ve seen some reports indicating that construction of the train segment from the airport to Disney Springs could begin by the first quarter of 2024 (still lining up with that potential 2026 opening). At one point in 2021, decisions regarding its train route were delayed indefinitely. There’s been quite a bit of discussion about what route the train will take from the airport to Disney World, including one that would go along State Road 528 to International Drive.
Potential Routes ©Brightline | Obtained via the Orlando Sentinel
We’ve seen since updates regarding the placement of certain train tracks at the Airport and details about just how many stations the line might have once completed. We’ve also seen some plans indicating a potential spot where the station may be placed in Disney Springs.
Map Overlaid ©Brightline| Orlando Business Journal | Map4News
For Disney visitors, the construction of the Brightline train will eventually mean a rail connection to many South Florida cities and the Orlando International Airport (MCO) — a valuable travel tool with the discontinuation of the Magical Express. But it’s something guests will have to wait a number of years to experience, so it’s important to arrange for alternative transportation from the airport to Disney World in the meantime.
Want to learn more about the Brightline Train? Click here!
How much do current and proposed Brightline train tickets cost?
To figure out how much the MCO to Disney Springs route could cost passengers, we’re going to take a look at some of the Brightline ticket prices for existing rail lines and how that translates to the shorter trip.
©Virgin Trains
For the one-hour and 12-minute train ride between Miami and West Palm Beach with a stop at Fort Lauderdale around the 30-minute mark, a Brightline ticket will cost you between $22 and $37 depending on a variety of factors, including what service you choose. That’s just for a one way trip.
©Brightline
The round trip cost is about $44 for the “smart” choice, and $74 for “premium.” This is based on the dates we looked, so keep in mind that these prices are subject to change.
©Brightline
In terms of just a 1-way trip though, it’s between $22 and $37 for the approximately 75-mile trip. If we average those out, it’s about $29.5.
©Brightline
The trip from Miami to Orlando Airport will take around 3 hours and is set to cost around $100 per ticket. The price does seem to scale appropriately based on mileage considering Miami to MCO is about three times the mileage of Miami to West Palm Beach and will cost approximately three times as much.
See what the construction on the airport train to Disney World looks like.
So, how much will the train between Disney World and the airport cost?
Based on that math, we can come up with some idea of how much a base price for the train might be. It is about 18 miles from MCO to Disney Springs. So, if we scale that based on the $29.5 average per 75 miles price, we’re looking at just over $7 per ticket. For reference, a rideshare at time of writing costs approximately $30 to $60 or more from MCO to Disney Springs.
©Brightline
On top of that, it is possible that Disney and Brightline will strike a deal. The Magical Express was a free perk for guests staying at Walt Disney World resort hotels. That was a huge deal for many guests, especially those with families of all ages not looking to deal with the hassles of renting a car.
Disney hasn’t said anything concerning if they could strike a deal with Brightline to transport guests to and from Walt Disney World, but it’s certainly possible. If Disney were to negotiate a deal, Brightline service could be free for those with a confirmed reservation as an added resort perk, or they could offer a reduced price for Disney World hotel guests.
©Brightline
There is also a chance that this line will be in high demand, so it may go the other way and come at a premium. This will be difficult to discern until the line is complete and we know how many trips Brightline is running each day.
©Brightline
We’ll be sure to keep a close eye on news from Brightline and from Disney about this project. It certainly would be a GREAT perk to have a quick and (possibly) FREE train ride from the airport to Disney Springs.
But then how do I get to my hotel with my luggage?
The next question that a lot of our readers are asking is this: How do I get from Disney Springs to my hotel with all of my luggage? Your first thought might be to take a bus to your Disney World Resort hotel from Disney Springs after disembarking from the Brightline train. But Disney’s policies note that “No luggage or alcohol of any type is permitted on Walt Disney World Resort buses.” Disney would likely have to change their rules to make this possible.
Even so, Disney buses are not equipped to carry lots of luggage…they’re made to handle lots of people, but not a bunch of suitcases.
Disney Springs
This question also hasn’t been answered by Disney, so here are some potential outcomes. One option is to create a Magical Express-type bus coach service from Disney Springs to individual Disney World hotels. This could be a paid service, or could replace Magical Express as a free service (which would cost Disney less than the original Magical Express service most likely, since the distances covered would be much shorter than they were with Magical Express from the airport).
Disney could also reinstate Minnie Vans, their branded rideshare service, with a dedicated fleet to take train passengers to hotels.
Finally, Disney could do nothing — assuming guests will take rideshare services or just lug their suitcases onto the already crowded Disney transport (assuming Disney ultimately allows the luggage on their buses). Regardless, this is going to be a problem, and Disney will have to figure out how to respond.
Click here to see more of our thoughts on how Disney World might get guests to their hotels from the new airport train.
Stay tuned to DFB to make sure that you’re up to date on all the latest news with this project. We’ll be sure to update you as we hear more about the opening time, the price, and the length of the train trip, and how you’re supposed to get to your hotel afterward!
How will the new high speed train change Disney World? See our thoughts here.
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I can see why Disney removed the shuttle ahead of the train being up & running, as a sign of dedication toward the new system. They may extend it yet.
As for the price of the ticket, I had to pay for transportation prayer to the Express. So it’s not that big of a deal. I even get why the station will be Disney Springs, for that’s the go to for all guests to get to their resort at any hour of day & night.
As for the luggage concern, I could see Disney making accommodations for on property guests to have their luggage serviced to the resort.
I see a lot of complaints. 1st of all contact Disney directly to express these. 2nd of all, we’ll have to just wait & see what Magic this Will include!
People in California complained about Disney World being constructed all the way over in Florida & how it wasn’t going to work building on swamp land & yet look what it has become, & yet that decision was made my Walt himself! Disney will always be moving into the future & Disney will do it the best! Just be patient!
It might be convenient for some but not all. Disney always looking into the future but unless there’s a deal it could become expensive. Another thing about public transportation is safety knowing people are on vacations the pickpocket are on alert. Living in Chicago watching people taking the trains from O’Hara and midway it happens a lot because tourist are so oblivious to there surroundings there not paying attentions to what’s around them. And when you have your luggage purse cell phones in hand it’s hard.
So now I’m in Disney Springs with all my luggage. How do I get everything to my resort? Oh yea… I also have a daughter in a wheelchair. I think I will stick with Mears.
now that the deal with Crossroads at LBV had been finalized, got the feeling that this will be the train hub. If Disney build a “paid”parking garage for locals to use to travel to South FL, the garage toll will pay for the construction, a win-win for Disney and I’m sure Mears will try to cut a deal with them to provide service for train passengers to resorts. Remember Mears also lost lots of revenue since cruising was stopped.
Magical Express was perfect! So disappointed that it is being discontinued. People relied on this form of transportation!! It was exciting, and we were able to take a breather and know we were being taken care of…the videos got everyone pumped for the start of tge vacation….how very disappointing..travel to and from airport sounds like such work now. Seriously just might stay out of park…now you even have to pay to park….excitement being downgraded with so many decisions that are being made!
Mears said they will still be running the busses. They own them.
Oh I would totally love it if Disney kept the luggage service if they picked up my checked-in luggage magically show up in my room or even my resort! Plus, what would they do with all those TSA pods at all the hotels?
Yes! I don’t care what the price- I just know that a taxi or Uber doesn’t have that magical feel to it. I would be willing to pay a little extra to have a magical vacation!!
Have you ever paid foe a taxi from the airport? We did and it was $50! We aren’t willing to do that again!!
Brightline to Disney is one of the least thought out ideas Disney has had in the recent saga of alot of ill thought idea. The big money grab. Using you cell phone to get a pass for a ride, using your cell phone for park tickets, fast pass, dinig plans, special events. How about those people who don’t use cell phone, (Yes there are still some people who do have them) Replacing the Dining plans with prepaid food credits, reduction in hours of park operations, Canceling the Magical Express, No more magic bands. Several lesser know extras canceled, stopped or plan done away with, like Sorcers of teh Magic Kingdom. All the PC pandering with rides and shows. (Jungle Cruise is just the latest). Rising prices with reduced benifits for Resort Hotels, Ever rising Park Pass prices. Yes Disney lost a ton of money due to the Park closures for the pandemic. Now they are trying to make it up by reducing cast members or hours paid (reduced park hours). No more extra magic hours for Resort guests. Bottom line is that people are still paying the prices and Disney is still aking money no matter how much they cancel, reduce or take away those magical extras. THey will continue to only look at dollar signs and they keep making the money because you all keep paying, conplaining but still spending your money at Disney.
This is just more and more magic going away. Magical Express? Gone. Never mind that all across the world, luxury and even mid-range hotels provide airport shuttles at no cost.
Instead, they’re proposing everyone showing up at Disney Springs with luggage, kids, exhaustion trying to move all of that from train to bus. There would have to be luggage carts, people to help load and move the luggage carts…basically, everything that’s at baggage claim in an airport, and then all duplicated at each hotel. Add to that the safety issues of kids running around near trains and buses because VACATION, weather issues, shoppers/other Disney Springs visitors coming and going, and you have a very unmagical recipe for disaster. And then there’s the fact that Brightline projects are hitting lots of roadblocks, with some estimates now saying 2028 for completion if it even happens.
If only they would remove the insane parking fees at the hotels, I would be happy to rent a car and skip the whole mess. But that’s another can of “squeezing us for every dollar” current WDW policy. Can’t wait for the Bobs to go away and someone who understands Disney magic to step into the role.
lots of questions to be answered and lots of unhappy guests may start to look for other vacation venues to spend their hard earned cash. Disney is most definitely moving toward a class system of guest visits. The have and the have nots are clearly in place as the prices continue to increase while guest services continue to be removed. The two biggest guest perks in the last 20 years were Magical Express and Magic Bands and now both are on the verge of disappearing. The cost of moving a family of 4 to Disney is rising steadily when it comes to making the trip from OIA and Disney. I just do not know why they just don’t offer the guests the option of Magical Express Service for a nominal fee. That is the best solution. The train will be costly, time consuming and inefficient just to get to Disney Springs, then to move the guests to their specific hotel with luggage is another costly, time consuming, and inefficient process all over again. Then you can repeat the process when you leave…. Definitely a “Bad Show” for Disney as Walt would put it.
Thank you for the news and updates! I really want to see how Disney would modify ideas for this project
Thanks for the news and updates! I really want to know what Disney’s decision will be
If Mears continues like ME but charges like 20-25 dollars each way I would use it. The train sounds like DISNEY was an after thought and up to Disney to figure out luggage situation etc. I have been to WDW 6 times and ALWAYS stayed at WDW Resort, had Dining Plan, made reservation 6 months in advance and got tickets from Armed Forces Salute. I live in California, trip usually 8+ days. If they have meal vouchers like DL in Cali, FORGET IT !!! Last rip to WDW was late October 2019, planning next year 2022. Dinsyland this Nov. Disney wants you to purchase Merch but cancelling getting items back to your resort really makes me want to buy and carry all that S. I think the new CEO has a lot to dowith it, my first trip to DL was in 1963, yes I am an old fart.
I understood DME was a special arrangement Disney had with MCO, and Disney had to guarantee a minimum number of passengers to/from MCO, which it could not with the shutdow. Hopefully it will be renegotiated and reinstated.
Disney actually didn’t “discontinue” the bus service, they just don’t include it in the price of the room anymore. They went back to old days where people paid for it, if they needed it
TexastoDisney…
Universal has always charged a hotel parking fee. Reason Disney did is because guests staying at the hotels knew that they could park for free at the parks. The outside company that manages the parks lots started to keep track of the money being lost to Disney hotel guests taking up those parking spaces, so the hotel fees allowed then to recoup losses.
We always drove our car to parks, much faster getting to and back
Rockstar, You are wrong, Disney did discontinue the Magical Express, Disney choose to cancel the program and not renew the contract with MCO and Mears. THat contract expires on December 21st 2021.
Mears on teh other hand has decided to continue the service on their own, The Magical Express is gone, Means transportation will take up the slack and can be purchased and schedule outside of Disney for Transpostation to and from MCO to Disney World Resort Hotels
Again it is MEARS providing the service now NOT DISNEY.
ONCE AGAIN DISNEY IS LOSING MORE OF THEIR MAGIC!