How do you get from the airport to Disney World? Take Disney’s Magical Express, hop in a taxi, book a rental car?
Would You Take a Train to Disney World? ©Brightline
Well, the way you get to Disney World might be changing soon. Last year, Disney announced that its Magical Express transportation would be discontinued beginning in 2022. But, a Brightline train is set to connect Orlando International Airport to Disney Springs, and was originally targeting a 2023 opening date. It seems that opening date may now be delayed until 2026. But, how will you get yourself and ALL of your luggage from Disney Springs to your Disney hotel? Here are our thoughts.
Some expert packers may be able to survive a week-long trip to Disney World with just one small carry-on bag. But, for many, a trip to Disney World involves packing (and OVERpacking) multiple smaller bags or a few large bags that Gaston himself couldn’t carry.
Could You Fit 1 Week or 1 Day’s Worth of Clothes in This Bag?
Undoubtedly, one of the major perks of Disney’s Magical Express is that Disney takes care of taking your luggage from the airport to your hotel. You don’t even have to think of it.
But, when the Magical Express is gone, you’ll have to explore other options to get from the airport to your hotel. And, once it opens, the new Brightline Train might be an option you’ll consider.
A Peek at What the Train Could Look Like ©Brightline
Maybe you’re okay with the potential price for the train ride, and even okay with having to lug around your bags with you on the train to Disney World. The Brightline train will connect Orlando International Airport to Disney Springs. But, once you get to Disney Springs, how will you and your luggage (whether that’s 1 item or 20) make it to your Disney hotel?
Disney Springs
Well, Disney hasn’t actually answered this question yet. So, here are some things we think could happen.
1. Disney Bus
Disney Buses do run directly from Disney Springs to the Disney hotels. But, the Disney website specifically notes that “No luggage or alcohol of any type is permitted on Walt Disney World Resort buses.” So while you could take the bus, your luggage could not.
Screenshot from the Disney World Website
If the only “luggage” you bring is a regular-sized backpack, then you might be able to just take the bus to your hotel. But, if you’ve got real suitcases, it looks like that won’t be allowed according to Disney’s current rules.
How Much Luggage Could Everyone Really Bring in Here?
It’s possible that Disney will eventually change those rules if it ultimately relies on this form of transportation to get guests from the train station at Disney Springs to their hotels. But, at least under the current rules, it generally wouldn’t work. So, what other options might become available?
2. Magical Express-type Option
Another possibility is that Disney could potentially create a Magical Express-type bus coach service from Disney Springs to the individual Disney World hotels. Basically, Disney could run Magical Express-type buses to its hotels, but they would only need to travel on Disney property, from Disney Springs to the resorts.
Disney’s Yacht Club & Resort
Disney could make this a paid service. Or, they could make it free. At the end of the day, it would likely cost Disney less than the original Magical Express service because the buses would only have to travel on Disney property — a much shorter distance than having to travel all the way from the airport. It could be quite convenient too, and potentially worth it depending on the cost.
3. Minnie Vans
Disney could also reinstate Minnie Vans with a dedicated fleet of cars to take train passengers to their Disney hotels. If you aren’t familiar with Minnie Vans, they’re Disney’s branded ride share service that is powered through Lyft but driven by Cast Members of Walt Disney World. Basically, it’s a personal ride service that can take you all around Disney property and even to the airport.
Minnie Van
The Minnie Van service was temporarily halted due to the pandemic and has not become available again yet. But, the service could return in the future. If/when it returns, Disney could potentially create a dedicated fleet just to take train passengers to their hotels.
Here’s the Minnie Van we spotted driving around Disney World today!
We expect this would be a paid service, just as the traditional Minnie Vans are. The Minnie Vans actually use a distance-based pricing model meaning your cost will vary based on the distance from your pick-up location to your destination. You’ll be able to see the final price on the Lyft app.
In 2018, the prices for the Minnie Van were $15 plus $2.75 per mile. That was typically more expensive than even a regular Lyft. There are approximately 6.4 miles between Disney Springs and Disney’s Contemporary Resort. That would come out to about $32.60 before any tax or tip. And that’s assuming that those prices remain the same if and when the service returns.
Disney’s Minnie Vans Service
We priced a regular Lyft ride through the app from Disney Springs to Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Lyft gave us ranges in price from $12-15 for their cheapest option, to all the way up to $42-49 for their Lux Black XL option, which fits 6 passengers. Depending on how many people are in your party and how much luggage you have, you’ll have to look for an option that fits your needs.
Screenshot from Lyft
Of course, the Minnie Vans had some special bonuses like they included the price of a car seat, and they all seat 6 passengers, while some Lyft options only seat 4. But still, it could be a fairly significant cost depending on the size of your party and what you need. It’s something you’ll want to budget in advance for.
4. Other
Disney could also just do nothing and assume that guests will either use Disney buses (if the rules eventually change about bringing luggage on the buses), book their own rideshare service, or even get a taxi from Disney Springs to their hotel. Guests could also ship their luggage or some items to their Disney hotel, but this can be quite the HEFTY cost depending on how big of a package they ship.
Mickey Luggage Collection
At the end of the day, getting yourself and your luggage from Disney Springs to your hotel is going to be an issue Disney is going to have to consider and address in some way (either by letting guests handle it on their own or offering a solution of their own).
Disney hasn’t made any statements yet about how or if they’ll do anything about this. But, we’re on the lookout for more information and will let you know if we see any updates. Stay tuned to DFB for all the latest.
Click here to learn more about the Brightline train to Disney World.
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Would you take a train from the airport to Disney World? Let us know in the comments.
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
It’s also possible that Mears will keep the DME going as a paid independent service.
I thought I read that Disney is going to still allow its guests to have their luggage delivered to their room and check it in at the hotel but just not be able to use the magical express. The luggage goes on a different truck so I think the luggage portion of this article is a moot point.
I feel like turning Disney Springs into a travel terminal is going to create a huge crowd cluster situation and has not been thought out AT ALL.
If you arrive at Disneyland Paris via Eurostar (an international train service), you can use Disney Express Luggage. You can pay a small fee to leave your bags at the station when arriving on Eurostar, collect your park tickets and then head straight to the parks. Your bags will then be waiting for you at your hotel! The difference here is this is a much smaller resort with a lower guest turnover.
I heard the Minnie vans were gone forever? Was that just a rumor
I am really sad to see DME fall to the wayside and know that no clear plan is in place. It was a service I believe a lot of people counted on and set Disney apart from other resorts.
I think Disney will do one of the following:
1. Disney will claim the luggage from the airport the way it did with ME and transport the luggage to your resort.
2. Or you’ll have to claim your own luggage at the airport, but when you check in for your train, Disney will take the luggage from you and deliver it straight to your resort. This is what they do at Disneyland Paris for those who buy a package including transportation on the Eurostar.
I was told that the Minnie Van leases quietly expired in February and were not renewed. So unless Disney purchased the vehicles outright, they were returned to whichever Chevrolet they leased them from. And the Minnie part of the van was a shrink wrapping that just needed to be peeled off.
Not sure how this is going to be a good way to get people to their resorts. I feel that getting rid of the Magical Express buses is going to be a huge mistake and hurt Disney more than they think it will. I think people depend on these magical buses to get them to their resort and back to the airport. This really makes me sad to think we are going to have to try and figure out transportation once we arrive.
The more mail/information I receive from Disney the less magical Disney is becoming. The cost of going to Disney in increasing, no longer convenient transportation from airport to the resort. Somebody is always reaching into ones pocket.
Not to be Mr Disney Downer…but, you’re on your own for transportation to and from Disney World. No more complementary Magic bands for guest staying on property. Eliminating the annual pass for Disneyland (and probably soon Disney World), making all gate entrance paid daily, slight reduction in volume but much higher revenues. Disney Vacation Club points are realizing a substantial increases from 2021 to 2022. Other cost cutting measures are only speculation at this time, but not out of the question. In business, the rule of thumb is that management can only go through a few evolutions from the original vision before a company begins a decline. It appears there is a real businessman at the helm now. Say “hello” to Mr. Bob Chapek.
98% there will still be a through-check option for bags…for a nominal fee of course.
Or maybe they will be modelling the Paris Eurostar system where you pay extra to have your luggage taken care of.
The Mears coach is still an option, right? If I remember correctly, they dropped you off at your hotel and it was about 30 dollars round trip per person.
I agree with Ryan above – Train replaces the ME but luggage is still picked up on box trucks and delivered to the hotel as previous. That would just make sense. If you have to carry your luggage on the train and then get separate transportation to hotel that would be ridiculous. Another option is maybe a portion of the train cars will carry luggage and the trucks can pick up at Springs and take a short ride to hotels. That would certainly solve the issue on guests and cast member side.
Another resort perk on the way out. It’s a pity, I loved getting onto those buses. I just can’t imagine how international travellers that land in the evening ( +5 extra hours added in their mindset) with toddlers, buggies, wheelchairs and luggage are going to tackle this. In years past I’ve purposefully chosen Disney over Universal resorts because of the smooth transition from the airport. Also heading back to the airport could be a half day challenge it itself – unknown timing , connections to make and with extra luggage.
I really does not make sense that Disney is discontinuing Magical Express a year of more before the Brightline train begins service. You would have thought that Disney would continue the service until Brightline took over. Moreover, people going to Disney in the intervening year are going to find an alternate method of travel and not be inclined to take Brightline when it begins service. Poor planning.
Has there been any talk as to whether or not Mears Busline will continue a service from the airport to the resorts? I would be more than willing to pay for it. I’m in a wheelchair and it’s very hard foe me to travel in the first place and the Magical Express was a huge selling point for me when we bought into the DVC!!
We used Disney’s Magical Express for many years and are very disappointed that it will go away. When I think about the thousands of people (with big luggage) that we wait with to board the buses, I’m blown away with the thought that they now have to pay another service to get them to their hotels. I cannot fathom the line of ride share vehicles needed. Or the added fees that Disney resort guests will have to pay to Mears or ride shares. We all had to know that Disney was adding this as a hidden cost in our resort fee, but it was worth it for the convenience. Does this mean Disney will reduce the hotel rates? Not likely, they didn’t reduce park tickets because of reduced hours and attractions, less restaurant options, and the ugliness of all the construction. Get ready to spend more time getting to/from the airport and spending more money to do so. Train or no train, no DME just made my trip planning decisions more difficult. We have traveled by air to Disney annually for twenty plus years. We will not return until COVID, masks, and major construction are gone and a reasonable transportation option is in place. Of all the changes Disney has made, DME is a major game changer.
As the other poster noted, they could totally do luggage express. They don’t need big/nice busses for that, they could use big vans to transport just the luggage. That seems like the logical option to me.
No one should be thinking the station will be “inside” Disney Springs. Think about it. A Brightline train car is about 80 feet long. There are 5 in a single trainset. A trainset has 2 locomotives, one on each end that are around 60 feet. A single trainset is nearly the length of 2 football fields. There will be at least 2 tracks at the station. Tracks are a bit less than 5 feet wide between the rails but they plan for about 10 feet plus platforms around 20 feet wide. Add some space for stairs, elevators, shops, etc. So can someone identify where there is available land inside Disney Springs that is 100 feet by 600 feet at a minimum? The only space I can see is either between Typhoon Lagoon and the Team Disney building or in the Strawberry/Watermelon parking lot.
I read too that luggage would still be transferred via a truck and delivered to the guest room.
It seems Disney has not considered the bulk of their guests/customers who fly into Orlando (MCO). Bad business decision.
None of the answers above are guest focused for sure. Bad show Disney.
Doesn’t WDW contract with Meir Buses for the MDE buses? Why Doesn’t Meir Bus Inc. start their own bus service from MCO to the resorts but of course you would have to pay for this service. Rather than take the BriteLine and then a bus to my resort, I will take a Lyft from MCO directly to my resort.
Disney should be ashamed to create this huge logistical problem for its guests. They are turning the “happiest place on Earth” into an anxiety ridden destination. Disney really needs to provide viable solutions. If Magical Express is discontinued in 2022 and the train isn’t operational til 2023, that leave a whole year unaccounted for! Shame on Disney!
I still think this is a mistake on Disney part, short sighted. ME was such a huge perk especially when my kids with younger, with ME gone, its one more magical perks that have been removed. If I have to take an Uber, or Lyft, I doubt we are going to stay on property anymore.
I want to add, I would be happy to actual pay for the service, its a huge perk to be able to start my vacation right away. (I also wonder, is this a way for Disney to re-negotiate their deal with MEARS)
From a pure economics point of view.
You need to take the Magical Express from your resort, this means you hang around the resort before the bus spending more money, etc. I know it happens to us all the time, sure why not get $8 Corona for all of us at the resort bar, the kids are hungry so drop $$$ at the resort food court. etc etc End up visiting the gift shop again… I see it happen all the time (been to disney 15+ times)
Why not have a luggage drop sight next to the train station, for Resort delivery just like with purchases at Disney Shops can be delivered to your room.
Seriously, after a full day of travel with a bunch of tired children, who wants to go through all that to get to their hotel?? I’m still so angry about this change, we don’t have any plans to return to Disney. We typically come every other year and instead, I booked a Jamaica vacation for next year. We can spend the same amount for an all inclusive Beaches Resort and get our “free” ride from the airport. Disney is cutting way too many of the perks that made the vacation magical. It really makes me sad, but I guess it’s time for my family to move on to other vacation destinations.
I think it’s something that Disney should work out after the pandemic. If they want people to come, they will have to make themselves accessible.
Beth, Mears does continue to offer transportation.
Carol, it is.
The company that currently operates magical express did state that they would still offer transport to theresorts. It just would not be Disney sponsored.
@Mike C.
That is Mears right, I think that was the option before, but I assume it will be like before Magical Express.
Having to get your luggage yourself, and then book it ahead of time, and it was not direct at all when I went on it years ago, took ages with many stops.
I also wonder what the cost would be, it was per person before.
I seem to recall, from when I was running a national convention in 2017, that Mears website has a lot of different options. You start with MCO as your pickup point, which hotel you’re going to, and then select from all the options, from a private town car to a shared van. They are priced accordingly, the town cars have the highest cost, the shared vans are the least expensive.
Eliminating The Magical Express is a BAD BUSINESS DECISION FOR DISNEY.
One of the most valuable aspects of our Disney vacations was walking off the plane, strolling
down to the DME area and getting to our Disney resort without having to struggle with luggage or take more than one bus. The ride was fun, too. Now we are in our 70s the idea of having to make our own way to the resort is daunting. We’ll wait and see what alternatives are suggested, but I doubt we will take the train, just too much hassle. We would gladly have paid for the DME service; without it, Disney might not see us again.
Most of the comments cover getting from MCO to the resorts, and the luggage handling. I think the box truck delivery is probably going to happen. That wouldn’t be hard as hard for Disney to put in place.
Getting BACK to the airport with your luggage, etc. is another issue, at least in current environment where they have eliminated airport checkin at the resorts. This service may come back once the COVID situation is under control, but not guaranteed.
How do you manage exhausted family, luggage, etc., thru a train system at the end of the trip? And this is assuming the train expansion even is ready and operational in 2023.
(And of course the added issues from end of ME and the beginning of the train…which is covered well in other comments)
Not getting good feelings
The magic is no more
My family has been using ME every year since 2004. The convenience of this service is undoubtedly one of the best parts of traveling to and from The Disney World Resort. This is one of the worst business decisions Disney has made. I understand Disney lost a lot during the Pandemic. But they are not the only ones. They have not only taken this service, they have taken almost every perk that resort guests get . (Extra magic hrs, fast pass, dining plans, room discounts) Pricing keeps going up with no recourse. You would think they would want more folks in the seats instead of pushing families away. Some save for years for a Disney vacation. For Disney to remove the ME with out a viable option in place will force folks to either not go, pay even more money and begin and end their vacation with a very stressful situation. New man in charge gets a F on his report card.
Mears has announced that they will continue the bus service from Orlando International to Resort Hotels, Of course there will be a Mears fee (which is fine and Disney could have done the same). Brightline is now not schedules to be completed to Disney Springs until 2026. THe Brightline system and Flordia are at odds about the route the train will takemand how many properties they will have to take from private land owners depending on whick route they take.
Disney is going into self destruct mode. Whom ever has made the decisions on the New Park hours (extra magic hours) Park hopper options, Magical express, Magic bands, Dining plans, shows, meet and greets, new facial entry ID, rising ticket prices. It dose not pay to stay on Disney property. A value hotel runs 200.oo a night average. Orlando Hilton runs 79.00 a night, THey have bus service to Disney world, pool, cable and internet, Airport Service and Continial Breakfast. What is the perk to stay at a Disney Hotel at 3 times the rate of a Good off property hotel and stay at a Motel 6 call value resort.
Disney is going to lose money on these ill founded ideals by someone who should be fired for failing to think through the big picture
How much will they save cutting this feature ? It’s not just the cost of the bus service but all the people who drive the luggage around property and bring it to the rooms. I understand its a business and its main priority is to make money for its share holders but it seems they keep looking to nickel and dime us. Disney springs as the depo, maybe you’ll shop or have lunch before going to your hotel, pretty smart on their part to get a few more dollars out of your wallet.
Doesn’t anyone remember travel before ME which began in 2005? Many did it for over 30 years, and survived the journey. Making your own arrangements from the airport to the resort was a “way of life” back then.
@Franklin Haney
I concur, prices have gone up and the magic has gone down, I am actually sad to think about my next disney experience, my kids are going to notice many of the magic that no longer exists.
I also think, did they look at Universal Studios, yes I know the service etc Use to not be the same (not sure now), but some of their new hotel options with family suites costs less then a value resort (for the dates was checking)…Did any at Disney contemplate the potential for Universal to increase their business.
I really wonder if Disney is temporarily getting rid of anything that would crowds to congregate; things like Extra magic hrs, fast pass, dining plans, fieworks, shows and meet and greets because of COVID.
I also wonder when it comes to the train, if Brightline said “We’ll stop at Disney but you need to get rid of Magical Express. They most likely want a chance at recovering some of the costs they will incur. it costs 3$ Million a mile to lay track. And because of COVID Disney decided to shut it down sooner rather than later, again, because it allows people to congregate. I think Disney is very fearful of someone contracting COVID on property and is doing everything possible they can do to prevent it. I think when they get to around 75% capacity we’ll start seeing things coming back online.
Chris…Brightline will not even be completed until 2026. Magical Express ends December 31st this year. Extra magic hours has ended forever. replaced by a 30 minute early opening at every park. I believe this to be a cost cutting measure. Some of the otehrs are indeed COVID related, Fireworks, meet and greets, dining.
However as these and MANY other programs have been either reduced or eliminated, The price has not reflected the reduction. Example is the $89.00 a day Park Hopper addition. Same price as before except now you can use it until after 2pm and than only of that Park is not at it’s COVID limit.
Whomever is making the decisions at Disney is not thinking the plan out. A value resort with Prefered room runs $212.00 per night. Value resorts are equal to a Motel 6. Withe the COVID restrictions, no arcade, Food Court, bus limits is it worth staying on property. THe Orlando Hilton is $79.00 a night with airport/ Park service. Pool and contintinal breakfast. Disney has lost touch with it’s guest relations
THere will be no Baggage service from now on. It is gone all togeather. You will claim and check your own bags from now on. Disney is not bringing back the baggage service.
The magical express will be replaced by Mears who currently runs the Magical Express for Disney. But it will now cost you a fee. Compare that to what Florida estimates that Brightline will cost about $50.00 per person.
The Brightline station will be across the Highway from Disney Springs. Even than there will be no baggage service. Minnie vans are also a thing of the past and will not be brought back, The vehicles have been sold or returned to the Dealerships of which they were leased.
You will be stuck like Chuck when you get to Disney Springs You can not cross the street and take a Resort bus to your hotel, because the Bus service dose not allow baggage other than a backpack. So you will still need an Uber or some such transportation to your over priced hotel.
If you rent a car at the airport, you should know that Disney is going to charge you $25.00 a night to park at your hotel.
THis is no longer Walt Disney, This is the new Disney Corparation. It’s all abot the money now,
I see Disney Parks losing more and more guest to the other THeme Parks as they continue to gain while Disney slides backwards.