Disney’s Magical Express service is being discontinued in 2022.
Magical Express
The shuttle currently provides free transportation for Disney resort guests between the Orlando International Airport and Disney property. We’ve taken a look at the best alternative options for you, and Mears released a statement indicating that they would continue to provide transportation services even after the Magical Express is gone. Now, we have a better idea of what that could look like.
Mears has officially introduced Mears Connect! This service will debut in January 2022 (when Disney’s Magical Express services conclude), connecting the Orlando International Airport to the Disney resort area.
©Mears
According to Mears, Mears Connect will be “the same reliable, safe, express service” we’ve come to expect from the Magical Express. You’ll be able to make your reservation starting in May 2021! Mears has not yet released information on pricing, but we’ll keep an eye out.
Disney’s Magical Express
If you’re not interested in this new service, you will be able to travel from the Orlando International Airport to Disney property on the Brightline train — although it could be delayed until 2026. Your other transportation options include a rideshare service, a taxi, or renting a car.
Would You Take a Train to Disney World?©Brightline
Mears operates the Magical Express, so we’re anticipating that Mears Connect will function pretty similarly to the current service. We’ll keep you posted with any further updates! We’ll also keep an eye out for any news on what airport transportation for the Disney Cruise Line will look like in 2022. Stay tuned to DFB!
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So…are they going to take care of baggage like magical express did? That was a big selling point for us, and I assume a lot of other people.
Though I love the idea, I think it’s very unlikely the Brightline train will make sense as a transportation option between MCO and the WDW Resorts (via greater Disney Springs) because it will only be running a few times each day and obviously won’t directly connect to resorts. Anyone with more than just a small amount of luggage (plus kids) will be hard-pressed to deal with it through that many transitions even if they are lucky enough to have the train schedule align with their plane schedule.
Good of Mears to jump onto this. It will be interesting to see what the price point will. be. Bad for Disney to remove yet another perk which actually benefitted Disney as much as it was a huge benefit to guests!! Disney actually created this to draw business! While capturing guests within the spending confines of the Disney Bubble.
At this point I certainly do not see Brightline as being a viable option. Unless they were to create a short line sort shuttle service between Disney Springs and MCO.
Depending on pricing and services offered, this could be HUGE. Are they still going to handle everything with luggage?
It sucks that it won’t be included in the cost of a resort stay, nor reflected in the cost by lowering it – BUT if it’s priced right, it will still be worth it.. taking away the ME without a good substitute was deal breaking.
I took the Mears shuttle from the airport to a hotel near Disney. It was $60 round trip for one person. I’m assuming this will be priced similarly. Maybe a bit cheaper because they will be using a bigger passenger vehicle. The one I was un was a 12 passenger.
The baggage handling was a big perk for us. This vacation is generally not relaxing for us. We go go go the entire time. Not having to grab our luggage when we landed felt like one of the best pieces of relaxation and luxury this vacation offered. I hope that’s included and affordable in one of the Mears offerings.
Magical Express is such a big draw and so convenient , especially for families, it saddens me that Disney is taking this wonderful perk away. With lodging, restaurant prices, park prices, parking prices all going up, this could be a game changer on going to Disney. The proverbial “last straw” as they say.
The entire magical express experience (most notably the baggage handling) was a major selling point when we bought our DVC points.
We will be extremely unhappy if the service is not replaced with something comparable.
My question is this, why did Disney stop the Magical Express at all? It was one of the top selling points in purchasing a Disney vacation, that you did not have to worry about transportation to and from the airport nor did you have to worry about your luggage. I felt that it was good that Disney included this in your vacation package. Let’s face it Disney is expensive and to me they should try to do everything possible to make it “appear” worth it, after all it is just an amusement park. Don’t get me wrong I LOVE DISNEY and EVERYTHING DISNEY but it is still an amusement park and for me to pay $10,000.00 for a week stay I think they should at least pick me up.
What about the fans who are scheduling trip prior to May, 2022? Will they be able to ttravel on a Mears shuttle or are they on their own?
Anyone who has waited for their ride to pick them up at the Orlando airport, knows what an absolutely chaotic, dangerous mess this is. Hundreds of cars trying to squeeze into a very short strip to pick up passengers. Cars waiting for passengers who aren’t yet on the platform, people trying to load luggage, install car seats, or even just hanging out and talking, etc. further backing up traffic. It’s absolutely ridiculous, and, again, DANGEROUS! Now, they’re going to multiply this by adding hundreds of new passenger pick-ups per day. I don’t understand why the Orlando Airport Authorities don’t step in and put a stop to this.
Good for Mears. I hope Disney is willing to work with them so that the luggage portion can happen. If you have to claim your luggage and try to manage little ones and all your stuff through the Orlando airport and to the busses, it will be tough for families and ultimately start your Disney trip out with a lot of stress. Very Un-Magical! I will not mind paying for the service if it resembles the Magical Express since it was an important part of our yearly Disney trip.
Hate to see magical express end.. as a senior luggage taken to our resort was a real plus, and when leaving, the resort handled and made sure ME got luggage to airport.. what r Mears going to do for all of us?
What about getting BACK to MCO when your vacation is over?? Will Mears be picking folks up and getting them to MCO on time? How will that be arranged? Through guest services? Through Mears? Going in late January and I don’t wanna have to worry about DETAILS once I’m there!
Great news Mears Like others I hope that they will handle baggage also
First, right now Magical Express no longer gets your luggage at the airport…you have to get it yourself. Yes, Mears will provide this similar service Bus service but expect it to be big bucks….and no the train is not a viable idea for most of us…dragging luggage through the airport to the train…then at Springs dragging luggage from train throughout springs to get to the resort buses. Seriously? For me this is unreasonable option.
Will Disney be lower the price since they no longer provide transportation? Not likely but people will still flock there so what does Disney care.
Who do you think provided service to the individual resorts before the magical express? Surprise surprise! The very same MEARS! And they always did a very good job.
Funny, I am reading this as I sit on a Disney magical bus. I hope their pricing isn’t to bad
Mears also offers their “Black Car” service from the airport to any location.
A driver will track your inbound flight, meets you at baggage claim, assist with luggage, walk you to a priority parking area reserved for commercial vehicles and take you to your destination.
They use Lincoln Town Car sedans, Ford Explorers and 9 passenger Vans in their “Luxury Fleet”.
Price is comparable to Uber Black and Lyft Lux platforms.
Additional stops are $5, if you need to pick up something along the way…
I think no bus rent a car if you are on property go were you want to go . I am a D V C member I do not pay parking at the resorts . Disney is making vacation all work more money no fun that’s why people go to the beach .
What will a family do after spending four days at a Disney resort and have reservations for a 3 or 4 day Disney cruise following the land portion of their vacation. In the past Disney had a bus that went from WDW to Port Canaveral. I know because I did this eleven years ago. Will this service still be available by Disney or Mears in 2022 and going forward in the future???
My husband really hope they r going to include the great luggage at the airport as this makes so easier to stay at Disney sure there will b a charge we don’t want to have to handle all our luggage and have to get it to the bus so please do the luggage
I hope the luggage transportaion component is a part of this service. I also hope the wait times are like we have experienced in the past. We have never waited more than 20 to 25 minutes. (Recently I heard the wait is 90 minutes. That is very poor.) Wishing for a reasonable fee too.
The extra busses Disney contracted to fill in at peak times while social distancing is reducing capacity on busses is through Mears. Since they already have a connection, it makes since that they would jump on the opportunity.
Very disappointed that the Magical Express will be discontinued. The sight of it was always the start of our vacation. Taking away the luggage transfer option (from beginning to our return flight) is yet another let down. It was great to leave our luggsge, receive boarding passes and then enjoy our last day in the Parks. We did not have to worry about luggage until we reached out final destination. I’m afraid this was a deal breaker for us.
I am thrilled to see this! To be honest, losing the Magical Express convenience was a deal breaker for me. We are senior citizens and it took a lot of stress off our shoulders! Than you, Mears!!!
Back before Disney’s Magical Express came into existence, we always took Mears from MCO to our Disney resort. It was fairly inexpensive as I recall. The more things change, the more they stay the same….
Sounds good, but still skeptical it will be affordable. If Mears charged $20 per person each way, plus taxes, it adds another $200.00 to a Disney vacation for a family of 4. Too bad it will not be included in a resort stay…
I am glad to see this. I was wondering what we would do next time. I will do anything to avoid taxis or Lyft. I don’t think the train will be a good option. They will drop you at a Disney train station – but what then?
We enjoyed Mears before ME. We’ll enjoy Mears after ME. It was terrific during ME to not even see our luggage between airport check-in in Detroit and our WDW Resort Hotel room.
I’m so happy Mears will be offering the service. For me, it will be well worth it. I just hope they will handle the luggage but not sure how that would work. Maybe they just drop it off at Bell Services. And I sure hope they bring back the airline check in at the resorts but again I would think that would have to be Disney not Mears
Hooray for Mears of saving the day with transportation. But —-will they handle luggage like Magical Express did? Will they have buses with exciting Disney logos? Will it be costly?? Will they deliver to each resort or to a central area?
Thank you Mears
I used Mears before Magical Express and I will use it again.
WDW will still be a magical place it will just cost more to experience it, and not as convenient. At least I had twelve previous years to enjoy the magic.
I have never once used the baggage handling option with Magical Express and don’t intend do during our trip in October, so having that be part of this service means nothing to me. But I am very excited that there will still be a transportation option!
I am one who HATES things like taxies, Uber, Lyft, etc. They are so unbelievably awkward, uncomfortable, and stress-inducing for me. I can’t stand using them. Knowing there will still be a bus available makes me so happy.
I am so glad Mears will be continuing service. I was not looking forward to riding that train only to get dropped off at Disney Springs to get on another bus in order to just get to my hotel. What is Disney thinking?? The Magical Express is such an amazing perk! Your vacation actually starts when you board your plane in your home state. It’s too bad there wasn’t some kind of petition where we could voice our thoughts. Since Disney is really dependent on the public to survive, you would think they would like to hear some input from those keeping them afloat.
Disney needs to step up there game not having transportation for us the guests . I love Disney for over 20 years love the Magical Express I now Disney was taking care of us all it was like you are on a great vacation . More people cannot afford extra money for transportation Disney is draining us all .
Disney needs to step up there game not having transportation for us the guests . I love Disney for over 20 years love the Magical Express I now Disney was taking care of us all it was like you are on a great vacation . More people cannot afford extra money for transportation Disney is draining us all . The train is not for me it is not going to my resort or the parks .
By discontinuing the Disney Express will just make it more expensive for a family to go see Disney. If renting a car, now have to pay to park at the resort. The price to go to the Disney parks has increased substantially. We used used to enjoy our stay at Disney but now can barely afford it. It is just price increase after price increase.
I am a Huge WDW fan, that’s why I belong to this blog as many more. Unfortunately reality is hitting all of us pretty hard. Yes, WDW is cutting all sorts of perks and it is a real PIA. I know the baggage handling was one of the best perks to staying on WDW property, I’m going to miss it and I will be 72 on my next WDW vacation. We will now have a few options to getting to our WDW resort. I feel the Bright Line is not an option. There will be way too much handling that we will have to do with our luggage. We will have the option of taking Mears Shuttle bus or one of their SUV’s or vans. We can use LYFT or UBER. I’m pretty sure LYFT and UBER will have mobilized a lot more service for resort travel, after all there is going to be a lot more money spent for this endeavor. I am truly sorry and P…ed Off over this decision. However, at my age, one doesn’t want to get their BP up. For all of my WDW fans out there, take care and stay healthy.
The Magical Express was one of the main reasons we stayed on site with the kids, the baggage handling was a big perk for us. I wonder, with Mears handle luggage?
I have reservations for Disney World in June, July next year 2022 for my 94th birthday, I am disabled and need my luggage to be handled from the airport right to my room at the Beach Club, so sad that Disney discontinued their service, I would pay extra to have it back, please Disney reinstate this service so disabled persons can enjoy Disney World.
ME was a game changer for us. We’ve enjoyed WDW and DCL forever it seems and now…..aaah now…… the MAGICAL WORLD OF DISNEY has let us down. Yet it seems this ending of the ME is just the final nail in the coffin the straw that …..you get the message. As a 70+ in a wheelchair the ME was a lifesaver. We always did our week at WDW then on to a week on DCL. This will now be nigh impossible both financially and physically. Will it be as easy getting ACCESSIBILITY on transportation from airport to WDW to DCL to airport. A lot of transporting luggage in a wheelchair. I think I have spent my last days at WDW and on DCL. Too bad I was waiting to book the WISH.
I just would like to know if any of the Disney executives that made the decision to discontinue ME have ever travelled coach, then struggled with at least two kids, and all the luggage for a weeks vacation, trying to get transportation to the hotel…
Maybe they’d change their mind.
JOhn….Please reread the article. Mears Connect will start in January 2022. you can start booking the service in May 2 0 2 1
I believe the sad truth is that Disney will drive away guest more and more. The Resort Hotel perks are less and less, Thus it is no longer woth the price of staying at an on property Hotel. Look into neighboring Hotels. Some very good Hotel Chains are much cheaper, and several of them offer services Disney no longer dose. Orlando Hyatt is &79.00 a night, With Park Shuttles, Airport Service and Continal Breakfast. Once you are at Disney World the Transportation system can be used by anyone and everyone (unless they also discontinue that service) So plan you vacation wisely. You may be money ahead and much happier staying at a near by non Disney Hotel. No Magical Express, No Dining Plan, No unlimited Park Hopper, No Early or late Magical Hours. No Fast Pass. No Baggage Service. Longer ride wait times.
For Disney its all about the dollar and the hell with what pleases the guests. Sadly with the Bottom line and the political movement dictating the course of Disney Parks, I don’t see Disney improving anytime soon.
If anyone knows why Disney didn’t want to have a contract with Mears anymore let us know . Disney needs to have transportation that people do not need to be rich . They are older people that need to have great transportation . People are sick about this changes. Disney was making a lot of money before the pandemic . After take away everything possible so vacationers will think about not going anymore .
Anyone not realizing: MEARS is Magical Express. When you booked before 9/11, you would get “transfers” that were also included for MEARS. We never had a problem with airport returns either. Of course luggage p/u was not in the equation.
And I have been to vacation 3 times since Covid. I had never seen Disney Springs so crowded in almost 80 trips. And the parks were not much less crowded and the resort pools were packed.
Yes, Park pass rates have gone up as hours have mostly been reduced & hopping is limited. Food prices have SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED ie a very small barely 5 oz) Filet Mignon going for $55. Mickey Bar almost $6 & Pretzel $7.50. But people are willing to pay.